PRESS RELEASE
The cultural scene needs a shared beacon that all the players in the Helsingør region can look to for guidance. That's the short version of the vision for Helsingør as European Capital of Culture the next time Denmark gets the title – in 2032.
For some, this might sound like something way off in the future. Nevertheless, the association's newly elected chairman believes that the Elsinore 2032 association is busy gathering stakeholders for the project that aims to bring the title to this cosmopolitan bridgehead between Denmark and Sweden:
– When the competition to become European Capital of Culture is announced later this year, Helsingør needs to be ready to step up. That's why the entire city is invited to join the project. Citizens, associations, businesses, and cultural organizations should be able to see themselves in the project, which we now also feel has political backing, especially with the municipality as the association's newest member (Jens Frimann Hansen, who is normally the head of Helsingør Theatre).
At an extraordinary general meeting last Wednesday, almost the entire sitting board stepped down to make way for new energy, who will now carry on with the cultural baton. The outgoing chairman, Aslak Gottlieb, is pleased with the board's composition:
– The strength of the new board lies in its broad representation across culture, education, business, sports, and volunteers. Private and public players need to work together. And I also notice that young people have a voice on the board now. For a project with a seven-year run, children and young people are, after all, a crucial target group (Aslak Gottlieb, network manager for 'We Gather All of Helsingør').
Luna Voss, a volunteer in Helsingør's music scene, agrees with this. She's been a member of the association and active as a youth ambassador. Now she's also been elected to the board and is really looking forward to the work:
– I love music and culture, especially in our city. As a volunteer at local festivals and someone who enjoys music, I think it's super exciting if, as a Capital of Culture, we can create connections with other young people across Europe. Even though I see myself as a voice for the young people of Helsingør on the board, I don't think it's about generations. It's precisely through a vibrant cultural life that we create communities across ages, national borders, and so much more (Luna Voss, volunteer).
Elsinore 2032 was founded as an association in 2021. A large majority in the Helsingør City Council has decided to support the association's work in 2025, which is when the Ministry of Culture is expected to launch the competition among Danish cities to become European Capital of Culture in 2032, the next time it's Denmark's turn to hold the title.
Board as of 8/1-2025
Anni Mogensen, Director of M/S Maritime Museum of Denmark
Christian Struckmann Irgens, Castle Manager for Kronborg
Erik Joosten, Chairman of FC Helsingør
Jens Frimann Hansen, Head of Helsingør Theatre
Luna Voss, Volunteer
Nelima Lassen, Principal at The International People's College
Michael Mathiesen, Chairman of the Culture and Tourism Committee in Helsingør Municipality
Ole Skjellerup, Secretariat Manager for the integrated housing plan in Helsingør
Alternates
Henrik Irgens, Volunteer
Laura Ramberg, Administrative Manager at HamletScenen
Aslak Gottlieb, Network Manager for 'We Gather All of Helsingør'
Contact
Jens Frimann Hansen: jfh@helsingor-teater.dk, 51 94 63 05
Aslak Gottlieb: kontakt@elsinore2032.dk, 41 40 49 58
