Navigating Newcomers: Challenges and Opportunities for the German Minority in Denmark

Gwynn Nissen: Very well. Financially, we are on solid ground. While there’s always a need for more resources to fulfill certain wishes, we have the necessary operational funds. We also enjoy high levels of acceptance and a positive image. Over the years, perceptions of Germans have improved, partly because we have become more open and the Danes have noticed. Our daily interactions are generally positive, though there are always exceptions. We're far removed from the hostility of the 1970s and 1980s.

Nissen: We are undergoing significant changes. It's no longer enough for a school to simply be labeled "German" or for a sports club to carry the "German" tag. The quality of offerings must be high. We experienced a lull for a few years; for example, our Knivsberg Festival was huge, particularly with its associated handball tournament. When handball's popularity declined, attendance at the festival dropped to about 750 people. Today, it's back up to over 5,000 attendees. It has evolved into a family-focused summer festival for the entire minority community. This was achieved by coming together and redefining the event as a celebration for the whole community, not just the youth association. Additionally, all associations are re-evaluating their activities.

Nissen: The minority community is more fragmented now than it used to be. Previously, there was a clear divide between German and Danish activities. Today, people choose activities based on interest rather than nationality. Whether a gymnastics course is offered by a Danish or German club doesn’t matter; people go where the best options are. This competition also extends to kindergartens. If a Danish kindergarten is closer or newer, parents might choose it over a German one.

Nissen: It is. This realization prompted us to reassess and improve the quality of our offerings. We can no longer rest on our laurels.

Nissen: Not really. The model has proven robust. The Bonn-Copenhagen Declarations are moral agreements, which can sometimes be more effective than legal ones because they appeal to mutual respect. We live in a trust-based society where issues are addressed with a willingness to find solutions. This creates a reasonable living environment.

Nissen: Some aspects of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages have not been ratified. For instance, there could be improvements in bilingual signage. While not essential, bilingual signs would signal recognition and respect. Our region is fascinating, and such signs could be used for promotion. Danish politicians may lack the courage to implement this, but they know we want it. Pressure will increase as South Schleswig introduces new bilingual signs. My concern is that it may become too late.

Nissen: Not to the same extent. However, some Danish parents consciously choose German schools to give their children the advantage of bilingualism. Many families that had integrated into Danish society are returning to the minority community. But we’re experiencing a significant influx from another direction.

Nissen: From newcomers from Germany, including many "corona refugees." Although Denmark’s policies weren’t more lenient than Germany’s, there is greater trust in the government here. When the government says to get vaccinated, most people comply, which allowed us to reopen earlier. The pandemic also prompted people to rethink their lives, valuing work-life balance more, and Denmark’s lower property prices are attractive.

Nissen: The numbers are overwhelming, especially for our schools. Enrollment in German schools has risen from 1,300 to 1,650 students in just three years. Some schools are now at capacity and must turn students away. It’s crucial that newcomers share our values. Some corona refugees may not, which will be addressed in schools, potentially leading to some being turned away. However, many newcomers are open-minded, well-informed, and have even learned Danish.

Nissen: It can be an opportunity because it fills our schools, preventing closures. But it also poses a risk to our cultural identity, which blends German and Danish influences. If half the students are newcomers, what does that mean for our minority culture? While it’s beneficial for our language and school size, the minority consciousness could diminish. People need to understand that choosing our schools means embracing our minority identity.