Aarhus to spend next year “rethinking” as the European Capital of Culture

5 million extra visitors expected to the Jutland city in 2017

Kristina Liebute

Oct 14, 2016

While London has hit the brakes on Europe, that hasn’t stopped Aarhus, the European Capital of Culture 2017, from appointing a British CEO to stand behind their wheel.

Rebecca Matthews was at the helm as the full program of the project was unveiled on Wednesday at the Aarhus Theatre as part of a grand event that included performances by various artists including Eivør and DJ Static.

Soothing melodies from Faroese singer Eivør.

Creative tour de force
“Aarhus will dedicate a year to rethinking. It is going to be a creative tour de force,” declared Matthews.

“We are extremely excited about the year ahead. The quality and diversity of the program we have assembled means there is truly something for everyone, whether you’re from Aarhus, Denmark, or visiting from elsewhere.”

Matthews and Aarhus 2017 program head Juliana Engberg presented a whopping line-up of theatre, art, design and film projects, sport events, music festivals and other initiatives in Aarhus and the central Jutland region, starting from January.

Matthews and Engberg promised Aarhus and its visitors "one hell of a ride" next year. — Matthews and Engberg promised Aarhus and its visitors “one hell of a ride” next year.

The full details are now available in the official program guide, which consists of a staggering 500 pages. The first edition was given to the patron of Aarhus 2017, Queen Margrethe II.

5 million visitors expected
“We have created a huge, game-changing year by combining the knowledge of global experts on culture with the views of local people to determine what quality means in and for arts and culture, here and now,” said Matthews.

The dream team: city mayor and Aarhus 2017 chairman Jacob Bundsgaard, CEO Rebecca Matthews and program head Juliana Engberg.

Aarhus’s tourist numbers have been pretty good recently, but next year looks set to smash its record, with 5 million extra visitors expected, according to the mayor of Aarhus and chairman of the Aarhus 2017 foundation board, Jacob Bundsgaard.

Aarhus 2017 will officially launch on January 21.

TOP STORIES

In conversation with Conrad Molden: The man behind the mic

He’s tickled our funny bone with countless wisecracks and clever wordplay, and in the process, made Denmark feel a little more personable to many expats. An international import himself, funny man Conrad Molden has successfully carved out a niche for himself on the Danish stand-up scene, but it’s taken a solid 13 years, much trial and error, and heaps of Danglish
Here Comes The Sun…

I escaped from Denmark this winter to the south of France, where I was convinced that the sunshine would inspire me to write this year’s Crazy Christmas comedy show.
Volunteer Night 2025: when volunteering rimes with integrating

On Wednesday, April 30, from 17:00 to 20:00, Studenterhuset will host Volunteer Night 2025, a free event organized by the organization International House Copenhagen, which goal is to ease the relocation process for newcomers in Denmark
The international who shaped Copenhagen

Anna Maria Indrio is one of the most important architects in Denmark, having contributed to shaping Copenhagen into what it is today. Among her best-known projects are the extension of SMK and Arken, as well as the Natural History Museum and the Darwin Centre in London. She moved here 60 years ago, when “Copenhagen was gray and dormant. Predictions suggested it would become depopulated. But putting people at the center changed everything,” she said
Danish government passes amendment to increase citizenship fee by 50%

Fees were raised to reflect processing costs and curb repeat applications, creating debate over whether the new charges erect barriers to political participation for internationals.
Internationals’ labour contributes 361 billion DKK to Denmark’s GDP, and it is growing strongly every year

According to a report by the Danish Chamber of Commerce, internationals’ contribution is 12% of the country’s GDP. In 2023, it was 322 billion DKK, and in 2008, it was 136 billion DKK. “Internationals make a gigantic difference in our prosperity and welfare,” comments Morten Langager, the Director of Dansk Erhverv.

Connect club

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

Career

Inside Denmark’s innovation engine

With half of its staff being international, the BioInnovation Institute reflects Denmark’s broader transformation into a global innovation hub. But can the country—and Europe—keep up the pace? “If reforms are made now, we can close the gap in ten years,” explains BII’s CEO
International designers struggle to find jobs in Denmark

Many internationals come to Denmark to work as designers, but the field appears to be one of the hardest to break into. The Copenhagen Post spoke with two internationals struggling to find their way into the industry.
This rural town in Denmark has a 17 percent international workforce — Here’s how

With a low unemployment rate and aging population, the municipality is actively recruiting workers from abroad to fill essential roles and support long-term growth