A bronze statue of a Burmeister & Wain (B&W) worker in Christianshavn, Copenhagen, has been given the ability to speak, offering insights into the area’s shipbuilding history. The Culture and Leisure Administration in the Municipality of Copenhagen supported the project.

The statue’s monologue, voiced by actor Lars Ranthe, tells the story of a young boy starting work at the iconic B&W shipyard. The narrative is based on real-life accounts from the “blue men” who worked at the B&W factories from 1843 to 1996, contributing to the construction of Copenhagen’s Knippelsbro.

To hear the statue’s story, visitors can scan a QR code with their smartphones, prompting a free phone call from the statue in Danish or English. No app is required.

According to Mayor of Culture and Leisure Mia Nyegaard, the project aims to give a voice to the generation of Copenhageners who physically built the city, often remaining anonymous in historical records. The statue serves as a reminder of the contributions of these workers.

The B&W worker is the 11th Talking Statue in Copenhagen, joining figures like H.C. Andersen and Søren Kierkegaard.