Together at the Bazar Vest
Aarhus, Denmark
The Bazar Vest, located in western Aarhus, is a colourful escape to the otherwise monochromatic Denmark. The first steps inside are a sensory overload of smells, colours, music, and languages. Frequented by immigrants, the shopping mall has become a recluse for those wishing for a small piece of home, a small medina within Scandinavia. The Bazar Vest is an excellent example of globalisation, in the connectivity of the world and sharing of cultural experiences, which has benefits and limitations to those who are affected.
Lilian, 29, is a Ghanan immigrant who arrived in Aarhus five years ago. Her husband, who is also from Ghana, has been living in Aarhus for the past 10 years and she felt it was time to join him. She laughs as she says “I like it here, otherwise I would be somewhere else.” In her opinion, travelling, business, and politics are more interconnected and have made the world better. But she maintains that the connectedness of the world, and whether it is beneficial, depends on the angle, especially concerning politics. She goes on to state sharing cultures is beneficial only to an extent without further elaborating.
Another patron who believes cultural sharing to an extent is important is Saiyd, 58, who left Iran 30 years ago when his country was at war with Iraq. He is now a proud business owner within the Bazar with frequently diverse shoppers, both Danish and foreign. In his opinion, the world is more connected, especially Europe and Asia as travel between the two is fairly easy. Travel, business, and internet have simplified life, however he believes it is positive to share “only a bit” of culture, echoing Lilian from Ghana.
Displacement of war has become a common theme among patrons to the Bazar. A man from Palestine, 40, said “Globalisation? I don't know what that is.” Although he does not know the meaning of the word, his journey is the perfect example of world connectivity. He is from Palestine originally, but has family in Syria, Lebanon and Palestine. He came to Sweden 17 years ago to escape war and find work, married a Danish girl, and began a family. After their recent split, he moved to Denmark to be closer to his kids. This man has lived in three different countries in the
past 20 years and has retained various aspects of his culture for comfort and to maintain his identity. He maintains contact with is family abroad, along with his family here in Denmark and is happy to learn all aspects of new cultures.
Another group unaware of their inherent involvement in globalisation were three men enjoying coffee, two born in Denmark and the other born in Iraq, who all identified as Kurdish. They are currently working here in Aarhus as hairdressers, but have lived in London, France, and Germany beforehand. Together they speak more than 10 languages and can easily communicate with most people in the Bazar, uninhibited by language. They found the definition of globalisation difficult as they could not find the correct English words, but they described globalisation as a positive phenomenon. The ability to travel to another country for work has been very useful for them, however they were still glad to have their own piece of home.
Globalisation can be visible in every day life. Most people immigrate for specific reasons: war, work, and family, but not all people in the Bazar identify as immigrants. Sarah, 24, is a Danish local who has never attended the Bazar market before. She walked through the market, clutching her many shopping bags, straining under the weight, wide eyed and willing to try new things. In her opinion, it is extremely beneficial to share cultures to experience diversity. She compares Bazar Vest to an art museum where people ask, learn, and admire different aspects of cultures. However she understands it can be difficult to share and access such opportunities when the Bazar Vest is quite far from the city center. However she believes Danes would feel at ease here; once the possibility of a connection is offered everything falls into place.