Sixteen singles from across Denmark have moved into a summerhouse near Ebeltoft on Djursland to date each other without phones, in a new concept called Offline Kærlighed.
The stay runs over the coming days at a summerhouse with a pool and a sauna. DR reports that the participants will date across the group, with mobile phones and other digital distractions kept out of reach.
The idea is that first impressions play a smaller role than they do online. Participants take part in various shared activities during the stay, rather than meeting for single dates.
One of the participants is Louise Mortensen, who lives in Copenhagen. She told DR that swipe culture has not done much good for her, and that she needed a different approach.
According to DR, Mortensen also points to the shared expectations among those taking part. Everyone involved has stated that they are looking for something serious, and she hopes the days will teach her more about herself.
No cameras and no spotlight
Despite the format, the stay is not a television production. As reported by DR, the participants date away from the spotlight, so they have time to build relationships through dates and activities.
Another participant is Søren Blankholm from Aarhus. He said he is looking forward to meeting people this way, and expects that people can open up more than they do on dating apps.
Blankholm added that dating apps can lead people to set strange requirements for a partner. He hopes the summerhouse setting makes it easier to see the whole person.
The concept was created by Anne Bjerg Pedersen, who is behind the project. According to DR, more than 90 people applied to take part, and she held conversations with more than 50 of them before selecting the final group.
Pedersen normally works as a visiting nurse in Skanderborg Municipality. She told DR that she is curious to see whether she has managed to assemble a group with good dynamics, noting that this is the first time the concept is being run.
Pedersen said she hopes the stay becomes a good experience, and that it shows people it is not dangerous to try something new. She also hopes it can lead to more Offline Kærlighed events in the future.
DR reported earlier on the concept, when Pedersen set out to give 16 young singles a chance to meet in the way she had described. That reporting noted the plan to gather participants for a shared stay rather than online matching.
The 16 participants come from across the country, including Copenhagen and Aarhus. Their stay in the Ebeltoft summerhouse takes place this week.
