Meet Kvartalets Balder-nabo: Sarah creates one big family at Øresund Park
 

Sarah Aslani and her husband were the very first to call Øresund Park at Amager Strand their home. Over the past eight years, Sarah has not only taken care of her neighbors’ dogs as if they were her own — she has also taught the neighborhood children to love the beach and even created an art exhibition in her living room during COVID. In other words: She has built one big family across stairwells and nationalities.

A little dog with a red bow runs around the living room, wagging its tail happily. Ruby feels perfectly at home with Sarah Aslani, even though she technically doesn’t belong to her. And yet, in a way, she does. Sarah and her husband, Arash, often take care of their neighbor Plamena’s furry roommate, Ruby, whenever Plamena is busy with work or away on business trips.

And that’s Sarah in a nutshell: she cares for her neighbors, their pets, and their children as if they were her own closest family.

A warm-hearted pioneer at Øresund Park
Not only can Sarah now call herself Kvartalets Balder-nabo for the second quarter of 2025 — back in 2017, she also made history as the very first resident of Øresund Park. The first completed two-room apartment with a terrace became theirs, and they have been part of the Balder family for 8 years since.

Throughout these eight years, Sarah has dedicated herself wholeheartedly to the community. Her mantra is to make life easier for her neighbors, who are busy with their careers and family lives. That is exactly why she deserves the title of Kvartalets Balder-nabo.

“Unfortunately, I can’t work at the same level as I used to, since I developed a slipped disc and have knee problems. But I really want to support those who are focused on their careers. If I can help by taking their children to the dentist, cooking for them, or taking care of their dogs, I do it with joy,” she explains and continues:

“At the same time, it has truly been a lifeline for me during a difficult period, when my own career had to be put on hold, to spend time with the neighbors’ sweet children. I’ve even taught several of them to love the beach. They weren’t too fond of the cold water at first, but now they love splashing around in the waves — just like I do myself.”

COVID activities and language support
During the COVID lockdown, Sarah transformed her apartment into a small creative workshop. The children from the building could come over to draw, and their artwork was displayed on the walls so parents could later attend a little exhibition. At the same time, she cooked meals for her neighbors and made sure no one felt alone during the otherwise isolating times.

“It was important to me to do something good for the community despite the tough times during the pandemic. The little art exhibition and the meals for the neighbors were a big hit with both kids and adults,” she explains.

Sarah, who moved to Denmark from Iran in 1989, has mastered the Danish language to perfection. And in her helpful spirit, she has shared her knowledge with the international residents in the building:

“I can really relate to what it’s like to arrive in a country without knowing the language. That’s why I’ve done my best to teach the children who have come here with their parents from other countries.”

“My neighbor is like my sister”
She also highlights her extraordinarily good relationship with her neighbor Christina, who has lived in the building almost as long as Sarah:

“I feel like we’re sisters. We’re just always there for each other, through thick and thin. I’ve taken care of Christina’s daughter and feel like she’s my own. It’s amazing and truly essential to have such wonderful neighbors,” she concludes.

We send a big Balder thank you to Sarah for her warm-hearted efforts and for being a shining example of good neighborliness. And a special thanks to Plamena Cherneva for the nomination. Do you also have a neighbor who makes a difference? You can nominate them for the Kvartalets Balder-nabo award right here