Twilight Christmas - episode 1

ADVENT CALENDAR - December is dark, and if you're at class chances are that you arrive before the sun shows itself, and emerge to the same darkness again when your day of work is at an end. Here is to make the darkness look its best

by Lizette Kabré and Christoffer Zieler

Our photographer Lizette Kabré is exploring the University of Copenhagen's many angles and corners in the December twilight. She is looking for places that conjure up stories.

Lizette Kabré will bring you something you did not expect to see every day of the month.

Check out our Advent Calendar Gallery right here. And check it every morning.

Advent calendars originally started with German Lutherans who, in the 19th century, would count down the 24 days of advent, the last days before Christmas in the Christian tradition. According to Wikipedia, printed advent calendars were invented in Hamburg around 1850.

Anyway: This is the academic equivalent of the chocolate that some Danes get every morning of December as a child. Or the academic supplement to the chocolate you still eat every morning of December. Who are we to judge.

Today's picture is of the Main Building on Frue Plads.

The main building

From the University of Copenhagen's website:

»In 1536 the University built its first main building, which burnt down in the Copenhagen fire of 1728. It was then built again, and burnt down yet again in 1807. The building we have in its place today was built from 1829-36, with Peder Malling (1781-1865) as its architect. It houses the administration and the Ceremonial Hall, and was thoroughly restored in 1990 by David Bretton-Meyer (born 1937).«

The eagle above the entrance was added following a suggestion from Professor of Theology, M.H. Hohlenberg, who saw the flight and sharp vision of the eagle as a symbol for thought and science. He wrote the inscription COELESTEM ADSPICIT LUCEM; »It (the eagle) beholds the heavenly light.«

uni-avis@adm.ku.dk

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