It was an exhibition at Den Hirschsprungske Samling in Copenhagen in 2009 that opened Josephine’s eyes to Ribe. The exhibition consisted of works on loan from the art museum in Denmark’s oldest town.
“It was a collection I wanted to work with. And because there was nothing tying me to Copenhagen, I decided to send in a speculative application to the museum,” says 31-year-old Josephine, who grew up in Ringsted and graduated from Copenhagens University in 2014.
Even though she knew nothing of either the town or the area, Josephine did not hesitate to leave her apartment in Amager, Copenhagen, to move to Ribe when the museum offered her a job in the spring of 2015.
I expected that I would have plenty of time to watch TV series and write blogs in my spare time when I moved to west Jutland. But it didn't take long before I was joining clubs and associations in Ribe.
Josephine Nielsen-Bergqvists
Art historian and newcomer to Ribe
Plenty of time for TV series?
“I expected that I would have plenty of time to watch TV series and write blogs in my spare time when I moved to west Jutland. But it didn’t take long before I was joining clubs and associations in Ribe. For example, I’ve always played the saxophone, and started off by contacting the town’s big band, and now find myself occupied with hobbies and events at least three weekday evenings a week.
Apart from playing in Big Band Ribe, I started archery at the Viking Centre, and sit on the Resident’s Association’s governing committee. At the weekends, I often attend one of the performing arts events in the town.”
The diversity of what’s on offer here has surprised this ex-Copenhagener:
“In many ways, Ribe is a strange place, because even though it is small and is in west Jutland, it’s a lot more than a provincial town. It’s full of passionate individuals who make things happen. There is a lot more here to get involved with if you’re interested,” she concludes.