Viser opslag med etiketten National Day. Vis alle opslag
Viser opslag med etiketten National Day. Vis alle opslag

søndag den 14. juni 2009

Celebrating the Danish National Day



Last year we startet a tradition (or at least we hope that it will become a tradition) of celebrating the Danish National Day.

The Danish National Day falls on 5 June, the Constitution Day, and the day is not celebrated like the Norwegian 17 May or the American 4 July. The Danes go to political meetings, not parades. It is the day of the political parties, not the people per se.

The Danes got their Constitution in 1849, adopting a constitutional monarcy, based on the Belgian model. It was a very volatile time, with turmoil and social revolutions all over Europe. In order to prevent this a democratic reform began, ending in the Constitution signed 7 june 1849 by a reluctant King Christian 7, the last of the Oldenburg kings on the Danish throne.

Although we were not attempting to start a parade (the Danes are very good at parades when dissatisfied with something), we wanted to make give the day a positive value. Jan was really excited about singing the national anthem and other songs from the "Højskolesangbog" (a Danish song book).

Above are som pictures from this years celebration - a brunch with some of our friends.