Of bicycles, ballerinas and bedtime stories…the Royal Copenhagen Connection
When it comes to strong ties and connections to the City of Sydney, Denmark isn’t a country that immediately springs to mind. But in fact the links are as diverse as bicycles, ballerinas and bedtime stories.
Sydney’s love affair with Danish royalty began at the height of Sydney’s Olympic fever in 2000. Tasmanian-born Mary Donaldson attended drinks at one of Sydney’s popular waterholes, Slip Inn, where she was introduced to a young man who loved sailing – Frederik, The Crown Prince of Denmark. The rest is a fairytale story that could have been written by Hans Christian Andersen himself.
The Crown Prince Couple regularly visit Australia, and this year, there is a special connection with a sustainable angle. On Sunday 20 November 2011, Their Royal Highnesses the Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Denmark officially launched an innovative new exhibition, Curating Cities: Sydney – Copenhagen, at one of the City’s premiere locations, Customs House.
Featuring Danish and Australian artists who have highlighted the impacts humans have on the environment, the exhibition offers practical and creative strategies for change.
Frank Jensen, the Lord Mayor of Copenhagen, is in town to help launch the exhibition, which features Danish and Australian artists who have highlighted the impacts humans have on the environment. The exhibition also offers practical and creative strategies for change.
Also in town is Frank Jensen, The Lord Mayor of Copenhagen, who will meet with Clover Moore MP, Lord Mayor of Sydney. With a shared passion for sustainable living and cycling – Copenhagen’s incredible network of cycleways helped inspire the concept and design of the City’s bicycle network – the Curating Cities exhibition identifies even more connections between Sydney and Copenhagen.
Many Danish expats and experts have made their mark on Sydney in unexpected ways over the years.
- Danish-born prima ballerina Helene Kirsova, who founded Australia’s first professional ballet company in 1941, bought land in the City from the proceeds of her ballet season. She donated it as green space for children living in Erskineville and surrounds, as the area was once a very congested, working-class part of the City. The Kirsova 1 Playground on Macdonald and George streets was recently revitalised with improved landscaping and seating, new playground equipment and improved amenities.
- On the150th anniversary of his birth, members of the Danish community living in Sydney donated a bust of Hans Christian Andersen, one of the world’s best-loved authors of children’s stories, in 1955. When the bust went missing in mysterious circumstances in 1984, a replica was unveiled at Observatory Hill just in time for the 200th anniversary of his birth.
- Wanting to create a magnificent structure that could house world-class cultural events, the Australian Government held an international design competition in 1957. Danish architect Jǿrn Utzon entered and won the competition, designing a ground-breaking building that sits atop of the most beautiful harbours. Today, the Sydney Opera House is one of the world’s most recognised and visited destinations.
- Five years ago, the City engaged leading Danish urban architect Professor Jan Gehl to conduct a survey to help the City transform our open spaces into lively, safe and sustainable places where people want to shop, visit, relax and do business. This survey formed the basis of our Sustainable Sydney 2030 program to make Sydney more green, global and connected.
Now, in 2011, our ties with Denmark are even stronger as we tackle climate change and promote urban sustainability for future generations. Hans Christian Andersen would be proud.
Exhibition
Curating Cities: Sydney – Copenhagen
When: 17-27 November, with selected works remaining until 18 December
Where: Lower Ground Floor, Customs House, Alfred Street, Sydney
For more information on the City’s Sustainable Sydney 2030 program, visit www.sydney2030.com.au.
