Editing Denmark (section)

== Culture ==
{{Main|Culture of Denmark}}
{{See also|Culture of the Faroe Islands|Culture of Greenland}}
Denmark shares strong cultural and [[History of Scandinavia|historic ties with its Scandinavian neighbours]] [[Sweden]] and [[Norway]]. It has historically been one of the most socially progressive cultures in the world. In 1969, Denmark was the first country to legalise [[pornography]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.um.dk/publikationer/um/english/factsheetdenmark/denmarkanoverview/html/chapter05.htm |title=Denmark&nbsp; – An Overview |website=Royal Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs |date=22 September 2007 |access-date=22 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080122084309/http://www.um.dk/publikationer/um/english/factsheetdenmark/denmarkanoverview/html/chapter05.htm |archive-date=22 January 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and in 2012, Denmark replaced its "[[Civil union|registered partnership]]" laws, which it had been the first country to introduce in 1989,<ref>Sheila Rule: [https://www.nytimes.com/1989/10/02/world/rights-for-gay-couples-in-denmark.html "Rights for Gay Couples in Denmark"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304080523/http://www.nytimes.com/1989/10/02/world/rights-for-gay-couples-in-denmark.html |date=4 March 2016 }} – ''[[The New York Times]]''. Published: 2 October 1989. Retrieved 7 June 2012</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://marriage.about.com/cs/samesexmarriage/a/samesex.htm |title=Same-Sex Marriage FAQ |publisher=Marriage.about.com |date=17 June 2003 |access-date=5 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212061255/http://marriage.about.com/cs/samesexmarriage/a/samesex.htm |archive-date=12 February 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> with [[Gender neutrality|gender-neutral]] [[marriage]], and [[Same-sex marriage in Denmark|allowed same-sex marriages]] to be performed in the [[Church of Denmark]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Denmark approves same-sex marriage and church weddings|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-18363157|work=BBC News|date=7 June 2012|access-date=20 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116191027/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-18363157|archive-date=16 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Denmark passes bill allowing gays to marry in church |agency=AFP |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/390257/denmark-passes-bill-allowing-gays-to-marry-in-church/ |date=7 June 2012 |access-date=7 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120610034001/http://tribune.com.pk/story/390257/denmark-passes-bill-allowing-gays-to-marry-in-church/ |archive-date=10 June 2012 |url-status=live  }}</ref> [[Modesty]] and [[social equality]] are important parts of Danish culture.<ref>[http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/denmark-country-profile.html Denmark – Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette. From Kwintessential] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120610114106/http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/denmark-country-profile.html |date=10 June 2012 }}. Retrieved 4 December 2008.</ref> In a 2016 study comparing [[empathy]] scores of 63 countries, Denmark ranked 4th world-wide having the highest empathy among surveyed European countries.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Chopik |first1=William J. |last2=O'Brien |first2=Ed |last3=Konrath |first3=Sara H. |date=2017 |title=Differences in Empathic Concern and Perspective Taking Across 63 Countries |journal=Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology |language=en |volume=48 |issue=1 |at=Supplementary Table 1 |doi=10.1177/0022022116673910 |issn=0022-0221 |hdl=1805/14139|s2cid=149314942 |hdl-access=free}}</ref>
[[File:KronborgCastleDenmarkOct152022 06.jpg|thumb|[[Kronborg]] Castle in the town of [[Helsingør]]. Immortalized as Elsinore in [[William Shakespeare]]'s play [[Hamlet]], Kronborg is one of the most important [[Renaissance]] castles in Northern Europe and was inscribed on the [[UNESCO]] [[List of World Heritage Sites in Northern Europe|World Heritage list in Northern Europe]] in 2000]]
The astronomical discoveries of [[Tycho Brahe]], [[Ludwig A. Colding]]'s neglected articulation of the principle of [[conservation of energy]], and the contributions to atomic physics of [[Niels Bohr]] indicate the range of Danish scientific achievement. The fairy tales of [[Hans Christian Andersen]], the philosophical essays of [[Søren Kierkegaard]], the short stories of [[Karen Blixen]] (penname [[Isak Dinesen]]), the plays of [[Ludvig Holberg]], and the dense, aphoristic poetry of [[Piet Hein (scientist)|Piet Hein]], have earned international recognition, as have the symphonies of [[Carl Nielsen]]. From the mid-1990s, Danish films have attracted international attention, especially those associated with [[Dogme 95]] like those of [[Lars von Trier]] and [[Thomas Vinterberg]].

A major feature of Danish culture is [[Jul (Denmark)|Jul]] (Danish [[Christmas]]). The holiday is celebrated throughout December, starting either at the beginning of Advent or on 1 December with a variety of traditions, culminating with the Christmas Eve meal.

There are seven heritage sites inscribed on the UNESCO [[List of World Heritage Sites in Northern Europe|World Heritage list in Northern Europe]]: [[Christiansfeld]], a Moravian Church Settlement, the [[Jelling stones|Jelling Mounds (Runic Stones and Church)]], [[Kronborg Castle]], [[Roskilde Cathedral]], and [[Par force hunting landscape in North Zealand|The par force hunting landscape in North Zealand]] and 3 in the [[List of World Heritage Sites in North America|World Heritage list in North America]]: [[Ilulissat Icefjord]], Aasivissuit—[[Nipisat Island|Nipisat]], [[Kujataa]] within the Kingdom of Denmark.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/dk|title=Denmark: Properties inscribed on the World Heritage List (8)|publisher=UNESCO|access-date=19 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120713012915/https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/dk|archive-date=13 July 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Human rights ===
{{Main|Human rights in Denmark}}

Denmark is usually considered a [[Progressivism|progressive]] country, which has adopted [[legislation]] and [[Public policy|policies]] to support [[women in Denmark|women's rights]], [[minority rights]], and [[LGBT rights in Denmark|LGBT rights]]. Human rights in Denmark are protected by the state's Constitution of the [[Realm of Denmark|Realm]] ''([[Constitution of Denmark|Danmarks Riges Grundlov]])''; applying equally in Denmark proper, [[Greenland]] and the [[Faroe Islands]], and through the [[ratification]] of [[International human rights instruments|international human rights treaties]].<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|url=https://www.humanrights.dk/research/human-rights-in-denmark|title=Human rights in Denmark|website=The Danish Institute for Human Rights|language=en|access-date=14 May 2019|archive-date=25 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725111022/https://humanrights.dk/research/human-rights-in-denmark|url-status=dead}}</ref> Denmark has held a significant role in the adoption of both the [[European Convention on Human Rights]] and in the establishment of the [[European Court of Human Rights]] (ECHR). In 1987, the [[Folketing|Kingdom Parliament]] (''Folketinget'') established a national human rights institution, the Danish Centre of Human Rights, now the [[Danish Institute for Human Rights]].<ref name=":8" />

In 2009, a referendum on changing the [[Danish Act of Succession]] were held to grant [[absolute primogeniture]] to the Danish throne, meaning that the eldest child, regardless of gender, takes precedence in the line of succession. As it was not retroactive, the current successor to the throne is the eldest son of the King, rather than his eldest child. The Danish constitution Article 2 states that "The monarchy is inherited by men and women".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thedanishparliament.dk/-/media/pdf/publikationer/english/the_constitutional_act_of_denmark_2013,-d-,pdf.ashx |title=The Constitutional Act of Denmark  |publisher=Folketinget.dk |access-date=21 October 2020 |archive-date=2 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702131614/https://www.thedanishparliament.dk/-/media/pdf/publikationer/english/the_constitutional_act_of_denmark_2013,-d-,pdf.ashx |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The [[Inuit]] have for decades been the subject of [[discrimination]] and [[abuse]] by the [[Danish colonization of the Americas|dominant colonisers from Europe]], those countries claiming possession of Inuit lands. The Inuit have never been a single community in a single region of Inuit.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.inuitcircumpolar.com/press-releases/four-countries-one-people-inuit-strengthen-arctic-co-operation/|title=Four Countries, One People: Inuit Strengthen Arctic Co-operation &#124; Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada|date=24 November 2016|access-date=21 October 2020|archive-date=24 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024044952/https://www.inuitcircumpolar.com/press-releases/four-countries-one-people-inuit-strengthen-arctic-co-operation/|url-status=live}}</ref> From the 18th century up to the 1970s, the Danish government (Dano-Norwegian until 1814) tried to assimilate the [[Indigenous people]] of Greenland, the [[Greenlandic Inuit]], encouraging them to adopt the majority language, culture and religion.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Archibald |first=Linda |url=https://ehprnh2mwo3.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/ibpengweb.pdf |title=Decolonization and Healing: Indigenous Experiences in the United States, New Zealand, Australia and Greenland |publisher=Aboriginal Healing Foundation |year=2006 |isbn=9781897285145 |pages=22–23}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=January 2025|reason=The source does not support this statement. It does state that a Danish mission started in 1721, but the schools only started teaching Danish in 1928, according to the source.}} Denmark has been greatly criticised by the Greenlandic community for the politics of ''Danisation'' (1950s and 1960s) of and discrimination against the Indigenous population of the country.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Petersen |first=Robert |date=1995 |title=Colonialism as Seen from a Former Colonized Area |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/40316390 |journal=Arctic Anthropology |volume=32 |issue=2 |pages=121 |jstor=40316390 |issn=0066-6939 }}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last1=Kočí |first1=Adam |last2=Baar |first2=Vladimír |date=2021-08-08 |title=Greenland and the Faroe Islands: Denmark's autonomous territories from postcolonial perspectives |journal=Norsk Geografisk Tidsskrift – Norwegian Journal of Geography |language=en |volume=75 |issue=4 |pages=193–194 |doi=10.1080/00291951.2021.1951837 |issn=0029-1951|doi-access=free |bibcode=2021NGTid..75..189K }}</ref> Critical treatment paying non-Inuit workers higher wages than the local people, the relocation of entire families from their traditional lands into settlements, and separating children from their parents and sending them away to Denmark for schooling has been practised.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite thesis |last=Hardt |first=Sofia Stærmose |date=2018 |title='By Gifts One Makes Slaves': Long-term Effects of Denmark's Colonization of Greenland |type=Senior project |publisher=Bard College |url=https://digitalcommons.bard.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1276&context=senproj_s2018 |access-date=21 October 2020 |archive-date=23 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023192718/https://digitalcommons.bard.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1276&context=senproj_s2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>[https://saammaatta.gl//~/media/Forsoningskommission/Diverse/Endelig%20betænkning%20DK.pdf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023132726/https://saammaatta.gl//~/media/Forsoningskommission/Diverse/Endelig%20bet%C3%A6nkning%20DK.pdf|date=23 October 2020}} Report published by the Greenland Reconciliation Commission</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Høeg |first=Kirstine |year=2019 |title=Forced assimilation of Indigenous children: The case of the Danish-Greenlandic experiment |url=https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1483358/FULLTEXT01.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118161000/https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1483358/FULLTEXT01.pdf |archive-date=18 November 2023 |access-date=10 June 2024 |publisher=Malmö University |pages=5–6}}</ref> Nevertheless, Denmark ratified, in 1996, to recognise the [[Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989|ILO-convention 169]] on [[Indigenous people]] recommended by the UN.

Denmark was the [[History of same-sex unions|first country in the world to grant legal recognition to same-sex unions]] in the form of [[civil union|registered partnerships]] in 1989. On 7 June 2012, the law was replaced by a new [[Same-sex marriage in Denmark|same-sex marriage law]], which came into effect on 15 June 2012.<ref name=cphpost>[http://cphpost.dk/news/national/gay-marriage-legalised The Copenhagen Post, 7 June 2012: ''Gay marriage legalised''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130216001423/http://cphpost.dk/news/national/gay-marriage-legalised |date=16 February 2013 }} Retrieved 19 September 2012</ref> [[Greenland]] and the [[Faroe Islands]] legalised same-sex marriage in April 2016,<ref name="Marriage Greenland">{{cite web |url=http://www.ft.dk/RIpdf/samling/20151/lovforslag/L35/20151_L35_som_vedtaget.pdf |title=Vedtaget af Folketinget ved 3. behandling den 19. januar 2016 Forslag til Lov om ændring af myndighedsloven for Grønland, lov om ikrafttræden for Grønland af lov om ægteskabets retsvirkninger, retsplejelov for Grønland og kriminallov for Grønland |publisher=[[Folketinget]] |date=19 January 2016 |access-date=28 January 2016 |language=da |archive-date=17 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217190144/http://www.ft.dk/RIpdf/samling/20151/lovforslag/L35/20151_L35_som_vedtaget.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> and in July 2017 respectively.<ref name=PNews2017>{{Cite news|url=http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2017/06/19/denmark-approves-same-sex-marriage-in-the-faroe-islands/|title=Denmark approves same-sex marriage in the Faroe Islands|publisher=Pink News|date=19 June 2017|access-date=23 December 2017|archive-date=27 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327102308/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2017/06/19/denmark-approves-same-sex-marriage-in-the-faroe-islands/|url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2016, a resolution was implemented by the [[Folketing|Danish parliament]] which prevented [[transgender]] identity being classified as a [[Mental disorder|mental health condition]]. In doing so, Denmark became the first country in [[Europe]] to go against the [[World Health Organization]] (WHO) standards, which classified transgender identity as being a mental health issue until June 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.care2.com/causes/denmark-to-the-who-trans-identity-is-not-a-mental-illness.html|title=Denmark to the WHO: Trans Identity Is Not a Mental Illness|last=Williams|first=Steve|date=20 May 2016|website=Care2 Causes|language=en|access-date=7 June 2019|archive-date=27 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327102635/https://www.care2.com/causes/denmark-to-the-who-trans-identity-is-not-a-mental-illness.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/06/20/transgender-not-mental-illness-world-health-organization/717758002/|title=Being transgender no longer classified as mental illness. Here's why|last=Simon|first=Caroline|date=20 June 2018|website=USA Today|language=en|access-date=7 June 2019|archive-date=6 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806153507/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/06/20/transgender-not-mental-illness-world-health-organization/717758002/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In its 2024 [[Freedom in the World]] report, [[Freedom House]] rated the country "[[Freedom|free]]" with a score of 97 (out of 100).<ref name=FreedomintheWorld2024/>

=== Media ===
<!--linked from {{Main|Media of Denmark}}-->
{{Main|Cinema of Denmark|Television in Denmark}}
{{See also|Cinema of the Faroe Islands|Television in Greenland}}
[[File:Lars von Trier 2014 (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|Director [[Lars von Trier]], who co-created the Dogme 95 film movement with Thomas Vinterberg]]

Danish cinema dates back to 1897 and since the 1980s has maintained a steady stream of productions due largely to funding by the state-supported [[Danish Film Institute]]. There have been three big internationally important waves of Danish cinema: erotic melodrama of the [[silent film|silent era]]; the increasingly explicit sex films of the 1960s and 1970s; and lastly, the [[Dogme 95]] movement of the late 1990s, where directors often used hand-held cameras to dynamic effect in a conscious reaction against big-budget studios. Danish films have been noted for their realism, religious and moral themes, sexual frankness and technical innovation. The Danish filmmaker [[Carl Theodor Dreyer|Carl Th. Dreyer]] is considered one of the greatest directors of [[early cinema]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Carl Dreyer:Day of Wrath, Ordet, Gertrud |url=http://brightlightsfilm.com/29/carldreyer.php |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130307200514/http://brightlightsfilm.com/29/carldreyer.php|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 March 2013|work=Bright Lights Film Journal|access-date=1 July 2013|date=July 2000}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web |last=Ebert|first=Robert|title=The Passion of Joan of Arc|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-the-passion-of-joan-of-arc-1928|work=Chicago Sun Times|access-date=1 July 2013|date=16 February 1997|quote=Carl Theodor Dreyer (1889–1968), the Dane who was one of the greatest early directors.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130610025315/http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-the-passion-of-joan-of-arc-1928 |archive-date=10 June 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

Other Danish filmmakers of note include [[Erik Balling]], the creator of the popular ''[[Olsen-banden]]'' films; [[Gabriel Axel]], an [[Academy Awards|Oscar]]-winner for ''[[Babette's Feast]]'' in 1987; and [[Bille August]], the [[Academy Awards|Oscar]]-, {{Lang|fr|[[Palme d'Or]]|italic=no}}- and [[Golden Globe Award|Golden Globe]]-winner for ''[[Pelle the Conqueror]]'' in 1988. In the modern era, notable filmmakers in Denmark include [[Lars von Trier]], who co-created the Dogme 95 movement with [[Thomas Vinterberg]], and multiple award-winners [[Susanne Bier]] and [[Nicolas Winding Refn]]. [[Mads Mikkelsen]] is a world-renowned Danish actor, as is [[Nikolaj Coster-Waldau]].

Danish [[mass media]] date back to the 1540s, when handwritten fly sheets reported on the news. In 1666, [[Anders Bording]], the father of Danish journalism, began a [[state media|state paper]]. In 1834, the first liberal, factual newspaper appeared, and the 1849 Constitution established lasting [[freedom of the press in Denmark]].

Modern Danish mass media and news programming are dominated by a few large corporations. In printed media [[JP/Politikens Hus]] and [[Berlingske Media]], between them, control the largest newspapers ''[[Politiken]]'', ''[[Berlingske Tidende]]'' and {{Lang|da|[[Jyllands-Posten]]}} and major tabloids ''[[B.T. (tabloid)|B.T.]]'' and {{Lang|da|[[Ekstra Bladet]]}}. [[Television in Denmark|In television]], publicly owned stations [[DR (broadcaster)|DR]] and [[TV 2 (Denmark)|TV 2]] have large shares of the viewers.<ref>[http://tvm.gallup.dk/tvm/pm/default.htm ''TNS-Gallup'' meter] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219144649/http://tvm.gallup.dk/tvm/pm/default.htm |date=19 February 2014 }}; Television station viewer statistics, figures for July 2012 (week 28). Retrieved 20 July 2012.</ref> DR in particular is famous for its high quality TV-series often sold to foreign broadcasters and often with leading female characters like internationally known actresses [[Sidse Babett Knudsen]] and [[Sofie Gråbøl]]. In radio, DR has a near monopoly, currently broadcasting on all four nationally available [[FM broadcasting|FM]] channels, competing only with local stations.<ref>{{cite web|title=Commercial radio|url=http://www.kulturstyrelsen.dk/english/media/media-structure-radio-and-tv/non-public-service-media/commercial-radio-and-tv/commercial-radio/|publisher=Danish Agency for Culture|access-date=14 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140515001233/http://www.kulturstyrelsen.dk/english/media/media-structure-radio-and-tv/non-public-service-media/commercial-radio-and-tv/commercial-radio/|archive-date=15 May 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Music ===
{{Main|Music of Denmark}}
{{See also|Music of the Faroe Islands|Music of Greenland}}
[[File:Carl Nielsen - Wind Quintet - 3. Praeludium - Adagio. Tema con variazioni - Un poco andantino, Min Jesus lad min hjerte få.ogg |thumb|upright=0.9|A sample from [[Carl Nielsen]]'s [[Wind Quintet (Nielsen)|Wind Quintet]] with the theme from ''Min Jesus, lad mit hjerte få'']]
Denmark and its multiple outlying islands have a [[Danish traditional music|wide range of folk traditions]]. The country's most famous classical composer is [[Carl Nielsen]] (1865–1931), especially remembered for his six symphonies and his [[Wind Quintet (Nielsen)|Wind Quintet]], while the [[Royal Danish Ballet]] specialises in the work of the Danish choreographer [[August Bournonville]]. The [[Royal Danish Orchestra]] is among the world's oldest orchestras.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Royal Danish Orchestra |url=http://kglteater.dk/about-us/the-royal-danish-orchestra |publisher=The Royal Danish Theatre |access-date=14 May 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140507235232/http://kglteater.dk/about-us/the-royal-danish-orchestra |archive-date=7 May 2014 }}</ref> Danes have distinguished themselves as [[jazz]] musicians, and the [[Copenhagen Jazz Festival]] has acquired international recognition.

The modern [[pop music|pop]] and rock scene has produced a few names of international fame, including [[Aqua (band)|Aqua]], [[Alphabeat]], [[D-A-D]], [[King Diamond]], [[Kashmir (Danish band)|Kashmir]], [[Lukas Graham]], [[Mew (band)|Mew]], [[Michael Learns to Rock]], [[MØ]], [[Oh Land]], [[The Raveonettes]] and [[Volbeat]], among [[List of Danish bands|others]]. [[Lars Ulrich]], the drummer of the band [[Metallica]], has become the first Danish musician to be inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]].

[[Roskilde Festival]] near Copenhagen is the largest music festival in Northern Europe since 1971 and Denmark has many [[List of festivals in Denmark|recurring music festivals]] of all genres throughout, including [[Aarhus International Jazz Festival]], [[Skanderborg Festival]], The Blue Festival in Aalborg, Esbjerg International Chamber Music Festival and [[Skagen Festival]] among many others.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160516134259/http://gaffa.com/festivalguide/dk Festivalguide] Gaffa {{in lang|da}}</ref><ref>[http://www.visitdenmark.dk/da/danmark/musikfestivaler-i-danmark Musikfestivaler i Danmark] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160703105033/http://www.visitdenmark.dk/da/danmark/musikfestivaler-i-danmark |date=3 July 2016 }} VisitDenmark {{in lang|da}}</ref>

Denmark has participated in the [[Eurovision Song Contest]] since 1957 and has won the contest three times, in [[Eurovision Song Contest 1963|1963]], [[Eurovision Song Contest 2000|2000]] and [[Eurovision Song Contest 2013|2013]].

=== Architecture and design ===
{{Main|Architecture of Denmark|Danish design}}
[[File:Pv jensen-klint 05 grundtvig memorial church 1913-1940.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Grundtvig's Church]] in Copenhagen, an example of expressionist architecture]]

Denmark's architecture became firmly established in the [[Middle Ages]] when first [[Romanesque style|Romanesque]], then [[Gothic style|Gothic]] churches and cathedrals sprang up throughout the country. From the 16th century, Dutch and Flemish designers were brought to Denmark, initially to improve the country's fortifications, but increasingly to build magnificent royal castles and palaces in the [[Renaissance architecture|Renaissance]] style.
During the 17th century, many impressive buildings were built in the [[Baroque architecture|Baroque]] style, both in the capital and the provinces. [[Neoclassical architecture|Neoclassicism]] from France was slowly adopted by native Danish architects who increasingly participated in defining architectural style. A productive period of [[Historicism (art)|Historicism]] ultimately merged into the 19th-century [[National Romantic style]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visitdenmark.com/irland/en-ie/menu/turist/inspiration/detkulturelledanmark/arkitektur/danish-architecture-an-overview.htm |title=Danish Architecture: An Overview |access-date=19 July 2011 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719130528/http://www.visitdenmark.com/irland/en-ie/menu/turist/inspiration/detkulturelledanmark/arkitektur/danish-architecture-an-overview.htm |archive-date=19 July 2011 }}, ''Visit Denmark''. Retrieved 3 September 2011.</ref>

The 20th century brought along new architectural styles; including [[expressionist architecture|expressionism]], best exemplified by the designs of architect [[Peder Vilhelm Jensen-Klint]], which relied heavily on Scandinavian brick Gothic traditions; and [[Nordic Classicism]], which enjoyed brief popularity in the early decades of the century. It was in the 1960s that Danish architects such as [[Arne Jacobsen]] entered the world scene with their highly successful [[Danish Functionalist style|Functionalist architecture]]. This, in turn, has evolved into more recent world-class masterpieces including [[Jørn Utzon]]'s [[Sydney Opera House]] and [[Johan Otto von Spreckelsen]]'s [[Grande Arche]] in Paris, paving the way for a number of contemporary Danish designers such as [[Bjarke Ingels]] to be rewarded for excellence both at home and abroad.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ambhanoi.um.dk/en/menu/InfoDenmark/Danish+Culture/Architecture/ |title=Architecture |access-date=6 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100206051248/http://www.ambhanoi.um.dk/en/menu/InfoDenmark/Danish+Culture/Architecture/ |archive-date=6 February 2010 }}, Embassy of Denmark, Hanoi. Retrieved 3 October 2011.</ref>

Danish design is a term often used to describe a style of [[Functionalism (architecture)|functionalistic]] design and architecture that was developed in the mid-20th century, originating in Denmark. Danish design is typically applied to industrial design, furniture and household objects, which have won many international awards. The [[Royal Copenhagen|Royal Porcelain Factory]] is famous for the quality of its ceramics. Danish design is also a well-known brand, often associated with world-famous, 20th-century designers and architects such as [[Børge Mogensen]], [[Finn Juhl]], [[Hans Wegner]], [[Arne Jacobsen]], [[Poul Henningsen]] and [[Verner Panton]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100522002856/http://en.ddc.dk/denmarkbydesign "Danish by Design"], ''DDC''. Retrieved 4 September 2011.</ref> Other designers of note include [[Kristian Solmer Vedel]] in the area of industrial design, [[Jens Quistgaard]] for kitchen furniture and implements and [[Ole Wanscher]] who had a classical approach to furniture design.

=== Literature and philosophy ===
{{Main|Danish literature|Danish philosophy}}{{Multiple image
| image1            = HCA by Thora Hallager 1869 crop.jpg
| caption1          = Renowned author Hans Christian Andersen, best remembered for [[Hans Christian Andersen bibliography|his literary fairy tales]]
| image2            = Søren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) - (cropped).jpg
| caption2          = Søren Kirkegaard, Existentialist philosopher considered one of the most important figures of the [[Danish Golden Age]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 June 2019 |title=New exhibition: The Danish Golden Age just got longer |url=https://www.smk.dk/en/article/ny-udstilling-nu-bliver-den-danske-guldalder-laengere/ |access-date=3 November 2022 |website=SMK – National Gallery of Denmark in Copenhagen (Statens Museum for Kunst) |language=en |archive-date=3 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221103131739/https://www.smk.dk/en/article/ny-udstilling-nu-bliver-den-danske-guldalder-laengere/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| total_width       = 300
}}
The first known Danish literature is myths and [[Danish folklore|folklore]] from the 10th and 11th century. [[Saxo Grammaticus]], normally considered the first Danish writer, worked on a chronicle of [[History of Denmark|Danish history]] ({{lang|la|[[Gesta Danorum]]}}). Very little is known of other Danish literature from the [[Middle Ages]]. With the [[Age of Enlightenment]] came [[Ludvig Holberg]] whose comedy plays are still being performed.

In the late 19th century, literature was seen as a way to influence society. Known as the [[Modern Breakthrough]], this movement was championed by [[Georg Brandes]], [[Henrik Pontoppidan]] (awarded the [[Nobel Prize in Literature]]) and [[Jens Peter Jacobsen|J.&nbsp;P. Jacobsen]]. [[Romanticism]] influenced the renowned writer and poet [[Hans Christian Andersen]], known for his stories and [[fairy tale]]s, e.g. ''[[The Ugly Duckling]]'', ''[[The Little Mermaid]]'' and ''[[The Snow Queen]]''. In recent history [[Johannes Vilhelm Jensen]] was also awarded the [[Nobel Prize for Literature]]. [[Karen Blixen]] is famous for her novels and short stories. Other Danish writers of importance are [[Herman Bang]], [[Gustav Wied]], [[William Heinesen]], [[Martin Andersen Nexø]], [[Piet Hein (Denmark)|Piet Hein]], [[Hans Scherfig]], [[Klaus Rifbjerg]], [[Dan Turèll]], [[Tove Ditlevsen]], [[Inger Christensen]] and [[Peter Høeg]].

Danish philosophy has a long tradition as part of [[Western philosophy]]. Perhaps the most influential Danish philosopher was [[Søren Kierkegaard]], the creator of [[Christian existentialism]]. Kierkegaard had a few Danish followers, including [[Harald Høffding]], who later in his life moved on to join the movement of [[positivism]]. Another Danish philosopher of note is [[N. F. S. Grundtvig|Grundtvig]], whose philosophy gave rise to a new form of non-aggressive nationalism in Denmark, and who is also influential for his theological and historical works.

=== Painting and photography ===
{{Main|Danish art|Photography in Denmark}}
[[File:C W Eckersberg 1841 - Kvinde foran et spejl.jpg|thumb|right|upright|''Woman in Front of a Mirror'', (1841), by [[Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg]]]]

While Danish art was influenced over the centuries by trends in Germany and the Netherlands, the 15th and 16th century [[church frescos in Denmark|church frescos]], which can be seen in many of the country's older churches, are of particular interest as they were painted in a style typical of native Danish painters.<ref>[http://www.panoramas.dk/kalkmalerier/ Wall Paintings in Danish Churches from Panoramas.dk] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091128170607/http://www.panoramas.dk/kalkmalerier/ |date=28 November 2009 }}. Retrieved 12 August 2009. Adopting the [[Biblia pauperum]] approach, they present many of the most popular stories from the [[Old Testament|Old]] and [[New Testament]]s.</ref>

The [[Danish Golden Age]], which began in the first half of the 19th century, was inspired by a new feeling of nationalism and romanticism, typified in the later previous century by [[History painting|history painter]] [[Nicolai Abildgaard]]. [[Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg]] was not only a productive artist in his own right but taught at the [[Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts]] where his students included [[Wilhelm Bendz]], [[Christen Købke]], [[Martinus Rørbye]], [[Constantin Hansen]], and [[Wilhelm Marstrand]].

In 1871, [[Holger Drachmann]] and [[Karl Madsen]] visited [[Skagen]] in the far north of [[Jutland]] where they quickly built up one of Scandinavia's most successful [[Skagen Painters|artists' colonies]] specialising in [[Naturalism (arts)|Naturalism]] and [[Realism (arts)|Realism]] rather than in the traditional approach favoured by the academy. Hosted by [[Michael Ancher|Michael]] and his wife [[Anna Ancher|Anna]], they were soon joined by [[P.S. Krøyer]], [[Carl Locher]] and [[Laurits Tuxen]]. All participated in painting the natural surroundings and local people.<ref>[http://www.answers.com/topic/skagen Art Encyclopedia: Skagen.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301150825/http://www.answers.com/topic/skagen |date=1 March 2012 }} Retrieved 9 December 2008.</ref> Similar trends developed on Funen with the ''[[Fynboerne]]'' who included [[Johannes Larsen]], [[Fritz Syberg]] and [[Peter Hansen (painter)|Peter Hansen]],<ref name=Funish>[http://www.johanneslarsenmuseet.dk/page.asp?sideid=2301&zcs=2200 "The Funish Art Colony"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130418012953/http://www.johanneslarsenmuseet.dk/page.asp?sideid=2301&zcs=2200 |date=18 April 2013 }}, ''Johannes Larsen Museet''. Retrieved 12 August 2011.</ref> and on the island of Bornholm with the [[Bornholm school of painters]] including [[Niels Lergaard]], [[Kræsten Iversen]] and [[Oluf Høst]].<ref>[http://www.roughguides.com/travel/europe/denmark/introduction-to-denmark.aspx The Bornholm School from the Rough Guide to Denmark.] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120162042/http://www.roughguides.com/travel/europe/denmark/introduction-to-denmark.aspx |date=20 January 2013 }} Retrieved 10 December 2008.</ref>

Painting has continued to be a prominent form of artistic expression in Danish culture, inspired by and also influencing major international trends in this area. These include [[impressionism]] and the modernist styles of [[expressionism]], [[abstract painting]] and [[surrealism]]. While international co-operation and activity has almost always been essential to the Danish artistic community, influential art collectives with a firm Danish base includes [[De Tretten]] (1909–1912), [[Linien]] (1930s and 1940s), [[COBRA (avant-garde movement)|COBRA]] (1948–1951), [[Fluxus]] (1960s and 1970s), [[Junge Wilde|De Unge Vilde]] (1980s) and more recently [[Superflex]] (founded in 1993). Notable Danish painters from modern times representing various [[art movements]] include [[Theodor Philipsen]] (impressionism and naturalism), [[Anna Klindt Sørensen]] (expressionism), [[Franciska Clausen]] (Neue Sachlichkeit, cubism, surrealism and others), [[Henry Heerup]] (naivism), [[Robert Jacobsen]] (abstract painting), [[Carl Henning Pedersen]] (abstract painting), [[Asger Jorn]] (Situationist, abstract painting), [[Bjørn Wiinblad]] (art deco, orientalism), [[Per Kirkeby]] (neo-expressionism, abstract painting), [[Per Arnoldi]] (pop art), and [[Michael Kvium]] (neo-surrealism).

Danish photography has developed from strong participation and interest in the very beginnings of the [[history of photography|art of photography]] in 1839. Pioneers such as [[Mads Alstrup]] and [[Georg Emil Hansen]] paved the way for a rapidly growing profession during the last half of the 19th century. Today Danish photographers such as [[Astrid Kruse Jensen]] and [[Jacob Aue Sobol]] are active in key exhibitions around the world.<ref>[http://www.photography-now.com/popup_ausst_5.php?id_ausstellungen=T50624 Contemporary Danish Photography. From Photography-Now] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120707000845/http://www.photography-now.com/popup_ausst_5.php?id_ausstellungen=T50624 |date=7 July 2012 }} . Retrieved 28 January 2010.</ref>

=== Cuisine ===
{{Main|Danish cuisine}}
{{See also|Faroese cuisine|Greenlandic cuisine}}
[[File:Smørrebrød-01.jpg|thumb|''Smørrebrød'', a variety of Danish open sandwiches piled high with delicacies]]

The traditional [[cuisine]] of Denmark, like that of the other Nordic countries and of [[Northern Germany]], consists mainly of meat, fish and potatoes. Danish dishes are highly seasonal, stemming from the country's agricultural past, its geography, and its climate of long, cold winters.

The open sandwiches on rye bread, known as ''[[smørrebrød]]'', can be considered a national speciality. Hot meals traditionally consist of [[ground meat]]s, such as ''[[frikadeller]]'' (meat balls of veal and pork) and ''hakkebøf'' (minced beef patties), or of more substantial meat and fish dishes such as ''[[flæskesteg]]'' (roast pork with crackling) and ''kogt torsk'' (poached cod) with mustard sauce. Denmark is known for its [[Carlsberg Group|Carlsberg]] and [[Tuborg]] beers and for its [[akvavit]] and [[bitters]].

Since around 1970, chefs and restaurants across Denmark have introduced [[gourmet]] cooking, largely influenced by [[French cuisine]]. Also inspired by continental practices, Danish chefs have recently developed a new innovative cuisine and a series of gourmet dishes based on high-quality local produce known as [[New Danish cuisine]].<ref>{{cite web|title=new nordic recipes|url=http://denmark.dk/en/lifestyle/food-drink/new-nordic-recipes|publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark|access-date=15 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807191139/http://denmark.dk/en/lifestyle/food-drink/new-nordic-recipes/|archive-date=7 August 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> As a result of these developments, Denmark now has a considerable number of internationally acclaimed restaurants of which several have been awarded [[Michelin Guide|Michelin stars]]. This includes [[Geranium (restaurant)|Geranium]] and [[Noma (restaurant)|Noma]] in Copenhagen.

=== Sports ===
{{Main|Sport in Denmark}}
{{Hatnote|Also related: [[Sport in the Faroe Islands]] and [[Sport in Greenland]]}}
[[File:Michael Laudrup 2016c.jpg|thumb|[[Michael Laudrup]], named the best Danish football player of all time by the Danish Football Union]]
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Sports are popular in Denmark, and its citizens participate in and watch a wide variety. The [[national sport]] is [[association football|football]], with over 320,000 players in more than 1600 [[football club (association football)|clubs]].<ref>{{cite web|title=DIF specialforbunds medlems|url=http://public.tableausoftware.com/profile/#!/vizhome/DIFidraettenital2013-dif_dk/DIFmedl-foren-tal|publisher=Danmarks Idrætsforbund|access-date=15 June 2014|language=da|year=2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140526234318/http://public.tableausoftware.com/profile/#!/vizhome/DIFidraettenital2013-dif_dk/DIFmedl-foren-tal|archive-date=26 May 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Denmark qualified six times consecutively for the [[UEFA European Football Championship|European Championships]] between 1984 and 2004, and were crowned European champions in [[1992 UEFA European Football Championship|1992]]; other significant achievements include winning the Confederations Cup in 1995 and reaching the quarter-final of the 1998 World Cup.
The [[Denmark women's national handball team]] celebrated great successes during the 1990s and has won a total of 13 medals—seven gold (in 1994, 1996 (2), 1997, 2000, 2002 and 2004), four silver (in 1962, 1993, 1998 and 2004) and two bronze (in 1995 and 2013). On the [[Denmark men's national handball team|men's side]], Denmark has won 12 medals—four gold (in 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2019), four silver (in 1967, 2011, 2013 and 2014) and four bronze (in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2007)—the most that have been won by any team in [[European Men's Handball Championship|European Handball Championship]] history.<ref>{{cite web|title=National Team rankings|url=http://www.eurohandball.com/2013/article/011996|publisher=European Handball Federation|access-date=13 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203184111/http://www.eurohandball.com/2013/article/011996|archive-date=3 February 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2019, the Danish men's national handball team won their first [[Denmark men's national handball team#2019 World Championship|World Championship title]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bo |first=Bentsen |date=2019-01-27 |title=Danmark er verdensmester – TV 2 |url=https://sport.tv2.dk/haandbold/2019-01-27-danmark-er-verdensmester |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=sport.tv2.dk |language=da-DK |archive-date=2 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241202160936/https://sport.tv2.dk/haandbold/2019-01-27-danmark-er-verdensmester |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=27 January 2019 |title=Flawless Denmark Claim First World Title |url=https://www.ihf.info/competitions/men/308/2019-ihf-mens-world-championship/147/news/931 |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=www.ihf.info}}</ref>

In recent years, Denmark has made a mark as a strong [[cycle sport|cycling]] nation, with [[Michael Rasmussen (cyclist)|Michael Rasmussen]] reaching [[King of the Mountains]] status in the [[Tour de France]] in 2005 and 2006. Other popular sports include golf—which is mostly popular among those in the older demographic;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dif.dk/OmDIF/Forside/Idraetten%20i%20tal/medlemstal.aspx |title=Om DIF – Medlemstal |access-date=16 July 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070716195104/http://www.dif.dk/OmDIF/Forside/Idraetten%20i%20tal/medlemstal.aspx |archive-date=16 July 2007 }} {{in lang|da}}, ''The National Olympic Committee and Sports Confederation of Denmark''</ref> [[tennis]]—in which Denmark is successful on a professional level; [[basketball]]—Denmark joined the international governing body [[FIBA]] in 1951;<ref>[https://archive.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/FIBA/fibaStru/nfLeag/p/nationalfederationnumber/271/nfProf.html Profile | Denmark] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151114021234/http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/FIBA/fibaStru/nfLeag/p/nationalfederationnumber/271/nfProf.html |date=14 November 2015 }}, Fiba.com. Retrieved 24 September 2015.</ref> rugby—the [[Danish Rugby Union]] dates back to 1950;<ref>Bath, Richard (ed.) ''The Complete Book of Rugby'' (Seven Oaks Ltd, 1997 {{ISBN|978-1-86200-013-1}}) p. 66. Archived from July 2007 and Retrieved June 2012.</ref> [[ice hockey]]—often competing in the top division in the Men's World Championships; rowing—Denmark specialise in lightweight rowing and are particularly known for their lightweight coxless four, having won six gold and two silver World Championship medals and three gold and two bronze [[Olympic Games|Olympic]] medals; and several indoor sports—especially [[badminton]], [[table tennis]] and gymnastics, in each of which Denmark holds World Championships and [[Denmark at the Olympics|Olympic medals]].
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