"The folk high school cannot wake the dead, but it can keep them alive" is written on posters, among other things.
The Rehabilitation Folk High School in Aarhus Municipality opened in 2018, but will be closed again at the end of 2026. (Photo: © Henning Bagger, Ritzau Scanpix)
By Ritzau ( [email protected] ) 53 minutes ago
10 to 12 pensioners have "occupied" the Rehabilitation Folk High School in Risskov in Aarhus and have locked the staff out in protest.
This is reported by TV2 Østjylland. ( https://www.tv2ostjylland.dk/aarhus/pensionister-har-besat-hojskole-5f171 )
The protest reportedly began on Tuesday morning following dissatisfaction with the Aarhus City Council's decision to close the Rehabilitation Folk High School.
"The folk high school cannot wake the dead, but it can keep them alive" and "You are throwing gold away with your decision" are written, according to TV2 Østjylland, on posters in the windows.
Torben Blom is one of the pensioners.
He tells TV2 Østjylland that the Rehabilitation Folk High School has been crucial after he had both his legs amputated.
- It has meant that I have become a human being again.
At the Rehabilitation Folk High School in Risskov, you can, among other things, receive support and guidance from a healthcare professional team.
A stay typically lasts two to five weeks, where you live on site, writes Aarhus Municipality on its website.
The Rehabilitation Folk High School opened in 2018, but will be closed again at the end of 2026.
The municipal service is to close as a result of the Health Reform, where Aarhus Municipality must give up some tasks and transfer some buildings to the region.
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'Will be something different from what they are used to'
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Metin Lindved Aydin (R) is Aarhus Municipality's City Councilor for Health and Care.
He understands the reaction to the closure, but points out that there will not be the budget for a similar service for the next four years.
- It costs money to build a new rehabilitation center. As a consequence of the health reform, we have to cut a lot of millions, and we are facing savings of 185 million kroner, he says.
He refers to the fact that there are other services available.
- It's not that there are no services, but it will be something different from what they are used to. All change is something that worries, and it can also worry us, he continues.
According to Metin Lindved Aydin (R), it is a breakthrough in senior activism that they chose to occupy the folk high school on Tuesday.
- I actually think it's refreshing. I am not going to encourage people to take the law into their own hands and occupy buildings, but I think it is brave, he says.
He also promises that he will not call the police.
RITZAU
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