Det var vinter udenfor, kulden krøb ind gennem de små vinduer i afdelingen.

It was winter outside, the cold crept in through the small windows in the ward.

Inde i den psykiatriske afdeling var der en anden slags varme.

Inside the psychiatric ward, there was a different kind of warmth.

På væggene hang farverige billeder, mange malet af patienterne selv.

On the walls hung colorful pictures, many painted by the patients themselves.

Blandt dem var Søren, en patient med en drøm større end de kolde mure.

Among them was Søren, a patient with a dream bigger than the cold walls.

Han havde været her i nogle uger, men hans sind havde længe søgt efter et frirum.

He had been here for a few weeks, but his mind had long sought an escape.

Søren havde fundet ro med en pensel i hånden.

Søren had found peace with a brush in hand.

Malerierne blev hans stemme, da ordene ikke slog til.

The paintings became his voice when words failed.

Astrid, en forstående sygeplejerske, havde opmuntret ham.

Astrid, an understanding nurse, had encouraged him.

Hun så noget særligt i hans kunst, en dybde, som få opdagede.

She saw something special in his art, a depth few discovered.

"Du har et talent, Søren," sagde Astrid blidt en morgen.

"You have talent, Søren," Astrid said softly one morning.

"Hvorfor viser du det ikke til flere?"

"Why don't you show it to more people?"

"Jeg...

"I...

Jeg vil gerne se den lokale kunstskole," svarede Søren, mens hans blik blev fjernt.

I'd like to see the local art school," replied Søren, his gaze becoming distant.

"Men tror du, de vil lade mig gå?"

"But do you think they'll let me go?"

Astrid vidste, at det ikke var let.

Astrid knew it wasn't easy.

Hospitalets administration var forsigtig.

The hospital administration was cautious.

Men med nytåret nærmede hun sig en idé.

But with New Year's approaching, she had an idea.

Hun foreslog en udstilling under nytårsfesten.

She suggested an exhibition during the New Year's party.

Søren kunne fremvise sine værker.

Søren could showcase his works.

Måske ville det overbevise dem, tænkte hun.

Maybe it would convince them, she thought.

Ugen op til nytår var travl.

The week leading up to New Year's was busy.

Søren malede flittigt.

Søren painted diligently.

Astrid hjalp ham med at vælge de bedste malerier.

Astrid helped him choose the best paintings.

Udstillingen skulle være perfekt.

The exhibition had to be perfect.

Der blev hængt guirlander op og tændt stearinlys, der gav varme til rummet.

Garlands were hung, and candles were lit, providing warmth to the room.

Endelig kom aftenen for nytårsfesten.

Finally, the evening of the New Year's party arrived.

Personalet og nogle få gæster var til stede.

The staff and a few guests were present.

Blandt dem var en repræsentant fra kunstskolen, hvis blik straks søgte mod malerierne.

Among them was a representative from the art school, whose gaze immediately sought the paintings.

Da Søren præsenterede sine værker, blev rummet stille.

When Søren presented his works, the room fell silent.

De farverige billeder fangede alles opmærksomhed.

The colorful pictures captured everyone's attention.

Malerierne talte, hvor Søren ikke kunne.

The paintings spoke where Søren could not.

Applaus brød ud, og endda skole repræsentanten nikkede anerkendende.

Applause erupted, and even the school representative nodded appreciatively.

Efter udstillingen mødte Astrid og Søren administrationen.

After the exhibition, Astrid and Søren met with the administration.

Med stor respekt talte Astrid om Sørens fremskridt og passion for kunsten.

With great respect, Astrid spoke about Søren's progress and passion for art.

Skolens repræsentant roste ham også og nævnte muligheder på skolen.

The school's representative also praised him and mentioned opportunities at the school.

Med deres støtte blev beslutningen taget.

With their support, the decision was made.

Søren skulle få lov at besøge kunstskolen, med Astrid som ledsager.

Søren would be allowed to visit the art school, with Astrid as his companion.

En ny start var begyndt.

A new beginning had started.

Søren kiggede ud af vinduet, hvor sneen dalede stille.

Søren looked out the window, where the snow fell quietly.

Indenfor varmede en ny drøm hans hjerte.

Inside, a new dream warmed his heart.

Han vidste, at dette kun var begyndelsen.

He knew this was just the beginning.

Astrid smilede ved siden af ham.

Astrid smiled beside him.

Hendes glæde over at se Søren tage et skridt mod sine drømme var alt, hvad hun behøvede.

Her joy in seeing Søren take a step toward his dreams was all she needed.

Vinteren udenfor var kold, men indenfor, i hjertet af afdelingen, var der en varme fyldt med håb og nye begyndelser.

The winter outside was cold, but inside, in the heart of the ward, there was a warmth filled with hope and new beginnings.