The beginning
Givrum.nu started as an idea in 2006, when Christian discovered and old candy factory in Northwestern Copenhagen. Bolsjefabrikken (the candy factory) created the frame for the first meeting about the many incredible challenges and surprises attached to the temporary use of empty buildings. There were no places where Christian could find information and help about this kind of enterprise at that time. Christian therefore decided to change that. Jesper was one of the many people passing through Bolsjefabrikken, and that’s where he met Christian. They soon realised they had a common interest in empty buildings and after a few meetings, they started to work together on the 6th of January 2010. They have pursued their dream ever since.
The dream
Our dream is to see more empty buildings being transformed into workshops, offices, ateliers or other, while waiting to be renovated or demolished. By establishing and facilitating user-run systems, empty buildings are taken care of. Then when the dream becomes reality, not only do we open the doors to the empty buildings, but also the doors to a new and more democratic way of thinking and organising culture and city planning.
The organisation
Givrum.nu is part of a bigger network of people with all kinds of competences and resources. The network is composed of people knowing the newest sustainable trends within everything from urban gardening and locally produced products to all types of arts and crafts. We are aware of the fact that all the good people we surround ourselves with know a lot more about some things than we do, which is why we use this network in all our new projects in order to offer nuanced, qualified and sustainable solutions on all levels.
Access
We know that people are driven by very different dreams, but at the same time we also know that dreams are the most fun, when you have someone to share them with. This only seems like a contradiction, if viewed through an individual perspective. If, on the other hand, viewed from a multiple relational perspective, it will make absolute sense to share ones dreams with as many people as possible. This and the access to our surroundings is what defines our work at Givrum.nu.
Initiators
Christian Fumz
Christian has practical experience with the many aspects involved in starting up and running a user-run cultural space through the Bolsjefabrik project in Northwestern Copenhagen. The ideal of there being “room for everyone” was the key to the work of Bolsjefabrikken. Hence, 4 open door events were organised every year in order to raise awareness about the many exciting projects taking place in the old industrial building.
It was important for Bolsjefabrikken to work as an active player in its area, entertaining good neighbourly relations and respecting rules and regulations. This allowed Bolsjefabrikken its free space and made it possible to show the fantastic energy and great potential of user-run culture.
Christian has a degree in teaching from Frederiksberg Seminarium and has spent 1½ years of his life studying philosophy at the University of Copenhagen.
Jesper Koefoed-Melson
Jesper has been working for some years with social encounters through culture and the city itself. His motivation is to create space for cultural and social expansion and as he has no building skills, he focuses on organisation and processes. Even though it’s hard to believe, Jesper did have a life before Givrum.nu, where he, among other things, worked as an education coordinator for the Danish thinktank Cevea and a manager for the cultural venue Under Vand. Other than Givrum.nu, Jesper is part of the interdisciplinary work coop Glimt and he also teaches at Vallekilde Højskole. Jesper has a master’s degree in Education and Performance Design from RUC. He will also soon receive a diploma in Art and Culture Management from Scenekunstens Udviklingscenter.
