Culture

Denmark has a rich cultural and intellectual heritage, which is essentially hard to define. However, you are bound to come across some universal characteristics that are connected with Danish culture and every day traditions.

Danes are usually reserved in nature but they are a sociable lot as compared to people in other countries. They are entertaining and fun loving and are highly eminent for their civilized nature. The Danes are usually kindhearted, concerned, expressive, and extremely hygienic. Therefore, there might be times that you will find them with a sense of pride and complacency.

Equality is a significant element of Danish culture, so much so that any conscious effort to instigate differentiation amongst them may be looked upon with hostility. Danes refer to this trait as Janteloven or Jante's Law.

A. Music

Classical

Denmark has more than a few traditional musicians and ensembles of international renown. 7500 organized, trained singers, musicians, composers and conductors of the uppermost class, the classical music view has a concrete base in Denmark.

When you visit this country you are bound to find out more about Carl Nielsen, Rued Langgaard, Per Nørgård, Bent Sørensen, Poul Ruders and many more music prodigies.

Jazz

Denmark has gained globally acclaim within the world of jazz, with people such as the bassist Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen and trumpeter Palle Mikkelborg dishing out soulful tunes.

Around the 1960s and 1970s, the ‘Montmatre' in Copenhagen was one of the most main jazz venues in Europe. However, Danish music is certainly a great deal more than just classical and jazz.

Contemporary Danish Pop and International Success

Danish pop music has sketched a fairly popular picture for itself on the world pop music scenario. The immensely booming band Aqua had barely split up when an innovative twosome drummed their way onto the international scene, which is popularly known as Safari Duo.

The Alternative Scene

In the present era, Denmark experiences a flow of exhilarating new talent fresh from the rehearsal rooms. You can watch these live at the Roskilde Festival.

B. Language

Languages mainly spoken in Denmark are Danish, German, Faroese and Greenlandic. Around 5,000,000 people in Denmark speak Danish, approximately 7,000 of the population converses in Greenlandic and over 98% of the population speaks Danish. English is the main second language.

German is acknowledged as an official regional language in the Nord-Schleswig region that borders Germany. More than 23,000 people speak German, which is about 0.4% of the 5.2m Danish populations.

Greenlandic, an Inuit dialect is spoken by 0.1% of the population in Greenland. Faroe Islands has Faroese as its national language. Most Faroese readily understand Nordic languages, and English is also widely spoken, especially among the younger people.

A minority of the population in South Zuid-Jutland converse in German. Danish, Swedish and Nowegian languages bear a resemblance to one another, but the sounds in each of them are unusual.

C. Religious Practices

Evangelical Lutheran Church of Denmark is the most prominent, which is also the official state religion. It comprises 84.3% of the total population of Denmark. It presents for an official state religion, which is supported financially by the Government.

The Evangelical Lutheran devotion and belief is taught in public schools, but students may withdraw from religious classes with parental approval to do so

A number of other Christian denominations, as well as other major religions, find devotees in Denmark. Islam is now the second-largest religion prevailing in Denmark. Other faiths include followers of Roman Catholics and Muslims. The church attendance is evidence enough to know that the Danes are not very religious. Other Protestant and Roman Catholics form about 3% of the population while Muslims account for another 2% of the masses with the Jewish comprising of 0.1%.

The Constitution endows people with freedom of religion, and the Government respects this right in practice.

D. Major Events

All year: Renaissance Year 2006

www.renaessance2006.dk

0045 3347 3443

2006 is the nationwide Renaissance year in Denmark. Demonstrations, arrangements and a variety of activities all over the country will illustrate a historical link to this interesting period.

1st April - 30th October:

A true original - Legoland

Billund.

www.legoland.dk

Tel: 0045 7533 1333

Legoland are located in the rural heartland of Denmark. Also considered to be a land of fun, games and learning and surprises.

8th April - 23rd June:

The Old Town in Aarhus

A LIVING museum

Aarhus

www.dengamleby.dk

Tel: 0045 8612 3188

This place is a breathing experience of what it was like to live and work in a Danish market town in the olden days. The Old Town is a unique museum, which has been visited by more than 3 million visitors over the last 10 years.

26 - 27 May:

Aalborg carnival

Northern Europe's largest

Aalborg.

www.karnevaliaalborg.dk

Tel: 0045 9813 7211

The Carnival in Aalborg is the main carnival in Northern Europe that includes 25,000 participants and more than 70,000 spectators. There is a different theme every year and hence, captures the very essence of the carnival that includes passion, desire and creativity.

2nd June - 4th June:

Carnival in Copenhagen

www.karneval.dk

Tel: 0045 3538 8504

The Copenhagen Carnival has been a most important cultural event since the year 1982. The carnival takes place in Fælledparken, one of Copenhagen's many parks, and is an enjoyable event complete with food, music, and dance.

29th June - 2nd July:

Roskilde Festival

BIGGEST IN EUROPE

Roskilde.

www.roskilde-festival.dk

Tel: 0045 4636 6613

The Roskilde Festival is Europe's biggest music fiesta. The artists include Bob Dylan, Franz Ferdinand, Guns N Roses, Morrissey, Placebo and Kany West to name a few.

3rd August - 6th August:

Cultural Harbour

Copenhagen

www.kulturhavn.dk

Tel: 0045 3366 3850

Tourists can have fun with the spectacular musical fountains, enjoy the serene canals and witness the crashing waves in Copenhagen all year round.

E. Etiquettes / Do's and Don'ts

Do's

- Learn the rules properly before going to this place as Danes believe there is a particular way in which one is supposed to act in any given circumstance.

- Indulge in least amount of small talk, as Danes favor to get down to business fast.

- Talk in moderate tones and do not do anything that is probable to attract any attention towards yourself.

- Greet casually, with a firm handshake, direct eye contact, and always wear a smile on your face.

- You need to shake hands and say good-bye separately when you are departing.

- Always start the introduction by presenting your first name.

- Bring flowers, good quality chocolates or good quality wine if invited to a Danish home for dinner.

- Verify arrangements and appointments in writing.

- Do arrive on time, as Danes are quite punctual in both business as well as social situations.

- Remember to keep your hands in a way that they are seen when eating. It is better to keep your wrists resting on the edge of the table.

- Call up and inform the person you are meeting, if you think you are going to be late for more than 5 minutes.

- Remember to shake hands with a woman first.

- Stick by the Walk and Don't Walk signals and avoid jaywalking in cities. The cars will not slow down since you're not supposed to be there.

Don'ts

- Do not present flowers to anyone without wrapping them. Red wrapping paper is a perfect option.

- Avoid discussing business at social occasions.

- Never sit immediately when you arrive at a place. There might be a seating arrangement so wait until you are told where to be seated.

- Do not waste food and serve yourself with amounts you know you can finish.

- Until the host has toasted with 'Skol', do not begin eating.

- Plan meetings from mid June through mid August as many Danes are scheduled to go on a vacation during that period.

- Never smoke in government buildings, which have a public access.