Monday Morning News & Notes
Denmark warns of Russian sabotage risk. G7 countries say bye to coal.
🍃Environment & Energy⚡️
🇩🇰
A major climate change project has hit a milestone in Copenhagen. Torrential cloudbursts have become a more and more regular weather phenomenon across Denmark, dumping mammoth amounts of rain over the span of just a few hours. In Denmark’s capital city, excavation has finished on a 1.3 kilometer long flood drain tunnel designed to channel all that water away from city streets.
A 108-tonne boring machine called Sigrid has been churning away at the bedrock deep underneath Copenhagen for 24 hours a day, every day, for the last three months. Last week, Sigrid reached its objective, the city’s harbour at Kalvebod Brygge. With the tunnel now excavated, preparations are underway to do the final concrete work.
The tunnel is large enough to stand up inside of it, and in some spots, reaches three meters in width. It can hold up to 10 million liters of rainwater. In the event of a massive cloudburst, a pumping station will also swing into action, churning out 20,000 liters of water into the city harbour per second. It is expected to come online in 2026.
The company behind the tunnel construction is called Horfor. It is going to break ground an another cloudburst tunnel this year. This one will be 10 kilometers long, and it will also run under Copenhagen, emptying into the North Harbour.
Water and Waste Water Director Brian Hansen:
“One of the consequences of climate change is that it rains more and more. And we often get these cloudbursts in the summer, when all of a sudden a lot of water comes in a short time, and our existing sewage system can't take it.”
The company has 13 billion Danish kroner in contracts to build these tunnels, along with expanding creeks, streams, and other drainage innovations to deal with flood prevention.
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Danish farmers seem to be climbing on board the re-wilding train. The idea is to include as many wild flowers and vegetation as possible on agricultural land. This helps bees, insects, birds, and other small animal populations forage, nest, and harvest pollen. The Danish Agency for Agriculture says so far this year 10,456 farmers have applied for re-wilding subsidies, a notable increase on the 7,309 that applied in all of 2023.
🇸🇪
For the last decade, Sweden has been using people power to monitor the impacts of climate change. At the end of every April, for the last ten years, thousands of citizen volunteers across the country head into the woods to check on six different plant and flower species. All of that data is then collected and submitted to the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, which uses it, along with weather data dating back to 1873, to model future climate changes.
One of the more significant discoveries is that spring is arriving, on average, twelve days earlier than it did 150 years ago, and that is posing a problem.
Swedish Botanical Association Chair Mora Aronsson:
“This can be beneficial for farmers and fruit growers, for example. With a warmer climate, you need to know how to plan the growing season. One problem we get when the seasons shift is that there is a mismatch between pollinators and plants; that the insects are simply not in place when the plants flower.”
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Well known Swedish chef Paul Svensonn underscored the need to address food waste in a rather unique way, by making soup from garbage. Svensonn was invited to attend a meeting of environmental groups to discuss food waste in the Swedish city of Gottsunda on Friday. At lunch, he served a Spanish vegetable soup made entirely of ingredients that had been tossed away by restaurants and grocery stores.
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The Swedish Transportation Administration is spending billions of Swedish kroner to combat an invasive plant. Japanese knotweed has taken root along stretches of railway tracks. The rail company says the invasive knotweed can grow so large that trains can drag it over huge distances, which helps the plant spread. Now the administration is beginning a multi-year effort to replace the impacted tracks and root out the knotweed.
It expects the work to be completed by 2026 with upgraded rail and road protection.
🇫🇮
Farmers in Finland are behind schedule thanks to a harsh winter and some unpredictably wild spring weather. According to agricultural consultants, ProAgria, the spring seed planting has been delayed by about two weeks. If Mother Nature doesn’t have any more surprises, farmers could begin sowing seeds by May 12, with those in the colder northern climates being a little later than that. ProAgria says it is not a disaster yet, but if seeds aren’t planted by the end of the month, then it could be a big problem.
The wild weather and freezing spring temperatures have wiped out about a third of the Finnish winter rye crop and 10% to 20% of the winter wheat crop as well.
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Climate change impacts in Finland are being reflected in the proliferation of ticks. The little bloodsuckers used to be an extreme rarity in frozen northern climates like Finnish Lapland, but no longer. A joint project between Turku University and pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has been tracking ticks in Finland. Last year, they confirmed 500 tick sightings in Lapland.
As the planet warms, ticks have migrated hundreds of kilometers further north, bringing with them tick-borne diseases like TBE and Lyme disease.
🇪🇺
Cities are key to a more climate resilient European Union, according to a groundbreaking report released by the European Environment Agency. A majority of Europeans live in cities, and the EEA report highlighted the pivotal role urban areas play in fighting climate change.
As heatwaves and floods increasingly afflict European cities, the urgency of urban adaptation becomes evident. The EEA report underscores the urgent need for investment in urban resilience. From urban planning and early-warning systems to nature-based solutions and community engagement initiatives, European cities are deploying a diverse array of strategies to confront the climate crisis head-on.
However, the report concludes that much more needs to be done, chief among them, sustained political commitment, adequate funding, and knowledge-based decision-making. However, the report also highlights the need for more tangible targets to measure progress effectively, as current indicators in local adaptation plans just aren’t adequate.
With Europe's densely-populated urban areas facing heightened risks from heatwaves and extreme weather events, the report says that the need for swift and decisive action at all levels of governance has never been clearer. As cities across Europe rise to the challenge of climate adaptation, the EEA hopes its report will serve as a vital roadmap for building more resilient and sustainable cities.
🇬🇧
Environmental campaigners have handed the British Government its second loss in court over a legal challenge accusing it of not doing enough to fight climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Environmental groups accused the British Energy Minister of signing off on a climate plan without any solid evidence that the goals it laid out could actually be achieved.
The UK High Court ruled on Friday that the government must now redraft its climate plan, again. The legal challenge was brought by environmental groups Friends of the Earth, ClientEarth, and The Good Law Project.
The British Government has set the goal of reducing its CO2 emissions by 78% by 2035, but the UK Climate Change Committee estimated the government’s climate plan would only deliver about a fifth of the needed emissions reductions and would fall well short of its goal.
🇻🇳🇹🇭🇧🇩
Parts of Asia have been sweltering under a huge heat wave, which has toppled more than 100 heat records in Vietnam alone. The Vietnam Meteorological Institute says the thermometer hit 44 degrees last week. Heat records have also been shattered in Bangladesh and Thailand.
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There seems to be some resistance to new wind and solar farms in Ringkøbing-Skjern Kommune. Someone or some people have been putting up signs around the municipality saying, "Here we destroy the Kingdom of Nature - with full intent." It appears to be a protest against some 26 sites where wind turbines or solar cell projects could be installed.
Mayor Hans Østergaard says the anonymous opposition is a little disappointing, but he stresses that these proposed projects are essentially at ground zero, and area residents will be thoroughly involved during the entire process.
🇫🇮
Large deposits of naturally occurring hydrogen have been found in Finland. The Geological Survey of Finland has been mapping the deposits and reports that the results are better than average. Natural hydrogen is produced in the bedrock rather than artificially using electrolysis, making it a more efficient energy source.
Hydrogen is a clean energy source and does not produce any greenhouse gas emissions when it is burned.
🇨🇦🇺🇸🇩🇪🇫🇷🇬🇧🇮🇹🇯🇵
The G7's countries have made a landmark decision to phase out coal power by 2035. The announcement has sent shockwaves through the global energy landscape, signaling a dramatic shift towards decarbonization among the world's most advanced economies. The move, outlined in the final communiqué of the G7 energy ministers gathering in Turin, underscores a collective commitment to accelerate the transition to net-zero emissions and combat climate change. However, while hailed as a bold step towards a sustainable future, the decision presents unique challenges for Japan, where coal remains a strategic component in securing energy and electricity supplies.
Japan's heavy reliance on coal, with the fossil fuel accounting for over a quarter of total energy supply and more than 30% of electricity generation, poses significant hurdles to achieving the G7's ambitious targets. Despite global trends towards renewable energy and decarbonization, Japan's energy landscape has remained largely unchanged, with coal power plants operating around the clock to compensate for the nation's nuclear power shortfall.
As Japan grapples with the complexities of phasing out coal, the nation must chart a path towards a more sustainable energy future that balances the need for reliability, affordability, and environmental stewardship. With renewables, gas, and nuclear power emerging as potential alternatives, Japan's transition away from coal will require careful planning, robust investment, and steadfast commitment from policymakers and stakeholders alike. As the G7's coal phase-out initiative takes shape, Japan stands at a crossroads.
🇺🇦Ukraine/ Russia War🇷🇺
🇫🇷🇩🇰🇺🇦/ 🇷🇺🇧🇾
With the summer Olympic Games in Paris getting closer and Russian and Belarusian athletes being allowed to compete, albeit as ‘neutral’ athletes, the Ukrainian Olympic Committee has published guidelines for its athletes. In essence, it says Ukrainian athletes, coaches, and all other staff should avoid all contact, and in the event of sharing the podium, stay as far away as possible from Russian and Belarusian competitors.
Ukraine, and other countries, lobbied hard for the International Olympic Committee to maintain a ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes. Those pleas were ultimately ignored in the IOC’s controversial decision to allow them to compete.
Danish Sports Confederation Chair Hans Natorp says that Denmark shares the Ukrainian viewpoint that athletes from Russia and Belarus should not have been allowed to compete.
“Russia is right now the exception that confirms the rule, in relation to everyone being able to be there [at the Paris games]. Russia is in such flagrant violation of all our rules for the community that it is wrong that they are allowed to participate, even has neutral athletes under a neutral flag.”
🇩🇰/ 🇷🇺
Baltic countries, led by Sweden and Denmark, are taking the problem of Russia’s so called ‘shadow fleet’ of aging oil tankers to the EU and NATO, seeking ways to limit the movement of those tankers through the Baltic. Russia must not have liked the sound of that, as a spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Affairs Minister said over the weekend that any efforts by Denmark to limit the movement of Russian ships will be interpreted as “hostile actions.” Denmark holds the keys to the Baltic, as any ship looking to transit between the North and Baltic seas must pass through the Danish controlled Kattegat Strait.
Denmark’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Lars Løkke Rasmussen shrugged off the threat.
“I am not worried about the Russian announcement. Of course, we will always stay within the international laws and regulations and the obligations that follow from them. Exactly as we expect Russian ships to do. Regarding the so-called shadow fleet, as you know, we are pushing for further EU measures.”
The shadow fleet tankers, sailing under flags of convenience, with murky ownership, and dubious insurance coverage, help Russia evade sanctions on its oil and gas, getting huge quantities to market. The Swedish military recently revealed that some of those tankers may also pose a security threat with indications that they are carrying intelligence gathering equipment.
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The specter of Russian sabotage and espionage is looming larger over Denmark, with the Danish Police Intelligence Service (PET) highlighting a heightened risk compared to its previous assessments. According to Anders Henriksen, head of counterintelligence, the threat landscape has evolved, with Russia now increasingly employing tactics such as recruiting and directing sources within Denmark. This shift underscores a broader trend identified by both PET and the Defense Intelligence Service (FE), indicating a significant uptick in Russian espionage activities within the country.
Anja Dalgaard-Nielsen, FE's chief of intelligence, emphasized that Russia seems to be willing to take more risks than it has in the past as it targets Danish companies, authorities, and anyone else involved in military support for Ukraine.
“The hybrid warfare can be both at the low end with aggressive propaganda, in the middle with espionage and disinformation campaigns, and at the high end of the scale with sabotage actions.”
Despite the gravity of the situation, both intelligence agencies stress the importance of public awareness without succumbing to fear.
The concerns raised by Danish intelligence align with broader apprehensions within NATO regarding Russia's hostile activities across Europe. Recent events, including the arrest of a British national accused of working for the Russian mercenary Wagner Group, the arrest of other accused spies within the EU, the shutdown of an alleged Russian propaganda network, and ongoing investigations into the killing of two Ukrainian soldiers in Germany, serve as stark reminders of the escalating tensions in Europe.
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It has been two decades since ground based air defenses were installed on Danish soil, and now that streak is about to come to an end. With a suddenly more aggressive Russia and a deteriorating security situation across Europe, the Danish government has decided to sink billions of Danish kroner to procure a new air defense system that will once again guard against aerial attacks.
Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen underscored the urgency of the situation, citing Russia's belligerent behavior and the need for NATO member states to bolster their collective defense capabilities.
“Russia is preparing for a long-term war and is exhibiting continued aggressive behavior that, within a few years, could pose a potential threat to NATO countries. That is why we have chosen to advance investments in a number of powerful and in-demand military capacities, so that we can contribute our part to NATO’s overall defense as soon as possible.”
Major Karsten Marrup of the Center for Air and Space Operations at the Defense Academy emphasizes the need for a multi-layered air defense system to effectively counter these evolving aerial threats. The Danish Armed Forces are shopping for one long range and two short range air defense systems. However, Denmark is well behind its allies and neighbours. Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Poland all use the American Patriot system, Finland has purchased the Israeli system, David's Sling. While Norway uses the short-range NASAMS platform, which was a Norwegian-American collaboration.
🇩🇪🇺🇦
German weapons company Rheinmetall, known for making the Leopard tank, says that it is focusing on ramping up production of artillery shells. This year, the company plans to deliver hundreds of thousands of artillery shells to Ukraine. Among them will be some prototype shells with a range of 100 kilometers.
🇩🇪/ 🇷🇺
It has taken a year and a half, but German politicians who were suspicious that Russia was behind a cyberattack on the country’s ruling Social Democratic Party in January of 2023 have been proven right. The attack came shortly after Germany decided to send Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine to help in the war against Russia. The cyber attack was suspected to be Russia’s attempt at retribution.
During a visit to Australia late last week, German Foreign Affairs Minister Annelena Baerbock confirmed an investigation has removed any doubt that the cyber attack was done by state sponsored hackers in Russia, namely the ATP28 hacker group linked to the Russian intelligence agency GRU.
“It is completely unacceptable and will not be without consequences.”
The comments come shortly after ambassadors from all 32 NATO member countries issued a statement saying that the military alliance is “deeply concerned” about Russia intensifying hybrid warfare tactics across Europe.
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With Sweden now a full fledged NATO member, it is following in the footsteps of neighbouring Finland in training fighter jet pilots and supporting crews in the use of highways as makeshift runways. Swedish JAS Gripen fighter jets practiced landing and taking off on one of the country’s highways recently.
The idea is that in the event of a war, airports and military airbases would become targets of attack. By using highways, fighter jets can become more mobile and less vulnerable. Like a pit stop in a racing competition, the training includes refueling and rearming, so fighter jets can land anywhere and get back in the fight as soon as possible.
🇫🇮🇩🇰
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo will make his first state visit to Denmark today. He will meet with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen to discuss the war in Ukraine, ways to increase ammunition production, and how to get more air defenses to the war-torn country.
🇫🇮/ 🇨🇳
As Chinese President Xi Jinping embarks on a six-day visit to Europe, tensions simmer between China and the EU over Beijing's stance on the conflict in Ukraine. Finland’s Foreign Affairs Minister Elina Valtonen minced no words in condemning China's evasion of sanctions against Russia, labeling it as unacceptable. Despite China's assertion of neutrality in the conflict, Valtonen pointed out that the country's continued support for Russia, through the sale of dual-use materials and energy purchases, undermines international efforts to rein in Moscow's aggression.
Valtonen's remarks underscore the EU's stance against any attempts to circumvent sanctions imposed on Russia. With China's support for Russia casting a shadow over bilateral relations, the EU faces a critical juncture in maintaining unity and upholding its values. As President Xi's itinerary includes visits to France, Serbia, and Hungary, analysts speculate on Beijing's motives, with some suggesting that the visit to Hungary may be aimed at undermining EU cohesion. However, Valtonen downplayed concerns over Hungary's role, emphasizing the need for a united front within the EU, particularly in supporting Ukraine and defending shared values.
🇫🇮🇪🇺/ 🇷🇺
As Finland continues to face the threat of an immigrant crisis along its sprawling land border with Russia, the European Union border agency, Frontex, is being asked for its continued help. The EU border agency sent 50 border guards and other support staff to Finland last winter.
The Finnish Interior Ministry’s Marko Saareks says that the Finnish government would like the Frontex border guards to stick around.
"We have proposed to Frontex that their border guards should continue to assist us in controlling the land border along the eastern front until the end of October. Frontex has not yet responded to our request, but we consider it very likely that the assistance will continue.”
Finland temporarily closed its land borders with Russia last winter due to a wave of thousands of illegal immigrants arriving from Russia. Earlier this month, the Finnish government decided the closure would continue indefinitely.
🇬🇧/ 🇷🇺
British Foreign Affairs Secretary of State David Cameron announced over the weekend that Britain would donate £3 million to Ukraine every year “for as long as is necessary.” Cameron also added that the British Government will not restrict Ukraine’s use of weapons that it is donating, and they are free to use them to strike whatever targets they deem fit, even those deep into Russia.
That news didn’t go over well with the Putin regime, which immediately claimed this was proof positive that the West is waging war on Russia via Ukraine.
🇷🇺
As Russia’s grip tightens on information control, it is putting Wikipedia in its sites, with the open information website possibly facing a complete shutdown in Russia. The Putin regime has already tried to silence The Wikimedia Foundation by issuing hefty fines for its refusal to delete articles exposing Russia's alleged war crimes, and now, a new law threatens to silence the platform entirely. With independent media outlets systematically blocked and VPNs banned, access to alternative sources of information has dwindled, leaving Russians at the mercy of state-sanctioned propaganda.
In response to the crackdown, a Kremlin-approved version of Wikipedia has emerged, known as Ruwiki, which meticulously scrubs content deemed harmful to the regime. With nearly two million articles copied from the Russian-language Wikipedia, Ruwiki serves as a sanitized echo chamber, devoid of critical voices and dissenting viewpoints.
🇩🇰 🍺/ 🇷🇺
Russian President Vladimir Putin essentially stole Danish beer giant Carlsberg’s Russian subsidiary, called Baltika, according to an investigation by Danish national broadcaster DR. The investigation reveals that Carlsberg essentially lost control of Baltika after Putin issued a decree allowing Russia to seize control of all Western companies. This was in response to a Russian exodus by many western businesses in the aftermath of the invasion of Ukraine, including Carlsberg, which was trying to sell its Russian business.
While Carlsberg still owns Baltika on paper, it has written down its Russian operations to zero, wiping billions off the company’s books, albeit at a steep cost. Carlsberg has tabled a deficit of some 40 billion Danish kroner for 2023 (about $7.9 billion Cdn), of which the Baltika write down contributes heavily too. In turn, Carlsberg struck back by kicking Baltika out of Carlsberg Finans A/S, an investment company run by the beer giant. Baltika had reaped handsome profits from the investment vehicle as it owned between 50 and 66% of its shares. Last September, Carlsberg stripped Baltika of those shares, worth some five billion Danish kroner at the time.
In another wrinkle, Baltika seems to have lent Carlsberg several hundred million kroner, which the Danish company now refuses to even consider paying back.
All this amounts to a whole series of back and forth courtroom wars, with Carlsberg filing legal challenges in European and international courts and Baltika, now under Russian control, filing suits in Russian courts. Russian courts, as you might not be shocked to learn, have sided with Baltika, but Carlsberg is ignoring those decisions outright and relying entirely on its cases playing out in western and international courts.
Carlsberg has also terminated Baltika’s right to use or sell any Carlsberg licensed products or use any associated branding or imaging. Russian courts have knocked down this decision, and there are some questions about whether Baltika is selling Carlsberg products within Russia anyway, or not.
Odds & Ends
🇩🇪
Political tensions in Germany continue to rise. Over the weekend, a European Member of Parliament with the Social Democratic Party campaigning to retain his seat in the looming EU elections, was brutally attacked on the streets of Dresden. 41-year-old Matthias Ecke was seriously injured in the attack and had to undergo surgery.
He wasn’t the only one. On Friday, a campaign worker for the Green Party was also attacked by a group of four people. And last week, two more members of the Greens were also harassed and abused by demonstrators who surrounded their car.
🇪🇺
Media freedom is under threat across several European Union countries, as highlighted by the latest annual report from the NGO Civil Liberties Union for Europe. The report reveals a disturbing trend of increasing threats against journalists and attacks on the independence of public service media. With political influence and even direct government control contaminating media landscapes in various EU member states, Liberties warns of a dangerous erosion of journalistic freedom and the rule of law.
Instances of violence, intimidation, and surveillance against journalists underscore the precarious situation faced by media professionals across Europe. From physical assaults during coverage of events like the EURO 2024 qualifier in Bulgaria to targeted attacks in Germany, Greece, and France, journalists find themselves increasingly vulnerable. Moreover, the report sheds light on the concerning rise in legal intimidation tactics, with nearly half of Dutch journalists and the majority of editors experiencing threats of legal action, leading to self-censorship and a chilling effect on press freedom.
However, amidst these challenges, there is a glimmer of hope in the form of a new directive approved by the EU earlier this year. The Anti-SLAPP directive aims to shield journalists and human rights defenders from strategic lawsuits designed to suppress public engagement. Liberties sees this as a crucial step towards safeguarding journalistic integrity and ensuring accountability for those seeking to stifle dissent. Yet, as the report underscores, the battle for media freedom rages on, with journalists in countries like Hungary facing exclusion from press conferences and public media falling prey to government control, signaling an urgent need for concerted action to uphold democratic principles and to protect the fourth estate.
🌎
A wave continues to build against tourism, a once much sought after gold mine of revenue, as more and more tourism destinations decry the sheer numbers of visitors that flood in year after year. Venice is trying a new entrance fee, Amsterdam has put a hard cap on hotels and hotel rooms, and Prague made Airbnb illegal, just to name a few of the headline grabbing moves just this year. In all cases, the reason why is the same, the sheer number of tourists who pour in ruining the livability of cities and damaging nature.
Tourism Researcher Jane Widtfeldt Meged:
“This is a paradox. As a tourist, you want to experience the local environment, but if there are too many and perhaps with the wrong attitude, you destroy what you want to experience.”
The World Tourism Organization says there were 1.3 billion tourists around the world last year in an industry still playing catch up to pre-pandemic numbers. Over half of those tourists went to European destinations.
Recently, the anti-tourism movement has roughly played out in one of two ways, using initiatives to try and limit numbers or enacting strategies to manage them to reduce impacts on cities and the environment.
Meged says those who have wanderlust also have a responsibility to make their visit more sustainable. Can they get there by not flying? Or via some more environmentally friendly way? Once at a destination, she recommends making an effort to buy local, eat local, and stay in local hotels. In particular, Meged strongly recommends people avoid all inclusive venues.
“All-inclusive is killing the local environment. Of course, it creates jobs for some. But if people consume everything on the spot, then it isn’t spread around within the local economy. So all-inclusive is not the most socially sustainable form of travel.”
🇩🇰The Week Ahead Round Up🇩🇰
Monday, May 6:
Denmark’s King Frederik X and Queen Mary make their first visit to Sweden since being crowned the new King and Queen of Denmark. The royal couple will spend two days in Sweden, where, among other events, they will spend time with Sweden’s King Carl Gustaf XVI.
Tuesday, May 7:
Eurovision begins!! The renowned European song contest is being held in Malmö, Sweden, this year and begins with the first of two semi-finals today. The second semi-final takes place on Thursday, and the big finale on Saturday.
The semi-final begins at 7:00 p.m. at Malmö Arena.
Find out more HERE.
Wednesday, May 8:
Denmark’s storied amusement park Tivoli will unveil a new peacock curtain at the Pantomime Theater to mark the theater’s 150th birthday. Danish Queen Margrethe II designed the new curtain, and she will be in attendance for the unveiling.
The new curtain will be unveiled at 11:00 a.m. in Tivoli.
You can find Tivoli’s website HERE.
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The anniversary of the EU’s ‘Big Bang’ will take place today in Copenhagen. In EU terms, the Big Bang was the enlargement of the trading bloc from 15 to 25 member states in 2004. To mark the 20 year anniversary, special guests from Denmark, the European Commission, and Poland will commemorate the event.
It begins at 10:00 a.m. at Nationalmuseets Festsal on Ny Vestergade 10.
You can learn more about the event HERE.
Thursday, May 9:
The second Eurovision semi-final takes place today. Denmark’s entry in the song contest, SABA, will perform.
It begins at 7:00 p.m. at Malmö Arena.
Find out more HERE.
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Have you ever wanted a tattoo? Opportunity might be knocking. The two day Prison Ink event gets underway in Horsens today. With somewhere in the neighbourhood of 250 tattoo artists gathering at the Fængslet prison, you will never have a better opportunity to see a wide array of incredible designs, meet the artists, and perhaps get inked up yourself.
You can learn all about the event HERE.
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In Aarhus, you can check out the Hucksters Market. With over 200 vendor stalls, you can find everything you want here, from food and drink to comic books and beautiful handmade art.
The three day market event begins today and ends on Saturday.
It takes place at Tangkroen, located at Marselisborg Havnevej 2.
Find out more HERE.
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If you are on Fyn and are looking for something active to do with the whole family, the Odense Eventyrløbet-motionsløb will fit the bill. Featuring four courses, from a fun 2 kilometer kids course up to a 10 km jaunt, there will be live music, food, and bouncy castles for the kids. 20,000 people usually take part in the event, making it Fyn’s largest running festival.
You can get all the details HERE.
Friday, May 10:
Experience what is billed as one of the world’s best beer festivals. The Mikkeller Beer Celebration takes place in Copenhagen beginning today. The two-day event features a looooong list of beer vendors who want you to sample their wares.
You can check out the event on Facebook and buy tickets HERE.
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The Norrebrø neighbourhood in Copenhagen throws its annual 48 hour festival beginning today. There are concerts, street parties, art exhibits, and fun activities for the kids.
Learn more HERE.
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Salling Rooftop in Aarhus, for my money the best rooftop in Denmark, kicks off its Friday at the Top event. It will take place every Friday from today through the summer. It features food, drink, and music.
The event begins at 3:00 p.m. and runs until 7:00 p.m.
Salling rooftop is on the Aarhus gågade at Søndergade 27.
More information HERE.
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In Odense, if you fancy an interesting drink on the water, you can cruise the city’s beautiful river system on either a Gin & Tonic cruise or, if you have a more refined sense of taste there is also an Italian wine tasting cruise. You can choose one or the other.
They both leave at 7:00 p.m. and take about an hour and a half.
The river cruises are operated by Odense Aafart, and you can find all the details and buy tickets HERE.
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The weekly Friday Rock event at Tivoli in Copenhagen features Gobs and Thor Farlov.
The show gets going at 10:00 p.m.
You can get tickets HERE.
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Over at Tivoli Friheden in Aarhus, the five man band of Zar Paulo will take the stage for the Friday night concert.
You can buy tickets HERE.
Saturday, May 11:
It is Eurovision Day!! The grand final of the renowned European song contest takes place in the huge final show.
Find out more HERE.