Den Gamle By in Aarhus named European Museum of the Year

Den Gamle By, an open-air museum in Aarhus, Denmark, has received the prestigious European Museum of the Year award. The honor was bestowed by the European Museum Forum at an event in Bilbao, Spain.

Julie Rokkjær Birch, the museum's director, described the award as "completely overwhelming." She stated that the prize is a tribute to over a century of development driven by a unique spirit at Den Gamle By and the dedication of its staff. Birch emphasized that the award recognizes how the museum's approach, which uses nostalgia, tradition, and emotion to make history accessible, resonates with international visitors who connect with Danish cultural history.

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It is a huge recognition from the rest of Europe. The prize is a tribute to over 100 years of development through a very special spirit at Den Gamle By with a team of dedicated employees who live and breathe every day to give guests the best possible experience.

The museum showcases elements of Danish history, focusing on the period after the 16th century. Recent developments at Den Gamle By include a new main entrance and the continuation of its narrative into modern times, exemplified by its "2014 street." The museum also engages with the surrounding community, such as the Skjoldhøjparken housing development, where residents receive assistance and inspiration to understand their own histories.

Out of 34 museums nominated for the European Museum of the Year award, Den Gamle By emerged as the winner. Another Danish museum, Kaj Munks Præstegård in Ulfborg, was also among the nominees.

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The prize shows that Den Gamle By's approach of using nostalgia, traditions, and emotions to open up history for our guests also resonates outside Denmark, where international guests see themselves in the stories about Danish cultural history.