HELLOpenhagen’s walk of gain beats any game of thrones

The annual expat fair provides newcomers to the city with an excellent opportunity to find out more about cultural and leisure opportunities

Caylyn Rich

New environments are intimidating – likewise meeting new people. Copenhagen is full of them: not just Danes but thousands of internationals – 24 percent of the population in fact.

So it’s understandable if you’re feeling a little reticent about attending next week’s HELLOpenhagen welcome fair for recent arrivals to the city.

We hear you! Given the recent weather, an evening in with ‘Game of Thrones’ makes far more sense.

 

No regrets
But believe us, you’ll be missing out, because at the heart of the capital’s municipal government lies a hall no less grand than the one in King’s Landing, which on September 19 at 16:00 will come alive as 30-odd clubs and organisations clamour for your attention.

Granted, there may not be a climbing club to help you ascend The Wall or a Hall of Faces society to help you penetrate the next gathering of Walder Frey’s clan.
But sign up for this event and you won’t regret it. Joining a sports club or hobby group can be the single most important thing you do to integrate into living here.
Before you know it, you’ll be blending in like Arya Stark on a rainy day in Bravos – in grey of course.

Across the Narrow Sea
“Here at HELLOpenhagen the international citizens get an introduction to the cultural and leisure life in Greater Copenhagen, and they also get to meet some of the many clubs and organisations in the area,” the fair’s organiser, Louise Seest, explained to CPH POST.

“Almost 30 organisations, associations, culture houses and companies are attending. Perhaps you want to join a sports club, go dancing, play music, become a volunteer. You can also meet some of our Swedish friends and partners, who are here to give you information about living on the Swedish side of the Sound.”

 

Pancakes and handshakes
Along with displays by the fair’s participants, and an address by Carl Christian Ebbesen, the deputy mayor for culture and leisure, the famous and delicious City Hall pancakes will also be served.

“Our hope is that the guests will feel inspired to take an active part in city life – whether they are interested in learning more about theatre plays, events at cultural houses or museums, sports activities and other things,” continued Seest.

“When expats move to Copenhagen, most of them have a job and maybe a partner, but there is more to life than that. A good hobby or joining a sports team can give you a break from your daily routine and maybe lead to great friendships.”

Old-timers welcome!
This year marks a change in the name of an event that was formerly called the Copenhagen Expat Fair.

“We have named the event HELLOpenhagen because we want to open our arms to all international citizens and say ‘HELLO’,” explained Seest.

“HELLOpenhagen is not only for those who have just arrived in Denmark, but also for those who have lived here for many years and want to get inspired by the rich culture and leisure life Copenhagen can offer. We want it to be an event our guests want to visit every year.”

 

Surviving the north
So with winter coming, this is the ultimate warm welcome you’ve been looking for to see you through the cold.

An official blood seal is unnecessary to sign up for free here.

 

TOP STORIES

  • Dane wows to fight for cheaper energy and green transition in new EU Commission

    Dane wows to fight for cheaper energy and green transition in new EU Commission

    With a slim majority, the EU Parliament approved the new Commission under the leadership of German Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday. Danish Dan Jørgensen will be EU Commissioner for Energy and Housing. Like his colleagues, he is ready to work for Europe from next week

  • Two internationals died in a workplace accident in Fyn

    Two internationals died in a workplace accident in Fyn

    A major workplace accident took place at Flemløse Biogas in Fyn. Two foreign nationals died, and six others were injured, with their conditions still undisclosed. The police and emergency services are searching for another missing person.

  • Employment in the green industry is growing

    Employment in the green industry is growing

    According to data from Statistics Denmark, employment in the green industry grew by an average of nearly 6% in one year. In some sub-sectors, this growth reached between 10% and 20%. These numbers make the green sector one of the fastest-growing in terms of employment in Denmark.

  • Rental housing demand hits record high in Denmark

    Rental housing demand hits record high in Denmark

    The vacancy rate, which measures the percentage of vacant rental properties across the country, has decreased by 0.9 percentage points compared to the same time last year. This marks the lowest vacancy rate since 2016. Aarhus and Odense are driving the trend

  • For the first time, Danish won’t be used in Folketing parliamentary work

    For the first time, Danish won’t be used in Folketing parliamentary work

    Aki-Matilda Høegh-Dam, a member of the Greenlandic party Siumut and a member of Parliament, said that she would use only her mother tongue during the Folketing’s question time sessions. As a result, Parliament decided to trial simultaneous interpretation.

  • An international living in Denmark is the world’s best teacher

    An international living in Denmark is the world’s best teacher

    The British Peter Tunna, an international working as a teacher at the North Zealand International School, won the ICA Teacher Awards. He is the first person from Denmark to achieve this. “You need to make an effort to integrate into Danish society and culture—you can’t just expect it to come to you or happen automatically,” he says.

Connect club

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

Sign up here

Career

  • Employment in the green industry is growing

    Employment in the green industry is growing

    According to data from Statistics Denmark, employment in the green industry grew by an average of nearly 6% in one year. In some sub-sectors, this growth reached between 10% and 20%. These numbers make the green sector one of the fastest-growing in terms of employment in Denmark.

  • The intuition trap: leading Danes in cross-cultural teams

    The intuition trap: leading Danes in cross-cultural teams

    Signe Biering, an executive coach trained in psychology with a background in diplomacy, explains how over-reliance on intuition in decision-making can hinder cross-cultural collaboration. She highlights Denmark’s cultural tendency to trust gut feelings and authenticity but warns of its risks in diverse teams. Biering advocates for leaders to challenge instincts, embrace differences, and balance intuition with analytical thinking to foster trust, collaboration, and growth.

  • “Talents, start using AI tools now,” says Siri and Change.org founder

    “Talents, start using AI tools now,” says Siri and Change.org founder

    In an exclusive interview with The Copenhagen Post, the founder of Siri and Change.org, and currently VP of AI Experience at Airbnb, gives young talents advice on how to deal with the job market changed by artificial intelligence.

Want to advertise your job with CPH Post?

Contact us

Jobs