Book of the Month: Greenlander
Our first book of the month in 2025 is Viva Olsen, who joined our Danish bookshelf in the autumn of 2022. She has participated in countless Readings in our Reading Garden, workplaces, and educational institutions. Viva Olsen has faced many prejudices in her life because she is greenlandic. Her title is attracting many Readers in this period, and so here is your chance to get closer to her story.
American Christmas Gifts and Danish Racism
Introducing her story, Viva begins by reflecting on what it was like for her to grow up in Greenland: “I was born and raised in Nuuk but have also lived in Thule and Maniitsoq. Both of my parents are school teachers, and back then, they were regularly stationed in different parts of Greenland. Every Christmas, Santa Claus would bring gifts to the children and it was the American soldiers at Thule Air Base who collected donations to distribute presents to Greenlandic children. They were very kind to us, and I remember it as a positive experience to interact with them. I moved to Denmark in 2009 without any concrete plans—mostly because I was feeling adventurous and I needed a change of scenery.”
Why did you become an open Book in the Human Library?
“I joined the Human Library to help spread awareness about what it’s like to be Greenlandic in Denmark, but also because I want to help ensure a better understanding of our way of life. By making myself available to Readers I am hoping to illuminate some of the most common prejudices and misunderstandings related to my country and my culture.”
What are some of the prejudices you have encountered yourself?
“At the Human Library, I often get the chance to tell the Readers about my experiences with racism and discrimination. Fortunately, I have only faced a few incidents, but they were harsh. I’ve experienced being called a ‘Greenlandic whore,’ a ‘drunken Greenlander,’ and being told to ‘go back to my own country.’ In the town where I live now, only three individuals have been directly confronting me with my background, so in the bigger picture, it is but a drop in the ocean,” Viva laughs.
Prejudices About Greenlanders and Greenland
In your opinion, what are the most common misunderstandings about Greenlanders?
“The most frequent prejudices include that we don’t take care of each other, that we drink too much, and that we can’t keep jobs in Denmark because we are Greenlandic. One of the job consultants at a local job center here in Denmark once told me that I shouldn’t expect to find work because of my ethnicity. Leading me to understand that our ability to maintain a job is not very highly regarded in Denmark. But for me, when you commit to something, you stick to it, and I have always been responsible in my jobs. However, at the job center, they told me that ‘we’ were notorious for disappearing for a week after getting paid.’”
What do you think is the most important for Danes and anyone else to understand about being Greenlandic?
“Greenlandic culture is very different from Danish culture. We don’t express our emotions as openly or loudly. We tend to be even more reserved than Danes. This has made it challenging for me to open up as a Book at the Human Library, but it has also helped me develop a better self-image compared to those who don’t take the time to reflect and talk about these things.
Many of us Greenlanders still hold beliefs that resemble a form of nature religion. We are deeply connected to nature, which has shaped us as a people. We are also more resilient to weather changes.
Furthermore, if I could remove one damaging stereotype, it would be the idea that we are not hardworking or reliable employees. We bring good spirits and strong work ethics, and I hope my volunteer work will help Danish employers see the potential in hiring people with my background”.
Sharing the Story in the Human Library
And are there some other common misunderstandings that you have noticed when talking to our Readers?
“At one public library event, a Reader borrowed me and immediately started asking me about children’s welfare in Greenland. I got the impression that my reader believed that we don’t take good care of our children in Greenland. The Reader also claimed that the suicide rate in Greenland was far too high. Even though I had received thorough Book training, at that moment I felt like I had to answer for everything and even justify my presence in Denmark. But I am just me, and we are all different. No two Readings are the same, but I believe that every Reader leaves our conversation with a deeper understanding.”
What are your Readers usually most curious about?
“I see all questions about Greenland and being Greenlandic as positive. Curiosity fosters understanding, and it’s important that we learn more about each other. Being a Human Book has been incredibly rewarding for me. It doesn’t just enhance understanding of Greenlanders but also other minorities. After all, you can’t just stop a Greenlander on the street and ask them to share their life story. That’s why people like me play an important role in offering insight and challenging misconceptions”.
The Future of Greenland: Independence or Unity?
The new President of the United States, has shown interest in Greenland. How do you feel about his ideas?
“I find the whole situation rather confusing. I would like to better understand why he is interested in Greenland and does he really believe that you can buy another country?
He criticizes Danish racism against Greenlanders, which I find ironic given his own country’s history of racism and violence against native Americans. The way Black people have been treated in the U.S. hasn’t impressed anyone in Greenland either. I also don’t like how he threatens Denmark and other nations. That’s just not the right way to conduct politics, it’s pure bullying. The kind I recognize from the schoolyard.”
The media has talked a lot about Greenlandic independence. What are your thoughts on Greenland leaving the Kingdom of Denmark?
“I don’t think Greenland would benefit from leaving the Kingdom of Denmark. Yes, we are Greenlandic, but we are also extremely loyal people. Over the years, there have been many challenges in our relationship with Denmark, but we have always found solutions, and I believe we can and will continue to do so. In fact, you could say that U.S. interest in Greenland has paved the way for a more equal dialogue between Denmark and Greenland. That is important and was long overdue.”
Viva Olsen is part of the Human Library’s Book depot in Copenhagen and is primarily available for Readings at events in the greater Copenhagen area, but also online using our digital Bookshelf.
