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What’s On in Copenhagen: May 2021

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Are you ready for Copenhagen’s best events this month? May in Copenhagen is always a treat but this year it’s extra special: after five months of lockdown, the city has finally opened up again. Restaurants and museums welcome visitors and sunny days invite for picnics under the open sky. Grab your bike, your loved ones, and a bottle of wine and enjoy the beginning of the warmer season.

From flea markets to film festivals to exhibition openings, there’s plenty to choose from to make the most of this new sense of freedom.

Here are the Copenhagen events you’ll want to know about this month:

Saturday 1st May

International Workers’ Day

1st May is International Workers’ Day. Celebrate labor activism and solidarity from your own sofa with online events, as big gatherings such as the one they typically hold in Fælledparken are cancelled this year. Instead, we recommend reading up on the history of International Workers’ Day and consider brushing up on your politics.

 

 


 

 
 

Haven Opening

Haven 20 is opening its garden for the summer and you are invited. In the spirit of International Workers’ Day, the focus of the event lies on alternative assemblies against profit optimization, loneliness, and conformity. From 12 pm.

 

 

 
 

ÅBEN Pop Up Opening Weekend: DJ Session with Emil Krøger

Celebrate the first weekend of the ÅBEN Pop Up in the Meatpacking District with cold beers and funky music. DJ Emil Krøger will take over the DJ-stand from 4 to 8 pm serving you memories from last summer. ÅBEN Pop Up is a craft beer bar by the Danish microbrewery ÅBEN so the selection of beer is stellar – choose between 12 beers on tap. Cheers!

 

 


 

 
 

Saturday 8th May

Relevance Festival

This year, the electronic music festival Relevance Festival is moving online. Tune in to experience a great lineup of artists performing on their streaming channels. The fun begins at 5 pm and is completely free. Invite some close friends and get ready for a good time!

 

 

 
 

Thursday 6th May

La Fonction Espace Vert by KADK Online Lecture

In his online lecture “La Fonction Espace Vert,” Tom Avermaete explores how new forms of public space emerged in the context of post-war housing estates in France. A focus is architect Jacques Sgard’s idea that the modern city should not only cater to the functions dwelling, work, recreation, and transport, but that it also encompasses a fifth function: the green space. Tom Avermaete is Full Professor for the History and Theory of Urban Design at ETH Zürich, Switzerland. The lecture is presented by the research project Spaces of Danish Welfare as part of the international conference Spaces of Welfare. It will be hosted on Zoom from 10:30 am to 12 pm.

 

 


 

 
 

Sunday 10th May

Conscious Sweater Film Club Presents: Udita (Arise) at Husets Biograf

Conscious Sweater Film Club aims to raise awareness for the lack of sustainability in fashion. Learn more about and discuss related issues with like-minded people at this screening of Udita. The film focuses on the struggles of the garment workers in the global fashion supply chain and gives them a platform to tell their own stories. The screening will double as the launch event for Conscious Sweater: a worldwide map of conscious fashion shops. Doors open at 6:30 and the event starts at 7:30 pm. Admission costs 70 DKK.

 

 

 
 

Wednesday 12th May

Copenhagen Life Science Summit 2021

The Copenhagen Life Science Summit brings together students, recent graduates, and professionals to discover and discuss the latest development in life science. Join for interesting talks by leading industry experts from startups as well as multinational companies. The summit takes place online and takes from 3 to 6 pm. Please register in advance.

 

 


 

 
 

Written on Water with artist talk at Cinemateket

Let Pontus Lidberg take you on a sensual and philosophical journey that explores the boundaries between fiction and reality. His film debut “Written on Water” tells the story of choreographer Alicia who falls in love with Giovanni, the main dancer in her performance about desire, “Sirene.” Besides the screening, there will be an artist talk with Pontus Lidberg in which he introduces the audience to his creative process while working on the film. The talk will the held in English. The event starts at 7 pm.

 

 

 
 

Thursday 13th May

Resonate #3: Grøn + Alto Aria + Johan Carøe at Huset KBH

The series “Resonate” combines exploratory live music with visuals, inviting participants into an immersive experience of physical, sensory, and emotional resonance. Learn more about the line-up for edition 3 on Huset KBH’s website. Admission costs 120 DKK and doors open at 8 pm.

 

 


 

 
 

Friday 14th May

Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown & Spanish tapas at Cinemateket

Take an imaginary trip to 1980s Madrid with this Pedro Almodóvar classic, accompanied by Spanish tapas. Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown follows actress Pepa, who, dumped by her married lover, attempts suicide by eating gazpacho laced with sleeping pills. But she is interrupted by a potpourri of chaotic individuals: a girlfriend who is dating a terrorist, her former lover’s profoundly bewildered son, and a woman whose bed is on fire. Tickets for the screening and dinner with Tinto de Verano cost 225 DKK, tickets for only the screening cost 80 DKK. The event starts at 9:30 pm and is part of the event series Spanish Cinema Weeks.

 

 

 
 

Thursday 20th – Saturday 22nd May

Talk Town

Talk Town provides a democratic platform to discuss feminism and gender equality. It understands itself as a “conversation town” providing space for discourse in numerous ways, from panel discussions over walks to dinners. Learn more and find the program on the festival website.

 

 


 

 
 

Saturday 22nd May

Simon Littauer at Byhaven Pumpehuset

Simon Littauer is well known in the Danish music landscape, where he has worked on studio productions for an incredible number of Danish musicians and played live with names such as MØ, Kwamie Liv, Asteroid Galaxy Tour, and Reptile Youth. On this early summer evening, he’s coming to Byhaven Pumpehuset. A true believer in improvisation, Simon is performing entirely live on a modular synthesizer. Get ready for some great improvised techno from 3 pm.

 

 

 
 

Tobias Rahim at Store Vega

Over the last years, Tobias Rahim has established himself in the Danish music scene with his mix of pop rhythms and vulnerable lyrics. In Danish, he sings about topics like love, sex, and how the color of ones skin can impact life and happiness in Denmark. Tickets cost 255 DKK and doors open at 7 pm.

 

 


 

 
 

Sunday 23rd May

Danish on a Sunday: The Hunt at Cinemateket

In The Hunt (Jagten), popular Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen plays Lucas who, recently divorced, is slowly patching together his life when a lie turns everything upside down. Soon he finds himself in the center of hysteria, and fighting a lonely fight for his life and dignity. The film will be screened with English subtitles and begins at 2:15 pm.

 

 

 
 

Friday 28th May

Vernissage “Modern ruins of the Peloponnese” at Brønshøj Vandtårn

“Modern ruins of the Peloponnese“ explores the phenomenon of newly or half-built houses on the Greek peninsula of Peloponnese that have been abandoned by their owners, often due to economic hardships. The exhibition relates these modern ruins to those of ancient Greece which, in contrast, are generally perceived as symbols of power and decadence. Rather than providing concrete answers, it poses the question whether the used resources have simply been lost, or whether there are opportunities for future use? Join the opening for a browse and a glass of Greek wine provided by Nørrebro-based wine store Oinofilia. From 4-8 pm, entry is free.

 

 


 

 
 

Saturday 29th – Sunday 30th May

Flea market at Istedgade 87

Go treasure hunting and find a bargain. From furniture to clothes to toys, there’s something for everyone. From 10 am to 4 pm.

 
 

Sunday 30th May

Flea market at Rådhuspladsen

On the last Sunday in May, Rådhuspladsen transforms into a massive flea market. Go on treasure hunt or put up your own stall via markedsbooking.dk. From 9 am to 3 pm.

 


 
 

If you’re a business or organisation that would like us to add your event to next month’s calendar, please contact us at hello [@] scandinaviastandard [dot] com. Thank you!

 
 

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Header image: Flora Danica Zoom exhibition

Last edited

Kay Litzinger

Kay is a creative multi-hyphenate with a focus on lifestyle and travel. After growing up in Germany and stints in Stockholm and Mexico City, he's now based in Copenhagen. He loves to explore new cities, one cup of coffee or glass of wine at a time. Get a sneak peek at @kayltr.