Summary of article in Billed Bladet #36, 2016.
By our reporter in Greenland, Marianne Singer.
You'll find the scans here:
https://app.box.com/s/5mtuk91b9lku2o8l2dzenn5tgkx38oak
This is the second part of Mary's visit to Nuuk in Greenland, to attend a conference about social issues and promoting the Greenlandic version of Free From Bullying, Kammagiitta.
Domestic abuse and general social issues is a very real and serious issue in Greenland. Mainly due to alcoholism.
And that was indeed the topic of the conference Mary attended.
- Basically such a conference and as such the topic, would have got much less attention, even in Greenland, had Mary not been there.
Mary was received at the conference by fourteen year old Michelle and a project leader, Najaaraq Møller. (*)
Mary said about being in Greenland to our reporter: "Greenland has gotten a special place in my heart.
The first time I was in Greenland was with my husband, the Queen and the Prince back in 2004. Then one (**) was overwhelmed by the beautiful nature and of course the open and warm reception one got. I came as a part of the family, who have always had a big place in the hearts of the Greenlanders.
but over time I have build up my own relationship to Greenland and my own network with co-operating partners of the Mary Foundation. And we are in the process of a very important work here. It's a great joy for me to see that we in the Mary Foundation can contribute with important topics here in Greenland in order to improve the situation for women and children".
Mary gave the opening speech at the conference, saying: "It's decisive that we address the violence because that makes it more real. It's getting closer. It looks us in the eyes, so that we cannot ignore it. It can be frightening, because what must one do and what can one do - but it's necessary. Only when we face the difficulty and acknowledge it, can we begin to do something about it. And it delights me - and probably all of you as well - that there has come more focus on violence and iot's consequences here in Greenland.
More and more break the silence (domestic and social issues are a big taboo in Greenland) and find the courage to stand out and address the violence".
Mary met two at the conference who has suffered from abuse and had a chat with them.
A women who had been living in an abusive relationship for 27 years and a man who had been subjected to physical abuse since he was six years old.
Mary said afterwards: "It's incredible brave of them to stand up and tell their harsh stories. That they are willing to stand up in a hall full of people who occupy themselves with the topic of violence in the home is incredible strong and shows a big surplus of mind. I think we are all grateful for them being willing to stand up, so that be can get a better understanding for what it means to be in a abusive relationship, what it does to one and that there is hope".
And no, there is no info in the article about the brooch Mary is seen wearing.
(*) In Greenland it's very common with a Greenlandic first name combined with a Danish surname.
(**) Where you in English would use "you" in such a sentence, "one" is way more common in Danish. Which is probably why it is noted when Mary occasionally use the more "posh" one, when speaking about herself in English. - For simplicity I usually translate with you, but not this time.