The Øresundsakvariet – Helsingør's national marine biological dissemination center – has joined the Elsinore 2032 association. This makes the aquarium an active partner in the effort to develop Helsingør's bid for the title of European Capital of Culture in 2032.
For the Øresundsakvariet, this membership is a natural extension of its ongoing work to strengthen the connection between the marine environment, nature education, urban development, and citizen engagement. The aquarium sees Capital of Culture 2032 as a chance to bring the Øresund, biodiversity, and marine research closer to both residents and visitors – and to position Helsingør as a prominent international coastal and cultural city.
"Helsingør is a harbor city – historically, culturally, and biologically. So, it makes perfect sense for us to be involved in shaping the city's future," says Jens Peder Jeppesen, aquarium manager at the Øresundsakvariet.
"The Øresund is a unique waterway rich in species, and our work in education, research, and teaching gives us a special role when connecting culture, nature, and science. Elsinore 2032 is a strong platform to share that story with many more people – locally, regionally, and across Europe."
The Elsinore 2032 association works to bring together local and regional stakeholders for a broad Capital of Culture application, which is built on communities, free thinking, art, nature, and the city's unique location between Denmark and Sweden. The relationship between the sea, the city, and people plays a central role in the core narrative of Helsingør as the gateway between Europe and Scandinavia.
"The Øresundsakvariet is an institution of international caliber in Helsingør – and one of the places where major European themes like the nature crisis, climate, sustainability, and learning are brought to life every day," says Jens Frimann Hansen, chairman of Elsinore 2032.
"Their commitment strengthens our work to create a Capital of Culture where nature, the sea, and science become driving forces alongside cultural production and urban development."
The Øresundsakvariet's membership means that the institution will now be part of networks, professional theme groups, and development tracks within the association – including in nature and marine education, citizen engagement, education, and regional collaborations.
Aquarium manager Jens Peder Jeppesen believes that the Øresundsakvariet can play an important role when connecting culture, nature, and science. Photo: Daniel Rasmussen, Copenhagen Media Center.
