Communications consultant at Femern A/S, Holger Marohn, is spearheading a major charm offensive launched by Femern A/S. Since this summer, the Danish state’s developer company has prioritized communication with neighbours.
Rebuilt Christiania bike
During that period, Holger Marohn has cycled the country roads of Fehmarn on his Christiania bicycle, which has been converted into a mobile information centre for the construction. On the bike’s bed, there are maps, drawings, leaflets and even tasty candies that can help if the neighbours don’t like the construction site.
– We try to be as open as possible. Communication, facts and information are important, says the cycling guide about his efforts.
Facts and information on the table
Most of the time Holger meets someone on his way, they want to hear what he has to say about the Fehmarnbelt project. But he has also met a few of the fiercest opponents.
– It happens that there are one or two who do not want to talk to me. They are too emotional and not receptive to facts. There are still some who say they cannot swim in the Baltic Sea for several years after we have worked there. And that’s just not right, says Holger Marohn with a shrug.
– But, it’s not my job to change their minds. We live in a democracy. I can give people facts. Then they can form their own opinion. For me, it is just important that facts and information come to the table. And it often happens that when I show people the facts, they say “Well, I didn’t know that at all”, he says.
Said no with rifles
Among the neighbours, scepticism can still be felt. They find it difficult to see what good the connection can do for the island of Fehmarn, which has also previously protested loudly against improvements to the infrastructure.
– When they built the Femernsund Bridge, the farmers stood with rifles and said: “We don’t want that bridge!”. I say: “Look at Denmark. They know how important it is to build connections between their islands. And what had just happened to Fehmarn if the Fehmarnsund Bridge had not been built? Many then say: “No, it’s true”, says Holger Marohn, who eagerly cycles on in his attempts to get the neighbours to see the light.
Brings optimism
The cargo bike is not only equipped with candies and leaflets. Holger also has optimism and belief in a glorious future for the region.
– We will have to bring Germany and Denmark closer together. Fehmarn belt is a big barrier. Now we already see the two populations approaching each other. It’ll be great.
Difference from Lolland to Fehmarn
Femern A/S’ cycle guide also sees a clear difference in the way the connection is considered in Lolland and Fehmarn respectively. But it has its background in history, he explains.
– When the freight transport on the flight line was stopped, both Fehmarn and Lolland lost many jobs. In Fehmarn, they instead invested in tourism and built holiday homes. In Lolland, they did not. So in Lolland, this is seen as a great opportunity for the future. But many in Fehmarn say that the project here is bad for tourism. I just don’t think so. We get a good connection to Scandinavia and also to Lübeck and Hamburg, he says.
The possibilities of the future
Holger Marohn also sees other benefits for Fehmarn in the future – for the next generation.
– It will be a wildly interesting future if young people from Denmark and Germany can study crosswise. We must bring the young people together and let them talk about the possibilities of the future. – But what Femern gets out of the connection… it is not Femern A/S’s job to find out. We just have to build a tunnel, he concludes with a shrug.
