Bonnie recommends:
Do you have any favourite places in Copenhagen?
"I was born in Copenhagen but have lived in Frederiksberg since my university years in the 1990s. Frederiksberg feels like a small village in the heart of the city, with a rich mix of people and distinctive neighbourhoods. I would begin by recommending Frederiksberg Gardens - a historic palace park filled with small, tranquil spots, winding paths and beautiful canals. A colony of herons has made its home on a small island in the middle of the park. It’s a lovely place to visit all year round, and as a bonus, the elephants from the neighbouring zoo can often be seen from the park, as their outdoor enclosure backs onto it.
Not far from the gardens is Svejks, a traditional café serving Czech beer. Nearby on Allégade, you’ll also find two iconic Frederiksberg bars: Café Intime (a gay bar that is welcoming to all) and the pub Alléenberg - affectionately known by locals as ‘The Psychopath’. Both have a laid-back and lively atmosphere, complete with old pianos and plenty of character.
If you are seeking peace and quiet in the middle of the city, I can highly recommend Solbjerg Park Cemetery, located just on the other side of Frederiksberg Gardens. It’s a calm and contemplative place."

Can you recommend any Danish artists?
"There are two Danish artists who have had a particularly significant impact on me over the years.
The first is author Bjarne Reuter, who writes with great warmth and humour about his childhood and youth in Brønshøj, a district near Copenhagen. Several of his novels have been adapted into films – including 'Faith, Hope and Love' ('Tro, håb og kærlighed'), a beautiful film about being young in Denmark during the 1960s.

The second is musician Peter Sommer, who writes Danish-language songs about life’s major themes - love, and everything that comes with it. I can recommend all of his albums, but particularly 'Elskede at drømme, drømmer om at elske' ('Loved to Dream, Dreaming of Love') from 2018, which is well worth listening to more than once. He plays with the Danish language in a clever and original way, which makes his lyrics especially rewarding - especially for those learning Danish or seeking to gain a deeper understanding of Danish culture."

Benedicte recommends:
What is your favorite place in Copenhagen?
”One of my absolute favorite places in Copenhagen is Amager Strandpark. I love the spiritual and physical nourishment that a walk by the sea gives me – looking out over the Øresund, listening to the gentle gurgling of the waves and jumping into the water all year round. I’ve become quite fond of the ‘cold shock’ that a dip in the sea provides. I also experience it when I go ice bathing at Plug In, followed by a sauna typically accompanied by meditative electronic music, which reboots me in the best way.”

What kind of cultural events do you like?
”Sustainability is something that occupies me more and more. How do we create a meaningful life in balance, with respect for each other and for nature, and how can we use hope as a tool to build a better future – socially, economically, climate-wise, physically and mentally? I try to learn more about this through reading, lectures, podcasts and by attending educational festivals.

Take Bloom, for example, which takes place in Søndermarken, close to Vesterbro, every year in May. Here you can lie on a blanket in the shade of the trees and listen to the latest research in natural sciences, presentations on philosophy etc., and thereby gain greater insight into the world around us and into ourselves.

A little later in the year – at the beginning of September – the Himmelblå festival is held at Vartov by the City Hall Square. Inspired by the Danish thinker N.F.S. Grundtvig, it opens its doors to days filled with debates, concerts, communal dinners, dancing, group singing and other good things. And I’d especially like to give praise to group singing; it creates a wonderful feeling of togetherness when you sing songs about history, the passing seasons or dreams for the future together with several hundred other people – and it also provides hope that we are stronger when we stand together. At the same time, singing is a wonderful and different way to learn about language and culture.”