Har du hørt nyheden? After Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen rejected President Trump’s proposal to buy Greenland, the president called off his trip to Denmark. Although Trump won’t be riding the carousel at Tivoli Gardens any time soon, there are still plenty of opportunities to sample Danish culture in his backyard. Danish food, art, and film are all available in the District, no passport or purchase of Greenland necessary.
Eat a Smørrebrød at DC’s Nordic cafe
The nordic fare at Mikko includes a menu section dedicated to Denmark’s open-faced sandwich, smørrebrød, with traditionally dansk toppings like shrimp salad skagen and herring. The Dupont Circle spot has Scandinavian street cred, too: the kitchen is helmed by Mikko Kosonen, the Finnish Ambassador’s former chef.
Scope out works of art by Danish painters and sculptors
Sculptor Bertel Thorvadlsen has a museum of his own in Copenhagen, but you can check out the artisan’s work currently on display at the National Gallery of Art. Other Danish pieces on exhibit include an idyllic landscape by painter George Emil Libert and the medals of 17th century rulers King Frederick III and Queen Sophie Amalie.
Celebrate festivities with the local Danish Club
Imagine a new Smithsonian campus
Channel the country’s hygge spirit
Skip the plane and head to Denmark, Virginia
Bid farvel to long airport security lines and bland airplane meals, because Virginia’s very own Denmark is a mere three-hour drive from DC. If that’s still too much of a schlep, hunker down at Denmark Square in Prince George’s County, the local province named after a Danish prince.
Daniella Byck joined Washingtonian in 2022. She was previously with Outside Magazine and lives in Northeast DC.
