Denmark, Copenhagen. Both instead of either/or

Everything looks good in this city. With its stylish fashion and puristic office complexes, Copenhagen is definitely as close as a city can get to perfection … but first impressions can be deceptive; if you look closer, you’ll see this is a city of contradictions. They appear in the shape of Copenhagen’s showcase alternative commune Christiania, Denmark’s social and asylum policies, and the country’s habit of cherry-picking where the EU is concerned.



Everything looks good in this city. With its stylish fashion and puristic office complexes, Copenhagen is definitely as close as a city can get to perfection … but first impressions can be deceptive; if you look closer, you’ll see this is a city of contradictions. They appear in the shape of Copenhagen’s showcase alternative commune Christiania,...



Europeans at heart is a vivid and colourful series of travel and culture books that brings you closer to Europe’s countries and its people. This eBook is an extended and updated travel account taken from ‘Europeans at heart: a journey of discovery through 28 EU capitals’.



CONTENT



+ The thrill of the unknown

+ Denmark (DK) at a glance

+ Both instead of either/or

+ Christa Klickermann, talking with Claus Christensen

+ Additional Links

+ He who knows nothing, must believe it all: Europe, the key facts

+ In touch with Europe – an authentic journey of discovery



Praise for Europeans at heart:



Interview with Deutsche Welle TV:

“After reading this book, you will find it impossible not to fall in love with Europe.”



Schekker, the German Government’s online portal for young people:

“This collection of accounts delivers a brief but brilliant glimpse into life in Europe’s incredibly diverse countries, as well as lots of useful information and fabulous pictures that will fill you to the brim with wanderlust. Having taken a literary voyage through the continent via the pages of this book, I can definitely say that I am European at heart. What about you?”



Polen-pl.eu, online Polish culture portal:

“‘The one language that we all understand, and which closely connects all of us Europeans, is the language of the heart: the desire to understand, to empathise, to laugh and find out more about one another.’ And that, according to Christa Klickermann, is the key to living together in harmony. With her book, the author hopes to inspire us and imbue us with a sense of confidence about Europe’s future, and she more than succeeds in doing both. Her approach is so effective in fact that as a reader you feel tempted to take leave and embark on your own European journey of exploration.”



Denmark, Copenhagen. Both instead of either/or



“Oh, we’re so envious!” Those were the parting words my designer daughter and her designer father gave me this morning as I set off for the country of good design, which is just a stone’s throw away now that I live in the north of Germany. I simply board a train in Lübeck, take the ferry over the Baltic Sea and a mere four hours later I set foot in Copenhagen’s central station. It’s completely uncharted territory for me; I’ve never been to any of the Scandinavian countries and I’m practically bursting with curiosity. Will my journey through Denmark, Sweden and Finland be the Scandinavian equivalent of my visit to the ‘Three Baltic sisters’? Will I encounter the ‘Three Nordic brothers’ perhaps? I’m also curious to see whether everyone here is actually tall, blonde and blue-eyed – and whether the beaches are full of naturists.



Whilst preparing for my trip, I realised that I already had a handful of Danish bestsellers at home. Unfortunately, not a pair of the most delectable Bang & Olufsen speakers, but the sleek Skagen watch that Bernd wears, my much-loved reading chair by the young Danish furniture label Hay, and my favourite, extremely-comfy Ecco sandals which I have been busy exploring Europe in. Together with our two grandchildren, we also enjoy creating little fantasy worlds every now and then with Lego. And as I want to make sure I still move with the times now that I’m a grandmother, I own two books written by the Danish family therapist (and guru to the latest generation of parents) Jesper Juul. Even though I’m no longer responsible for doing any actual bringing up and enjoy being a doting grandparent, I cherish his pragmatic pedagogical tips; for example, that you should be more concerned about obedient children rather than those who are disobedient. I wish someone had given my parents that advice.



It seems as though the Danes have listened closely to Jesper Juul; this nation, which is widely presumed to be a tolerant, laid-back and liberal-minded people, is rapidly turning into a most rebellious member of the European Union. ...