Aarhus 2017 visiting Germany with the Crown Prince Couple

The Crown Prince Couple pays an official visit to Germany from 19th to 21st of May 2015, leading a Danish business delegation. The European Capital of Culture Aarhus 2017 and the tourist organization VisitAarhus also participate in the trip.

Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary visit Hamburg and Munich 19 to 21st May, leading a Danish business delegation, where over 100 companies are expected to participate. Under the theme Danish Living / Dänisches Leben, the visit will focus on architecture, energy, environment, pharmaceuticals, gastronomy and design.

Head of Communications of the European Capital of Culture Aarhus 2017 Bent Sorensen is also in Hamburg. He participates with Peer H. Kristensen, director of VisitAarhus. Their objective of the trip is to raise awareness of Aarhus, thereby opening the eyes of the German cultural tourists to Aarhus' many cultural offerings and the city's beautiful architecture and great gastronomic experiences.

Rethink the Church Service
In 2017, Aarhus holds the title of European Capital of Culture. The Capital of Culture will run throughout the calendar year with the official opening ceremony on January 21, 2017, which is expected to attract up to 100,000 spectators. The theme is 'Let's Rethink' and visiting tourists can look forward to a year with more than 200 different events.

One of the year's major cultural events is 'The Reformation 2.0', which the Aarhus-based Theatre Svalegangen is doing in collaboration with Aarhus Cathedral. The occasion is the 500th anniversary of Luther's Reformation, and the audience can expect a rethinking of the classic Church Service.

Artistic Director of Theatre Svalegangen Per Smedegaard says:

"We address the fundamental discussion about who modern Man is. We will rethink the format of the Service by taking its liturgy and translate it to a more modern expression. Luther wanted the discussion, but not the more sensual aspects; we wish to both discuss and create a sensual experience. The audience can expect an artistic and aesthetic event, where the church room is used in a different way than ever before. I guarantee you that the audience will have an experience they have never had before," says Per Smedegaard.

Dean of Aarhus Cathedral Poul Henning Bartholin adds:

"Luther was challenged by the fact that the relationship between Man and God were not free in the Catholic Church. He wanted to free Man through the word, language and life – including through the Service. Luther basically wanted that there should be no institution between Man and God. We will examine and articulate what it means to be human today outside the space of ideological religions and formulate a social and cultural criticism through this event," says Poul Henning Bartholin.

During the visit in Hamburg, the Crown Prince Couple along with Minister of Trade and Development Cooperation Mogens Jensen and the Danish ambassador to Germany Per Poulsen-Hansen participate in the opening of the architect exhibition CREATE WITH aarhUS at HafenCity University. The Architecture Project, part of the architecture cluster of More Creative, organizes the exhibition, which is about Aarhus and sustainable development.

Read more about CREATE WITH aarhUS.