June 9, 2004, was the official opening date for Copenhagen’s new Danish Jewish Museum, housed in the historic former Royal Boat House beside the Royal Library.
The site of the Danish Jewish Museum was chosen, in part, for its significance to Danish Jewish history. It was built by Christian lV, the first Danish king to invite Jews to settle in Denmark. Centuries later, part of the Boat House building was integrated into the Royal Library. When the Nazis occupied Denmark during World War II, Denmark’s collection of Hebraica and Judaica was hidden there to protect it from desecration and destruction. Today, the Royal Library’s Judaica collection remains one of Europe’s finest.
Architect Daniel Libeskind, who designed Berlin’s Jewish Museum, is the architect of the Danish Jewish Museum. Exhibition architect Arne Kvorning will prepare the Museum’s first show: an examination of Danish-Jewish history and culture dating back to 1622, when King Christian IV invited Sephardic Jews to settle in Denmark.
The museum, which will focus on the history and culture of Denmark’s Jewish community, has been built with public and private funds. Most recently, a gift of $250,000 was made to the Danish Jewish Museum by the Victor Borge Foundation, the comedian-musician, who retained strong ties to Denmark throughout his life, returning often to visit and perform. He died in 2000 at the age of 91.
The site of the Danish Jewish Museum was chosen, in part, for its significance to Danish Jewish history. It was built by Christian lV, the first Danish king to invite Jews to settle in Denmark. Centuries later, part of the Boat House building was integrated into the Royal Library. When the Nazis occupied Denmark during World War II, Denmark’s collection of Hebraica and Judaica was hidden there to protect it from desecration and destruction. Today, the Royal Library’s Judaica collection remains one of Europe’s finest.
Architect Daniel Libeskind, who designed Berlin’s Jewish Museum, is the architect of the Danish Jewish Museum. Exhibition architect Arne Kvorning will prepare the Museum’s first show: an examination of Danish-Jewish history and culture dating back to 1622, when King Christian IV invited Sephardic Jews to settle in Denmark.
About Victor Borge
Victor Borge was born in Copenhagen, Denmark Januar 3, 1909, the son of Bernhard and Frederikke Rosenbaum. He was named Børge Rosenbaum, and his musical talent was no surprise as his father was a musician in the Royal Danish Chapel.
He was educated at the Royal Danish Academy of Music by Olivo Krause, and later by Victor Schiøler, Frederic Lamond and Egon Petri. He had his piano debut in 1926 at "Odd Fellow Palæet" in Copenhagen and was recognized as a very talented musician.
During the 1930's he became one of Denmark's most popular artists. He started his career as a classical pianist, but his talent for making the audience laugh was soon obvious, and he started developing his unique blend of humour and music. He had his revue debut in 1933 and his film debut in 1937.
In 1940 he was forced to leave Denmark, and he travellled from Petsano to New York. Although he didn't speak English he soon managed to "translate" his humour, and he performed for the first time in Bing Crosby's radio show in 1941.
In 1942 he was pronounced "the best new radio performer of the year" by the american press, and his radio and TV shows became extremely popular. He became an American citizen in 1948, and had his own show, "Comedy in Music", at The Golden Theatre, New York 1953-56.
He had performed as soloist and conductor with leading orchestras from 1956, and has performed as Opera Conductor, eg. Magic Flute, Cleveland Orchestra, 1979 and The Royal Danish Theatre, 1992.
He established several trusts, and he received numerous honourable awards and honours. He was the patron of The Danish Royal Academy of Music Children's Choir.
With Robert Sherman he was the author of My Favorite Intermissions (1971) and My Favorite Comedies in Music (1981).
Victor Borge died at home in his sleep, December 23rd, 2000.
The Danish Jewish Museum will be open Tuesday through Friday, 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Guided tours will be available and a museum shop will be open during museum hours.
www.jewmus.dk,
Tel. +45 33 11 22 18.
contact
Studio Daniel Libeskind
2 Rector Street
New York, NY 10006
Tel: +1-646-452 6180 (interim number)
Fax: +1-646-452 6198 (interim number)
E-mail: info@daniel-libeskind.com
Web: http://www.daniel-libeskind.com/daniel/index.html
Victor Borge Honored by the Kennedy Center
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Global Directory of Holocaust Museums
The Victorious Borge
Libeskind:The difference between architecture and theater
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