The Greenlandic election is being held in an extreme situation. The world's most powerful man is casting hungry glances towards Greenland and says that the USA must gain control over the island. This gets emotions boiling.
It was a wake-up call. The statements have been very disrespectful, says Hans Lars Jensen, as he serves guests beer and soda in the bar at the Greenlandic House in the middle of Copenhagen.
He himself has lived in Denmark for three years and the picture he paints of Danish attitudes is not pretty.
There are so many racists in Denmark.
"Hope they hold together"
A large screen with live reporting from the Greenlandic polling stations is being followed with great interest by the visitors. But most of them here cannot vote themselves, since they are registered in Denmark.
The majority of the parties running want independence, but they have different views on how fast it should happen and on what terms.
I hope they hold together instead of fighting with each other, says Kristine Abrahamsen, who has lived in Denmark for 35 years.
She has not been to Greenland since her mother died in 2000, simply because she cannot afford it, and she will not be moving back. But she cannot let go.
I live here, I have my family here, but I want to help them, she says.
They must be free to decide for themselves what they want to do with their natural resources. They should not have to be dependent on economic support from Denmark.
Invisible umbilical cord
Gaz Zaa Lung, who has lived in Denmark since 1989, is convinced that Greenland is heading towards independence, but it is a process that must be allowed to take time, she believes. In this election, another small step is being taken in that direction.
But there will always be an invisible umbilical cord between Denmark and Greenland.
Young people on Greenland are in the process of finding their way back to their Greenlandic identity, while all the historical injustices are being dug up and laid on the table. Gaz Zaa Lung hopes that it will lead to forgiveness.
They have not asked for forgiveness, but we should forgive them. Nelson Mandela is a role model.
Gerth K Davidsen sits with a cup in front of him and follows the election night. Of course, he is interested, but he does not think it is his place to sit at a distance and say how Greenland should act.
But he emphasizes that an equal relationship based on mutual respect is difficult to achieve with Denmark.
Denmark has tried to integrate with us for 350 years, but never succeeded.
