In It Together – Maia Galmés Feuer

03-09-2021, Aarhus (Denmark)

It seems like it was two months ago when I was waving my mom goodbye at the airport in Palma while drying a few tears off my cheeks. But it has only been two weeks. I guess what they say about our brain calculating time by the number of experiences that we have must be true.

I feel that I have learned so much in these two weeks, and this is only the start of my journey here in Denmark. Aside from meeting amazing and very special people, I have been able to experience Aarhus, which is the city I’m living in, in its full splendor, as the city’s festival has finally been able to take place, after two years of pandemic. This festival is about culture, music and art, and about getting together with your loved ones, just like they say about Christmas, although this is held in the summer. The theme of this year’s festival is “In It Together”, which represents the sense of collectivity when fighting a worldwide pandemic and getting over it thanks to everybody’s work, patience and solidarity towards each other.

Although I have also started school and I’m kind of busy easing into my new everyday routine, I have also made time to go down in the city and see different events, as the festival only lasts 10 days that are now almost over, as it started last Friday, 27 August.

I am writing this letter as I would love to share my experience with you, so that you fall in love with this city, its people and its homeliness as much I have, and you finally buy the tickets to come see me. 😉

First of all, I have to say all streets smelled like beer, but not like an alcohol hangover student apartment, but rather a warm and cozy yeasty smell that reminded me of gatherings and familiar smiles. Besides, I could actually see people smiling, as the Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted and masks are not mandatory anymore.

The Festival, therefore, was not only due in the daytime, which was unexpectedly clear-skied and sunny throughout the whole week, but also at night, when the city was lit up by little colored lanterns and when the young people were able to feel young, wild and free once again.

Actually, there were events directed to one age group or another, but other exhibitions, music concerts or art shows that were aimed to all ages. People that walked up and down the streets were not city-rushed, but rather relaxed and charmed by the music that was overheard from different bars that had their doors wide open and their chairs all full. While walking, you would feel the music beat in your chest, and hear the freedom from the slightly louder voices of the Aarhusians, who often need a little alcohol push so as to let go.

I can’t really explain much more in words, and since I know this is not enough to make you buy the plane tickets straight away, I have made a video so that you can see it for yourselves. Still, I genuinely recommend you come because even though the city won’t be lit up by the Festival, the Danes give it strength and warmth and make it shine very much on its own.  

Love xx,

Maia

Culture Shock: How Denmark and US are handling the pandemic

Danish citizens are one of the few people who have been able to get back to a sense of normalcy amidst the pandemic. The country has handled the pandemic well with 81.7% or 4,210,892 fully vaccinated, according to the Danish Health Authority. 

People enjoy the night life at the City Centre of Aarhus, Denmark.

Denmark is on pace to lift all remaining COVID restrictions on September 10 after the health ministry declared the virus “no longer a critical threat to society”. A number of restrictions have been lifted as early as September 1 like showing a valid corona pass to sit in restaurants and bars, and the ban on discos and nightclubs. 

As seen in the pictures below the citizens have gotten back to a sense of normalcy with no masks mandates, restaurants allowing people to sit inside, shops opening back up to full capacity, requiring people to have a corona passport and more. Peter Ronn, a resident at Borglum Kolligiet, said “It’s been great to have everything back open. I’m glad that Denmark took things seriously unlike other countries. We are able to get back to our regular lives.” 

Many are happy for the progress of Denmark opening back up, but others are ready for the pandemic to be over all together. Another resident at Borglum Kolligiet, Nikolaj Waerke expressed similar views to Ronn, but he would like for the pandemic to be over all together. “We have been in it for so long. I can’t wait until we can just get rid of it.”

  • People cross the street near the Aarhus Central Train Station

Denmark has handled the pandemic extremely well compared to other countries like the United States. While taking into consideration the differences in population, culture, economy and more, America has been in the spotlight with the heavy refusal of quarantines, mask mandates, lack of supplies, lack of trust in the government, etc.

Recently, pharmacies and state governments in America have thrown away at least 15.1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines since March 1, according to government data obtained by NBC News.  The US has also faced a number of medical device shortages like hospital beds, gloves, testing supplies, ventilators and more.

Citizens have also been very combative, going as far as to have protests against wearing masks which have risen despite the rising numbers of COVID-related deaths and cases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID Data Tracker, within the last 30 days the total number of cases in the US are 39,488, 866 with 641,725 deaths. 

Many people in America had expressed their various opinions on how their country was handling the pandemic. For receptionist at Glasser Clinic of Greenview Medical Group in Bowling Green, Kentucky, Runetta Arnold, working as a essential worker has been an eye opening experience for her. 

Runetta Arnold (third from the left) has seen her fair share of COVID-19 patients, which has made her all more eager to due her part in ending the pandemic

“So many people should take this seriously. I see so many people everyday who come in with symptoms, pains and more. We should all take the initiative to get vaccinated, wear masks and help each other,” said Arnold. “One thing we can all agree on is that we are tired of being in this pandemic.”

Out of Kentucky’s population of 4,449,052, 48% or 2,174,020 are fully vaccinated, as stated by USA Facts. National Public Radio has listed Kentucky is one of the states with the highest-risk for COVID.

Her daughter, Josland Arnold says that American people have embarrassed themselves throughout the pandemic. “No one wears a mask when they should be. People are going everywhere even if they are sick or have symptoms. Nobody wants to get vaccinated. It’s just a mess.”

Josland and her wife, Dayla Scott, have been out during the pandemic due to their jobs, but feel uncomfortable around others. Scott is a school teacher and doula. Arnold is a call center worker at a local factory. “People are dying from this. People’s kids and family members are being affected by this. It’s sad to see people get so angry about getting vaccinated and wearing masks. This pandemic could have been avoided if everyone did what they were told,” said Scott. 

Danish citizens stroll throughout the City Centre enjoying the open shopping centers, restaurants, bars and more.

The coronavirus may take some time to eradicate, especially with the Delta Variant, vaccines and supplies for many countries. It’s safe to say that many people are ready for this to be over, but we all must be on the same accord when battling the virus.

For more information on where to get the COVID-19 vaccine in Aarhus, download the infographic below.

GBunton-Covid-19-Vaccine PosterDownload