Cultural dimension of the Danish Presidency

The most comprehensive Danish art campaign ever launched in Europe will highlight the Danish Presidency.
 
Cultural and artistic events are part and parcel of Presidency meetings of politicians organised by successive Presidencies. This is an exceptional opportunity for the countries holding EU Presidency to promote themselves by displaying their culture and presenting their finest qualities.

This opportunity is now being taken by Denmark which started its Presidency of the EU Council on 1^st January 2012. Acultural programme aimed at presenting Denmark and its inhabitants as creative and innovative people with a visionary approach in art and culture was prepared for the occasion.

The official opening ceremony of the Danish Presidency is due to take place in Copenhagen on 11^th January 2012. During the ceremony attended by members of the European Commission and its President José Manuel Barroso, the Danish National Symphony Orchestra and the Danish National Girls Choir will perform. Then, during the ceremony in Brussels on 26^th January 2012, the ‘DR Big Band’ will provide the musical entertainment.

Concerts and exhibitions of works by Danish artists (e.g. photographer Thomas Bangsted and painter Soren Martinsen) as well as design will be among numerous events included in the art and cultural programme of the Denmark’s EU Council Presidency. Danish designers, including Karen Bennicke and Steen Ipsen, have designed special sets of furniture for the needs of the Danish Presidency. During the next six months of the Danish Presidency of the EU Council, the greatest pictures of Danish film makers will be presented at festivals and other events. They will include both feature films and documentaries.

The events within the cultural and artistic programme will be taking place in Denmark - mainly Copenhagen — and other European cities including Berlin, Paris, Vilnius and Sofia. There will be also some events in Poland. On 10^th January, the Warsaw club Fabryka Trzciny will host Cæcilie Norby — a world-class jazz singer from Denmark.

Information on current cultural activities will be presented in the cultural calendar of the Danish Presidency on eu2012.dk, due to be continually updated.