What a year, tusind tak til jer alle!!

Hej everyone,

I knew the moment would come where I had to begin writing this last blog, but that the time now has come is so unbelievable. On one hand I’m reflecting on what happened all these last weeks and months, amazed and with such deep gratitude for all the things I got to experience with such wonderful people. On the other hand I slowly had to say goodbye to Kulturfabrikken, to the little life we have built here in Denmark, filled with routines, people and growth. Before we go to the emotional part, let me first tell you what happened in those last summer weeks.

The previous blog ended with that my friend Nora from Belgium was currently visiting. We had a really fun day in Copenhagen, eating the most delicious Arabic food at a place called Gaza Grill, strolling around and playing cards in my favorite bar, JOJO in Vesterbro. After having a cozy weekend, she had to leave again on the Monday of the last week of July. And the next exciting thing was already waiting, because on the 29th of July was Lily’s 19th birthday, wohooo congrats girl!!! Her boyfriend Emil came to visit and we had a lovely birthday breakfast that morning. The day after Lily had organized a birthday picnic by the bridge close to the harbour where you can swim. All of our friends came and it was so nice celebrating her while enjoying the water, the sun and playing games on the grass. Then a very heavy thunderstorm hit us and the group divided, some of us went to Jonas’ home, others went to a bar in town, but it was still a very nice evening. 

That week and the one after, I mostly was in the outdoor café, but also very busy organizing all the last things for my Open Mic event. Then on Friday the 7th of August the big day has come: through unforeseen circumstances I had to change the program a bit, but in the end it was an amazing evening. Magnus and August, two rappers, opened the night with some cool songs and then it shifted to karaoke. I introduced it by singing a song myself and even if I’m not so happy with how I did, I can still learn from it I guess and I’m glad that I did it. After that the mood was a bit low, but then our friend group was motivated to continue the karaoke, which made me so so happy and in the end it was such a fun night. Lily had at that time also two friends visiting, Teresa and Linn, and it was so nice that they were at the Open Mic too and singing songs with us. Later we went to the home of Emil, one of our climbing friends, and continued to have a great time there. The day after Lily, Linn, Louie and I went to the opvarmningsfest of the Provincia festival at Markedshallen. There was also an open mic, some concerts and different dj’s, it had a very cool vibe and I really enjoyed hearing the different music. 

The fun immediately continued the week after, because Emil held a BBQ evening at his place. Till, Lily’s brother, has also arrived for a visit and we had a nice night with good talks. Meanwhile my harp lessons started again! Even though I just had three lessons before I go home now, I am still very happy that I got to see my harp teacher Mette again and that we could work some more on a piece. As Lily had many visitors during past those weeks, it was my turn again, because my friends Zoé and Vivi both arrived on the 13th of August to stay for a week. Zoé has already been here once in November last year and I was so happy to show her and also Vivi what a Danish summer looks like. We were directly hopping from one thing to another, beginning at the Næverland festival in Næstved, where we listened to cool artists and admired the graffiti art, and then further that evening we went to August, because he threw a little party again in the barn in his garden. That was the perfect occasion for Zoé and Vivi to meet all the friends Lily and I have made here in Denmark and we had a great night. I loved it so much that they were here, because when I get visitors, it is always like there’s a little piece of home with me here in Denmark. In the weekend we went to Copenhagen on Saturday and had a picnic by the water and climbed on Sunday. They also got to be part of the first open workshop, which restarted after the holiday! The rest of their stay was filled with second hand shopping, going to different places to eat here in Nykøbing, climbing again and movienights. 

As you may already guess it, things stayed busy! First with Designstuen starting again and then that same evening Den Lille Fede Festeuge had its first concerts down at the city square. From Thursday to Saturday on each evening there were multiple concerts and it’s just perfect that it was so close to our apartment. We went there with our friends on Thursday and Saturday and had so much fun, being fully immersed in Danish music and partying with all the young people from Nykøbing (where have they been until now??). I find it amazing that the city organizes so much for everyone during the summer for free, it truly made Nykøbing such a vibrant and buzzing place. Otherwise on that Friday we made a little trip together with Mette and Guna to Galleri Arleth. It is such a beautiful place and Anette, who runs it with her husband Michael, showed us around, first in the gallery and then in their garden. After that we quickly passed by Finn’s summer house and he also gave us a garden-tour and let us look at his art works, all in a mystical and very nice atmosphere. Then we drove to Hesnæs, where Mette showed us the little harbour and we had lunch at Pomle Nakke, a lovely place with an amazing sea-view. It was so nice to drive through the fields of Falster, along the coast and to discover these hidden pearls of places, especially now that we’re almost going home. Afterwards we got ready again to go out, because Jonas had his goodbye party, since he’s going to Japan for 8 months. We had a lot of fun and I’m definitely going to miss these gatherings with all our Danish friends so much. The next morning Lily and I got ready, because another very exciting thing was waiting for us: we got tattoos!! We’ve been thinking about it for a long time and now finally the day has arrived and we both couldn’t be more happy with them. Now when I’m looking down at the little sun on my hip, I’ll always think of getting it in Denmark. Another thing that was on the list for this summer, was that Lily and I would cook a three-course meal for Nanna as her birthday gift. We finally made it happen and it was soo cozy <3

And then the last week began, our last week in Denmark, filled with many last times and many goodbyes. From open workshop and designstuen to the café, from climbing to the harp lessons, from the last team meeting to our final evaluation, I couldn’t quite believe that I was leaving. I will miss the work at Kulturfabrikken so much, all the sweetest kids at the workshops, chatting and baking in the café, working together with the best colleagues and just being at this warm and open place. During that week I was always somewhere in between feeling very nostalgic and emotional and at the same time having hundreds of to-do’s with packing and cleaning. Then on Thursday we had the most wonderful goodbye-dinner with our colleagues at café Pitstop in Idestrup. It was so sweet that everyone came for us and Mette gave such a touching speech. Ingrid also made a video, showing pictures from our whole year in Denmark, which was so cool. Lily and I said some words too and it made us pretty emotional, because we’re just so thankful for everyone here who supported us so so much. The day after the goodbyes continued, because we had our Farvel Hyggebar. It was the nicest evening, our friends came and kids from the workshops, Louie was our DJ and it was just så hyggeligt! We even got some gifts, which was so heartwarming. Lily and I had also prepared a little surprise, we had gathered all the videos and nice pictures we’ve made during the last year and Lily made a super nice video out of it, which we showed to all the people at the Hyggebar. The evening was amazing and my heart was full. After, we went for the last time to some bars in Nykøbing with our friends. Saturday and Sunday were then filled with packing and a big apartment clean up. From time to time I was scared if we could make it, but eventually we did it! Then on Sunday morning Mette and Guna drove me to the train station and with that the circle really closed...

I am so unbelievably thankful for this year, it was the best decision and I am really really gonna miss all the wonderful people we’ve met here in Denmark. Mette, Guna, Nanna, Lena, Maria, Ingrid - working with you was inspiring, full of joy, passion and laughter, I learned so so much from all of you. I am also so grateful for all our friends here in Denmark - they lighted up my year each time we did something together and especially how we just danced through the Danish summer, being together and having fun - we’ve made the best memories. And of course, Lily - sharing all these amazing and sometimes crazy experiences with you made it all better. Thank you so much for being such a great roommate!! 

During this year I experienced so much growth, I learned so much about myself and that fills me with such gratitude. I’m still myself, but changed, through so many experiences, learnings and encounters. What at the start seemed scary became a wonderful adventure and I loved every second of it.

We will definitely come back and visit you, Denmark ;)) Thank you to all of you! I will never forget this <3

All the love and farvel

Hanna