Republique to remain open after theatre plan is rejected

State theatre’s organisational structure needs a change, politicians agree

Copenhagen theatre Republique has been saved from the final curtain. The proposal to close the theatre and open a new one at Republique’s current base, Kanonhallen in Østerbro, to provide a home for new independent performance groups, has been rejected.

The main criticism was that the number of the theatre’s own productions would have fallen from eight a year to three if the proposal was adopted. Republique’s chief executive/international director, Hans Christian Gimbel, had warned last month in Politiken that “there would have been no room for collaboration with international partners and presenting international performances on stage”.

Culture minister Uffe Elbæk (Radikale) told the newspaper that the proposal submitted by the state-owned Københavns Teater, which is responsible for Republique, didn’t meet the minister’s requirements. “Therefore, we ask the theatre to come up with a new proposal,” Elbæk said. “We want an open stage with its own identity. Secondly, the management structure must be much more transparent.” Elbæk added that he wants Republique to continue with “what they are doing really well” – namely, bringing international contemporary theatre to the city.

In last Thursday’s parliamentary debate on Københavns Teater’s proposal to close Republique and open a new theatre, several politicians questioned whether Københavns Teater is the right organisation to oversee the running of the city’s five major theatres: Betty Nansen, Folketeatret, Nørrebro Teater, Republique and Østre Gasværk.

Copenhagen’s deputy mayor for culture, Pia Allerslev (Venstre), said the councils should be able to run the five theatres “better and cheaper”. Fellow party member Michael Aastrup Jensen added that in his six years as culture spokesman, he hasn’t met anyone impressed by Københavns Teater’s organisational structure. “It seems more like a forced marriage than a marriage of convenience,” Jensen told Politiken.

Elbæk remembered the debate a little differently. “I can certainly understand some of the points made during the debate; nevertheless, before Københavns Teater existed, there were major financial problems at each of the theatres,” she told the newspaper. “As recently as last summer, all of the theatre heads said that they still wanted Københavns Teater in charge.” However, she conceded that a better model is needed in the future.

“There are common challenges for the theatres in Copenhagen: the financial control and mutual co-ordination. I don’t want to suggest how we should do this now, so for the time being Københavns Teater continues to exist today. And also tomorrow.”

TOP STORIES

  • Trump: Greenlandic annexation “will happen.” Greenlandic PM: “Enough is enough”

    Trump: Greenlandic annexation “will happen.” Greenlandic PM: “Enough is enough”

    Yesterday, the President of the United States made some of the strongest statements about Greenland he has ever made during the press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

  • Copenhagen revisited through memoir poetry

    Copenhagen revisited through memoir poetry

    Not all students feel like reading Danish poetry after a meeting at a language school with writer and poet Henrik Palle. Yet, a portrayal of Copenhagen as the city once was and the impressions of what the city is today give a deeper impression of the Danes

  • A book to make Danish idioms easier to understand

    A book to make Danish idioms easier to understand

    It’s difficult to learn Danish, especially with idioms that have figurative meanings. It highlights Christiane Bjørg Nielsen’s book, See What You Say, which serves as a visual guide to understanding these idiomatic expressions in Danish.

  • “No one seems to stand up for internationals”

    “No one seems to stand up for internationals”

    “To some extent, Denmark is not fair to internationals.” Nichlas Walsted, 34 years old, is the CEO of Swap Language, a provider of Danish lessons to more than 10,000 internationals. Tens of thousands of people follow him, and he advocates for internationals: “Because no one else does. I can’t think of a single politician or well-known person in Denmark who stands up for them,” he says.

  • Busy Copenhagen Airport nets a nice profit for the Danish State

    Busy Copenhagen Airport nets a nice profit for the Danish State

    Almost 30 million passengers travelled to or from Copenhagen Airport in 2024. The profit was 1.4 billion DKK and both figures are expected to grow in 2025. Expansions continue, and investments are being made in continued progress

  • Raise the voice of internationals. Take the survey and share your experience in Denmark.

    Raise the voice of internationals. Take the survey and share your experience in Denmark.

    Copenhagen Capacity has launched a survey for all internationals living in Denmark to find out if they are happy here and what challenges they face. The Copenhagen Post is the media partner for this initiative. You can find the survey below in the article.

Connect club

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.

Sign up here

Career

  • Copenhagen ranked 4th for career growth

    Copenhagen ranked 4th for career growth

    Copenhagen is ranked as the fourth-best city in the world for career growth, according to an analysis by EnjoyTravel. This ranking considers various factors such as living costs, salary levels, workforce availability, and overall quality of life. Copenhagen is noted for its blend of historical and modern elements, particularly in the green energy sector, which influences job opportunities.

  • Data shows that non-Western immigrants have saved local economies in Denmark

    Data shows that non-Western immigrants have saved local economies in Denmark

    A study reveals how only the massive influx of non-Western immigrants has saved many areas in Denmark from a decline in the workforce and a consequently shrinking economy

  • Long-term unemployment is double for non-Western immigrants

    Long-term unemployment is double for non-Western immigrants

    An analysis from the Labour Movement’s Business Council shows that the rate in long-term unemployment for non-Western immigrants is 1.8 times higher than for Danes. In other words, a chronic unemployment situation is way more probable for non-Western internationals.

Want to advertise your job with CPH Post?

Contact us

Jobs