Aarhus mayor promises festive Christmas lights amid funding debates

The festive season in Aarhus appears to be brighter than initially expected. Newly elected mayor Anders Winnerskjold (Social Democrats) made a commitment to the residents during his first press briefing: he intends to install Christmas lights along the pedestrian street.

A debate about the holiday lights had erupted recently when the Strøgforeningen, a local business association, put their “starry sky” proposal up for auction due to a lack of funding.

“We have worked tirelessly to reach agreements with stakeholders outside the municipal deficit guarantee, and we are very close to succeeding,” said Claus Broberg, chairman of Strøgforeningen.

While Aarhus Municipality had offered a grant of 200,000 Danish kroner (approximately $28,000) towards the lights, it wasn’t sufficient. The outgoing mayor, Jacob Bundsgaard, expressed skepticism about contributing more funds for the 850-meter-long display, which reportedly costs between 800,000 and a million kroner annually to maintain. “It surprises me that there isn’t greater willingness among the city’s business community to fund the lights,” he noted.

Strøgforeningen is now working with unidentified private stakeholders to find a solution that bypasses the need for municipal funding. “If we cross the finish line, we’ll announce who is behind the solution,” added Broberg.

Anders Winnerskjold, however, remains flexible regarding his role in securing the lights. “My main goal is to see a starry sky installed on the street. Whether municipal funds are involved is not my priority. It’s great if a solution can be found independently. I believe the local businesses should take responsibility, and I’m here to help find a collaborative solution with them.”