Over 15 million visits were made to the nation’s exhibitions last year – a dip of around 350,000 on 2017, according to Danmarks Statistik.
The most popular attraction continues to be the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Humlebæk, which attracted 755,584 visitors, followed by Den Gamle By in Aarhus (546,485), Aros in Aarhus (508,008), New Carlsberg Glyptotek (448,934) and Christiansborg Castle (436,693).
The National Museum’s main building was ninth with 365,245, but if all 20 of its locations were included, it would come top with 1,729,101.
Long way behind Tivoli
Louisiana has some way to go to become Denmark’s most visited attraction. Figures for 2015 revealed it was number six on the list, a long way behind Tivoli, which with nearly 5 million was easily the most popular.
Completing the top five back then were Dyrehavsbakken (2.7), Legoland (1.7), Copenhagen Zoo (1.148) and Djurs Sommerland (0.802).
Nevertheless, Louisiana has maintained its stranglehold on being the most visited museum – a record it has held since 2007.
Hospital’s secret garden
A secret garden has blossomed at Copenhagen hospital Rigshospitalet. The therapeutic garden, which is intended to create a space of recreation for patients going through cancer treatment, is a smörgåsbord of colours, sound and light. Where there was once a dull, white staircase leading down to the corridors where patients receive radiation therapy, you now enter an artistic creation brought to life by painter Maria Dubin, composer Frederik Magle and light designer Kim Borch. Together they have created an immersive experience: a ‘Gesamtkunstwerk’ for all to enjoy.
Roskilde sells out
This year’s Roskilde Festival is the second-fastest selling in history, relegating 2018 to third place, to trail only 1996. It sold out of its full-festival tickets on May 6. A limited number of one-day tickets are available for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. This year’s Roskilde opens on June 29 and finishes on July 6.
FCK wins Superliga
FC Copenhagen won the Superliga on May 6 with three games to spare thanks to an exciting 3-2 defeat of Brøndby at Parken. It is their 13th league title since the club’s foundation in 1992.
Her clothes do the talking
Helena Christensen is back in the limelight for wearing clothing deemed inappropriate by fashionistas and for contributing to ‘Mystify: Michael Hutchence’, a documentary that looks into the 1992 incident in Copenhagen in which the INXS singer was assaulted by a taxi driver, causing him brain damage. While Christensen spoke extensively to filmmaker Richard Lowenstein, it’s safe to say she won’t be speaking to Alexandra Shulman, the former editor of the British edition of Vogue, who called her out as ‘mutton dressed as lamb’ for wearing a risqué bustier to a recent event.
All set for Eurovision
Denmark will perform seventh in the second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest on May 16 in Israel. The bookmakers expect Leonora to qualify for the final two days later, but rate her chances of winning at 100/1.
Happy with walkouts
Leftfield Theatre had a high number of walk-outs during the four-night run of its new play ‘The Director’ at Teaterøen from April 23-29 – but the play’s actual director, Lee Elms, was delighted.“Audience members swore and yelled at actors … and one woman yelled at an actor, slammed the exit door and could be heard screaming from the lounge,” he enthused. “Cool!”
Remake for crime show
The acclaimed DR series ‘Bedrag’, which made its debut in 2016, will be remade as an English-language show in Hollywood. Alice Guy Productions has secured the rights to remake all three seasons – the result of DR Salg attending the MIPTV industry fair in Cannes just before Easter.
Precious metals stolen
A collection of about 50 medals and trophies won by the late Danish footballing legend Harald Nielsen have been stolen from Arena Nord in Frederikshavn.
Living his footy dream
When Danish second tier side Viborg FF took on HB Køge recently, it wasn’t overly surprising to know there was a certain Michael Petersen in the crowd. His name is about as Danish-sounding as it gets, but there’s more to the story behind his presence in the stadium than one might imagine. Petersen is from Minnesota in the US and travelled thousands of kilometres to watch the team he has played in the popular PC game Football Manager for the past decade. As well as multiple Danish Superliga titles, he has twice taken Viborg to the Champions League final – losing both times!
Top sports host
Denmark is the 12th best country in the world at hosting big sporting events, according to analysis firm Sportcal. It moved up two spots in 2018, while Copenhagen was ranked ninth. The analysis takes into account data accumulated over the last seven years.
New eSport strategy
The government has unveiled its first eSport strategy. An expert panel will assess ways of offering support. In related news, Astralis has become the first team to be ranked number one in the world for a whole year. Since being founded in January 2016, the Danish Counter-Strike giants have earned 42.7 million kroner in prize money.
Fuglsang ranked third
Danish cyclist Jakob Fuglsang has shot up the UCI World Rankings following his triumph in Liége-Bastogne-Liége last month. The Astana rider rose seven spots to second place, although he has since fallen to third.
No repeat triumph
The last remaining Dane has been knocked out of the Stanley Cup – two rounds short of the finals. Oliver Bjorkstrand and the Columbus Blue Jackets crashed out to the Boston Bruins in deciding game seven of the second round of the playoffs. Lars Eller, a winner last year, remains the only Dane to have ever won the Stanley Cup.
Towers pipped by Roosters
US football team Copenhagen Towers are out of the NEFL League after a 18-22 defeat to Helsinki Roosters in Gentofte on May 11. The Towers had opened their title defence by overcoming the Stockholm Mean Machines 28-25 a week earlier in Sweden.
Top of the bill
British comedian Bill Bailey, a regular contestant on ‘IQ’ who is best known for creating humour out of music, is performing at DR Koncerthuset on October 1. Tickets cost 325 kroner.
