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Culture

Det Kongelige Teater (The Royal Theatre) (tel: (33) 696 969; website: www.kgl-teater.dk) has been at the heart of the city's cultural life since the eighteenth century. The old stage dates from 1874 and is located on Kongens Nytorv, the site of a royal theatre since 1748. The Danish royal opera, theatre and ballet companies all perform in its opulent circular auditorium.

In the twentieth century, Denmark has achieved international renown for its contemporary design. Arne Jakobsen's furniture graces cool bars and cafÉs worldwide (not least in Copenhagen); in the city, the architectural heritage of Christian IV is supplemented by daring twentieth century buildings, including the glittering waterfront extension to the Royal Library, known as the 'Black Diamond'.

Tickets for almost all cultural events in the city are sold by Billetnet (tel: (38) 887 022).

Music: Despite the best efforts of numerous Danish composers, it is Danny Kaye's song 'Wonderful, Wonderful Copenhagen' from the 1952 film Hans Christian Andersen, that buzzes maddeningly in people's heads when they visit the city. The Royal Orchestra traces its ancestry to the Royal Trumpet Corps of 1458 and, as such, it is the oldest orchestra in the world. The Tivoli Konsert Salen (Tivoli Concert Hall), Vesterbrogade 3 (tel: 3315 1012), is the city's largest classical music venue with seating for about 1900 people. The hall was decorated by leading Danish artists and stages over one hundred concerts, operas and ballets throughout the season (April to September). There are daily recitals and concerts in the winter garden at the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek (see Key Attractions section). Copenhagen is one of the major European jazz centres with clubs throughout the city. The main venue is the Copenhagen Jazz House, Niels Hemmingsensgade 10 (tel: (33) 152 600).

Theatre: In addition to the old stage on Kongens Nytorv, the Royal Theatre has two other venues. Stærekassen, Tordenskjoldsgade 5, was built in 1931 and has a capacity of 775. The theatre hosts contemporary drama, opera and dance performances. The Turbinehallerne, Adelgade 10, is a former power station and provides a unique, atmospheric and flexible venue for contemporary theatre. Another major venue is Det Ny Teater (The New Theatre), Gammel Kongevej 29 (tel: (33) 255 075; fax: (33) 212 034). The Pantomime Theatre (1874) in the Tivoli stages a classic pantomime of Pierrot and Harlequin twice a day during the summer.

Dance: The Royal Ballet performs at Det Kongelige Teater. Founded at the end of the eighteenth century under the Italian choreographer Galeotti, it achieved its heyday in the nineteenth century under August Bournonville. The main venue for contemporary dance is Dansescenen, Øster Fælled Torv 34 (tel: (35) 435 858; fax: (35) 438 110).

Film: Danish films have recently begun to attract worldwide interest. The director Lars von Trier has achieved international acclaim for films such as The Kingdom (1994), Breaking The Waves (1996) and The Idiots (1998). Festen (1999) directed by Thomas Vinterberg, was a huge success. The annual Copenhagen Night Film Festival (tel: (33) 120 005) features films from across the world. Cinema going is very popular and most films are shown in the original language with Danish subtitles.

Cultural events: Copenhagen International Jazz Festival (tel: (33) 932 013; fax: (33) 932 024; e-mail: cjf@cjf.dk; website: www.jazzfestival.dk) is held for ten days annually in July. The biggest event is Giant Jazz in the Circus building - an extravaganza with some of the world's top musicians. Roskilde Festival, Havsteensvej 11, 4000 Roskilde (tel: (46) 366 613; fax: (46) 321 499; e-mail: bigbox@roskilde-festival.dk; website: www.roskilde-festival.dk), is one of the most important rock and pop festivals in Europe.

The biannual Golden Days in Copenhagen Festival, Stockholmsgade 20 (tel: (35) 421 432; fax: (31) 421 491; e-mail: info@goldendays.dk; website: www.goldendays.dk), includes exhibitions, concerts, ballet and drama celebrating the Danish Golden Age (1800-1850), spearheaded by the likes of Hans Christian Andersen and Søren Kierkegaard. The annual Kulturnatten (Copenhagen Night of Culture) (e-mail: kulturnatten@woco.dk) is the night when locals and visitors wearing a Culture Badge can attend special events in the city's museums, galleries, churches, theatres, concert halls, bookshops and cafÉs.

Literary Notes
Needless to say, Hans Christian Andersen is Copenhagen's most famous literary son. His fairytales, such as the Little Mermaid (1837) and the Ugly Duckling (1843) are globally recognised. More recently, Peter Høeg has achieved international acclaim for his novel Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow (1992), part of which is set in the city. Karen Blixen - the author of Out of Africa (1938) - lived a short distance from Copenhagen. Her home at Runsted Stransvej 111 is now a popular museum (tel: (45) 571 057; fax: (45) 571 058; e-mail: karen-blixen@dinesen.dk; website: www.karen-blixen.dk).



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