En norsk europeer i København
– Eicind Eckbos liv og virke i København

“Distinguished Merits and Actions”
from the statutes of the Order of the Dannebrog, 1808

As Denmark’s Ambassador to Norway, I am pleased to extend my congratulations on the publication of A Norwegian European in Copenhagen. The book offers an insight into the extraordinary life and activities of the businessman and patron Eivind Eckbo (1873–1966).

Eivind Eckbo’s longstanding contribution to Danish-Norwegian business and culture was recognised when King Frederik IX appointed him Knight of the First Class of the Order of the Dannebrog in 1959. The grounds were that Eivind Eckbo had promoted mutual understanding and cultural relations between the two countries, Norway and Denmark.

In Norway, Eckbo's Legat—known as one of the country’s most venerable charitable foundations—was established by Alice Mary Higford Eckbo (1876–1960) and Eivind Eckbo in 1923. Each year, Eckbo's Foundation distributes substantial sums in support of arts and culture, medical research, and many other causes.

That Eivind Eckbo built a significant business presence in Denmark is less widely known. There he owned and operated several industrial enterprises, including De Danske Oliemøller og Sæbefabrikker (the Danish Oil Mills and Soap Factories) and the property company Ejendomsaktieselskabet Hermes. As a major shareholder and advocate for Nordisk Film, he also helped to safeguard the Danish company’s rights.

In Copenhagen he founded the Eivind Eckbo Danish-Norwegian Foundation, whose purpose is to support Danish-Norwegian relations and cooperation. A fine example of this was the Foundation’s support for an exhibition collaboration between the Vigeland Museum, the Glyptotek in Copenhagen, and Faaborg Museum in 2025. The exhibition presented works by the great Danish sculptor Kai Nielsen (1882–1924) at the Vigeland Museum.

In 1934, Eivind Eckbo became the owner of Sct. Annæ Passage, the arcade connecting Bredgade and Store Kongensgade in Copenhagen. This distinctive cultural environment is carefully described in the book, in essays by the Danish art historian Dr Lotte Thrane and the Norwegian architectural historian Dr Mathilde Sprovin, and will likely be of interest to anyone with a passion for the architectural history of Copenhagen.

Congratulations on this publication!

Oslo/Copenhagen, Spring 2026

Louise Bang Jespersen
Ambassador of Denmark to Norway

Orfeus Publishing
Eckbos Legat

©ORFEUS PUBLISHING

En norsk europeer i København
– Eivind Eckbos liv og virke i Danmark

ISBN: 978-82-93959-32-8

1st edition 2026

This book has been produced in collaboration with Eivind Eckbos Dansk-Norske Legat

Text:
Dag Blakkisrud
Mathilde Sprovin
Lotte Thrane

Editor:
Birgitte M. Siem

Graphic design/repro: Halvor Bodin
Paper: Arctic Matt 150 g/m²
Endpapers: Munken Lynx 150 g/m²
Cover cloth: Brillianta 4235
Typography: Arizona
Trykk: Livonia Print SIA, 2026, Latvia