Copenhagen’s colorful buildings, winding roads, walking streets, cobblestones, and canals are easy on the eyes – and not many would make an argument against that. But recently, it is more and more obvious that the city is special, not only for its European charm, but the interactive dynamic created by the people living in it.
Summer spent in the city proves this, with a couple of events serving as evidence. Copenhagen might be historically old, but its ideas are not.
Film, fashion, music, and soon, food and craft festivals, tempt and dare pedestrians to join in. Schedules and tickets are introduced months in advance, but the line-up always includes numerous free, spontaneous, and eye-catching opportunities that resonate the festivals’ theme on each street. During Copenhagen Fashion Week, you may have to pay up to see a new high-end fashion collection, but the professional hair styling truck parked on Gammeltorv can’t be avoided.
The interactive element is consistently the forefront of these city events. In between festivals, various Danish organizations present other (planned) surprises, which force Copenhageners out of their normal day routine, cause a little chaos, and get both old and young people involved with city surroundings. Earlier this summer, white, concrete, thigh-high blocks were placed strategically throughout a three kilometer stretch in inner city Copenhagen. When the clock struck 4:30, everyone watched as each block affected the next, and the last one fell in Rådhuspladsen (the city hall). This city-wide domino effect broke the city’s rhythm and gave strangers something to talk about.
So, when the city offers another exciting invitation, the expectation of creativity tends to be high. Just last night, the architectural wonder, Tietgen Kollegium in Amager, opened up a unique experience to the public. Mike Sheridan and The Danish Youth Ensemble presented “Panorama,” a concert that illuminated classical music with the use of colorful lights. The colors lit up the windows of the 360 degree building from the inside by corresponding to the tone and mood of the music, making for a provoking and beautiful panoramic experience. Students who live at Tietgen watched from their balconies as their home inspired hundreds of people standing below. After the last number, the string ensemble bowed as silhouettes, and the audience stood and waited to be completely sure it was truly over.
On Sunday, Copenhagen and DIS will become home to a whole new group of eager and excited students from all over. Fall students, make sure to seek out ways to participate and interact with the beat and buzz of Copenhagen – these are memories you are not soon to forget!