Interview with Tue Rasmussen (Copenhagen Spotter)

Today an interview with Tue Rasmussen. Spotter for our Copenhagen cityblog!

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Well, my name is Tue, I’m 24 years old and I’ve been studying Literature at Copenhagen University for 3 years.

I am currently enjoying a year off before I start on my Master, in this time I am saving up money for a 5 months trip to Southern and Latin America, I am looking very much forward to this :)

Why Copenhagen?
The reason I came to Copenhagen in the first place, was because of the city’s liveliness, there’s always something going on.

I know that Copenhagen is not like New York, and that the whole Denmark is smaller than a lot of cities, but none the less I find it really easy to find somewhere to have fun in Copenhagen, and even though Denmark is one of the most expensive countries there is, there are also a lot of free and fun activities, if you know where to look that is ;)

What is a must see?
A must when you visit Copenhagen is Christiania, which everybody of course know, but when you visit Christiania you should remember to take a walk around the lakes and look at people’s houses.

I’m of course not encouraging people to go into where people live or to bother the people of Christiania in any way, but just take a quiet stroll around the lakes and enjoy the peacefulness of the Christiania lifestyle, Christiania is so much more than the stuff you see the first 10 minutes you’re there.

And what not?
The thing I feel that people shouldn’t see, is one of the most popular attractions in Copenhagen : The Little Mermaid.

She has been in Shanghai for the World Exhibit for the last 6 months, and is returning on the 20th of November, but if it was up to me she could stay in China for all eternity.

The statue is very small an uninteresting, it symbolises a great story written by one of our greatest authors Hans Christian Andersen, but it’s the story that’s great, not the statue.

That’s just my opinion, I’m sure there’s plenty of people who like the statue, and there’s nothing wrong with that, I’ve just always had trouble with seeing what all the fuzz was about.

Which prejudices about Copenhagen are true?
I don’t think i know a whole lot of prejudices about Copenhagen, and the ones i know are about Denmark in general, but I’ll give it a try.

Denmark/Copenhagen is expensive: This is very very true, but as i mentioned earlier, and also describe in my spots, there are plenty of places in Copenhagen where you don’t have to spend a lot of money to have fun or fill your stomach.

Danish people like to drink: Also very very true, though you must be aware that the prices in most bars are insane, which is why a lot of people have houseparties instead.

What do you know about Copenhagen what no tourist will know?
I know a very funny statue at a place called Bispetorvet, I always show it to friends from other countries, it should be possible to locate it on a Copenhagen City Map, I won’t explain what the statue looks like, seeing that this would ruin the joke, but it’s definitely something you should see ;)

What is the most popular neighborhood to live in Copenhagen at this moment?
I’m not sure what the common opinion is in Copenhagen, but the 2 places I’ve always wanted to live are Nørrebro and Christianshavn.

In Nørrebro you are very close to the strong alternative scene in Copenhagen, and it’s also the most popular part of town to hit the bars or to have street parties.

In Christianshavn you are close to Christiania of course, but Christianshavn is in general a really cozy place with lots of cute little shops and pretty nature areas.

Sadly I’ve never lived in either of these areas, but I’m getting closer and closer ;)

Can you describe a perfect day in your city?
A perfect day in Copenhagen is in the beginning of the spring, where it starts getting a bit warmer and everybody is just a bit happier.

I would most likely spend a large part of the day in one of the many parks in Copenhagen, where people always flock in the spring.

Then in the early evening I would meet up with some friends and go one of the peoples kitchens in Copenhagen, either: Folkets hus, Overdrevet or Bolsjefabrikken.

And after that I would go to a concert and/or party at one of the above mentioned places or at Christiania of course.

That would be a perfect day for me, it’s a very simple recipe, but it works wonderfully for me.

Check out all Tue Rasmussen’s articles and the other interviews with our Spotters.