Danish curation of cultural works
The Danish Culture Canon (Danish: Kulturkanonen) consists of 108 works of cultural excellence in eight categories: architecture, visual arts, design and crafts, film, literature, music, performing arts, and children's culture. An initiative of Brian Mikkelsen in 2004, it was developed by a series of committees under the auspices of the Danish Ministry of Culture in 2006–2007 as "a collection and presentation of the greatest, most important works of Denmark's cultural heritage." Each category contains 12 works although music contains 12 works of score music and 12 of popular music and the literature section's 12th item is an anthology of 24 works.[1][2]
Architecture
The committee for architecture was asked to choose 12 works covering both buildings and landscaping. It was decided that works could either be in Denmark designed by one or more Danes or abroad designed by Danish architects. The committee consisted of: Lone Wiggers (chair), Carsten Juel-Christiansen, Malene Hauxner, Lars Juel Thiis and Kent Martinussen.[3]
Visual arts
The committee for visual arts decided that only works of artists who had completed their oeuvre could be included. They also decided that members of the committee could each select a work they especially appreciated. In this way the committee first selected seven works whereafter five members selected one work each. The committee consisted of Hein Heinsen (chair), Hans Edvard Nørregård-Nielsen, Bente Scavenius, Bjørn Nørgaard and Sophia Kalkau.[4]
Design and crafts
The committee for design and crafts decided that selection should be based on works with a useful function which were relevant at the time they were created while remaining recognizable today. They should also fall into an international perspective. The committee consisted of Merete Ahnfeldt-Mollerup (chair), Erik Magnussen, Astrid Krogh, Ursula Munch-Petersen and Louise Campbell.[5]
Film
In their selection, the committee for film focused on films reflecting Danish life with Danish actors. The included nevertheless the film Sult (Hunger) which takes place in Oslo and has Swedish actors. The committee consisted of Susanne Bier (chair), Vinca Wiedemann, Tivi Magnusson, Ole Michelsen and Jacob Neiiendam.[6]
Literature
The committee for literature found it important to select works with a quality which had been appreciated over time. The selected works were also considered to have made an important contribution both to Danish literature and to Danish culture in the widest sense. They reflect an original and bold artistic approach to works of value. They are worthy of being preserved for posterity as they serve as reference points in a modern global context. The committee consisted of Finn Hauberg Mortensen (chair), Erik A. Nielsen, Mette Winge, Claes Kastholm Hansen and Jens Christian Grøndahl.[7]
The 12th item is an Anthology of lyrics consisting of the following 24 works:
Music
The committee for music explained that, taking account of the wide range of Danish music, they gave focus to individual works rather than a composer's oeuvre. They presented two lists: one for what they called score music (classical), the other for popular music, although the two should be considered as a whole. The committee consisted of Per Erik Veng (chair), Jørgen I. Jensen, Torben Bille, Inger Sørensen and Henrik Marstal.[8]
Classical music
The 12th item titled Højskolesange (Folk High School Songs) consists of the following 12 songs:
| Composer/author
|
Work
|
Year
|
Image
|
| C. E. F. Weyse (1826), words: N. F. S. Grundtvig |
Den signede dag med fryd vi ser |
1826 |
|
| Folk song, words rewritten by Svend Grundtvig |
Det var en lørdag aften |
1849 |
|
| Folk song from the Mariager area |
En yndig og frydefuld sommertid |
Published in A.P. Berggreen's Danske folkesange 1869 |
|
| Music: Carl Nielsen, words: Ludvig Holstein |
Vi sletternes sønner |
Music 1906, words 1903 |
|
| Music: Carl Nielsen, words: Jeppe Aakjær |
Jens Vejmand |
Music 1907, words 1905 |
|
| Music: Thomas Laub, words: St.St. Blicher |
«Det er hvidt herude» |
Melodi 1914, tekst 1838 |
|
| Music: Oluf Ring, words: Thøger Larsen |
Danmark, nu blunder den lyse nat |
Music 1922, words 1914 |
|
| Music: Poul Schierbeck, words: Hans Christian Andersen |
I Danmark er jeg født |
Music 1926, words 1850 |
|
| Music: Thorvald Aagaard, words: Laurits Christian Nielsen |
Jeg ser de bøgelyse øer |
Music 1931, words 1901 |
|
| Music: Otto Mortensen, words: Helge Rode |
Du gav os de blomster, som lyste imod os |
Music 1939, words 1921 |
|
| Music: Otto Mortensen, words: Alex Garff |
Septembers himmel er så blå |
Music and words 1949 |
|
| Music: Peter Erasmus Lange-Müller/Shu-Bi-Dua, words: Holger Drachmann |
Vi elsker vort land |
Music 1887 and 1980, words 1885 |
|
Popular music
| Composer/author
|
Work
|
Year
|
Image
|
| Kai Normann Andersen |
A selection of 12 songs: Musens sang, Den allersidste dans, Pige træd varsomt, Å hvor jeg, ih, hvor jeg, uh hvor jeg vil, I dit korte liv, Man binder os på mund og hånd, Alle går rundt og forelsker sig, Gå ud og gå en tur, Glemmer du, Titte til hinanden, Drømmeland og Gå med i lunden |
1925–1959 |
|
| Dansk Guldalderjazz |
Dansk Guldalderjazz Vol. 1–4 |
1940–1949 |
|
| Savage Rose |
The Savage Rose |
1968 |
|
| Kim Larsen |
Værsgo |
1973 |
|
| Benny Andersen and Povl Dissing |
Svantes Viser |
1973 |
|
| Gasolin' |
Live sådan |
1976 |
|
| Kliché |
Supertanker |
1980 |
|
| C.V. Jørgensen |
Tidens Tern |
1980 |
|
| Sebastian |
Stjerne til støv |
1981 |
|
| Palle Mikkelborg with Miles Davis |
Aura |
1984/1985 |
|
| tv·2 |
Nærmest lykkelig |
1988 |
|
The 12th item Evergreens is an anthology consisting of the following works:
| Composer/author
|
Work
|
Year
|
Image
|
| Sven Gyldmark/Poeten |
Solitudevej – sung by Elga Olga Svendsen. |
From Cirkusrevyen 1953 |
|
| Sven Gyldmark & Erik Leth |
Er du dus med himlens fugle – sung by Poul Reichhardt. |
From the film Vagabonderne på Bakkegården 1958 |
|
| Vidar Sandbeck & Peter Mynte – single |
Heksedans (her kommer mutter med kost og spand) – sung by Raquel Rastenni. |
1960 |
|
| Bjarne Hoyer & Ida From |
To lys på et bord – sung by Otto Brandenburg |
From Dansk Melodi Grand Prix, 1960 |
|
| Otto Helge Francker & Sejr Volmer-Sørensen |
Dansevise – performed by Grethe Ingmann and Jørgen Ingmann. |
From Dansk Melodi Grand Prix, 1963 |
|
| Bent Fabricius-Bjerre & Klaus Rifbjerg |
Duerne flyver – sung by Cæsar. |
From the film Jeg er sgu min egen, 1967 |
|
| John Mogensen |
Så længe jeg lever – sung by John Mogensen. |
Single 1970, also in the album John Mogensen: John, 1973 |
|
| Anne Linnet |
Smuk og dejlig – performed by Shit & Chanel. |
From the album Shit & Chanel, 1975 |
|
| Peter A. G. Nielsen/Gnags |
Under Bøgen – performed by Gnags. |
From the album Er du hjemme i aften, 1977 |
|
| Shu-bi-dua |
Danmark – performed by Shu-bi-dua. |
From Shu-bi-dua 78'eren, 1978 |
|
| Frans Bak & Per Nielsen |
Danse i måneskin – performed by Trine Dyrholm & Moonlighters. |
From Dansk Melodi Grand Prix, 1987 |
|
| Lars Lilholt |
Kald det kærlighed – performed by Lars Lilholt Band. |
From Lars Lilholt Band: Portland, 1986 |
|
Children's canon
The committee was formed spontaneously as work proceeded in the other areas. It is therefore not an independent selection as suggestions were received from all the other areas.[10]
Impact
According to press reports, the canon has had limited impact and has been ineffective in its stated goal of fostering integration between the Danes and the immigrant communities.[11] Berlingske pointed out, nevertheless, that the canon will remain a milestone as a non-socialist government had dared to "simply state that some works are better than others" and assert in that "this country may well be a modern society in a globalised world but that does not mean we have no merit as a nation or no right to national pride."[12] Erik A. Nielsen, a member of the canon's literature committee, is not surprised the literature canon has had such limited effect, faced as it is with a "tsunami of international, strongly commercial cultural interests." He points out that the only reason his students take an interest in Danish culture is that "they have to take exams in it. If they are free to choose culture themselves, they go for films, rock music and a whole lot more that is essentially English or American in origin.[13]
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