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Home > Culture of Denmark


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The Culture of Denmark is inherently hard to define. None the less, there are some general characteristics often associated with Danish society and every day culture. Danes are generally a reserved people, though they are often considered positively outgoing compared to their more distant northern cousins in Norway and Sweden. Danes are fun loving, as a trip through any town on a Friday night can attest, but hard working when there's something to be done. They are noted for their very 'civilized' nature. They are generally compassionate, articulate, and clean. Consequently, there is also a sense of arrogance and smugness sometimes associated with the Danes. Equality is an important part of Danish culture, so much so that, 'success' or what may be seen as a deliberate attempt to distinguish one self from others may be viewed with hostility. This characteristic is called Janteloven or Jante's Law by Danes.


1 Cultural Achievements

Denmark has a rich cultural and intellectual heritage. The astronomical discoveries of Tycho Brahe (1546-1601) and the brilliant contributions to atomic physics of Niels Bohr (1885-1962) indicate the range of Danish scientific achievement. The fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen (1805-75), the philosophical essays of Søren Kierkegaard (1813-55), and the short stories of Karen Blixen (penname Isak Dinesen, 1885-1962) have earned international recognition, as have the symphonies of Carl Nielsen (1865-1931). Danish applied art and industrial design have won awards for excellence. The name of Georg Jensen (1866-1935) is known worldwide for outstanding modern design in silver, and "Royal Copenhagen" is among the finest porcelains.

Visitors to Denmark will discover a wealth of cultural activity. The Royal Danish Ballet, an exceptional company, specializes in the work of the great Danish choreographer August Bournonville (1805-79). Danes have distinguished themselves as jazzFor other article subjects named Jazz see jazz (disambiguation). Jazz is a musical art form characterized by blue notes, syncopation, swing, call and response, polyrhythms, and improvisation. It has been called the first original art form to develop in th musicians, and the Copenhagen Jazz Festival has acquired an international reputation. International collections of modern art enjoy unusually attractive settings at the Louisiana Museum north of CopenhagenCopenhagen Kobenhavn in Danish) is the capital of Denmark. The contemporary Danish name for the city is a corruption of the original designation for the city Kobmandshavn meaning Merchants' Harbour. The English name Copenhagen is derived from the German n and at the North Jutland Art Museum in AalborgAalborg ( Danish: Aalborg or lborg is a city and seaport in Denmark. Aalborg is the fourth largest city in Denmark after Copenhagen, Aarhus and Odense, and is the seat of a Lutheran bishop. It is also the chief town of the county of North Jutland on the s. The State Museum of Art and the GlyptotekThe Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek is an art museum in Copenhagen, Denmark. The collection is built around the personal collection of Carlsberg Beer founder, Carl Jacobsen (1842-1914). The museum houses an eclectic mix of antique sculptures, Impressionist paintin, both in Copenhagen, contain treasures of Danish and international art. The Museum of Applied Art and Industrial Design in Copenhagen exhibits the best in Danish design. The Royal Danish Porcelain Factory and Bing & Grondahl, renowned for the quality of their porcelain and ceramics, export their products worldwide. Ceramic designs by Bjorn Wiinblad also are well known and popular.

Among today's Danish writers, probably the most well-known to American readers is Peter HoegPeter Hoeg born on May 17, 1957, is one of Denmark's most celebrated contemporary writers of fiction. He holds a Master of Arts degree in literature from the University of Copenhagen in 1984. His books are published in Denmark by Munksgaard, now a part of ( Smilla's Sense of Snow ; Borderliners ) and the most prolific is Klaus Rifbjerg --poet, novelist, playwright, and screenwriter. Benny Andersen writes poems, short stories, and music. Poems by both writers have been translated into English by the Curbstone Press. Kirsten Thorup 's Baby, winner of the 1980 Pegasus Prize, is printed in English by the University of Louisiana Press. The psychological thrillers of Anders Bodelsen also appear in English. Suzanne Brogger and Vita Andersen focus largely on the changing roles of women in society. In music, Hans Abrahamsen and Per Norgaard are the two most famous living composers. Hans Abrahamsen's works have been performed by the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, DC.



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