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February 14th, 2014

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Look out for the pink benches in Copenhagen today. While they might bring you closer to your loved-one, it could also be a complete stranger you end up snuggling to on Valentine's Day.

Especially to mark February 14, five 'love-benches' have been placed around the city. When two people sit on the love-bench, a mechanism causes the seats to slide closely together.

The five colourful benches have been commissioned by the chocolate company Anthon Berg in co-operation with the City Council. The benches will only be in town on 14 February.

Love is like chocolate

“We have put up the five benches to remind Danes and Copenhageners to be more generous and to dedicate time to each other," explained the senior brand manager at Anthon Berg, Rikke Grønborg Crown, in a press release.

"We know that kisses and hugs can release dopamine when you are falling in love and oxytocin when you love someone. It rewards us with a feeling of happiness, just like chocolate rewards us with endorphins. For that reason, it is not entirely foolish to give out hugs, kisses and chocolate on Valentine's Day.”

The five benches are situated in Christiansborg, Østerbro, Nørrebro, Vesterbro and Gråbrødre Torv in the city centre.

More love in the air
It is not only on Valentine's Day that Copenhagen wants to bring people together. In the days leading up to the Eurovision Song Contest, the City Council is offering foreign gay and straight couples the chance to marry at three different locations in the city. This year makes the 25th anniversary of the City Council conducting its first same-sex civil partnership.

The couples can get married on May 7, 9 or 10 (the day of the final itself), and at LGBT Denmark, spokesperson Søren Laursen is excited about the initiative.

“I am certain that many couples from both home and abroad, and in the all the colours of the rainbow, will embrace the offer,” he told DR Nyheder.