The close cultural ties between Germany and Denmark go back hundreds of years. In the first half of the 19th century, about a third of the population under Danish rule was German-speaking and Denmark's borders extended to the Elbe. (The Hamburg district of Altona was once the second-largest city in Denmark.)

Of key importance for cultural exchange is the knowledge of the German language in Denmark, which is far greater than in many other European countries. German remains, after English, the most widely taught foreign language in Danish schools and continues to enjoy a high level of acceptance, especially in primary schools. About 85% of all Danish schoolchildren learn German for (at least) two or three years.The German side actively contributes to a good infrastructure through the Goethe Institute with a specialist adviser as well as via support for two schools in Copenhagen and via the schools for the German minority in North Schleswig. St Peter's School in Copenhagen, which was established in 1575, is the oldest German school abroad. It is a Danish private school in which subjects are taught in German and Danish in equal measure and which goes up to the 9th grade. In June 2001, a German-Danish higher-education entrance qualification was awarded for the first time at the Zahles grammar school, a prestigious private school in Copenhagen, which also has a special section for pupils admitted from St Peter's. The qualification allows admission to universities in both Denmark and Germany without the need for further exams. The German grammar school for North Schleswig has been in existence in Apenrade since 1930.

There are two German Protestant parishes and one German-speaking Roman Catholic parish in Copenhagen. On 20 February 2000, celebrations were held in Copenhagen to mark the 425th anniversary of the Parish of St Peter as well as St Peter's School attended by Queen Margrethe II and former German Federal President Richard von Weizsäcker, who went to the school as a child.

Apart from the official side, there is an immense variety of cultural exchange between Germany and Denmark, whose numerous festivals, museums, theatres and art galleries exert a strong attraction on German artists and performers. Conversely Germany, and above all the new Berlin, is a cultural magnet for Danish visitors. The Goethe Institute in Copenhagen supports these promising developments with diverse programmes.

tural relations

The close cultural ties between Germany and Denmark go back hundreds of years. In the first half of the 19th century, about a third of the population under Danish rule was German-speaking and Denmark's borders extended to the Elbe. (The Hamburg district of Altona was once the second-largest city in Denmark.)

Of key importance for cultural exchange is the knowledge of the German language in Denmark, which is far greater than in many other European countries. German remains, after English, the most widely taught foreign language in Danish schools and continues to enjoy a high level of acceptance, especially in primary schools. About 85% of all Danish schoolchildren learn German for (at least) two or three years.The German side actively contributes to a good infrastructure through the Goethe Institute with a specialist adviser as well as via support for two schools in Copenhagen and via the schools for the German minority in North Schleswig. St Peter's School in Copenhagen, which was established in 1575, is the oldest German school abroad. It is a Danish private school in which subjects are taught in German and Danish in equal measure and which goes up to the 9th grade. In June 2001, a German-Danish higher-education entrance qualification was awarded for the first time at the Zahles grammar school, a prestigious private school in Copenhagen, which also has a special section for pupils admitted from St Peter's. The qualification allows admission to universities in both Denmark and Germany without the need for further exams. The German grammar school for North Schleswig has been in existence in Apenrade since 1930.

There are two German Protestant parishes and one German-speaking Roman Catholic parish in Copenhagen. On 20 February 2000, celebrations were held in Copenhagen to mark the 425th anniversary of the Parish of St Peter as well as St Peter's School attended by Queen Margrethe II and former German Federal President Richard von Weizsäcker, who went to the school as a child.

Apart from the official side, there is an immense variety of cultural exchange between Germany and Denmark, whose numerous festivals, museums, theatres and art galleries exert a strong attraction on German artists and performers. Conversely Germany, and above all the new Berlin, is a cultural magnet for Danish visitors. The Goethe Institute in Copenhagen supports these promising developments with diverse programmes.