A Photo Journey Through Copenhagen, Part 1: the Electronic Love Parade, Superkilen Park, and the Royal Danish Library
Copenhagen is easily one of my favourite cities—especially in summer. In 2023, Victoria and I had the incredible opportunity to live there for six weeks, from May to early June. I had a long list of things I wanted to see and do and, towards the end of our visit, I had up to 17 hours of daylight in which to do it! Yet, even after weeks of wandering, I felt like I had only scratched the surface of the city’s many street festivals, art galleries, museums, parks, libraries, architecture, and other sites that I wanted to see. But I’m not disappointed by what I missed—if anything, it only gives me more reason to go back!
My Copenhagen adventures were vast, so in this post, I’ll focus on just one event—the Electronic Love Parade—and two sites: Superkilen Park and the Royal Danish Library. In an effort to be merciful to you, gentle reader, I am trying a new thing where I keep my posts to 2,500 words. If you include captions in my word count, I’ve now officially blown far past that. Nonetheless, I am going to cover some other highlights in a second post, where I’ll share photos and briefly highlight the Ordrupgaard Art Museum, the Viking Ship Museum, and the National Museum of Denmark.
To start us off, here is a collection of my favourite photos from Copenhagen:
The Garden of the Royal Library offers a quiet and colourful place to reflect. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Going for a Viking-like paddle on Roskilde Fjord with the Viking Ship Museum. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
A lively, diverse crowd dances to the rhythm of a live drumming circle at the Vesterbro street party in Copenhagen. Photo by Leah, June 2023.
Looking out at Copenhagen Harbour from the top of the escalator inside the Danish Royal Library as a passenger ferry goes by. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
A group of dancers at the Vesterbro street party in Copenhagen. Photo by Leah, June 2023.
Two people enjoy the spectacle of the Electronic Love Parade as we go dancing by. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Dancing at a silent disco event as part of the Vesterbro street party in Copenhagen. Photo by Leah, June 2023.
A cat relaxes on a table set up for a knitting demonstration at Sagnlandet Lejre. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Watching a ride at Tivoli Gardens. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
A cute couple at Refshaleøen during a summer festival, Havnefest, in Copenhagen. Photo by Leah, June 2023.
An outdoor dance lesson at the Vesterbro street party in Copenhagen. Photo by Leah, June 2023.
Couples participating in a salsa lesson at the Vesterbro street party in Copenhagen. Photo by Leah, June 2023.
Spring is a perfect time to visit Copenhagen. From our arrival in May to our departure in mid-June, the trees were heavy with flowers blooming pink, white, yellow, and purple. Daffodils, poppies, peonies, and tulips were in abundance. The fragrant scent of lilacs followed me down many streets. As a resident of the west coast of Canada, I found Copenhagen’s weather and temperatures similar to Vancouver’s, though slightly cooler, with the seasons lagging by three to four weeks due to its more northern location—Copenhagen is about 710 kms (441 miles) farther north than Vancouver1.
A springtime view in Copenhagen. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Lilacs blooming in Frilandsmuseet in Copenhagen. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Victoria enjoying the cherry blossom trees in Bispebjerg Cemetery. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Lilacs blooming in front of the Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Poppies and peonies blooming alongside a 19th century farmhouse in Frilandsmuseet. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Peonies for sale in downtown Copenhagen. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Roses for sale at a flower stall in downtown Copenhagen. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
A spring-themed flowerbed in downtown Copenhagen. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
A deep pink bouquet for sale at a florist stall in downtown Copenhagen. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Cheerful spring flowers. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
I was determined to improve my photography skills on this trip. I sought out interesting compositions, experimented with my camera settings, and pushed myself to photograph strangers—something that makes me deeply uncomfortable but often results in the best shots! I also became more mindful of my surroundings, allowing me to spot cool and unusual details I might have otherwise missed. Here are a few of my favourites:
Bronze lindenworm/dragon sculptures adorn the balustrade in front of Copenhagen City Hall. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Another view of the bronze lindenworm/dragon sculptures in front of Copenhagen City Hall. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
A pair of Lindenworm/dragon sculptures form the railings of a set of stairs outside of Copenhagen City Hall. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
It’s fun to keep your eye out for Lindenworm/dragon images while walking through the streets of Copenhagen. I saw this one near the DesignMuseum. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
This dragon streetlamp was designed by Vilhelm Dahlerup in 1892. It can be found at 9 Nodre Toldbod in Copenhagen. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Victoria making friends with the locals. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
The church spire of Nikolaj Kunsthall has two tentacles, designed by artist Filthy Luker, coming out of two of its arched windows. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
A closer view of the church spire of Nikolaj Kunsthall with the two tentacles, designed by artist Filthy Luker, coming out of two of its arched windows. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Two green tentacles, designed by artist Filthy Luker, stick out of a building in Copenhagen. Part of the Distortion Festival. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
The Lost Gloves of Copenhagen. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
A dance floor decorated with slinkys at Refshaleøen in Copenhagen, part of the summer festival Havnefest. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
People enjoying the slinky-decorated dance floor at Havnefest at Refshaleøen, Copenhagen. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
A postal carriage that operated from 1815-1865. Exhibited at the Enigma Museum in Copenhagen. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
A toothed snout from a sawfish on display in the Sea Commander’s House at Frilandsmuseet. The trunk it sits on top of was made in 1786. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Elektronisk Kærlighedsparade
Copenhagen is a vibrant city where there’s always something going on. Throughout our stay, we were spoiled for choice with a variety of festivals including those celebrating music, dance, theatre, beer, food, photography, visual art, and science. One of the first we attended was the 48 TimerFestival (48 Hour Festival), a weekend-long cultural event in the Nørrebro district. True to its name, it spans 48 hours and highlights “the weird, the personal, the geeky, and untraditional initiatives” that define the neighbourhood. The festival is a collaborative effort, organized by local artists, businesses, organizations, and residents.
The 48 Hour Festival weekend kicked off on a Friday afternoon in mid-May 2023 with the Elektronisk Kærlighedsparade (Electronic Love Parade), which is a “gathering of dancing souls and queer minds for a powerful walk through the streets of Nørrebro to the sound of pumping electronic music.” We had an absolute blast at this event! The festivities started at 3:00 pm in a public square (Blågårds Plads), where two trucks equipped with DJs and loud speakers got the party started. We danced there for an hour before the parade began. One truck led the way while the other brought up the rear, with volunteers in yellow vests shepherding us through the city streets. What began as a sizeable crowd quickly swelled as we turned onto one of Nørrebro’s main streets, where homeward-bound commuters eagerly joined in. Victoria and I danced until our feet hurt too much to carry us anymore. If we hadn’t already been in love with Copenhagen, this event would have definitely won us over.
Entertaining the Electronic Love Parade crowd at Blågårds Plads. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Crowd dancing to an outdoor DJ setup during Copenhagen’s Electronic Love Parade in Blågårds Plads. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Dancing to the music at the Electronic Love Parade in Copenhagen. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Victoria enjoying the dancing at Blågårds Plads with the rest of the Electronic Love Parade crowd. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Walking down Nørrebrogade with the Electronic Love Parade. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Walking down Nørrebrogade with the Electronic Love Parade. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Walking down Nørrebrogade with the Electronic Love Parade. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Walking down Nørrebrogade with the Electronic Love Parade past Assistens Kirkegård. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Walking down Nørrebrogade with the Electronic Love Parade past Assistens Kirkegård. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Walking down Nørrebrogade with the Electronic Love Parade past Assistens Kirkegård. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Walking down Nørrebrogade with the Electronic Love Parade. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Lots of great outfits at the Electronic Love Parade in Copenhagen. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Dancers gather around one of the trucks, this one equipped with a mobile dance floor, at the Electronic Love Parade in Copenhagen. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
These children were highly amused by the Electronic Love Parade crowd. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Speaking of queer minds, Copenhagen is an incredibly 2SLGBTQIA+ friendly city. Looking through my photos has been like climbing through an escape hatch into a more loving and accepting world as conditions south of my country’s border deteriorate. (Yes, it’s a temporary get-away; yes, I know that Copenhagen, like any city, has its issues too.) It’s reassuring to revisit a place—even if it’s just through photos and a couple of years later—where public benches can be painted in the colours of various Pride flags without significant backlash. Copenhagen also has a public square located next to its city hall that was renamed Regnbuepladsen (Rainbow Square) in 2014, as both a tribute to the Pride flag and a demonstration of the city’s commitment to diversity.
Transgender Pride and Pride flags on display at the Vesterbro Street Party in Copenhagen. Photo by Leah, June 2023.
A rainbow-coloured bench located outside the Library at Rentemestervej in Copenhagen. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
A bench painted with the colours of the Transgender Pride flag outside the Library at Rentemestervej in Copenhagen. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
A series of Pride coloured benches located outside the Library at Rentemestervej in Copenhagen. From L-R: Lesbian Pride, Androgynous Pride, Bisexual Pride, Pansexual Pride, GenderQueer Pride, Gay Men’s Pride. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
A series of Pride-coloured benches outside the Library at Rentemestervej in Copenhagen. From R-L: Gay Men’s Pride, GenderQueer Pride, Pansexual Pride, Bisexual Pride, Androgynous Pride, and Lesbian Pride. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
A rainbow-coloured bike rack from Finland in Superkilen Park. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Walking through the cherry blossoms in Regnbuepladsen in Copenhagen during springtime. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
A statue, The Lure Players by Anton Rosen and Siegfried Wagner, in Regnbuepladsen. It was erected in 1914, prior to the square’s renaming. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
A look up at a statue, The Lure Players by Anton Rosen and Siegfried Wagner, through the blooming cherry trees of Regnbuepladsen. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Pride flag flying in Regnbuepladsen in Copenhagen. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Mural spotted while standing in Jagtev 69 during the Electronic Love Parade. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Rules for participating in the Electronic Love Parade. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Superkilen Park
Victoria and I stayed in the Nørrebro district, northwest of downtown, about a 20-minute transit ride from the historic city centre. On one of our first mornings in Copenhagen, I decided to walk the route instead of taking the bus—a journey that took just over an hour. The warm spring sunshine made the prospect of a walk even more tempting. A few minutes into my journey, I came across Superkilen Park. My heart thrilled at the sight: the park burst with photographic possibility, practically singing to me through its bold white lines, trees heavy with pink blooms, circular white benches, and a striking star-shaped fountain.
A sunny spring morning in Superkilen Park. This is one of the first photos I took while we were in Copenhagen. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
A shady evening walk in Superkilen Park, Copenhagen. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Superkilen park view with white benches, pink blossom trees, and wave-patterned pathway. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
I kept returning to Superkilen Park throughout our trip—it was such a joy to photograph, and each visit revealed something new. The name Superkilen translates to “Super-wedge,” referring to the park’s wedge-like shape. It is located in one of Copenhagen’s most cosmopolitan neighbourhoods, and was designed to promote unity between immigrants and locals. To celebrate the area’s cultural diversity, Nørrebro residents were invited to nominate objects—such as benches, swings, trees, streetlights, playground equipment, and signage—either from their country of origin or from places they had visited. These items were then either replicated or purchased and transported to the park, resulting in over 100 objects sourced from or inspired by 62 different nations! (I’m unsure which items are original equipment brought from the location and which are reproductions, so I’ve listed them below and labeled the picture captions as ‘from/inspired by’ to reflect this uncertainty).
Among the highlights are an octopus slide from/inspired by Japan; a Soviet-era bus stop from/inspired by Kazakhstan; Bulgarian chess tables; the star-shaped fountain from/inspired by Morocco; neon signs from/inspired by Qatar, Taiwan, Russia, and the USA; as well as benches and manhole covers from/inspired by a variety of countries. On one of my final evenings in Copenhagen, I wandered through the park’s three main areas, embarking on a photographic scavenger hunt to capture all these unique treasures. It is fitting that both the first and last photos I took in Copenhagen ended up being of Superkilen Park.
The chess tables from/inspired by Sofia, Bulgaria attract some players in Superkilen Park, Copenhagen. The cement stools are from/inspired by Târga Jiu, Romania. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
A row of circular bench swings from/inspired by Baghdad, Iraq, at the Red Square in Superkilen Park, Copenhagen. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
A set of wavy yellow monkey bars from/inspired by Delhi, India in Superkilen Park, Copenhagen. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Neon signs from/inspired by Knoxville, USA; Sanchung, Taiwan; China; and Moscow, Russia in Superkilen Park, Copenhagen. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
A doughnut sign from/inspired by Rochester, Pennsylvania, USA found in Superkilen Park. This is the last picture I took while we were in Copenhagen. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Victoria and Johanna hang out in a double chair from/inspired by Mexico in Superkilen Park. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
A concrete bench from/inspired by São José, Brazil, features a footwear advertisement for a store in the famous Kobrasol neighbourhood, found in Superkilen Park. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
A manhole cover from/inspired by Gdańsk, Poland, found in Superkilen Park, Copenhagen. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Superkilen Park is a great example of how seriously Danes approach design and architecture. I admire how the designers sought to turn a public space into something both personal and universal by seeking contributions from local residents. The park offers a welcoming space for Nørrebro’s diverse population, fostering a sense of community among those who might otherwise struggle to feel at home. Throughout Copenhagen, there are many other architectural projects with a similar level of ambition and purpose.
A star-shaped water fountain from/inspired by Morocco in Superkilen Park, Copenhagen. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Kids play on a black octopus-shaped slide from/inspired by Japan in Superkilen Park, Copenhagen. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Victoria and Johanna sit on one of the circular bench swings from/inspired by Iraq at Superkilen Park. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
An elephant-shaped slide in Superkilen Park likely inspired by Pripyat, Ukraine, the abandoned town for workers at Chernobyl. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
A Soviet-era bus top from/inspired by Kazakhstan in Superkilen Park, Copenhagen. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
A neon sign from/inspired by Doha, Qatar next to a street light from Germany in Superkilen Park, Copenhagen. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
A concrete bench from/inspired by Iran sits beside a red litter bin from the U.K. in Superkilen Park, Copenhagen. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
A manhole cover from/inspired by Stone Town, Zanzibar in Superkilen Park, Copenhagen. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Det Kongelige Bibliotek (The Royal Danish Library)
Since Victoria and I had accommodation located outside of the downtown centre, it was helpful for me to have a place where I could go for a break after a busy morning of sightseeing to rest my feet, make plans, and charge my batteries—both technological and personal. The main branch of Det Kongelige Bibliotek (The Royal Danish Library) was my favourite place to do that. It’s located along the harbourfront at Søren Kierkegaards Plads, within walking distance of many downtown attractions. It consists of two buildings: a historic brick structure built between 1898 and 1906, as well as a modern extension of glass and black granite, known as The Black Diamond, which was inaugurated in 1999. There are multiple reading rooms and study areas in the library, including some that provide access to the special collections. There’s also a café, a bookstore, and a couple of permanent exhibitions.
A view from across the water of the Royal Danish Library. The tower of Christiansborg Palace can be seen on the left. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
The Royal Danish Library: The older brick building is on the left, connected to the newer black marble and glass extension on the right by three skywalks crossing over Christians Brygge road. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
The newer library extension, known as the Black Diamond. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
A look at where the old brick building of the Royal Danish Library connects with the new extension. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
The atrium of the Royal Danish Library soars eight stories high, featuring white, wave-shaped walls and several transversal corridors that connect both sides, with balconies on every floor. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
The atrium of the Royal Danish Library rises eight stories, with white, wave-shaped walls and a few transversal corridors linking both sides, along with balconies on every floor. The exterior glass wall offers a view of the sea. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
The atrium of the Royal Danish Library rises eight stories, with white, wave-shaped walls and a few transversal corridors linking both sides, along with balconies on every floor. The exterior glass wall offers a view of the sea. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
The ceiling of the big skywalk has a huge painting by Danish painter Per Kirkeby. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
An evening view from the skywalk of the Royal Danish Library overlooking Christians Brygge road. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
The Old Reading Room was my favourite place to rest and make travel plans. Anyone is welcome to use this space, as long as you’re silent and respectful of others. It was a quiet and comfortable space with plenty of natural light. I was always able to find a desk, even when it was busy, and the desks had outlets where I could plug in my device chargers. These workstations are spacious and provide ample privacy; I never felt cramped or like I was intruding on others. Public libraries are amazing! After making use of this one in Copenhagen, I’ve promised myself to take full advantage of them in every city we visit.
Interior view of the Old Reading Room at the Royal Danish Library. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Interior view of the Old Reading Room at the Royal Danish Library. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Interior view of the Old Reading Room at the Royal Danish Library. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Near the Old Reading Room, there is a hallway lined with bookcases that houses an old card catalogue filled with handwritten index cards. Victoria and I had a lot of fun looking through these drawers! I found the variety of penmanship styles utterly charming.
Sections of the card catalogue line either side of a doorway. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
A library hallway lined with bookshelves that house the library’s old card catalogue. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
A wooden drawer labeled “BRANDT-BREM” for entries in the card catalogue at the Royal Danish Library. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
A handwritten entry, rendered in German script, details various publications of H.C. Andersen’s fairy tales, including specifics about publishers, illustrators (like Edmund Wagner), and pricing. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
A handwritten index card in Latin, titled “Phil. Lonicerus, Chronicorum Turcicorum,” detailing the origin, rulers, wars, and customs of the Turks. The listed publication is from 1534 and published in Frankfurt. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
An index card with handwritten text in German or Latin. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
A card handwritten in Dutch, with the title: “Beschryving der Nederlantsche Penningen” (Description of Dutch Medals). Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Card catalogue entry for Anita Loos’s “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” detailing its publication as an illustrated diary by Ralph Barton in 1926. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
A section of the old card catalogue at the Royal Danish Library. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Another favourite spot of mine at the library, the Garden of the Royal Library, is tucked away behind the historic brick building. This peaceful and inviting spot features a fountain, flowers, benches, and rows of colourful chairs. Also, an interesting piece of history! The gardens were laid out in 1920 overtop what was formerly part of Christian IV’s 17th century naval harbour. Old metal moorings still hang from the wall at the end of the gardens behind a couple of benches.
The back of the historic Royal Danish Library building from the Garden of the Royal Library. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
View of the Garden of the Royal Library. The tower from Christiansborg Palace can be seen to the right. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
One of the old mooring rings located in the Garden of the Royal Library behind one of the benches. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Another old mooring rings located in the Garden of the Royal Library behind one of the benches. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Pink Deutzia flowers and a statue located in the Garden of the Royal Library. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Deutzia flowers found in the Garden of the Royal Library. Photo by Leah, May 2023.
Christian IV’s Arsenal Dock in 1611. The Arsenal is the big building centre-left; Copenhagen Castle is top right. The area that today houses the library garden is located to the right of the Arsenal. Van Wijck, via Wikimedia Commons, public domain.
An illustration of Tøjhus (tugboat) dock with Proviantgården (provisions yard). Christian Hetsch, circa 1850, via Wikimedia Commons, public domain.
That’s it for this post! If you liked it, please check out part 2 of this photo journey through Copenhagen.
Thank you for reading!
1 Copenhagen is comparable to Prince George, BC, in terms of latitude (55.7 N to 53.9 N, respectively).