The Association of Craftsmen in Copenhagen ( Danish: Haandværkerforeningen i Kjøbenhavn) is an interest organisation based in Copenhagen, Denmark. Its 2,200 members are owners of small and medium large companies. It is affiliated with 35 guilds and industry organisations.

History

The association was founded at the initiative of master joiner Lasenius Kramp in 1840 to promote the interest of craftsmen of all trades. Håndværkerforeningen acquired a former Freemasons' Hall on

Kronprinsensgade Kronprinsensgade ( lit. "The Crown Prince's Street") is a street in the Old Town of Copenhagen, Denmark. It links the major shopping street Købmagergade in the west with Pilestræde in the east. The street is known for A.C. Perch's Rea Store. H ...

(No. 7) in 1868. They had a 2000-volume library reading room and billiard room in the building but moved out after taking over Moltke's Mansion on

Dronningens Tværgade Dronningens Tværgade ( lit. "The Queen's Cross Street") is a street in central Copenhagen, Denmark, which runs from Bredgade to Rosenborg Castle Garden. The street originally formed a link between the King's Garden (Rosenborg Castle Gardens) and t ...

in 1930.

Headquarters

In 1880, the Craftsmen's Association acquired Moltke's Mansion on the corner of

Bredgade Bredgade ( lit. "Broad Street") is one of the most prominent streets in Copenhagen, Denmark. Running in a straight line from Kongens Nytorv for just under one kilometre to the intersection of Esplanaden and Grønningen, it is one of the major stre ...

and Fronningens Tværgade in Copenhagen. The following year the association expanded the building with a new wing with an assembly hall.

Residential portfolio

Håndværkerforenignen owns a large number of residences in the Greater Copenhagen area. Alderstrøst is the name of two residential complexes built by Håndværkerforeningen to provide affordable housing for elderly, indigent members and their widows in the

Nørrebro Nørrebro (, ) is one of the 10 official districts of Copenhagen, Denmark. It is northwest of the city centre, beyond the location of the old Northern Gate (''Nørreport''), which, until dismantled in 1856, was near the current Nørreport station ...

district of Copenhagen. The oldest is located on Nørrebrogade (Nørrebrogade 17, Baggesensgade 10 and Blågårdsgade 9). The other one is located at the corner of Nørre Allé (No. 15–19) and

Møllegade Møllegade ( lit. "Mill Street") is a street in the Nørrebro district of Copenhagen, Denmark. It runs from Nørrebrogade in the southwest to Nørre Allé in the northeast. Copenhagen's Jewish Northern Cemetery has its entrance on the south side ...

(No. 28–30). The Nørreborgade complex is no longer owned by Håndværkerforeningen. Håndværkerhaven is a residential complex built by Håndværkerforeningen next to Rmdrup station in 1940. It consists of five buildings with a total of 351 mainly cheap one and two-room apartments. The Bispebjerg Bakke housing estate was built by Håndværkerforeningen in collaboration with Realdania to design by the artist Bjørn Nørgaard with use of old building practices in 2004–06. It is located in the Bispebjerg district of Copenhagen. Håndværkerforeningen also owns a number of other properties in the Copenhagen area. These include the historic Møllmanns Landsted on

Allégade Allégade (literal translation, lit. "Avenue Street") is the oldest street in the Frederiksberg district of Copenhagen, Denmark. It runs from Frederiksberg Runddel to Frederiksberg Town Hall Square, along the east side of Frederiksberg Park, Freder ...

in Frederiksberg. It consists of a Neoclassical house in the courtyard from 1794 and a building on the street from

Awards

Medal

Copenhagen City Hall plays host to an annual banquet where Håndværkerforeningen's medal in silver or bronze is awarded to the best new craftsmen in Copenhagen. The ceremony has been attended by members of the Danish royal family since 1927.

Honorary Craftsman of the Year

Since 1973, Håndværkerforeningen has awarded the title Honorary Craftsman of the Year (Danish: Årets Æreshåndværker) to an individual for his or her significant contribution to Danish society. Former Honorary Craftsmen of the Year are: * 2015: Bertel Haarder, politician * 2014: Olafur Eliasson, artist * 2013: Susanne Bier, film director * 2012:

Asger Aamund Asger is a predominantly Danish language masculine given name derived from the Old Norse elements ''Æsir'' or ''ás'', meaning "gods" and ''geirr'', meaning "spear". Individuals bearing the name Asger include: *Asger Aaboe (1922–2007), Danis ...

, businessman * 2011: Claus Meyer, gastronomic entrepreneur * 2010: Anders Fogh Rasmussen, politician * 2009:

Hans Edvard Nørregård-Nielsen Hans Edvard Nørregård-Nielsen (2 January 1945 – 2 April 2023) was a Danish art historian. Nørregård-Nielsen was born in . He was an alumnus of Ribe Katedralskole and wrote several memoirs. In 2001, he was awarded the De Gyldne Laurbær pri ...

, art historian * 2008: Ulrik Wilbek, sport coach * 2007:

Michael Pram Rasmussen Michael may refer to: People * Michael (given name), a given name * Michael (surname), including a list of people with the surname Michael Given name "Michael" * Michael (archangel), ''first'' of God's archangels in the Jewish, Christian and ...

, businessman * 2006: Michael Kvium, artist * 2005:

Kasper Holten Kasper Holten (born 29 March 1973) is a Danish stage director. From 2011 until 2017 he was Director of Opera for the Royal Opera House in London. He is Vice President of the Board of the European Academy of Music Theatre. Career Born in Copenhage ...

, opera director and arts administrator * 2004:

Johannes Møllehave Johannes Volf Møllehave (4 January 1937 – 10 May 2021) was a Danish Lutheran priest, author, and lecturer. Education and career Møllehave was born in Frederiksberg. He graduated in theology in 1963. His wide range of interests extended to ...

, priest and writer * 2003:

Ghita Nørby Ghita Nørby (born 11 January 1935) is a Danish actress with 117 film credits to her name from 1956 to 2005, making her one of the most active Danish actresses ever. Early life Nørby was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, the daughter of opera sing ...

, actress * 2002: Jørgen Mads Clausen, businessman * 2001:

Lene Vestergaard Hau Lene Vestergaard Hau (; born November 13, 1959) is a Danish physicist and educator. She is the Mallinckrodt Professor of Physics and of Applied Physics at Harvard University. In 1999, she led a Harvard University team who, by use of a Bose–E ...

, physicist and professor * 2000: Benny Andersen, poet and composer * 1999: Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, jazz musician * 1998: Bjørn Nørgaard, artist * 1997:

Hanne Reintoft Hanne is a feminine given name. Notable people with the name include: * Hanne Blank (born 1969), American historian, writer, editor and public speaker * Hanne Budtz (1915–2004), Danish politician and lawyer * Hanne Darboven (born 1941), German c ...

, social worker and politician * 1996: Michala Petri, musician and professor * 1995: Niels Due Jensen, businessman * 1994:

Erik Mortensen Erik Mortensen is an American politician and former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from House District 55A. Elected in November 2020, he assumed office on January 5, 2021. Brad Tabke defeated incumbent Erik Mortensen and Ryan M ...

, fashion designer * 1993: Bille August, film director * 1992: Poul Schlüter, politician * 1991: Mette Koefoed Bjørnsen, economist and conciliator * 1990: Michael Schønwandt, conductor * 1989: Søren T. Lyngsø, engineer and businessman * 1988: Lise Nørgaard, author * 1987: Frits Helmuth, actor * 1986: Inge Genefke, læge og menneskerettighedsforkæmper * 1985: Erik Werner, bladtegner * 1984: Christian Rovsing, ingeniør og erhvervsleder * 1983: Godtfred Kirk Christiansen, businessman * 1982: Mogens Frohn Nielsen, captain and educator * 1981: Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller, businessman * 1980: Margrethe II of Denmark * 1979:

Lis Møller Lis Møller (22 December 1918 – 24 September 1983) was a Danish journalist and Conservative People's Party politician who was elected to the Folketing for two non-consecutive periods. She joined the Young Conservatives when she was aged 15 and ...

, journalist and politician * 1978: Per V. Brüel, engineer and businessman * 1977: Victor Borge, pianist and entertainer * 1976: Steen Eiler Rasmussen, architect * 1975: Piet Hein, poet, mathematician ' 1974: Bjørn Wiinblad, ceramist, designer and designer * 1973:

Robert Jacobsen Robert Julius Tommy Jacobsen (4 June 1912 – 26 January 1993) was a Danish sculptor and painter. The Danish Robert Award is named in his honor. Biography Jacobsen was born in Copenhagen. He was self-taught as a sculptor. During World War I, ...

, artist

Grants and scholarships

* Tømrermester Th. P. Stillinges Fond * Kurvemøbelfabrikant G. Frickenmeier og Hustrus Legat * Haandværkerforeningens Understøttelsesfond * Haandværkerforeningens Fond (Alderstrøst) * Haandværkerforeningens Stiftelse Alderstrøsts Legatfond * H.C. Heegaard og Hustrus Legat * Det Massmannske Legat * Drejermester P.A. Parsfelds Mindelegat * Snedkermester Rasmus Pedersens Fond * Ester Oline Nielsens Fond * Begravelseskassen * Johan Bekker og Hustrus Stiftelse

References

External links

Official website
{{Authority control Organizations based in Copenhagen Organizations established in 1840 1840 establishments in Denmark