

The Greelandic House in Copenhagen
Jump to chapter
Published: 19/03/2011
Reading time: 4 minutes
Text: Finn Jørn Jakobsen
Article from the former magazine, Greenland Today
Culture and kaffemik in Copenhagen
»Tikilluarit! Would you like a cup of coffee? The proceeds go to help children and adolescents in Greenland«. Tikilluarit is the Greenlandic word for welcome and I feel welcome straight away. Not just on this visit, when I was at the Greenland House in Copenhagen on Greenland’s National Day on the 21st of June, and I was welcomed by a couple of smiling women in national dress – I always feel welcome when my path takes me to the house in Løvstræde and this happens often.
The Greenlandic house at Løvstræde Street
Greenland House originally started when many Greenlandic clubs and societies wanted their own premises. Copenhagen Council donated the first part of the start capital as a gift in connection with the town’s 800th anniversary in 1967. A number of foundations and private individuals added their support and on June 25th, 1974, Her Majesty Queen Margrethe, who is protector of the house, inaugurated Kalaallit Illuutaat.
Opening Greenland
Opening Greenland to the rest of the world and opening the rest of the world to Greenland are important tasks for Greenland House, situated in the heart of Denmark’s capital. The House is therefore worth a visit if you want to keep up with the cultural trends in the country where progress moves faster and faster.
Roles
Laughter and a zest for life, paintings, music, hospitality, and inclusiveness are some of the words I naturally associated with the place where Greenlanders gather.
Being the setting for celebrations, entertainment, and social events is just one of Greenland House’s many roles. The employees are divided into different departments, each with its own primary functions.
Social involvement
The social commitment of many people is, in a way, also typical of the atmosphere in the house. Not least in the summer, where a great deal of the activities takes place in the ground floor café, which leads out to a cozy court-yard. This evening, there is a closely packed crowd. They are waiting for the evening’s entertainment to begin – with, among others, Rasmus Lyberth. He can evoke strong feelings like no one else – from a longing for the spectacular Arctic nature to a love of life and the need we humans have for recognition and the company of others.
Events
National Day is just one example of the more important arrangements that are held each year in Greenland House – or Kalaallit Illuutaat, which is its Greenlandic name. In addition, the house is the venue for countless activities: art exhibitions, meetings, debates, lectures, club activities, and concerts.
More than…
The Culture and Information Department has a wide and thorough knowledge of Greenlandic and Arctic conditions. Its responsibilities range from providing general information about Greenland to conveying knowledge of Greenlandic culture in Denmark. This includes school services, exhibitions, lectures, film shows, and concerts. In addition, advisory services are available for companies and other interested parties.
Counselling
Student counseling is another important function. Two guidance counselors are employed for the 250 Greenlandic students that are associated with the house and they can come for advice and counseling in study-related, social, practical, and personal matters.
Meet and dine
Due to the Nordic kitchen’s triumphant march into the gastronomic world, the superb Greenlandic ingredients are now in demand by gourmet cooks and Michelin restaurants all over the world. But Café Ajamut is one of the very few dining establishments in Denmark where Greenlandic food is served. It is mainly traditional meals such as cod, halibut, and salmon, various soups, and roast lamb.
A different world
For many Greenlanders in Denmark, the house is a personal and social haven that can give them the extra energy they need to handle everyday life on Danish terms. It is simply the place to meet in Copenhagen. But it is also the place where the town’s citizens come in order to experience a breath of Greenland and to gain insight into Greenlandic culture. It is the place where many students over time have acquired their first information about the country that has had a common history with Denmark for almost 300 years – and discovered that Greenland in 2010 is much more than ice and snow – or dog sleds and kayaks.
Global warming and climate change have their own agenda with regard to Greenland.
Welcome
There are lots of good reasons to call in at Løvstræde in Copenhagen. One of them could be related to an arrangement at the house. Check what’s planned on Greenland House’s home page – or just drop in. You could be lucky enough to find an informal Greenlandic kaffemik.
Read more articles from Guide to Greenland
-
Price for 4 people!
Hot Spring Uunartoq & Glacier landing by Helicopter | Qaqortoq | South Greenland
Tour startsQaqortoqDuration2.5 hoursFrom 24400 DKKSee more -
4.90(10)Flexible departures!
The Great Russell Glacier | Kangerlussuaq
Tour startsKangerlussuaqDuration2.5 hoursFrom 2100 DKKSee more -
5.00(49)
Northern Lights Tour | Nuuk | West Greenland
Tour startsNuukDuration2 hoursFrom 650 DKKSee more -
Boat tour to Qarajaq Glacier | Uummannaq | North Greenland
Tour startsUummannaqDuration8 hoursFrom 4300 DKKSee more -
4.67(6)Back in spring 2024
Puffin Safari | Nuuk
Tour startsNuukDuration3 hoursFrom 1195 DKKSee more -
4.50(2)
Snowshoe hike and restaurant H8 | Oqaatsut | Disko Bay
Tour startsIlulissatDuration6 hoursFrom 1895 DKKSee more -
5.00(1)
4 hours Dogsledding tour| Ilulissat | Disko Bay
Tour startsIlulissatDuration4 hoursFrom 2595 DKKSee more -
Tailored for US flights
Arctic Blend: Wilderness Camping, Fjords Adventures & City Life | 6 Days in Nuuk
Tour startsNuukDuration6 daysFrom 13495 DKKSee more -
Musk Ox, Reindeer & Ice Cap Tour | Kangerlussuaq
Tour startsKangerlussuaqDuration25 minutesFrom 1350 DKKSee more -
Nuuk Unveiled: 4-Day Through Greenland’s Capital & Nuuk Icefjord | West Greenland
Tour startsNuukDuration4 daysFrom 15700 DKKSee more -
Private charter!
Midnight Sun Cruise | Maniitsoq | West Greenland
Tour startsManiitsoqDuration2 hoursFrom 3700 DKKSee more -
FLIGHTS FROM DENMARK INCLUDED!
6 Days of Arctic Adventure with Nature, Wildlife & Ice | Kangerlussuaq
Tour startsKangerlussuaqDuration6 daysFrom 17100 DKKSee more -
Private charter!
Whale Safari | Maniitsoq | West Greenland
Tour startsManiitsoqDuration1.5 hoursFrom 3700 DKKSee more -
5.00(1)Driver included!
Snowmobile tour to small settlement | Oqaatsut | Ilulissat
Tour startsIlulissatDuration3 hoursFrom 2000 DKKSee more -
New tour!
Catch of the Ice: Arctic Ice Fishing in Ilulissat | West Greenland
Tour startsIlulissatDuration3 hoursFrom 2100 DKKSee more -
5.00(2)
5-Day Adventure Camp in the Heart of Nuuk Fjord | West Greenland
Tour startsNuukDuration5 daysFrom 13000 DKKSee more -
4.75(8)
Qoornoq Island Adventure | Nuuk
Tour startsNuukDuration4 hoursFrom 1450 DKKSee more