The Aller group floored after the burlesque show at the anniversary party. Swedish party-goers were “offended”, while Danes and Norwegians in the hall did not understand what the Swedes were complaining about.

On the occasion of Aller Media’s 150th anniversary, an anniversary party was held in Copenhagen on 12 May, with Norwegian, Danish and Swedish guests present.

It developed into a woke version of the story of the Swede, the Dane and the Norwegian.

During the celebration, some of the Swedish guests are said to have reacted to an entertainment feature, where a scantily clad woman performed a humorous dance number. There were some who thought it was inappropriate.

The Aller family was quick to apologise to the employees. In well-known style, you let yourself be flattened as soon as someone claims to have been wronged.

This is reported by the Danish Journalisten. The story is also referred to in the Norwegian Journalisten.

Burlesque dance

Around 2,000 guests were invited to the event according to the Danish Journalisten, with some Swedish attendees being offended by a burlesque show during dinner. There, a “half-naked” woman danced and ended up in a giant cocktail glass. Most people thought it was funny and harmless.

But this was enough for some easily offended Swedish guests to put food down their throats.

The Aller group apologises for the whole thing, and says they strongly distance themselves from inappropriate elements in the programme.

“Our owners have sent an apology to all employees,” says the event manager.

The message also states that the Aller family apologises if anyone felt uncomfortable or offended in any way.

The regrets just continue:

CEO of Aller Media Danmark, Charlotte Riparbelli, writes to the trade magazine that they distance themselves from sexist or oppressive behaviour.

But she adds that she has mostly only experienced enthusiasm for the party’s content.

The Dane, the Swede and the Norwegian

There weren’t that many people other than a handful of Swedes who found the show offensive. Most others just shake their heads at the commotion that has been created.

A Danish Aller employee tells the Danish Journalist that “it is difficult to understand what the Swedish colleagues were upset about”.

Among the Norwegians present was a journalist from Dagbladet, Anders Holth Johansen, who has read the article by Danish Journalisten. It seems that the Norwegians were not significantly upset by the show either:

There are Danes who are Danes and Swedes who are Swedes. All in all, this was very nice and I don’t think we from Norway got too close to it, he says to Journalisten.

Group CEO of Aller Media Norge, Dag Sørsdahl has ,via the HR department, conveyed the following comment on the party:

The anniversary party in Copenhagen was organised by Aller A/S in Denmark. All Aller employees in Norway were invited and participated as guests. I therefore have no comment on this arrangement, you must contact Aller A/S in Denmark.