Following Danish artist Kristian von Hornsleth’s much critized “The Village Project Uganda” from 2006, in which he arranged for 104 people from the Ugandan village Buteyongera to add “Hornsleth” to their own name in exchange for livestock, I, in 2008, applied to have the last names of the 104 people added to mine.

Had my application been approved my name would have been: Laurits Nymand Galanda Senoga Ocheni Namono Nasaazi Hamayero Madaba Nakiwala Masaaba Nanfuna Nadunga Kayinza Nakamya Nabende Negesa Mulondo Bukenya Kayita Nakate Nsubuga Nansamba Nakalema Nantege Nakwasi Dumba Keden Lobowa Sewanyana Liwanuka Nanfuka Lwasa Seera Sewanyana Namatovu Nabuduwa Kizza Nakiwu Mubiru Nabuduwa Kakooza Ssela Nandekye Katiya Kwagala Nakabugo Gambwa Kayinza Lubega Mazahga Juuko Kabenge Kyanda Kayondo Manggali Gimugu Mufoga Habi Ssemugenyi Mawanda Sabadu Gimeye Mutesasira Gimanga Nankabilwa Nakafero Bukenya Nyadoyi Kizito Namubiru Babirye Ndagire Bukenya Kafumbilwango Nkuuna Buzire Nasimbwa Naziwa Ssempebwa Musanya Nsubuga Sebadu Nakayenze

Nalwanga Nakyanzi Gidudu Muzaki Giduuno Musisi Nampungu Nabulya Namuli Nanjebe Namutosi Namulwasila Matovu Matovu Nsubuga Nakazibwe Leya Twino Namboozo Nakamanya Achola Nansubuga Svendsen

My application, however, received a refusal, which I am holding in the image to the left. Here is a translation of the refusal in English:

“Lyngby, the 10th of March 2008.

In reference to your application, 21st of February 2008, in which you wish to change your name in accordance with application formula, we can inform you that a decision has been reached.

The applied cannot be granted as you have no relational connection to the 104 names mentioned in the application formula.

The evaluation is based on name law nr. 524 of  24/6/2005 11 part 1 nr. 3, “Middle name on the basis of relational connection”.

Complaints about the decision can be filed to Familistyrelsen. If you wish to make a complaint about the decision you must file the complaint, along with the acts of the case, to Stengård Sogn, Triumfvej 2, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, which will forward the case to Familistyrelsen.

Kind regards, Hanne Hansen, sacristan assistent”