Feb

Aha Moments in Aarhus

by Joyce McGreevy on February 6, 2017

A kayaker savors an aha moment at sunset in Aarhus, where the 2017 European Capital of Culture will celebrate community connection to nature. (Image © Anders Hede/VisitAarhus)

A quiet sunset before the start of Aarhus 2017, a yearlong series of events
to celebrate community by rethinking it.
© Anders Hede/VisitAarhus

Can we celebrate community by rethinking it?

The aha moments began at dawn with a mass bicycling event. As cyclists of all ages glided by, the winter mist rose like a curtain, revealing the newest European Capital of Culture. Aarhus 2017 had launched. All year, this small Danish city will celebrate community by rethinking it.

Celebrations continued into the night, with songs lifted by the wind to soar above the crowds. As six Viking ships set sail, hundreds of choral singers and thousands of locals, each carrying illuminated paper ships, transformed the port into a sea of lights.

Water Music, a harbor-side event in Aarhus, 2017 European Capital of Culture, was staged to celebrate community by rethinking performance art and creating aha moments. (Image © Sõren Pagter/Aarhus 2017)

Rethinking theatre: Even a port can be a stage in Water Music, part of Aarhus 2017.
© Sõren Pagter/Aarhus 2017

Rethinking Creative Cities

Located a few hours west of Copenhagen, Aarhus (OR-hoose) has attracted growing numbers of international visitors. This is a city in love with nature. Harbor and forest surround it and a tranquil river flows through its bustling center.

The Aarhus River’s renewed visibility shows how rethinking leads to aha moments, one more reason to celebrate community. (Image © Joyce McGreevy)

Once paved over for cars, Aarhus River was reopened in 2005.
© Joyce McGreevy

It’s also home to some of the world’s most sophisticated architecture: landmarks like the Isbjerget (“Icebergs”) and DOKK1, a tech-spectacular community hub and library.

Being a European Capital of Culture goes beyond tourism says Aarhus 2017 Program Director Juliana Engberg. “It raises the ambitions of a city and its region. It encourages us to stand up and be noticed, and to become a creative city.”

The Isbjerget (“Icebergs”) of Aarhus, 2017 European Capital of Culture, reflect how rethinking architecture leads to aha moments. (Image © Kim Wyon/VisitDenmark)

Rethinking structure: Uniquely angled to resemble icebergs,
these Aarhus apartments maximize views of the sea.
© Kim Wyon/VisitDenmark

Rethinking Time Travel

Taking notice of Aarhus is a good idea. With a population of 315, 000, Aarhus is a heady mix of charmed village and edgy urban hive.

Møllestien, the most photographed street for aha moments in Aarhus, was saved by rethinking how housing can celebrate community. (Image © Joyce McGreevy)

Rethinking housing: 18th century Møllestien, the most photographed street
in Aarhus, once faced demolition. Then artists and students moved in.
© Joyce McGreevy

To explore it is to wander through time. One moment you’re strolling the cobblestones of Møllestien (“Mill Lane”), where hollyhocks and roses frame half-timbered cottages. Next moment, you’re gazing up at the rainbow-tinted circular skywalk of the ARoS Museum of Modern Art.

The rainbow skywalk of ARoS Museum of Modern Art inspires aha moments that celebrate community in Aarhus, the 2017 European Capital of Culture. (Image © Joyce McGreevy)

Rethinking vision: A skywalk by Olafur Eliasson atop ARoS offers
rainbow-tinted panoramas of the city.
© Joyce McGreevy

Historically, Aarhus is one of Scandinavia’s oldest cities, founded around 770. But its concentration of university students makes it one of the youngest cities.

And wow, does Aarhus welcome new arrivals. Whenever a child is born here, parents press a button at the local hospital, sounding a three-ton bronze bell in that high-tech library.

Rethinking Past and Future

The theme of Aarhus 2017 is Let’s Rethink. “We will examine our Danish DNA,” say organizers, “and take delight and pride in its unique history.” Folkelige (popular traditions) are part of the program, including Viking pageants to rival the most binge-worthy Nordic dramas.

A woman re-enacts 17th century life in Aarhus, where such aha moments celebrate community history by rethinking it. (Image © Joyce McGreevy)

Rethinking history: An immersive living museum in Old Town Aarhus
leads you from the 1700s to the 1970s.
© Joyce McGreevy

Rethinking the Future

But diversity and the future play an even larger role. In forums, performances, and feasts, people in Aarhus will explore social media and social isolation, individual rights and collaborative endeavors, stereotypes about ages and cultures, and the potential of all generations.

At the People’s Feast later this spring, long, connected tables will be set up along city streets, and 500 locals and visitors will have supper and talk things over.

These days, there’s certainly plenty to talk about. Aarhus 2017 suggests that people the world over dare to rethink together, too.

Oh, I see: As people in one culture ask the big questions, people in cultures everywhere can move closer to meaningful answers.

Diners celebrate community at one long outdoor table in Aarhus, designed to inspire aha moments by rethinking food and fellowship. (Image © Stefan Ravn/Aarhus 2017)

Rethinking social media: “The biggest dinner party in the history of Denmark,”
The People’s Feast encourages public discussion and debate over a good meal.
© Stefan Ravn/Aarhus 2017

Rethinking Cultures

This year will be transformative for Aarhus, and not just as 2017 Capital of European Culture. As one organizer said, “We’re asking big questions of ourselves, such as: What will it mean to be human in the future?” An urgent question indeed.

What aha moments will occur? What new ideas will travel from Aarhus to your house?

Where else in the world might people sit down at one table? How can we connect what makes us unique from one another and recognize in it our shared humanity? How can we all rethink together?

Imagine a place where, as each new arrival joins us, we ring a bell of welcome. Could that be what it means to celebrate community?

Experience ARoS from the inside. Tour Olafur Eliasson’s skywalk here.

Comment on this post below, or inspire insight with your own OIC Moment here.

Joyce McGreevy 1 Comment

Clever Ideas/Crossing Cultures/Denmark

Comments:

One thought on “Aha Moments in Aarhus”

Johanna on February 15, 2017 at 6:31 pm said:

I’ve often read the best way to understand another person is to spend time in their cultural experience. What could we learn from each other if we let go of our fears and embraced our differences? <3

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