Laura Østergårde just finished her Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and now using her time as a volunteer in the turquoise tent

Laura is part of a turquoise family

Laura Østergårde is part of the turquoise tent’s volunteer during this years Aarhus Festival. She is doing it because she believes that it is a good cause, and that it will bring people together.

Julie Kristensen
Sep 7, 2018 · 2 min read

People are flowing in and out of the tent. Inside, a light haze of shisha smoke hangs in the air and the Persian carpets on the ground are covered in scarfs, caps, sandals and sneakers.

For many during the festive week, the turquoise tent is a focal point for relaxation and a chat. The tent is run by 110 volunteers and one of them is 24 year old Laura Østergårde.

It is precisely that mix of cultures and the random encounter between people, that interests Laura who has just finished her Bachelor's degree in Anthropology. She would like to bring the Middle Eastern culture more into the city life in Aarhus and she thought that the turquoise tent and atmosphere does exactly that.

"I often think that the Middle Eastern culture blows negatively into people's ears, so it's cool to be a volunteer here, because I hope that I can change people's perception of the culture," says Laura, who has previously been volunteering in the Habibi Syrian Street Food project, which is organized by the organization DFUNK.

These cases create communities

There are volunteers behind the turquoise bar. Tea, Syrian pizza and Palestinian beer is being served over the counter. A new volunteer arrives at the tent. She is embraced by her colleagues and her five-hour shift starts. Being a volunteer in the turquoise tent means that you work 15 hours during the festival, which is spread over three days.

"There is no financial benefits, although you do get discounted bar prices. But in turn, you will get to know a lot of other people," Laura says, pouring tea into cups as she walks out among the guests and hands out cups.

Common to everyone behind the bar, is that they think that the Middle Eastern culture is exciting and it brings them together like a big family.

A turquoise of family.

Julie Kristensen

Written by

Student of photojournalism at the Danish School of Media- and Journalism

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