Featured Events in Copenhagen in May, 2025 (July Updated)

On 8 May, the Glyptotek opens a new exhibition centred on Edgar Degas’ enigmatic painting Dancers Practising in the Foyer and the research that has recently led to a proposed revised dating of the work. Degas’ Obsession delves into this single painting, exploring its history and its significance in understanding Degas’ artistic practice. Ballet scenes were a central theme in Edgar Degas’ career, yet Dancers Practising in the Foyer has long been difficult to place in relation to his other ballet paintings. The painting is immediately puzzling—seemingly not finished, with very unevenly applied paint layers, drastically different tones and a dominant shadow from a partially overpainted figure. These unexplained visual mysteries sparked what became an an extensive research project led by art historian Dr. Line Clausen Pedersen, in a collaboration between the Glyptotek and the Getty in Los Angeles.

The Glyptotek holds one of the world’s finest collections of works by the French artist Paul Gauguin (1848–1903). In recent years, many of the museum’s 58 Gauguin pieces—including paintings, woodcarvings, drawings and ceramics—have been on loan to renowned museums across the globe. Now, they return home to be shown together in a presentation, offering new perspectives on Gauguin’s well-known works. The Gauguin collection is joined by the Japanese-Sāmoan contemporary artist Yuki Kihara (b. 1975) and her video work First Impressions: Paul Gauguin, recently acquired by the museum. Together, their works open a dialogue across time, cultural divides and vast oceanic distances.

What prompts activists to attack famous works of art in an attempt to spotlight the climate crisis? And why do people knock down statues when power changes hands? In the exhibition Iconoclasm – Art as a Battleground, the Glyptotek tells the story of our tempestuous relationship with art and what compels us to destroy it. For millennia, humans have not only erected statues, but also knocked them down or changed and destroyed them. Because, even though monuments are often made of durable materials such as marble and bronze, the ideologies, people and events they commemorate and preserve are rarely as enduring. Iconoclasm is not only a phenomenon of antiquity – art is still a battleground: one on which power relations and identities are challenged. The word ‘iconoclasm’ comes from the ancient Greek word eikon and a derivation of klaein (to smash or crush) and describes the deliberate destruction of images, monuments or symbols. The Glyptotek’s antiquities collection contains myriad examples of archaeological artifacts that were deliberately destroyed. Some of the destruction was motivated by political power shifts and religious upheavals; some was the result of economic and practical circumstances.

Bring your friends and enjoy the multicultural Nørrebro district at a vibrant and free 48-hour festival. Over the past few decades, Nørrebro has developed into one of Copenhagen's hottest neighborhoods, with a diverse mix of cultures and a large influx of young locals. The annual cultural festival 48 Hours is a great opportunity to experience Nørrebro's fascinating cultural life. 48 Hours offers many exciting and diverse ways to experience the vibrant, edgy Nørrebro, including children's activities, big concerts, exciting workshops, street parties, art exhibitions and much more.

Health & Rehab 2025 is the premier Scandinavian trade fair that showcases the latest and finest in welfare technology, rehabilitation, aids, services, and care, as well as hospital equipment. This esteemed event serves as a vital gathering place for the healthcare industry, fostering inspiration, professional growth, and knowledge exchange among all stakeholders. Located at Bella Center in Copenhagen, Denmark, Health & Rehab 2025 offers a remarkable platform for industry professionals to come together and explore the cutting-edge advancements in the healthcare sector. From May 20th to May 22nd, 2025, participants will have the opportunity to discover innovative solutions and connect with experts from across the field. Whether you are involved in welfare technology, rehabilitation, aids, services, care, or hospital equipment, Health & Rehab 2025 is the must-attend event of the year. Join us in Copenhagen and be a part of this unparalleled forum that will shape the future of healthcare.