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VIEWS: 133 PAGES: 20 CATEGORY: Travel POSTED ON: 8/10/2010 Public Domain
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark Factsheet Denmark The Viking Age depicted on a tapestry by the artist Bjørn Nørgaard. Today, a millennium later, the Danes still retain their Viking spirit. They have conquered many of the world's export markets and their country has become one of the ten richest in the world. APRIL 2009 Maps of the world can be drawn in sever- The Danish model al ways. Generally, area measurement is Denmark is often called the Welfare State DENMARK used and, represented in this way, the kingdom of Denmark - excluding the Denmark. Another expression often used is the Danish Model. What do they mean? - AN OVERVIEW Faroe Islands and Greenland - with its 43,098 square kilometres is smaller than In a way, it all started in the world of poetry. The clergyman, author and politi- many of the individual states of the cian N.F.S. Grundtvig (1783-1872) wrote United States. in a song about Denmark that a country However, if measured by the share of has progressed far when "few have too the annual product spent on development much and fewer too little". This is pre- assistance, Denmark is placed very high cisely the formula for the Danish welfare internationally. The same applies if the state. With the taxes as a tool, an equalisa- yardstick is the number of Danish police tion of income is achieved so that every- and military forces sent out on peacemak- one has the necessary material framework ing and peacekeeping missions or the re- for living a reasonable life. sults in a sport such as men's and women's As a result, Denmark has less econom- handball. Considered from these – albeit ic inequality than any other OECD coun- unusual – angles, the miniature state try. Moreover, there is a fair amount to momentarily assumes superpower status. share, for Denmark has found a fine bal- The Queen The Royal couple Prince Henrik The Queen private preneurs are encouraged to try their luck, Kongeriget Danmark - The Kingdom of Denmark as they can easily get rid of employees if Form of government: Constitutional monarchy the project fails. If an idea is to be tested, Area: 43,098 sq. km Denmark is therefore the ideal place to do Population: 5.5m inhabitants so, as the population also has purchasing Population density: Approx. 128 inhabitants per sq. km power. The great mobility of labour is also Average life expectancy: Men 76.0 years, women 80.5 years demonstrated by the average length of Capital: København (Copenhagen), 1,175,411 inhabitants service in a job in Denmark, which is just in the metropolitan area 4.8 years – the lowest in OECD. Those Major cities: Århus (302,618), Odense (187,929), Aalborg losing their jobs do not suffer either, as the (196,292) state suddenly appear – now with unem- Language: Danish ployment benefit, which is not as much as Religion: 82.1% belong to the National Lutheran Church wages, but enough to live on. ● Moreover, the unemployed have a good GDP per capita: $57,260 (2007) chance of finding another job quickly, as Currency: Danish krone (DKK) Denmark invests heavily in further educa- tion and retraining. The good retraining opportunities – probably the best in the ance between, on the one hand, private labour at a time with shortage of manpow- world – also mean that industries which capitalism, which allows people with ideas er. As a result, a comprehensive tax reform are short of labour or new industries do and ambition to flourish freely and, on was initiated in 2009. not have to wait a long time for the neces- the other, a social safety net, which catch- sary workers. es those who cannot keep up in the race Flexicurity – a magic formula ● The unions are aware of Denmark's of free enterprise. When foreigners speak about the Danish position as an export nation. Their wage The model means that a third of the Model, they are often thinking mainly of demands on behalf of the members are taxes is paid back to the citizens as trans- the Danish labour market, which many reasonable, so as not to jeopardise the fer income and that the public sector is so see as having a magic formula. In itself, exceptional competitiveness of Danish large that it accounts for 35.4% (2007) of the situation is indeed curious. Workers goods. all employees, 68.9% of whom are women. and other employees in Denmark enjoy ● The employment rate for women is Nonetheless, there is no spirit of revolt good wages and social benefits. Nonethe- exceptionally high, perhaps the highest in against the tax burden in Denmark, al- less, Danish companies in many industries the world: 73.7% in 2007 as against though it was 48.9% in 2007 and thus one are among the most competitive on the 79.8% for men. In other words, as a rule of the highest in the world. world market. How is that possible? both husband and wife have full-time jobs The people notice that they are get- in Denmark. This enriches the labour ting something for their money – in The answer contains several elements: market with a lot of talent and initiative, addition to the transfer income, also vir- ● Danish workers are among the most which would otherwise have remained in tually free education and free medical highly organised in the world – 75% the kitchen and nursery. The massive fe- and hospital services. Moreover, the ideo- belong to a union. As the employers are male employment has become possible logical debate about whether the public equally highly organised, the labour mar- through the equality of the sexes and the sector should become smaller or larger in ket enters into agreements without state public childcare system which allows both relation to the private sector has almost involvement. It also disciplines itself parents to work a full working week of 37 disappeared. through a specially developed labour law hours without worrying about who will Nonetheless, the political parties fear system. This ensures robust agreements, look after their children. that the tax burden may tempt the best which moreover cover several years, and ● Foreigners who find work in Denmark people to seek jobs abroad. A lower tax few working days are lost due to conflicts. say that with this system it is possible to pressure is also expected to produce more ● A unique and crucial point is that "be a complete person" and "make one's Danish employers can dismiss employees family life cohere". Denmark is regarded The borders on pages 2-19 show the Royal at very short notice. This allows the com- as a good employer. Concepts such as monograms, four Ministry logos and the coats- panies to adjust to changing market trends flextime are common. The great adapt- of-arms of Denmark's 98 municipalities. without suffering losses. Moreover, entre- ability of the companies, without affect- 2 The Crown Prince The Crown Prince couple The Crown Princess Prince Christian Denmark's monarchy is one of the oldest in the ing the employees' social security, has sea level. No one in Denmark is more world – dating back to before the year 1000 – been nicknamed flexicurity. Foreign dele- than 50 km from the sea. The climate is and at the same time has a secure future. How? gations often visit the country to study temperate coastal climate, January and That is demonstrated by the photo, which shows Crown Prince Frederik, b.1968, Crown Princess the model. February are the coldest months with an Mary, b.1972, and their children, Prince Christian, average temperature of 0.0°C and August b.2005, and Princess Isabella, b. 2007. In other Denmark's geography the warmest with an average temperature words, two generations of rulers are ready to Denmark is located in Northern Europe of 15.7°C. take over. The monarchy is popular in Denmark. between the North Sea and the Baltic. The average wind force across the year The reigning Queen, Margrethe II, b.1940, has won the hearts of the population with her artis- Denmark also includes the Faroe Islands is 7.6 m per second, which helps explain tic skills and open, yet dignified style. The Crown and Greenland in the North Atlantic. why Denmark is the world's largest ex- Prince, with an impressive academic and military The bulk of Denmark is the peninsula porter of wind turbines. 62% of the total background, is equally popular. During a four Jutland, which juts up from the European area is cultivated, the highest percentage month sledge expedition round the north of continent and has a border with Germany in Europe. 56% of the land is used for Greenland, he achieved feats which few can emu- late. Photo: Scanpix/Keld Navntoft. of just under 68 km. The rest of the coun- growing corn, 20% for grass, 4% for roots try consists of 406 islands, 78 of which and 4% for seed. are habited. This gives Denmark a total coast line of 7,314 km, corresponding to a From superpower to miniature state sixth of the globe's circumference. The country has probably been periodi- The highest point is 170.68 m above cally inhabited for more than 120,000 3 Prince Joachim Prince Joachim and Princess Marie Princess Marie Princess Benedikte years. The first certain proofs of human the easiest conditions for the population. habitation date from around 12,500 BC. In 1943, Germany intensified its de- The Stone Age people among other things mands on the collaboration. This formally lived on oysters and the shells are still collapsed, but in connivance with the po- found in the so-called "køkkenmøddinger" liticians, Danish civil servants continued (kitchen middens) – a Danish expression the collaboration during the Heads of which has passed into other languages. Departments Government. The Danes attracted international at- From 1943, the increasing popular re- tention in the Viking Age from the late sistance to the Germans created the basis 8th to the mid 11th century, but not only for an underground movement. Denmark positively. They were skilful shipwrights was the German-occupied country where with a love of adventure. They travelled far, the smallest number of Jews died: helped for instance to the Mediterranean. The by, among others, the resistance move- Vikings acted as merchants, but equally ment, most of Denmark's Jewish popula- often as marauders and invaders. For a tion managed to escape to the neutral short time in the 11th century, Denmark Sweden. subjugated England. From the 14th century, Denmark also The Danish Constitution ruled over Norway and parts of Sweden. Originating in the chieftain rule of the At that time, Denmark stretched from Viking Age, the Danish Constitution was Nordkapp to the Elbe. As a result of ill for- Absolute Monarchy, followed by Enlight- tunes of war, arrogance and poor choice of ened Absolutism 1660-1848. In 1848, the allies, Denmark's territory and population new King Frederik VII abolished Absolu- were heavily reduced over the period until tism and the following year a free Consti- In Roskilde – Denmark's tenth largest city with 1658. tution was codified. 42,000 inhabitants, located 30 km west of Many wars have been fought with Swe- However, democracy did not fully un- Copenhagen – past and present intersect. Ros- den in particular, but in the 19th century, fold until 1901, when the provision that a kilde Cathedral from the 1170s (photo), which is it was the relationship with the southern government must not have a majority in the burial church of the Danish Royal House, was included in UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage list neighbour Germany that led to wars. parliament against it was introduced. in 1995. The city also placed itself on the world After the last major war, the Second map with the 1971 launch of the Roskilde Schleswig War in 1864, the Danish terri- The Royal House Festival, inspired by the Woodstock music festi- tory was reduced by a third when Schles- Since then, the Royal family has, with great val in the USA. Since then, it has been held for four days every summer and attracted over wig and Holstein were ceded to Germany. loyalty and subtlety, fulfilled the role of neu- 100,000 visitors in its best years. Furthermore, This led to a movement in Denmark with tral mediating link between changing gov- Roskilde inspired the authors Gustav Wied the motto "What is lost externally shall be ernments and as a dignified and popular, but (1858-1914) and Lise Nørgaard, b. 1917. In his regained internally", which resulted in the entirely apolitical, uppermost superstructure satirical novels, Gustav Wied revealed the misanthropy and depraved lifestyle of his con- cultivation of moorlands and the draining on the Danish machinery of power. temporaries. The setting is the city of Gammel- of bays and inlets for farming purposes. The current monarch, Queen Margrethe købing – a pseudonym for Roskilde. In the more North-Schleswig returned to Denmark II, b.1940, is the daughter of King Frede- recent TV series "Matador" ("Monopoly"), the following a plebiscite in 1920. rik IX (1899-1972) and Queen Ingrid main author Lise Nørgaard and the director Erik Balling (1924-2005) set an epic family saga (1910-2000). She is married to the French about narrow bigotry and female emancipation The Occupation 1940-1945 count Henri de Laborde de Monpezat, in Roskilde – now under the alias Korsbæk. The During the Second World War, Denmark now Prince Henrik, b.1934. They have the 24 episodes of the series have been broadcast was occupied by Germany in 1940-1945. sons Frederik, b.1968, who is the Crown in several countries. Roskilde has also attracted international attention for a topical reason which Forced by circumstances during the Ger- Prince, and Joachim, b.1969. the city could probably have done without – man "peaceful occupation", King Christi- In 2004, Crown Prince Frederik mar- Roskilde Bank was the first Danish financial an X and the Danish government led by ried Australian-born Mary Elizabeth Do- institution to fall victim to the international eco- the Social Democrat Thorvald Stauning naldson, b.1972. In 2005, they had a son, nomic crisis due to over-optimistic loans and too generous bonus systems for its management. chose to collaborate with the occupying Prince Christian, who in accordance with Photo: Roskilde Lejre T0urist Office. power. In this way, they hoped to create the Constitution will succeed his father 4 The Prime Minister's Office The Ministry of Foreign Affairs The Ministry of Defence The Ministry of Culture on the throne. In 2007, the couple had a an open style and further increased the (1 January 2009), distributed on 2.5m daughter, Princess Isabella. popularity of the monarchy with her infor- households and the number is almost con- In 1995, Prince Joachim married Alexan- mality, charm and artistic gifts. stant these days. Immigrants and their dra Manley, born in Hong Kong in 1964. As a creative artist, she has, among descendants now constitute 9.1% of a pop- They have the sons Prince Nikolai, b.1999, other things, created several chasubles and ulation which is otherwise very homoge- and Prince Felix, b.2002. The couple designed the ballet "Et folkesagn" ("A Folk neous and therefore highly coherent. The divorced in 2005. In 2007, Alexandra Tale") at The Royal Theatre in Copenha- population density is high – 128 per sq. km. married a commoner and she now has the gen and the ballets "Tommelise" ("Thum- title Countess of Frederiksborg. In 2008, belina"), "Fyrtøjet" ("The Tinderbox") and "Estelle Mærsk" (photo) from the shipping com- Prince Joachim married Marie Cavallier, "Snedronningen" ("The Snow Queen") for pany A.P. Møller-Mærsk – launched in 2006 – born in France in 1976. In spring 2009, the so-called peacock stage in the amuse- ploughs through one of the oceans. With its the couple had a son, whose name will be ment park Tivoli. length of 397 metres, it and seven similar sisters revealed at his christening. The two princes have received demand- constitute a fleet of the world's largest container The Queen was born a week after Den- ing academic educations and military ships. The ship is shown here as a symbol of the entrepreneurial spirit and good investment cli- mark's occupation during the Second training. Images treasured by the Danes mate in Denmark. Like many other well-known World War and already through the time include the two Princes freefalling during Danish companies, such as Danfoss, Lego and of her birth became a bright spot for the their time in the air force and the Crown Grundfos, A.P. Møller-Mærsk started on a tiny population, just as the family, with the two Prince on a four month sledge journey in scale, but has long since reached world format sisters Princess Benedikte, b.1944, and the polar frost on Greenland. and now the second generation has taken over with great skill. The Danish Government wants Princess Anne Marie, b.1946, came to be to develop Denmark into a leading entrepreneur- seen as the model family par excellence. As The Danish population ial nation. Newcomers do not have to look queen since 1972, Margrethe has adopted Denmark has a population of 5,511,451 abroad for role models. 5 Albertslund Allerød Assens Ballerup Billund Bornholm Brøndby The language spoken is Danish. It has Family types A fresh threat to the traditional news- many vowels – including the special let- (January 2005) papers is the internet, where news is now ters æ, ø and å – and many significant 4.0% 0.6% reported almost as it is happening. This glottal stops, which make it difficult for has made the newspapers themselves foreigners to learn Danish. Although the establish contact with their readers through 14.4% distance from the west coast of Jutland to the internet and at the same time restruc- the capital in the east is less than 300 km, 4.7% ture the printed editions to provide more there is a distinct division into dialects 49.4% opinion and background material. To 6.1% with associated alleged character differ- achieve higher overall advertising revenue, ences – from the taciturn Jutlanders in the the large newspaper groups also publish west through the garrulous natives of 20.9% household or street distributed free papers. Funen in the middle to the Zealanders in There are several public and private the east, whose broad and drawling dialect radio and television stations, including a calls to mind the fat lands owned by their Single persons without children 24 hour news channel. On average, Da- ancestors. The metropolitan population Married couples without children nes watch television for 2 hours 33 min- speaks a flat and rapid language, suggest- Other couples without children utes a day. ing that here the pace is fast and people Single parents with children do not put up with anything. The personality of the Danes Married couples with children For every three marriages, there is a Common to all Danes is their tendency to Other couples with children divorce. Thus, in 2007, there were 36.0 take the ups and downs of life with a touch Children aged under 18 not living at home marriages per 1,000 unmarried men over of irony, often self-irony. Foreign spouses 18 years of age and 12.0 divorces per in mixed marriages often complain that Source: Statistics Denmark. 1,000 married men. Registered partner- they find it difficult to understand what ships between same-sex persons have been their partners really mean because they allowed since 1987. In many respects, the outside the home. Around 96.1% of all tend to say the opposite of what they think, arrangement has the same legal and finan- children aged 3-5 are looked after in day- in keeping with the nature of irony. cial implications as traditional marriages. care institutions. The Danes' inalienable rights include In 2008, there were 601 registered part- 82.1% of the Danes belong to the freedom of worship and freedom of speech nerships. The free and respected position Lutheran National Church. Moreover, and writing. These rights are not only of women was among other things de- church and state – politics and religion – deeply rooted in the Danish minds, but monstrated by their getting the vote in are strictly separated in Denmark. The also laid down in the Constitution. Free- 1915 and already in 1908 for local elec- second-largest religious group is the Mus- dom of speech and Danish humour in its tions. The latest constitutional amend- lims, who constitute about 5% of the crudest form collided with the Muslim ment in 1953 introduced female succes- population. There is no differential treat- world, when a cartoonist in September sion to the throne, although a prince will ment in the education system. Muslim 2005 depicted the prophet Mohammed always precede his sister even if he is youn- free schools receive public support in line with a bomb in his turban in a Danish ger than her. Efforts are being made to with Danish schools. paper, thereby offending many Muslims remove this differential treatment by a ref- Danes form associations whenever they all over the world. The result was riots erendum in 2009 and subsequent amend- spot a sensible or enjoyable reason for and demonstrations in several countries. ment of the Act of Succession. doing so. Every third Dane has attended In retrospect, Minister for Foreign Affairs Gender Equality, Association Life and at least one association meeting within the Per Stig Møller says: "We believe in respect the Media last month. Association life is also training between religions. Denmark respects Islam Denmark has still to experience a fe- in democracy. and of course does not wish to contribute male Prime Minister. 38% of the mem- The Danes are newspaper readers. In to condemning or insulting either people bers of the parliament, the Folketing, are the past, every major provincial town had or their religion. As we have said many women. Equal pay has to a considerable a newspaper for each of the four main times: It is the differences between cul- extent been achieved. Gender discrimina- parties. The introduction of television led tures and religions that enrich the world". tion in job advertisements is prohibited. to many newspaper closures, but there are However, he did not add that Denmark The public childcare system enhances still 36 daily newspapers and many dis- will introduce restrictions to the freedom women's opportunities to pursue a career trict weeklies and trade papers. of speech. 6 Brønderslev Dragør Egedal Esbjerg Fanø Favrskov Faxe Denmark is looking forward to hosting the UN Climate Summit in 2009. The country itself works hard to be a model within environmental care and transition to sustainable energy. Danish trade and industry are already extremely active on the world market with equipment for water purification, air filtration, etc. The Danish wind turbine industry is the largest in the world. 38,000 wind turbines from the company Vestas are installed in more than 62 countries. The installation of a wind turbine is completed every three hours 24 hours a day. In 2005, 5,000 lor- ries and around 40 container ships were required to transport wind turbine parts from Vestas to North America. The offshore wind farm at Horns Rev by Jutland's west coast (photo), owned and operated by the Swedish company Vattenfall with the Danish DONG Energy as co-owner, sup- plies 2% of Denmark's energy consumption. Since the Mohammed crisis, Denmark has added a new dimension to its foreign policy, called Public Diplomacy. The inten- tion is to make Danish attitudes and in- tentions known beyond narrow govern- ment circles. At the same time, Denmark is strengthening its links with G8, ASEAN, ASEM, The Arab League, The African Union and the Organization of American States. The tone among Danes themselves is relaxed. Almost everyone is addressed by the informal "du". The formal "De" is rarely used and only when speaking to an older, distinguished person. In the schools, the pupils are on first-name terms with the teachers. With an open economy and great dependence on what is happening in the surrounding world, the Danes have benefited from their open and interna- tional attitude. Thus they consistently support maximum free trade in the world. Over the years, there have also been traces of local insularity, snobbery and conformity. It was best not to be different. "The Ugly Duckling" of the fairytale wri- ter Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875) is given a hard time because it is unusual. The Danish-Norwegian author Aksel Sandemose (1899-1965) invented the concept "Janteloven" ("The Jante Law") 7 Fredensborg Fredericia Frederiksberg Frederikshavn Frederikssund Furesø Faaborg Midtfyn Several Danish architects are world famous. Jørn with the bigoted rules he felt dominated Utzon's opera house in Sydney is included in his birthplace, a provincial town in Jut- new lists of the Seven Wonders of the World. land. The (fictitious) rules include: "Do Arne Jacobsen's college buildings in Oxford, England, are sensitively adapted to the historical not imagine you are anything special" and environment. Henning Larsen – master of the "Do not imagine you can teach us any- new opera house in Copenhagen – has designed thing". landmarks in many parts of the world. In addi- tion to the Saudi-Arabian Ministry of Foreign The "free town" of Christiania Affairs, which was built in Riyadh in 1984 (small photo), the company recently designed the Occasionally, there are clashes involving Massar Children's Discovery Centre in Damascus, motorcycle clubs, autonomous groups and Syria (large photo), which is in the course of second generation immigrants. A conflict construction. Local culture is brilliantly reflected between young people in Copenhagen in the subtle shape of a Syrian rose – an artistic and the local authorities concerning the and highly sustainable design, which adds a fairytale element to the forthcoming adventure of right of ownership of a youth centre also discovery. resulted in clashes. In such situations, the police avoid using water canon. Knives above a certain length and hoods have been prohibited 8 Gentofte Gladsaxe Glostrup Greve Gribskov Guldborgsund Haderslev An area of Copenhagen, Christiania, Families' access to computer on the Faroe Islands since 1948 and in has declared itself a "free town" and to a and internet at home (2000-2005) Greenland since 1979. Neither territory is large extent observes its own laws and a member of the EU. 90 rules of conduct. The authorities have Both have two seats in the Folketing. 80 now turned a blind eye to the experiment 70 The Faroe Islands are considering full for more than 25 years, although the police 60 independence from Denmark, to which occasionally carry out raids in the area. 50 the Danish Government has responded The Council of Christiania has been in 40 that Denmark would then phase out negotiations with Copenhagen Municipa- 30 its economic support of the Islands over lity for several years concerning normalisa- 20 a shorter term than the Faroese wish. tion of the conditions for the approx. 800 10 An agreement in 2009 expands Green- residents. 0 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 land`s home rule and guarantees it the first DKK 75 million earned from raw Denmark in words and figures Computer (%) materials in the subsoil. Any further in- The gross domestic product per capita was Internet (%) come from this source will be shared $57,260 in 2008, which places Denmark Source: Statistics Denmark. equally with the Danish Exchequer. in the top fifth of the EU countries. In addition to the state-funded welfare and The political system security, Danes are materially well-off – 2.6%. 1.7% of the men and 0.6% of the Until 1953, Denmark had a bicameral also in terms of their own means. women commit suicide. The old myth of system. After the abolition of the Lands- Out of 100 Danish households in 2008, Denmark as a country with many suicides ting, the Folketing remains. The voting 60 owned a house or flat, 80 a washing is greatly exaggerated. age is 18. The election period is four machine, 65 a dishwasher, 75 a micro- In 2007, 20 persons died of aids-relat- years, but the Prime Minister may call an wave oven, 44 a flat screen television, 29 a ed illnesses. Some 250 drug-related deaths election at any time. If the Folketing pass- video camera, 92 a CD-player, 84 a DVD- are registered annually. Abortion was lega- es a vote of no confidence in the govern- player, 88 a home computer, 95 a mobile lised in 1973. In 2006, there were 15,053 ment, it must resign or call an election. telephone, 83 had internet access and 32 legal abortions, corresponding to 12.2 per Elections are by proportional represen- GPS navigation. There is also free internet 1,000 women aged 15-45. tation. 135 seats are allocated on a con- access in all libraries. In 1967, the ban on written pornogra- stituency basis, which ensures an even Traditionally, Denmark has been placed phy was lifted and in 1969, Denmark was distribution across the country, with a high on international barometers of quali- the first country in the world to legalise small advantage to sparsely populated ty of life. The welfare system pushes it up. picture pornography. areas. 40 supplementary seats ensure that However, it is pulled down by the average parties with perhaps more dispersed sup- life expectancy of 76.0 years for men and The Danish Realm port also have a chance of being elected. 80.5 for women, which is lower than in Denmark has never been a major colonial If a party cannot obtain 2% of the votes, Denmark's neighbouring countries. The power, but it had small tropical colonies it will not be represented in the Folke- experts attribute this to rich food, too in Africa, Asia and the West Indies. Den- ting. This minimum percentage is low in little exercise (although many jog) and too mark was the first country in Europe to an international context. For the last 20 much smoking. However, the health au- prohibit slave trading in 1793 (with effect years, the turn-out has varied between thorities act with campaigns on every from 1803), but that cannot explain away 82% and 88%. front and in the past five years or so, the Denmark's active participation in the hu- Since 1909, no party has had an abso- life expectancy has improved considerably. man transport until then or the existence lute majority. That is why the legislation Life in Denmark cannot be entirely of slavery in the Danish West Indies until is compromise-led and centre-seeking, unhealthy when the average height of the 1848. which has given Danish politics the name conscripts rose from 168.4 centimetres in In the North Atlantic, Denmark has "collaborative democracy". Since 1955, 1896 to 180.6 centimetres in 2006. ruled over Iceland, which withdrew from the Folketing has after every election Cancer is the main cause of death the union with Denmark in 1944. nominated an Ombudsman, who may (29.1% of the men, 26.8% of the women). The Faroe Islands and Greenland, the criticise the administration by the central Heart diseases account for 19.9% and world's largest island, are still part of the and since 1998 also the local authorities. 18.2% respectively, accidents 3.7% and Danish Realm. There has been home rule Around 200 new acts are passed every 9 Halsnæs Hedensted Helsingør Herlev Herning Hillerød Hjørring The Folketing after the general April 2009 and was succeeded by his party of new energy technologies, which may election in 2007 colleague Lars Løkke Rasmussen, b.1964. prove to be profitable exports. The new leader of the government has not % of the votes Seats The Social Democrats 25.5 45 announced any immediate changes to the Let us take an overview of the many The Social-Liberal Party 5.1 9 policy led. A change might consist in ongoing reforms: The Conservative People's Party 13.5 18 greater citizens' choice between related pub- ● Global green leadership: Since 1980, The Socialist People's Party 6.0 11 lic services. The Government also includes: the Danish economy has grown by approx- The Danish People's Party 10.5 23 Lene Espersen, b.1965 (Conservative), as imately 80%, while energy consumption The Christian Democratic Party 0.9 0 Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for has remained almost constant and CO2 Denmark's Liberal Party 26.3 46 Economic and Business Affairs, Per Stig emissions have been reduced. Many coun- New Alliance 2.8 5 Møller, b.1942 (Conservative), as Minister tries have achieved increases in their energy The Unity List 2.2 4 for Foreign Affairs, Søren Gade, b.1963 and CO2 efficiencies, but the Danish In addition, two members are elected on (Liberal), as Minister for Defence, Claus increase is one of the highest in the OECD Greenland and two on the Faroe Islands. Hjort Frederiksen, b. 1947 (Liberal), as area and Denmark is today among the top The turn-out was 86.6%. Minister for Finance and Ulla Tørnæs, ten industrialised countries in the world in b.1962 (Liberal), as Minister for Develop- terms of producing wealth with minimum Since the election, there has been some ment Cooperation. The Government has emission of greenhouse gases. The Danish transfers between parties and New Alliance has changed its name to Liberal Alliance. 19 Ministers. government continues this policy with new building regulations further emphasis- The present political situation ing the importance of energy-efficient year. The developments within for instance The Government and Folketing are not buildings, a long-term energy deal that IT, traffic and hospital techniques necessi- leaning back comfortably to admire the paves the way for new investments in large tate larger administrative units in local robust welfare state they have created. offshore wind turbine facilities and an politics and in 2007, Denmark's 271 mu- They are aware that action is needed to ambitious plan for making farming in nicipalities were consolidated into 98 larg- protect the welfare at a time when the de- Denmark even more sustainable. er municipalities, while the 13 counties mographic development will result in more ● Denmark already produces far more have been replaced with 5 regions. In ad- and more elderly people with fewer and wind energy per capita than any other dition, the 54 police districts have been fewer working age people to support them. country in the world and wind energy merged into 12 and the 82 city court dis- In addition, Denmark has fully accept- accounts for almost 20% of Danish elec- tricts into 24. ed globalisation as the new condition of tricity. Danish industry is the world leader There have been both single-party and life and working principle for the nations in terms of wind energy, which also consti- coalition governments. of the world. The reforms to protect the tutes a major source of income and jobs. welfare state are therefore in quick succes- The Danish government remains commit- Centre-right governments sion followed by initiatives to turn Den- ted to green growth, using cleaner tech- At the general election in November mark into a leading growth, knowledge nologies as a way of fighting climate 2001, the parliamentary majority shifted and enterprise society, which also aims to change as well as of creating sustainable towards centre-right, as a new coalition be a world leader in relation to green and long-term growth. government consisting of Venstre (Den- growth. ● Tax reform: When it came to power in mark's Liberal Party) and Det Konservative On this background, it seems natural 2001, the Anders Fogh Rasmussen Govern- Folkeparti (The Conservative People's that Denmark was chosen by the UN as ment introduced a tax stop, which has been Party) gained a majority with the support the venue of the 2009 Climate Summit, in force ever since. A comprehensive redistri- of the anti-immigration party Dansk Fol- which is intended to extend the ground- bution between tax types has now been initi- keparti (The Danish People's Party). At breaking Kyoto Agreement of 1997. ated. Heavier taxation of energy consump- the general elections in February 2005 The reforms described below support tion and the removal of various tax allowan- and November 2007, this constellation each other, for instance the labour supply ces make it possible to reduce income tax, was given a clear mandate to continue. to finance the welfare state is increased which until now could take DKK 0.63 of These centre-right governments were through tax reforms that reduce the tax the last earned krone. From now on, 70% led by Anders Fogh Rasmussen, b.1953 on labour in favour of green taxes aimed of all Danish income-earners will only be (Liberal), until he was appointed General at reducing exhaust gas emissions. The taxed at 42%. The reform is expected to Secretary of NATO at the beginning of green taxes also promote the development increase the labour supply by the equivalent 10 Holbæk Holstebro Horsens Hvidovre Høje-Taastrup Hørsholm Ikast-Brande What other capital has a popular oasis at the foot of its town hall tower, where people of all ages and families with children can enjoy a la- vish display of flowers, catering at all prices, free graceful pantomime performances, concerts with the biggest names in the world, gentle fair- ground attractions for children and terrifying rides in the world's highest rollercoaster for the brave? This is Tivoli – the Copenhagen fairytale garden (photo). At the moment, Copenhagen is making its mark as a developing regional European business centre and as a charming, well-functioning landing stage for not only cruises, but also many kinds of events. In 2009, Copen- hagen will host World Outgames, the Internatio- nal Olympic Committee and the UN Climate Summit. of almost 20,000 full-time jobs. It will be accompanied by several initiatives to kick- start the economy to get Denmark out of the stagnation of the recession. The initia- tives include early release of pension capital and state grants to private individuals wanting to refurbish their houses. ● Welfare reform: Efforts are also being made to increase the labour supply by changing certain elements of the welfare policy. From 2019, the early retirement age will be raised from 60 to 62. Over the years 2020-2024, retirement age will increase from 65 to 67 and then continue to increase concurrently with the average age. Efforts are being made to strengthen the integration of immigrants and their descendants in the workforce. A green card system is aimed at attracting useful labour from abroad and all kinds of experts, ● Labour market reform: Although the interest rate, public debt and currency from business people through researchers to flexicurity model has great advantages – stability. As a striking example, Denmark football players, are offered tax relief. They and is often studied by other countries – had foreign debts every year from World have to be capable of earning a monthly it is not beyond criticism. Among other War II until 2006, but has been debt-free salary of at least DKK 70,000 and can then things, a reduction of the current four since then. choose between paying 25% income tax for year unemployment benefit period is being Due to this robust background, Den- three years or 33% for five years. Students considered mark has found it easier than some other are encouraged to finish their studies more The reform programme is implement- countries to withstand the impact of the quickly. ed on the basis of a national economy international financial crisis. An attempt ● Infrastructure reform: Considerable which is one of the strongest in Europe. by international speculators to provoke a public investments will remove bottle- Denmark for instance fully complies with Danish devaluation was thus very quickly necks in both road and train transport. the EU requirements in relation to eco- rebuffed by the Danish National Bank. Increasing queue formation on the roads nomic health in the countries that wish Of course Denmark, with its extensive costs working hours and road tolls are to be part of the economic union, i.e. exports, will also be hit by the recession. being considered. conditions applying to inflation rate, The gross domestic product growth of 11 Ishøj Jammerbugt Kalundborg Kerteminde Kolding København Køge Århus in Jutland is the second-largest city in Denmark. Of course there is some rivalry with the capital, Copenhagen. However, the citizens of Århus can temper their jealousy with the knowledge that many of the highest positions in the capital and in Danish politics are held by people from Jutland. Århus itself is bubbling with initiative as a city of business and culture. An annual festival week, launched in 1965, has developed into a European cultural event with dance, theatre, exhibitions, concerts, etc. Every year, it focuses on a special theme, in 2007 movement in time and space. The photo shows the Town Hall designed by the architects Arne Jacobsen and Erik Møller, which will be illuminat- ed in red when a red route trails through the city during the festival week. ronment, child labour, etc. A state institu- tion has sold its shares in a tobacco pro- ducing company. Denmark and the world During the history of Denmark, the image of the Danes has changed completely. The barbaric Viking has been replaced by the Danish UN soldier with a child on his arm in Kosovo or Eritrea. The war against terrorism, peacekeep- 0.5% in 2008 is expected to change to a will be established from 2011. More than ing, dissemination of democracy and sup- decline of 1.4% in 2009 and an increase 6% of the arable land is farmed biody- port of developing countries are among of 0.6% in 2010. Increased unemploy- namically. 66% of all waste is recycled. the objectives given top priority in Danish ment is also on its way, but Denmark's Environmental awareness is on the foreign policy. starting point was an unemployment rate increase and is now also used for public Among other things, this is achieved of just 2.8% - the lowest in Europe. relations purposes. The amusement park through membership of the UN (Den- Another European minimum record is Tivoli in Copenhagen has thus announced mark was a co-founder in 1945), NATO inflation at just 2% a year. that all its energy supply – for rollercoast- (since 1949), the Nordic Council (since ers, merry-go-rounds, concert hall, etc. – 1952) and the EEC/EU (since 1973). In An environmentally aware country will come from one of the marine wind the European Commission, the Danish Here are some details of the country cho- turbines being erected in Copenhagen as member, Mariann Fischer Boel, is Com- sen by the UN to host the Climate Sum- landmarks for the UN Climate Summit. missioner for Agriculture. mit in December 2009: The Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Already before the decision to make Fisheries monitors all food shops and Danish participation in Denmark a green pioneer, the Danes restaurants. The customer is informed of international actions demonstrated their environmental aware- the result by smileys – with five levels Measured by population, Denmark has ness. The water consumption has been from elite to unacceptable. Denmark is sent out more soldiers and policemen than reduced by almost 10% over 30 years. also a clean country in other respects. In any other country in the world – over 87,000 Cars run on unleaded petrol. An agree- corruptibility lists, Denmark almost between 1948 and 2007 – to undertake ment concerning Denmark as a pilot always appears as snowy white. Animal peacemaking, peacekeeping and humanitar- country for electric cars is ready. An elec- welfare is also given a high priority. Unit ian tasks for the UN, NATO and OSCE tric car can run 160 km on a battery and trusts increasingly avoid investing in com- and as EU monitors. a network of battery exchange stations panies with a questionable working envi- So far, Denmark has reserved its posi- 12 Langeland Lejre Lemvig Lolland Lyngby- Læsø Mariagerfjord Taarbæk tion with regard to participation in the victims that Denmark is the country with (ten in Africa, four in Asia and two in EU's military task force. Naturally, this is the greatest loss of life measured by popula- Latin America), Denmark seeks to benefit not a result of cowardice, but the general tion. the poor, the women and the environ- deliberations about the extent of Denmark's The development is reminiscent of ment of the recipient country. participation in EU. Shakespeare's play "Hamlet", which is of The former random aid projects have By contrast, Danish troops are very course set in the Danish castle at Elsinore. been superseded by a sector policy, so that active when Denmark itself is involved or Initially the Danish prince Hamlet hesi- goes into action as a member of NATO. tates for a long time, but when it comes Already in 1999, Danish fighter planes to the crunch, he acts decisively. The 750 Danish soldiers currently stationed at took part in NATO's Kosovo action. After the front in the war-torn Helmand province in the terrorist attack in the US on 11 Sep- The Danish development assistance Afghanistan are very exposed (photo) and have suffered considerable losses. The Danish peace tember 2001, Denmark spontaneously Denmark contributes large amounts to effort extends to the whole world, with partici- and unconditionally supported the inter- developing countries and has for many pation of all the armed forces. The army has national reaction. From day one, Danish years complied with the UN request that a thus had units in the Balkans, Iraq and now troops took part in the initially US-led developed country should give at least 0.7% Afghanistan. The air force is targeting Al Qaeda and now NATO-led action in Afghanistan of its gross domestic product as develop- and the Taleban in Afghanistan and patrols exposed NATO borders. The navy was already against the Taleban and Al Qaeda, and the ment assistance. Moreover, Denmark involved in the first Gulf War with the corvette presence was stepped up in 2007. abstains from demanding full export oppor- Olfert Fischer. Danish navy personnel have In Iraq, Danish troops participated in tunities for the assistance. Thus almost half chased pirates in Somali waters and others are the action against Saddam Hussain's rule the money is handed over to the UN and leading the UN minesweeper unit. Denmark also and the subsequent effort to prevent a civil similar organisations for administration. sent a fully equipped military hospital to Afgha- nistan in 2009 and both the armed forces and war. In Afghanistan, the Danish troops are Through its own direct development the police are very active as instructors of local stationed in the particularly war-torn Hel- assistance, which goes for instance to 16 personnel in countries fighting internal terror- mand province, which has claimed so many selected programme cooperation countries ism. Photo: Forsvarets Mediecenter. 13 Middelfart Morsø Norddjurs Nordfyn Nyborg Næstved Odder from krone to euro. The answer was no Referenda about the EU by 53.2% of the votes. Yes, % No, % On the other hand, many Danes now 1972 Denmark's EC membership 63.3 36.7 regard the defence reservation as absurd. 1986 The Single European Act (consultative referendum) 56.2 43.8 They find it inconsistent that their coun- 1992 The Maastricht Treaty 49.3 50.7 try participates in the war against terror- 1993 The Edinburgh Agreement 56.7 43.3 ism or peacekeeping actions when UN-led 1998 The Amsterdam Treaty 55.1 44.9 or NATO-led, but not if the uniform hap- 2000 Denmark's participation in the Single European Currency, the euro 46.8 53.2 pens to say EU. The present Government will work towards the removal of the four Danish support is given not to a single school, in Europe and the opening up of the EU reservations, but will not call a referen- but the country's entire education system to, among others, Central and Eastern dum on the issue until it is almost certain or agriculture or fishing, etc. Recognising Europe so that it does not become "a club that the Danes will say yes. that any well-intentioned assistance effort for the rich". In 2008, Denmark was the tenth EU can be overthrown by wars, corruption, Above all, Denmark from the begin- country to ratify the Lisbon Treaty. The etc., Denmark now imposes certain politi- ning advocated that the Baltic countries Treaty includes elements of the Danish cal conditions on its assistance. At the should be allowed to join the EU as soon flexicurity model, which among other same time, the Government has initiated as possible. In the EU, Denmark has like- things makes it easy for employers to fire a close scrutiny of ongoing development wise championed that the 20% of the people, who are then maintained by a social and environmental projects in the third Union's energy consumption must come safety net while waiting for another job. world to establish whether money is being from renewable sources by 2020 – a target A political majority is opposed to un- wasted through corruption or the Danish adopted in March 2007. Denmark has controlled immigration and experience a assistance used against its purpose by dic- signed the Schengen Agreement, which conflict between this attitude and the EU tatorships. Here too, the small country has came into force in 2001 and allows com- rules concerning free mobility of labour. thus abandoned its customary reticence. pletely free passage between a number of In addition, help is offered towards con- European countries. Denmark and the euro verting authoritarian regimes to democracy, Despite the rejection of the euro, many for instance with the drafting of a new con- The Danish reservations in Danish companies are prepared to trade stitution and training in election technique. relation to the EU in euros if their trade partner so wishes. Development aid is increasingly focused on The Danish population has always regard- Many shops also accept euros and prices Africa and an Africa Commission with ed the EU as an excellent forum for econo- are often displayed both in kroner and international top people, chaired by the mic cooperation, but has only reluctantly euros. The voters did not reject the euro Prime Minister, has been established. The accepted political integration. in 2000 because they feared that Denmark main aim is to strengthen Africa's private As a result, the Maastricht Treaty of could not meet the standards of economic sector so that the continent's countries can 1992 with its chapters on increased inte- health required of a Euroland member. increase their opportunities and wealth by gration was only accepted at a Danish ref- On the contrary, Denmark has for many their own efforts. erendum in 1993, after the so-called years been better qualified than many of Denmark has also established a rehabil- Edinburgh Agreement had allowed Den- the current members. itation centre for victims of torture, which mark to take a step back from the coopera- The stable economy is primarily has been given advisory status in the UN tion in four areas. attributed to Denmark's change in 1982 Economic and Social Council. This manifested itself in reservations from frequent devaluations to a fixed on the final phase of the European Eco- exchange rate policy. This tied the krone Denmark and the EU nomic and Monetary Union (EMU) and rate to the German mark. Now it is tied Since joining the EEC/EU in 1973 after a the euro, the defence political cooperation, to the euro with a central rate of 7.46038 referendum where 63.3% voted in favour an extension of the legal cooperation and and an allowable fluctuation of 2.25% on of membership, Denmark has worked for union citizenship. either side. As one of its first actions, the transparency in the EU decision-making, In 2000, a referendum was held to test Anders Fogh Rasmussen Government I in the inclusion of environmental concerns if the population was prepared to aban- November 2001 confirmed its determina- in all decisions, the creation of more jobs don one of the reservations – the change tion to plan economic policy, etc. so that 14 Odense Odsherred Randers Rebild Ringkøbing- Ringsted Roskilde Skjern the fixed exchange rate policy can continue. for instance the total populations of Lon- tion. This started a shipbuilding industry. Given its position outside the EMU and don and Tokyo. The ships needed painting, so a paint and the euro, Denmark can no longer expect The rapid industrial development may varnish industry developed. The goods the same support as before from EU-part- seem baffling, as Denmark's only natural needed to be kept cold during transport. ners in cases of assaults on the krone ex- resources worth mentioning are oil and This created a refrigeration industry. And change rate by international speculators. natural gas and these were only discovered so on and so forth. That is why Denmark has to lead an eco- recently, in the 1960s. However, the Danes Seen from outside, this colossal indus- nomic policy which is even healthier and have managed to extend the natural trial growth and constant ramification more stable than if it had joined Euroland. resources concept. Instead, milk, sugar into new types of production may appear beets, eggs and meat from the farms were random, but in fact there was – as shown Trade, industry and exports used as natural resources. above – a strong, logical, inner coherence. From the mid 1960s, industrial exports They became the basis of a production exceeded agricultural exports. A thousand- of powdered milk, sugar, cakes, tinned Danish export companies year old farming and fishing country was meat, etc. International market leaders among Danish thus rapidly changing into a fully devel- Large-scale beer and aquavit production companies include firms producing phar- oped industrial nation, where airplanes, was likewise based on agricultural raw maceutical products (such as insulin and cars and heavy weapons are among the materials. For the processing, machines psychopharmaca), medical equipment, very few items not produced. However, were needed, so the Danes also started pro- enzymes for food production, detergents farming has by no means ceased. It still ducing – and exporting - these. and bio-ethanol to replace petrol, cement- feeds 15 million people, corresponding to The export goods needed transporta- making machines, wind turbines, pumps, thermostats, skylights and other glass ele- ments for building purposes, water purifi- cation equipment, hearing aids, toys (including toy bricks), draught beer fittings and much more. The transformation into a post-indus- trial information society is already far advanced. Proofs of this include a large software export and the fact that service provision (public as well as private) has become by far the largest occupation, em- ploying 35.4% of all workers. An export branch that is becoming increasingly visible in the balance of pay- Although Denmark is relatively small, there are significant linguistic and mental differences between the regions. Aalborg in North Jutland is the fourth-largest city in the country. It has its own special atmosphere of industrial culture, robust attitude to life and party spirits until late at night. Industrially, the city is the home of, among others, a world famous aquavit company (large photo), which regularly launches new brands, e.g. in 2007 "Aalborg Nordguld" (small photo). The city also boasts an internationally known production of so-called Portland cement (named after the colour of sandstone from Southern England), which has protected the sur- faces of buildings, bridges and ports all over the world from even the worst weather and most powerful waves. 15 Rudersdal Rødovre Samsø Silkeborg Skanderborg Skive Slagelse While other countries may base their hot meals on rice or pasta, Denmark favours potatoes. As the Danes travel extensively, for instance on package holidays, they bring back ideas from foreign cuisines, so Danish food is now markedly international. However, open sandwiches (photo) remain a traditional staple, mostly enjoyed at lunchtime. They consist of a slice of buttered rye bread with various toppings, often pickled herring on the first slice, followed by elaborate structures of for instance egg and shrimps and to finish usually cheese. Most peo- ple eat hot dinners. Traditional dishes are lamb at Easter, rice pudding and roast goose on Christmas Eve and boiled cod on New Year's Eve. The most traditional hot dinner consists of roast pork with red cabbage, followed by stewed fruit with cream. Danes enjoy challenging foreign visi- tors to pronounce the name of an example of this dish (made with redcurrants): "rødgrød med fløde". Most fail. The successful ones are admit- ted to a warm fellowship. Photo: J. Buusman. ment is culture, including films such as the groundbreaking so-called Dogme films, bestseller books such as Peter Høeg's "Frøken Smillas fornemmelse for sne" ("Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow") and music successes such as the percussion duo Safri Duo and the pop duo Junior Senior. The genesis of Danish companies Danish companies have their own genesis. They have often sprung from a good idea or a small invention, which the inventor starts producing using his own savings. In this way, industry has become dispersed all over the country. If the inventor is in luck and has found a niche in the world market which has relocation to other countries. Many Danish works such as the Farø and Great Belt not previously been intensively cultivated firms buy foreign companies and foreign bridges and Danish bridge-builders are by others, the small workshop in the vil- investors are welcomed in Denmark, where now in demand for instance in the Far East. lage or provincial town can grow into an the low company tax (28%) is among the A bridge-tunnel link between Denmark international corporation. This has been attractive factors. In 2008, Danish compa- and Sweden at Copenhagen and Malmö the development so far for companies nies had 4,148 subsidiaries abroad. was opened in 2000. This is creating a such as Danfoss (thermostats), Grundfos Conversely, foreign companies had estab- regional force field, which will be particu- (pumps) and Lego (toys). lished 3,066 subsidiaries in Denmark with larly attractive to pharmaceutical compa- Denmark actively participates in glob- a total of 228,000 employees (2003).The nies from many countries. The name Medi- alisation. The flexicurity model, which industrial development benefits from the con Valley is already being used. ensures that dismissal and change of job is excellent Danish infrastructure. As an no disaster for the Danish worker, has cre- island country, Denmark has needed to From adscription to cooperative ated a positive attitude in the population build bridges between the regions. The movement towards globalisation and its frequent job engineers have created aesthetic master- Nonetheless, the full explanation of how 16 Solrød Sorø Stevns Struer Svendborg Syddjurs Sønderborg the farming and fishing country Denmark which sometimes occurs in connection Highest completed education has turned into a fully developed industrial with child labour in developing countries, (2004) nation without the help of natural resour- but in fact many children in Denmark 400,000 ces perhaps still eludes us? The last part of work, as 26% of the 7-14 year old have the explanation is the high quality of the spare time jobs. However, this is entirely Danish workforce combined with the on their own initiative, in order to earn 300,000 above-mentioned flexicurity model on the money for fashionable clothes, mobile labour market. phones, CDs, etc. 200,000 In the 18th century, the Danes were a Some of the latest collective bargaining cowed people. The farm workers were serfs decisions have been an increase of the an- and not allowed to move from the land- nual holiday entitlement from five to six 100,000 owner's property. For fear of evil powers and weeks at some workplaces, an increased the dark of night, the farms were placed in a proportion of the wages set aside for pen- 0 15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 65-69 protected cluster, far from the fields. sions and increased access to further edu- Through farsighted political efforts du- cation. In the new agreements in 2007, ring Absolutism, adscription was abolished many industries introduced three weeks' Primary and lower secondary school and the peasants liberated in 1788. This paternity leave on full pay. Women alrea- Upper secondary school created a type of free farmer who dared to dy have four weeks' pregnancy leave and Vocational training place his farm at the point of production. 20 weeks' maternity leave. Higher education The same free-born attitude spread to the Not stated workers in the towns when industrialisa- Education Source: Statistics Denmark. tion emerged. School attendance is not compulsory in The spiritual liberation was given added Denmark, but nine years of education are. impetus by N.F.S. Grundtvig. He was the As a result, 13% of the children are taught canon publications for literature, history, father of further education for young peo- outside the state school system in private democracy and design. ple, especially from the country – the so- independent schools, which may receive The 24 volumes and 160,000 articles called folk high schools, the first of which up to 70% government subsidy. of the national encyclopaedia – "Encyklo- opened in 1844 – where the young learn- The elementary and lower secondary pædien" – is now available free on the ed to value and use the spoken word and school is comprehensive, i.e. the children internet under the title "Den Store Dan- freedom of thought. are not divided on the basis of ability or ske" ("The Big Danish"). Interested par- Self-aware as they now were, they be- social background. ties are welcome to contribute updates on came able farmers, who also respected The average percentage of bilingual an ongoing basis. their neighbours, so that they could join children, especially children from immi- Almost all education is a free benefit as together in groups on a cooperative basis grant families, is 8.2%, but in some bor- part of the welfare system. From the age around production, breeding and export oughs in large cities it can reach a third. of 18, young people receiving education with equal voting rights for all irrespective Formerly, pupils wanting to continue may obtain public support, the so-called of the size of their land or herd. in upper secondary school had to be vouch- State Educational Grant SU (Statens The folk high school concept and the ed for by the school they were leaving. Uddannelsesstøtte), of up to DKK 2,574 cooperative movement have both been This changed in 2001 – now the pupils per month for young people living at imitated in many countries and are among decide themselves. home and 5,177 for those who have left the offers to countries receiving Danish For the cultural area, a catalogue – the home , so that no one is precluded from development assistance. so-called canon – has been created of im- further education because of social or eco- portant Danish works through the ages nomic status. The labour market within literature, painting, music, archi- As part of the efforts to increase the Apart from what has been said above about tecture, etc. It is not compulsory, for in- workforce, the state educational grant will the flexicurity model, the following points stance for school children, to know all the be adapted to encourage quicker comple- are worth noting: works, but the list is intended to guide tion of studies. Danish workers are mainly organised and inspire both young and old. The offi- Local authorities and political educa- according to industry, rarely religion. cial cultural cannon has since been sup- tional associations offer extensive evening Denmark opposes abuse of children, plemented with more or less authorised education opportunities for adults. 17 Thisted Tønder Tårnby Vallensbæk Varde Vejen Vejle Is there a yardstick called international fame by square kilometre? If such a method of assess- ment exists, the island of Funen in the middle of Denmark belongs to the elite. With its 2,985 square kilometres and main city of Odense – the third-largest in the country – it is the birthplace of no less than two internationally famous fig- ures, the fairytale writer Hans Christian Ander- sen and the composer Carl Nielsen. Odense has museums for both – the photo shows the Hans Christian Andersen Museum opposite the out- door restaurant. However, the city is not compla- cently sunning itself in its fame. It is bursting with culture and activity, most recently a resource- ful television station. Photo: BAM/Heine Pedersen. The social system The social system acts as a fine-meshed safety net under the Dane from birth to death. The many individual benefits in- clude maternity and parent leave, which the parents may choose to share. It is regarded as an advantage – both for the individual and the exchequer – if people Ole Rømer (1644-1710) calculated the Denmark and his plays with their jovial- weakened by illness or age remain in their speed of light, that Niels Stensen (1638- ironic exposure of prejudices and conceit own homes as long as possible. Here, eld- 1686), among other things, founded geol- are still performed today on both Danish erly people can receive home help from ogy as a science and made important and foreign stages. the local authority. If that is not sufficient, anatomical discoveries, that H.C. Ørsted The fairytale writer Hans Christian they are offered protected housing or nur- (1777-1851) discovered electro-magnet- Andersen (1805-1875) probably remains sing home accommodation. ism and that Niels Bohr (1885-1962) was the best-known Dane in the world. It is The welfare system does not escape one of the theorists who had a decisive well-deserved that one of the characters criticism. Hospital hygiene has been criti- influence on quantum mechanics and who sprang from his imagination, the cised and improved. Treatment guarantees among other things made the develop- Little Mermaid, has also become the sym- have been issued for life-threatening ill- ment of nuclear weapons and the exploi- bol of the Danish capital, Copenhagen. nesses such as cancer and heart disease, tation of nuclear power possible. Cast in bronze, she gracefully receives visi- but nonetheless waiting lists do occur. Pa- Thomas Bartholin (1616-1680) dis- tors to the city from her wet stone in Copen- tients who cannot be treated in the public covered the human lymphatic vessels and hagen harbour. In 2005, the bicentenary of hospital system in Denmark within the Niels Finsen (1860-1904) proved that rays his birth was celebrated all over the world. guaranteed time-limit of ideally one of light have a healing effect on skin dis- The philosopher Søren Kierkegaard month are now offered treatment at a pri- eases. In addition, Henrik Dam (1895- (1813-1855) sowed the seeds of Existen- vate hospital or at a hospital abroad at the 1976) discovered vitamin K and Johannes tialism and is being read more and more. public expense. From 2011, the arrival of Fibiger (1867-1928) demonstrated that Danish Nobel Prize winners include the an ambulance or helicopter can be expect- cancer can be caused by external factors, author Johannes V. Jensen (1873-1950), ed within 15 minutes in the case of acute such as contact with tar products. whose book "Kongens fald" ("The Fall of illness or an accident. the King") in 2000 was chosen by the po- Literature pulation as the best Danish 20th century Science The Danish-Norwegian comedy writer novel. The Danes have made their contribution and philosopher Ludvig Holberg (1684- Karen Blixen's (1885-1962) memoirs to solving the mysteries of the universe, 1754) is often described as Denmark's of Africa became an international success, nature and the human body. counterpart to France's Molière. He intro- both as a novel and a major film. As examples may be mentioned that duced the European Enlightenment in Contemporary names such as Klaus 18 Vesthimmerland Viborg Vordingborg Ærø Aabenraa Aalborg Århus Rifbjerg, b.1931, and Peter Høeg, b.1957, the silent film period, among others with Copenhagen's status as a city of culture is ever- also stand out. Carl Th. Dreyer's (1889-1968) film about expanding. In 2008, the Danish Broadcasting Corporation inaugurated a new concert hall the passion and death of Joan of Arc. (photo) designed by the French architect Jean Music, film and ballet In this new millennium, the spotlight is Nouvel. The auditorium, with its unique The composer Carl Nielsen (1865-1931) again sweeping over Danish cinema, with acoustic, has attracted international stars from is becoming increasingly popular in con- several directors winning Oscars and Gol- day one. The concert hall is part of a new trinity cert halls all over the world. So is the re- den Palms, including Bille August, with The Royal Theatre's Opera and new play- house, which are only a few years old. The last cently discovered Rued Langgaard (1893- b.1948, and a new generation of directors two were designed by Danish architects and are 1952). headed by Lars von Trier, b.1956, charging spectacularly situated opposite each other at In the world of jazz, the violinist Svend ahead with their so-called Dogme films. either side of Copenhagen harbour. Copenhagen Asmussen, b.1916, belongs to the world Danish actors are receiving offers from also offers mass audience entertainment. Thus elite and the double bass player Niels- Hollywood. Iben Hjejle, b.1971, appeared both Madonna and Bruce Springsteen have appeared at the sports and event centre Parken. Henning Ørsted Pedersen (1946-2005) in "High Fidelity" and "Dreaming of Julia". Famous international stars visiting Denmark do was in great demand internationally. Viggo Mortensen, b.1958, among other not only go to Copenhagen. In regional cities The pianist Victor Borge (1909-2000) things played Aragon in "Lord of the such as Århus, Horsens and Herning, consider- was a much-loved entertainer all over the Rings", and Mads Mikkelsen, b.1965, is able stage facilities have been exploited by, world. His philosophy of life was that a the villain in the James Bond film "Casino among others, Leonard Cohen, Elton John, Jimmi Hendrix, Pink Floyd – and Bill Clinton. Photo: smile reduces the distance between people. Royale". Bjarne Bergius Hermansen. Danish cinema had a golden age during Another Danish strength is television 19 Denmark – an overview Factsheet Denmark. Published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Translation: Siri Fischer Hansen. of Denmark. Design: Ole Jensen - ojdesign. Address: Asiatisk Plads 2, DK-1448 Copenhagen K, Denmark. Reproduction of the text, with or without Telephone: (+45) 3392 0000. Fax: (+45) 3254 0533. acknowledgement, is permitted. E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com. Website: www.um.dk. Published April 2009. Editor: Flemming Axmark. Picture editor: Kirstine Fryd. ISBN 978-87-7087-131-0 drama series. They have won Denmark designed lamps which are outstanding in With Ulrik Wilbek as national coach, Emmy Awards for series such as "Nikolaj terms of lighting technique and aesthetics. Denmark has won international handball og Julie" ("Nikolaj and Julie"), "Rejseholdet" Jacob Jensen, b.1926, designs radios championship medals, first for women ("The Flying Squad"), "Ørnen" ("The and televisions, telephones, cars, etc., and and later for men. Eagle") and "Unge Andersen" ("Young An- some of his works have been exhibited at Victor Andersen dersen"). the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Journalist, cand.polit. Danish humour flourishes in film The multimedia artist Olafur Eliasson, series such as "Olsen Banden" ("The Ol- b.1967, who among other things is a mas- sen Gang") and television series such as ter of lighting, is represented in collections Further information "Matador" ("Monopoly"), which have all over the world. Denmark's official website many viewers also outside Denmark as do The Lego toy bricks familiarise the Da- www.denmark.dk many Danish films for children. nes with appealing design already in the Udenrigsministeriet (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark) Within ballet, August Bournonville nursery. Asiatisk Plads 2 (1805-1879) as ballet master at The Royal Together with deeply quality-conscious DK-1448 Copenhagen K Theatre raised Danish ballet to an inter- craftsmen, furniture designers such as (+45) 3392 0000 national standing that has not faded. Hans J. Wegner (1914-2007) have made www.um.dk Danish furniture synonymous with sophisti- email@example.com Visual arts cated design and comfort. Thousands of Folketinget Danish painters from the first half of the international customers include the UN (Danish Parliament) 19th century, the so-called Golden Age, Security Council. Christiansborg are experiencing an international renais- The sense of design also benefits less DK-1240 Copenhagen K sance. Over the years, painters have often obvious products such as industrial machi- (+45) 3337 5500 www.folketinget.dk joined together regionally. Groups such as nery, public signage and much else. email@example.com the Skagen Painters and the Funen Pain- Danish architects make their mark ters now have their own, well-attended outside their native country as well. Jørn Visit Denmark museums. Asger Jorn (1914-1973) co- Utzon, (1918-2008), designed Sydney (Danish Tourist Board) founded the international COBRA group Opera House, Johan Otto von Spreckelsen Islands Brygge 43 DK-2300 Copenhagen S (named after Copenhagen, Bruxelles and (1929-1987) the Grande Arche in Paris, (+45) 3288 9900 Amsterdam). Arne Jacobsen (1902-1971) St Catherine's www.visitdenmark.com Major contemporary names include College in Oxford and Henning Larsen, firstname.lastname@example.com Bjørn Nørgaard, b.1947, who, among b.1925, the Foreign Ministry in Riyadh. other things, has designed tapestries fea- Another architectural masterpiece by Kunststyrelsen (Danish Arts Agency) turing the history of Denmark as a birth- Henning Larsen is the new opera house H.C. Andersens Boulevard 2 day present for Queen Margrethe, and on the waterfront in Copenhagen, which DK-1553 Copenhagen V Per Kirkeby, b.1938. was sponsored by the shipping magnate (+45) 3374 4500 The sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770- Mærsk McKinney-Møller. www.danish-arts.dk 1844) preferred to work in Rome, where The firm of architects 3XN Arkitekter firstname.lastname@example.com his marble statues are seen for instance in has designed the highly acclaimed new Danmarks Statistik St Peter's. Danish embassy in Berlin and an entire (Statistics Denmark) quarter in Copenhagen for UN institutions. Sejrøgade 11 Design, applied art and architecture DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø The Danes are world famous for applied Sports (+45) 3917 3917 www.dst.dk art and design within a broad spectrum of The Danish national sport is football and firstname.lastname@example.com fashion, furnishing fabrics, furniture, sil- Danish players are often to be found in verware, porcelain and jewellery. the line-up of great European clubs, such Klima- og Energiministeriet The silversmith Georg Jensen (1866- as AC Milan, Chelsea, Inter, etc. (Danish Ministry of Climate and Energy) 1935) created magnificent hollowware Other strong Danish disciplines, for Stormgade 2-6 DK-1470 Copenhagen K and cutlery. instance at the Olympics, include women's (+45) 3392 2800 The architect Poul Henningsen (1894- handball, yachting, rowing, swimming, www.kemin.dk 1967) explored the effects of light and cycling and badminton. firstname.lastname@example.com 20
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Low orginial miles 53000. All scheduled maintenance, always garaged, excellent condition. Looks and rives great-- Must see!!! No accidnets and non smoker. One owner. Seats... More
#2929 of 4993 built, with Ford Certification Letter. Teal paint/gray leather interior, only 802 made in this combination. 20,049 miles as of June 2015. 5.0L... More
1983 AMC Concord 4 Door Sedan 46,000 original miles, 258 c.i.d. 6 cylinder, 3 speed auto transmission, w/lock out torque converter, stock radio, tilt... More
This is my fully restored Mustang. I have owned the car for 22 years and am the 3rd owner. Any body parts that were... More
I am the second owner for 30 years. Beautiful car mostly original with factory sunroof. Always garaged and serviced regularly. Certificate of authenticity available.... More
1915 Ford Model T Touring. Black leather and vinyl interior. Engine built in 1921. Beautiful freshly polished brass work. It has Hassler shocks. Wooden-spoke... More
Limited Production Black Metalic/Black leather interior Panoz Esperante. Original owner. Semi-rigid convertible. Ford Cobra 4.6L V8 5 speed manual. All factory upgrades performed. Well maintained,... More
1965 Shelby GT350 5s287. Early Car, with an original trunk mounted Battery. Original California car, original floor pans, quarter panels, etc. NO rust ever.... More
This beautiful Grand National is garage kept, and well maintained. The paint is original and is in excellent condition. The headliner was replaced a... More
This classic took 2nd place in it's class at the 2013 Detroit Autorama car show and it has won several other awards over the years. It is... More
1965 Impala SS Regal Red with Black Interior Owned by same family since new VIN 166375F3103 45,343 Original Miles Driven everyday when new then made a Class Winner at... More
This awesome iconic muscle car is a pleasure to drive with power steering, power front disc brakes and aftermarket a/c. Fast and dependable. Extremely... More
This is one of the rarest of the letter car convertibles around and is equipped with the rare factory cruise control option. I don't... More
1947 Packard Custom Super Clipper 2106 Touring Sedan. 127 Inch wheelbase, 356 Cubic inch H-6 code NOM engine. 3-speed manual transmission with working overdrive. Upgraded for... More
Breathtaking Vista Blue and Snow Storm White 2007 Chip Foose Stallion GT Premium Coupe. 4.6 L, 3V V8, 5 Speed for sale. Foose designed... More

subset: commoncrawl


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dayton - Page 2
Minnesota Legislature Sends Abortion Limits To Dayton
Most Surveyed Favor Showing Photo IDs At The Polls
An overwhelming majority of Minnesotans
surveyed favor showing photo identification at the election polls. The Minnesota Poll says 80 percent of respondents
support the idea. Both houses of the Legislature have ready passed
a bill that requires identification, but a veto from Gov. Mark
Dayton is anticipated.
New Minnesota Web Site Bares Info On Health Plans
Dayton Casts GOP Tax Cuts As Giveaway To Rich
Minnesota House Republicans have outlined a series of income tax cuts, which Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton says would disproportionately benefit top earners.The House plan would lower two of Minnesota's three tax rates by a faction of a percent each, phasing the reductions in over three years.
Minn. Senate Rejects Dayton Income-Tax Plan
The Minnesota Senate has overwhelmingly rejected Gov. Mark Dayton's proposal to raise income taxes on the wealthy, but the Democratic governor called the vote political game-playing as he tussles with Republicans over how to fix the state's $5 billion budget shortfall. Republicans brought up Dayton's plan for a floor vote Thursday even though their members unanimously oppose it. Republicans say they need to start debating his plan to create a fourth income tax bracket on top earners.


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The Digital Rocking Chair's curator insight, June 24, 4:57 AM
Jonathan Takiff: "This first-of-a-kind, highly interactive event is part movie, part electronic arcade and Comic-Con gathering. It aims no less than to reshape touring entertainment for the 21st century. The goal is to please a multimedia, seen-it-all audience that craves to live in the moment."
The Digital Rocking Chair's curator insight, April 9, 3:30 PM
Tony Sauro: "These days, William Shakespeare's "all the world" is more than just a theatrical "stage." It's a drama. A film. A radio play. Twitter improvisation. A photo documentary. Live "streaming." Video games."
The Digital Rocking Chair's curator insight, April 22, 3:12 PM
Robert Pratten: "Stories are the way we make sense of the world. Our minds can't deal with randomness and we see connections, causes and reasons even where there are none. Whether we are happy or sad, positive or negative, this is often the result of the story we construct – it's the meaning we attribute to events and things that without human interpretation have no meaning. So powerful is story that the life we lead today is a result of the stories we told ourselves in the past.
We are entering an age of fluid reality."


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Sprawling families are often too busy and too dispersed across the map to figure out how to take a vacation together. Just the logistics — from arranging security to booking the connecting flights — is utterly overwhelming. But, of course, everything can be solved at a price.
Enter the London-based travel advisory Cazenove & Loyd, which caters to the whims of wealthy clients around the world. About 25% of the firm's clients are American, and it recently launched a "model" seven-year travel plan for families with kids ages 8 to 19, all of which can be tailored to clients' demands, and includes jaunts to Sri Lankan temples and white-water rafting in Peru.
It all started in 2013, when Henrietta Loyd, founder of Cazenove & Loyd, was approached by an exacting German industrialist seeking a seven-year series of family vacations for his children, then ages 3 to 9.
The German billionaire "wanted us to devise educational trips that would take into account every year of his children's development [as they aged]," Loyd says.
For the first, 11-day trip, Loyd sent the German family to the Madikwe Game Reserve, a 50-minute flight from Johannesburg, South Africa. They stayed at The Morukuru Family, a privately owned, malaria-free lodge on the reserve, tracking elephants and lions and tagging along with veterinarians as they reintroduced rhinos to the wild. (Cazenove & Loyd even supplied the industrialist with a high-powered signal booster on a global satellite cellphone, in case his company executives needed to reach him.)
A challenging market for luxury goods could lead to a sustained period of mergers and acquisitions.
Bernstein analyst Mario Ortelli claims smaller, family-controlled brands like Italian clothing designer Giorgio Armani and Swiss watchmaker Audemars Piguet are struggling when compared to their larger counterparts, both of which Ortelli has placed on his list of more than fifty luxury takeover targets. Among them: Designers Chanel, Versace and Ermenegildo Zegna; handbag maker Longchamp; jewelry purveyors Chopard and Graff Diamonds; and watchmakers Rolex, Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet.
Of course that's Ortelli's take – the cachet and virtue of Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe to many watch collectors is precisely that they are not cogs inside a conglomerate, but maintain their originality and quality by remaining independent. They also have huge reserves of their own: The antique watch collection of Patek Philippe is, for example, alone worth hundreds of millions of dollars, perhaps even more, and huge premiums would have to be paid to buy either of these family-owned companies.
So, we have trouble believing stalwart luxury brands like Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe are likely to sell any time soon. But we could see cash-flush lux conglomerates snapping-up second tier or up-and-coming start-up brands at fairer prices, such as Corum, Breitling, MB&F and Urwerk. Here management missteps or generational transition could set up a buying opportunity.
After many rich years, such privately-held brands are starting to have a hard go of it. They "cannot stretch the brand," Ortelli says, because they "have to maintain that allure and exclusivity." But then again, to be taken seriously, they "have to be in markets like China, where subdued demand [recently] makes the market more challenging." The large conglomerates like Richemont, LVMH, Kering or Swatch Group, can weather the short-term storm by spreading their costs over several brands, and, long term, can afford the time it takes to turn around a troubled label.
The rage on the range is suddenly for glamping, which, for those not hip to travel-speak, stands for "glamorous camping." Search volume for the keyword glamping currently runs at more than 175,000 searches a month, a 30% jump over the previous year, says Ryan Hutchings, general manager of Glamping.com, which calls itself a "discerning guide to experiential travel."
Demand for luxurious outdoor experiences, in either opulent tents or cabins, has caught fire in particular over the past six to eight years and literally right across the globe, with glamping properties opening up in Australia with Longitude 131, The Resort at Paws Up in the U.S., and Clayoquot in Canada.
The Resort at Paws Up in Greenough, Mont., seeks to create an American safari experience that replicates the romance and luxury of British expeditions to Africa, back in the early part of the 20th century. The Lipson family opened the Paws Up resort in 2005, with 18 homes and one safari-like camp of three tents, but now the 37,000-acre property has 28 homes and 30 tents in five individual camps for rent. The five camps come with six individual tents and a dining pavilion, butlers and personal chefs.
The venerable Swiss watch brand IWC– tagline "Engineered for Men" –recently launched the Portofino Midsize collection, with a smaller dial size and sprays of diamonds. This feminine line is just the beginning, says CEO Georges Kern, as women and Asian buyers become more important to the famously masculine brand.
There are 27 different iterations of the Portofino Midsize, with a wide-ranging mix of straps, complications, case materials and varying degrees of bling. A Portofino Midsize in stainless steel and twelve diamonds at the dial's hour markers, will set you back $6,050. The high-end model, priced as high as $42,700, is 37mm wide, sports a red-gold dial and 66 diamonds encircling the bezel (dial rim) and at the hour markers, and includes mechanical wonders like a moon-phase display and 42-hour power reserve.
That petite and feminine assembly of the Portofino Midsize is quite the departure from the chest-thumping, robustly-sized dials for which the brand is best known. At IWC's Madison Ave. boutique in Manhattan, the new Midsize collection was viewable amongst its six other brands, including the steely Aquatimer dive watches, the bold and complicated Portuguese, and the hardcore Da Vinci. With dials as large as 49mm, they stand in stark contrast to the delicate luster of the Midsize Portofino's. (To learn more about IWC and its unique history, see Barron Penta's "Born in the U.S.A.")
Adrenaline junkies and watch geeks have their eye on Swiss watchmaker Breva. The boutique upstart first splashed onto the scene last year with its Génie 01, the first time sophisticated weather forecasting was incorporated in a mechanical watch — by building a barometer under the timepiece's hood. This year at Basel, Breva followed up with the Génie 02 Terre and Génie 02 Air, each with an embedded altimeter measuring altitude. At 55 timepieces per model, the price tags for the Génie 01 and the Génie 02 oscillate between $130,000 and $170,000.
But there is more lurking in the tool kit of Breva's 37 year-old CEO Vincent Dupontreué. In an exclusive interview with Penta, Vincent Dupontreué revealed for the first time that he is on the threshold of moving production in-house, phase II of his development plans, and that next March he will unveil another "measuring" watch, inspired by Lake Cuomo and its fair-weather wind, that will be priced at around $40,000. To learn more, see our video interview.
Dupontreué first conceived of the original Génie 01 when his habit of constantly checking the weather, at a time when he was looking to buy a watch, collided in his imagination. His aim was to do something that had never been done before and to shake-up the Swiss watch industry, but the watch essentially pulls together Dupontreué's interests as a skier, amateur pilot and self-confessed "weather nut." To help actualize his vision, and gain watchmaking experience, Dupontreué hired renowned watchmaker Jean-François Mojon of Chronode to guide him.
The wealthiest Americans are constantly pitched and prodded into buying new products, and all well-run luxury brands want more of the high-net worth pie. So Penta, to get a head's up on what might be coming soon to your inbox, sidled into the back row of an event called "Courting The One Percent; Inspiring Them to Invest and Buy," and diligently took notes about upcoming pitches.
The confab was put on by The Luxury Marketing Council in New York City, a "by-invitation only" outfit boasting a network of 5,000 CEOs and CMOs (chief marketing officers) from more than 1,000 luxury brands. "Never before has the richest, most sophisticated customer demanded as 'high a touch' from every transaction with luxury brands as today," read the event leaflet. The goal of the night was to set the "gold standard" for thoughtful marketing practices, and it attracted a smattering of insurance salesman, private bankers and luxury hotel execs, who gathered over cocktails and Mediterranean munchies.
Eventually, an eight-person panel got the show going. Howard Givner of the Event Leadership Institute, a consultant for event planners, best articulated the problem of luxury brands today. Customers are not using traditional media like they used to. "They're watching their TV on Netflix and listening to their music on Spotify and Pandora, meanwhile publications like Time Inc. have experienced 24 straight quarters of declining ad revenue," Givner says. Even online ads are more likely to be ignored, he says. "People, especially the younger generation, have trained themselves to ignore the right 1/3 of the page where the paid ads are and they know exactly where to look for the content."
How are advertisers bucking the trend? By appealing to the aura of comfort and security generated by a wealthy individual's lifestyle. "Whether you take one vacation a year to the Jersey Shore or spend a couple of weeks on your private yacht, you want to make sure you can take that vacation year-in and year-out," said Ken Kamen of asset manager Mercadien. Brands have to "tap into that [sense of] warmth and comfort, because then you're delivering a product that truly gets to how people think about their money," said The Luxury Marketing Council founder Gregory Furman.
The best way to play the launch of Apple's "smart watch," expected in October, might not be to buy the tech behemoth's shares. Analysts at Credit Suisse think the stock of Swatch Group (ticker: UHR.Switzerland), the world's largest watchmaker, has been unfairly punished by the perceived disruption of Apple's iWatch. These concerns are overblown, they say, and Swatch shares look cheap. Its drubbing of late, down 10% this year, could provide "an attractive entry point" for investors.
In Credit Suisse's 8th watch survey, analysts checked-in with 20 luxury watch retailers and distributers in the U.S., Europe and Asia to take the pulse of the Swiss watch industry. Over the past five years, Credit Suisse claims the survey was a "reliable leading indicator" for predicting the direction of watch sales. The key finding was that 18 of the 20 watch dealers were optimistic or very optimistic about global demand in the next six months.
Twelve of the twenty respondents think brands retailing between $1,000 and $5,000 would outperform in the second half. Until now, Swiss watch companies have been universally hurt by the strength of the Swiss Franc and the slowdown in China and peripheral countries, which accounts for 26% of overall exports. But Swatch's mid-priced brands like Tissot, Longines and flagship Omega are likely to benefit from the improving picture in Asia. The analysts think average growth in exports, for all Swiss watch companies, are expected to end up 4% for the second half of the year.
There's yet more evidence the luxury housing market is back. Christie's International Real Estate says that in 2013 a wave of domestic buyers diluted the influence of wealthy foreigners, who had previously been supporting local markets. And, surprise, deep-pocketed U.S.-based millennials were a big part of that, as they took their first dive into the U.S.'s luxury homes market.
According to Christie's, these young buyers actually crowded the market for entry level luxury homes, defined as houses over a $1 million, and bidding activity, recently, is stoking property markets ever higher.
Christie's findings jive in part with Penta's latest top-20 second-homes survey, which noted that the median sales price of $1 million-plus homes dropped 3.6%, to $1,874,628 last year. As we reported, lots of activity at the low end of the market – signs of a robust market – has the short term effect of dragging down the median price of houses, in a market previously dominated by a few very expensive houses at the top trading hands. Areas like Austin, for example, saw median prices fall by 4.3%, but local brokers told us that the lower end, just below $1 million, was particularly hot when compared to the trophy purchases of 2012 – and that's what created the overall decline in median prices.
As the watch world converges on Switzerland for Baselworld 2014 Thursday, a survey from the Digital Luxury Group found that global consumer interest in luxury watches increased by 5.7% in 2013. The increase, according to the group's WorldWatchReport, was fueled entirely by emerging markets, while developed world interest continued to decline. The survey followed 62 brands and 1,500 watch models and was compiled via an analysis of more than a billion internet searches. Big brands are among the most searched but a few fast-growing watchmakers are on the radar.
Barron's secured a copy of the €14,500 ($20,000) report; below are some of the findings.
If you wear Prada handbags, Swatch watches, and necklaces from Tiffany, you might also consider buying the companies' shares. A recent Credit Suisse research note on desirable brands, rates seven such luxury stocks as "Outperform" based on improving fundamentals and emerging consumer trends globally. Three, in particular, have significant upside in the coming 12-months.
A survey conducted by the bank's research institute, in association with AC Nielsen, interviewed 16,000 consumers across nine emerging market countries, the BRICs (Brazil, Russia, India and China) along with Indonesia, Mexico, South Africa, Turkey and Saudi Arabia. It found 50% of consumers planned to purchase Western brands over the next 12 months. The research noted that Prada's handbags were particularly desired by Russians while Rolex and Omega watches are a hot commodity in China.
So how do you profit on these findings? Among Credit Suisse's picks: In Europe, the Swiss bank likes luxury conglomerate Compagnie Financiere Richemont (ticker: CFR.Switzerland) and watchmaker Swatch (UHR.Switzerland). Analysts also like the jeweler Tiffany (TIF) in the U.S. The one Asian company that made the cut, Chow Tai Fook (1929.Hong Kong), is another jewelry retailer. All of these stocks are plays on the rising tide of wealth in emerging markets, but these picks will take a bit longer to play out based on Credit Suisse's 12-month target prices. Three other stock selections by Credit Suisse appear to be good plays in the near term.
Written with Barron's wit and often contrarian perspective, Penta provides the affluent with advice on how to navigate the world of wealth management, how to make savvy acquisitions ranging from vintage watches to second homes, and how to smartly manage family dynamics.
Richard C. Morais, Penta's editor, was Forbes magazine's longest serving foreign correspondent, has won multiple Business Journalist Of The Year Awards, and is the author of two novels: The Hundred-Foot Journey and Buddhaland, Brooklyn. Robert Milburn is Penta's reporter, both online and for the quarterly magazine. He reviews everything from family office regulations to obscure jazz recordings.


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Things to see and do - Vienna
Leaving for Austria
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Hotel Domizil :
Nearby tourist sites
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Walter Bauer
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Type de cuisine : classic
Dom Beisl
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Al Borgo
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Type de cuisine : Italian
Hotel Domizil
Hotel Domizil
Address : Schulerstraße 14 A - 1010 Vienna
from : 95 EURBook
Located in the heart of Vienna's Old Town, Hotel Domizil is only steps away from St. Stephen's Cathedral. Free Wi-Fi is available in public areas. All rooms at the Domizil offer cable TV, a fan, a minibar, and a bathroom with hairdryer. Hotel Domizil features a 24-hour reception and luggage storage facilities. A free internet terminal is available around the clock. The Stephansplatz underground station (lines U1 and U3) and the 1A bus line stop Stephansplatz are only 100 metres away.
Useful Information
- Address : Schulerstraße 14 A - 1010 Vienna1010Vienna