CORE talk: 8 May 10:00 - 11:00: Anne Agersnap, Lea Wierød Borčak and Thomas Husted Kirkegaard on 'Communal Singing in Denmark'
A Singing Society? Communal Singing in Denmark and the Limits of Social Inclusion. Emerging insights from the ”ComSing project”
Communal singing is often seen as a defining feature of Danish culture and a socially unifying practice. Yet, such assumptions have rarely been critically examined. The”ComSing” project explores how communal singing is understood and experienced in Denmark—past and present—with particular attention to both its inclusive potential and its social boundaries.
We present findings from all three strands of the project: a historical analysis of how communal singing has been framed in Danish media since the 19th century; interviews and fieldwork with participants in contemporary singing communities; and conversations with those who feel distanced from these practices.
Together, the results offer a nuanced picture of communal singing in Denmark—not just as a vehicle for connection and belonging, but also as a cultural practice shaped by context, identity, and choice.