Lone Britt Molloy
Lone Britt Molloy, Press & Cultural Attaché at the Royal Danish Embassy in London is sure her work is her ideal job. In the years she has held the post, the UK has undergone a cultural revolution of regeneration and rising public interest and enjoyment in all the arts. She has been delighted to be a part of this and to help widen our appreciation of Danish culture from what used to be the automatic reaction of: "Hans Christian Andersen, Tivoli and Lego" to a greater familiarity with young Danish designers, architects and craftspeople, modern filmmakers, writers and photographers as well an introduction to earlier artists such as Vilhelm Hammershøi and making already well-known Danish influences such as the Vikings live again for modern audiences.
In her office in the Arne Jacobsen designed Embassy, a grey shock on sedate Sloane Street, she talks about recent and forthcoming events and exhibitions and how she works with British partners throughout the UK to reach new audiences and make stronger, more successful projects.
"What I hope we do best is bring together potential partners from home and host countries: Denmark and the UK. The Embassy is merely a facilitator, it is the artists, craftspeople and performers who are centre stage."
Is there something unique about Danish culture today?
Earlier this year we invited the London-based Danish designer Nina Tolstrup to curate the Danish exhibit in the 100% Design Show in London: "Made in Denmark" - modern Danish Furniture Design. What she perceived and what came through in the exhibition was a wonderful showcase of how young designers have developed successfully from the post war Golden Age of Danish design.
The exhibition proved immensely popular and we were delighted to receive the award for best contribution to the show: www.madeindenmark.um.dk
A further development of this approach is The Townhouse DK. Running until 20 December the concept is to transform a traditional English mews house into a modern Danish design home. Designed by René Hougaard and London-based architect practice Child Graddon Lewis, Townhouse DK showcases current trends in Danish design together with traditional quality products from Denmark. http://www.townhouse.um.dk/en
What other events in different arts sectors have you organised recently and any plans you have for future events in the UK?
To promote Danish literature in 2007 we helped support a Danish writers' UK tour: Danish Invasion www.danishinvasiontour.info This year has seen a significant rise in publications of Danish books in English: eleven new Danish books were published in the UK between 2000 and 2005 inclusive, whereas over a two-year period in 2007/08 nine Danish titles will be published, including the new book from Peter Høeg: The Quiet Girl.
Four of the hottest Danish authors writing today, (all recently published in English) held readings, discussions, book signings and translation workshops in Norwich, Edinburgh, Cheltenham, Manchester, Newcastle and London. Leif Davidsen, political thriller writer, Christian Jungersen a writer of suspense and realism, Morten Ramsland - magical realist and Janne Teller whose current book Odin's Island is a fairytale for adults, a political and religious allegory - a contemporary Nordic saga about faith, doubt, courage, responsibility and love, set in the Scandinavia and Europe of today.
Danish film is thriving and we had five films featured in October's London Film Festival: Echo by Anders Morgenthaler, Island of Lost Souls by Nikolaj Arcel, The Substitute by Ole Bornedal, With your permission by Paprika Steen and as one of the Gala Films the first American produced film by Danish director Susanne Bier : Things we lost in the Fire.
Denmark, continues to be a significant player in the world of documentary film. The past year has been no exception, with Danish filmmakers picking up awards. The 2007 Sheffield International Documentary Festival (docfest) included several films and masterclasses by Danish directors.
The Embassy also took part in the Voyages season of European documentaries 27 November - 6 December www.europe.org.uk/voyages
The artist Tal R will have the first Danish artists exhibition at Camden Arts Centre in May 2008. Victoria Miro Gallery is representing him in the UK. He is an example of one of many Danish artists who have great success. Jeppe Hein, Benny Dröshler, John Kørner, Katrine Ærtebjerg, Jesper Just, Tue Greenfort, Peter Callesen, FOS are just a few of the others who are doing very well in the UK.
The Serpentine Gallery Pavilion this year is designed by a Scandinavian duo - the world famous Danish/Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson and the distinguished Norwegian architect, Kjetil Thorsen:
http://www.serpentinegallery.org/2007/01/serpentine_gallery_pavilion_20_7.html
Eliasson became a household name in the UK with the huge success of his installation The Weather Project at Tate Modern in 2003. http://www.tate.org.uk/modern/exhibitions/eliasson/default.htm
As part of London Festival of Architecture 2008 two exhibitions on sustainable architecture are in the pipeline - one to be shown in the parking area of the Embassy, and the other is Co-evolution that won the Golden Lion at the Venice Biennial 2006. The two projects will complement each other showing work by established and young architects from Denmark.
Contemporary composers from Denmark have a good audience here. Per Nørgaard, Bent Sørensen and Poul Ruders regularly have pieces performed by UK orchestras or ensembles. The University of Manchester New Music Ensemble recently had performances by Hans Abrahamsen, Peter Bruun, Bent Sørensen and Per Nørgaard.
Moving away from the contemporary we are particularly pleased that next Summer the Royal Academy will host the first UK retrospective of the Danish painter Vilhelm 
(1864 - 1916). This will be a unique chance to rediscover this artist. You will recognise his most compelling works: interiors of his sparsely furnished flat painted in muted tones. His work has a melancholy mood and magical quietness.
Of course not to be missed is the visit of the "Sea Stallion from Glendalough", a Viking ship modelled on how it is believed it was originally built/made. It is expected to visit London on its return research journey from Dublin to Roskilde in mid July 2008
You mentioned Danish translation. Is language and the dominance and spread of English an issue in Denmark?
Visitors to Denmark are often surprised at how well Danes speak English. There's no doubt that English is, and will continue to be, the medium through which international culture is exchanged. So the fact that so many Danes speak fluent English is a very positive thing for the successful transmission of Danish culture. There is no mileage in the argument that the dominance of English is somehow a detriment to Denmark. For British people interested in Danish, there are two universities in the UK teaching Danish as part of their Scandinavian Studies: University College London and Edinburgh University.
What would you say are the major cultural trends in Denmark today?
If I think of design I would say quality, innovation and craftsmanship. Many of the current crop have broken out of the shadows of their famous forefathers with their own 'post modern modernism'. Then I think of Danish film, probably 'integrity' is the word that would sum it up. Danes have a reputation for frankness, and in the storytelling business, this seems to be well received around the world.
Any personal favourites we should get to know better?
It is wonderful to watch the growing popularity of Danish design, film and culture in general from my vantage point outside Denmark. There's a certain point where something crosses from purely special interest into international mainstream acceptance, as we have seen, just for example, with Dogme films. Again with Design, there is something uniquely validating about seeing objects 'born' in Denmark finding their own place in the world. I can't really name individual artists, it's more the sum effect of seeing Danish culture outside Denmark which is so interesting for me. Ultimately, culture becomes insular if it exists only within its home state. Denmark is a small country and Danish culture (literature, music, visual arts etc) has an advantage in finding success abroad in order for it to return home as a hero. Travelling does it good!
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