“Saving the bird’s nest” is a redistribution of the campaign “Save the Bird’s Nest” that was initiated by a local community in Copenhagen’s northwest area back in 2020. The community mobilized in a collective struggle after realizing, that the iconic pink building housing the popular pub “The Bird’s Nest,” where planned to be bulldozed in favor of more profitable youth houses.

In September 2022, after two years of fighting, the politicians decided NOT to tear down the pub. So, what did the community do to save their place? What actions and tactics did they apply and what can we all learn from their battle?

To answer these questions, Another Public asked Denniz Batak, the owner of the pub and one of the leading figures in the campaign, to share the story and elaborate on the different steps taken in the process — from the initial suspicion to the building of friendships and the final celebration. Artist Lasse Mouritzen was then invited to make a film, telling the story of the struggle through the lens of the people involved. The film ended out as a manifest, using the voice of Denniz Batak to inspire others to take up the fight against gentrification.

Watch the film, use it and share it. And let’s show that local citizens do have the power to change the development of their neighborhood — in favor of community rather than profit.
“Saving the bird’s nest” is curated by Another Public for “Look Who’s Talking”. 2022.
Film by Lasse Mouritzen.
Thanks to Denniz Batak