Denmark Diaries: Chapter Three

Before I came here for my semester abroad, so many of my friends and family would ask me “why Denmark?”

My answer wouldn’t change; it was always “there’s a good journalism school there”

But deep down, I was worried about it as well.

Why was I going to Denmark? It was a country I knew nothing about, other than the fact that it had  the coldest weather I’d probably ever live through.

Now, I know why Denmark, why Copenhagen – and I couldn’t be happier about my decision.

Among other things, it’s because this is a city where they transform churches into concerts halls at night, and dedicate entire days to culture.

I was at ‘Our Lady’s Church’ last weekend for an event I’m pretty sure I’ll remember for the rest of my life.

I walked into the red-lit church, surprised to find people everywhere – it was packed.

But what caught my attention wasn’t the size of the crowd but what they were doing.

Some were crying, others were smiling; some were meditating while others were sleeping.

But they all had one thing in common.

Everyone was silent; even if they were there as a group, they respected the sign outside that said “don’t speak, just listen to the music.”

And I loved every minute of it.

Before I even realized, I had spent two hours there; not speaking, just listening to the different types of music that filled all corners of the church.

I could see how the music touched everyone differently.

This reminded me of a time last month, when I had one of my best nights here so far – they call it Culture Night.

For that night, you get to buy a ‘culture pass’, which is basically a pin you use to get into different kinds of events all over the city for free.

Libraries, cinemas, shops, museums and pretty much any venue you can think of open their doors to the public and allow them one night to immerse themselves in culture.

I can safely say that I walked for more than three hours that night but I was still exhilarated by the time I got home.

Maybe it’s the same in most European cities, but I’m still glad I opted for the ‘non-mainstream’ city and went to Scandinavia.

I got to experience a completely foreign culture, and I still grow more and more everyday because of it.

Malak Abdelnabi
Senior Arts and Culture Editor