We interrupt – again, again, again – the series on Danish Wedding traditionsto bring you another public service announcement!
This coming Saturday – 15 June – is Valdemarsdag. And what is that, I hear you ask? Well, on 15 June 1219 Valdemar the Second of Denmark was fighting a crusade in Estonia. His army were losing the battle and prayed for God’s help. Lo and behold, a flag fell from the sky…a white cross on a read background. And they – selvfølgelig – went on to win the battle. And so goes the legend of Dannebrog– the Danish flag – the oldest national flag in the world.
Now, here comes the interesting part. Since 2000 Valdemarsdag has become the ‘biggest party for old people’ in Denmark- “Danmarks Største Ældrefest“! Thirty-two thousand of them! Yep, sprightly and not-so-sprightly oldies will be celebrating in old people’s homes and daycentres all over Denmark – with speeches by majors, live music and dancing. But the most important part is the food and drink…
To drink? Aalborg Snaps – akvavit. 1,200 bottles of the stuff. Delivered to them by Post Danmark – so watch out for your red postie on Saturday – he’ll be carrying some Very Important Packages! 😉
And to eat? New Danish potatoes. In 2000 a lady ‘smuggled’ some new Danish potatoes in her handbag to her husband who was in an OAP home. A rare treat! Since then Danmarks Kartoffelråd(Denmark’s Potato Council) has sponsored new potatoes once a year for the OAPs. And so goes the legend of snaps and new potatoes on Valdemarsdag!
Skål! To the old and the young at heart!
Diane 🙂
Hello,
I like your Blog! I´M just beginning to learn the danish language and enjoy it very much. I would like to have nice elderly female e-mail-friends who can help me to learn the language well.
I am 53 years old. Please write me an e-mail.
Thanks a lot.
Yours Conny