Support for the artist
who encounter hateful behaviour

It was during a concert for the oldest school students in Odense that Freja Kirk was subjected to hate speech.

The students' behaviour has prompted a local politician and a school teacher to react, and councillor Mads Thomsen (S) wants schools to start helping young people to better embrace differences, he tells DRwho have covered the story.

Freja Kirk hopes that an increased focus on hateful behaviour can lead to more tolerance and recognition of differences:

"I hope it can mean that more young people can have an easier everyday life. That would be great. Then everything will have succeeded in one way or another," Freja tells DR .

According to a previous survey of members of the Danish Artist Association, the problem of hateful advice and messages is something that many are familiar with.

As many as 23 % of artists receive hate messages, and a large proportion (74 %) even experience such messages as something that comes with being an artist. More than half of artists are negatively affected.

Support for Freja and important help for young people

It's important to stand up for the artists who are subjected to hate speech and at the same time take action to stop the negative behaviour, says chairperson Sara Indrio.

"Hate messages and discriminatory language destroy communities and the open contact between artist and audience that must be there for the experience to be something special. That's why it's good that there will be help for young people and clear support for Freja," says the artists' spokesperson, Sara Indrio.

The Danish Artist Association sees a clear task for municipalities, schools and parents in talking to young people about the importance of tolerance and respect for differences, not least in cultural life, where the audience is off duty and the artist is at work.