NEWS MAGAZINE ISSN 0113-4965 ● March 2011
Film Evening Friday March 18th, at 7.30pm Come and watch
Kvinden der drømte om en mand The woman that dreamed about a man (2010) A new movie by Per Fly (Bænken, Arven, Drabet)
See review on page 3. Coffee/cake and a hyggelig aften Movie is served with coffee and cake. Members $5 Non-members $7 Still a cheap night out
Wednesday Morning Group
Commences Wednesday, 23rd March
Spit-Roast Summer Party Saturday 19 March, 7pm
(dinner served at 7.30pm) The ‘Spit-roast Company’ is going to cater a buffet dinner so make sure you join us for an evening of fine food and company. Get your friends together and book a table or come along and meet new people. Menu: A selection of three meats, salads and a vegetarian dish, hot jacket potatoes and more. A selection of four desserts Tea and coffee $25.00 – Members $35.00 – Guests *Cash bar for drinks*
Book by Sunday 13 March latest. Phone Annette Jorna 6308722 or email her on socials@danishsocietynz.com - see insert for payment details -
Come to the
10.30 am Coffee and chat 11am – Some insights from Scandinavian Festival in Norsewood and other issues you wish to share with the group There will also be time to plan the programme for the year so bring ideas of speakers and activities Bring your lunch to eat following the meeting – All Welcome Focus of group “Friendship and Danish life and culture”
Open House
Sunday, March 6th from 2pm Come and meet your friends or get some new ones – Everyone is welcome!
Coffee & cake from $2.50 (Next Open House – April 3rd)
THE DANISH SOCIETY (INC) P. O. BOX 12 279 - PENROSE 1642 6 Rockridge Ave., Penrose, Auckland Phone 580 3103 www.danishsocietynz.com
Contact phone numbers
The Danish House Valhalla, Leigh
Member: Senior rate: (65 & over) Youth rate: (18 to 25) Children under 18 Family discount: Less
580 3103 09 422 6194
Committee
PRESIDENT Inger Mortensen 443 5105 Email: president@danishsocietynz.com VICE-PRESIDENT Marion Stewart 480 8282 Email: vicepresident@danishsocietynz.com TREASURER Roger Knights 021 858 248 Email: treasurer@danishsocietynz.com SECRETARY Pam Logan 480 9883 Email: secretary@danishsocietynz.com COMMITTEE MEMBERS Antony Barrett 444 0939 Kim Basse 473 6455 Kurt Marquart 476 0244 Finn Nielsen 625 5533 Louise Robertson 410 0108 EDITOR “NEWS MAGAZINE” John Stewart 480 8282 88c Coronation Road, Hillcrest, North Shore 0627 E-mail: editor@danishsocietynz.com MAILOUT Helle Scott 521 2844 CHANGE OF ADDRESS Kurt Marquart 476 0244 E-mail: membership@danishsocietynz.com
Other Addresses
ROYAL DANISH CONSULATE GENERAL P.O. Box 619, Auckland 1 Fax 537 3067 Phone 537 3099 www.danishconsulatesnz.org.nz THE TRADE COMMISSION OF DENMARK P.O. Box 2154, Auckland 1 Fax 307 5207 Phone 379 3119 www.dtcauckland.um.dk THE LUTHERAN CHURCH 1 Harris Rd (P O Box 85-014) Mt Wellington Phone 579 4490 DANISH CHURCH NEW ZEALAND INC. Pastor Anja Grønne Mathiassen www.danishchurchnz.org Ph 03 464 0218
RATES FOR VALHALLA
Peak Members Guests Adults $18 $30 Children $9 $20 Off-Peak Adults $12 $30 Children $6 $20 Whole house daily rate Off-peak $120 Peak rate $270 Christmas season $320 Functions $320 Off-peak = Mid-week only excluding Christmas season and school holidays Peak = All school holidays, Christmas season and all weekends. Christmas season = Christmas Eve to the end of Anniversary weekend. The house can only be hired for 7 days at any one time. Call the Booking Officer: Marion Stewart, 88c Coronation Road, Hillcrest, NSC P: 480 8282 E: valhalla@danishsocietynz.com 2
SUBSCRIPTIONS (2011 Financial Year – 1st Oct 2010 to 30th Sept 2011) $60 per member $50 per member $50 per member Free $30 per couple
REGULAR EVENTS DANISH HOUSE
An Open House is held on the first Sunday of each month from 2pm.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
DANISH MOTHERS’ GROUP
meets every 2nd Tuesday. Call Christina on 021 161 3159 for venue.
are held on the second Monday of the month at 7.30pm
FOLKDANCERS
VALHALLA WORKING BEES
meet at 7.30pm on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month.
CARDPLAYERS
WEDNESDAY MORNING GROUP
Working bees are usually held on the weekend of the second Saturday of the month. meet on the first and third Wednesday of the month - 11am to 3pm
Meets on the fourth Wednesday of every month at 10.30am.
QUICK CHECK CALENDAR March Sun 6 Open House Wed 2 Card Players Mon-Wed 7-9 Valhalla Working Bee Fri 18 Film Evening Sat 19 Summer Party Wed 23 Morning Group April Sun 3rd Open House & Danish Church Service Sat 9th Valhalla Working Bee Mon 11th Committee Meeting Wed 20th Jazz Evening, Dixieland Gipsy Band
Danish Classes Wednesdays
Beginners 6.30-7.30pm Intermediate 7.30-8.30pm Private lessons are available on Saturday mornings.
For more information call
Connie Kristensen
0274 757 565
May May 1st May 9th May 14th
Open House Committee Meeting Valhalla Working Bee
June Jun 5th Jun 11th Jun 13th Jun 19th Jun 25th
Open House Valhalla working bee Committee Meeting Skt Hans Mid-Winter Christmas Party (Smoerrebroed)
Danish House Hall Hire Rates
Members rates for hiring the hall for the whole day at the Danish House, Penrose. Sunday to Friday inclusive $100 Saturday: $150 Half a day is $25 less. Funerals – no charge. The bond is $150.00 per booking. The booking/holding fee of $50.00 is deducted from the total cost.
Call the Booking Officer: Antony Barrett, Phone 444 0939
Committee Contacts & Convenors for Working Groups Committee Contact Working Group Cultural Card Players Danish lessons Danish Mothers’ group Films Folk dancing Library / Videos Society history Welfare (Cards & Flowers) Danish House Bookings Maintenance Members Membership Communication Editor Webmaster Socials Bar Socials Valhalla Bookings & Maintenance Working Bees
Convenor Phone Oluf Basse 534 2798 0274 757 565 Connie Kristensen Christina Bengtson 021 161 3159 Kurt Marquart 476 0244 Finn Nielsen 625 5533 Helle Gilderdale 478 7016 Karen Yates 524 6016 Vibeke Courtney 576 3150 Antony Barrett 444 0939 Kim Basse 473 6455 Kurt Marquart 476 0244 email: membership@danishsocietynz.com John Stewart 480 8282 Gitte Abildgaard Nielsen 360 1110 email: webmaster@danishsocietynz.com Finn Nielsen, 625 5533 Annette Jorna 630 8722 email: socials@danishsocietynz.com Marion Stewart 480 8282 Palle Olsen 09 426 6840
Danish Society News Magazine ● March 2011
From the President’s Desk - February 2011 Welcome to our new secretary At a small but effecient special general meeting on Thursday 17th February at the Danish House, we elected our new secretary, Pam Logan. Pam has been the editor of our magazine for a number of years and has been involved with so many aspects of both committee and general membership of the Society, that she is going to fit in perfectly. Thank you for accepting nomination, Pam - we look forward to working with you.
Socials We have still not heard from members interested in helping with organising socials. This is potentially
a big problem as I’m sure most of you love coming to smoerrebroedsparties and various other events, but of course they don’t just happen by themselves. We are currently looking at the possibility of contacting members we think may be suitable for this job and kindly asking them to each organise a party or other event. So stay tuned – you may be the next person to get a call from one of your friendly committee members. Med kærlig hilsen Inger Mortensen
Fastelavnsfest
Dressed up children came on a hot day and bashed the barrel (TØNDEN). This year the homemade barrel was reinforced with an extra layer and it took the kids a bit of extra superpower to get through it. It was well worth all the hard work as it was stuffed with goodies. Thanks to
March 2011 ● Danish Society News Magazine
Carsten Dansted for the beautiful “fastelavnstønde”. Also thanks to everyone who baked some delicious fastelavnsboller and other treats. Fastelavn is an old Danish tradition where there is dress up tøndeslagning in the cold month of February.
3
Quick Check Calendar 2011 You might like to pull this out and put it on your fridge. Please remember that you can also check events on our website’s calendar http://www.danishsocietynz.com/calendar/ and of course look for more details in the magazines throughout the year. All of the following are subject to change and more events may be added:
Feb 6th Feb 14th Feb 19th Feb 20th
Open House Committee Meeting Habbadam (Danish folk musicians) (to be confirmed) Fastelavn
Mar 6th Mar 21st-25th Mar 14th Mar 19th
Open House Valhalla mid-week working bee Committee Meeting BBQ / Spit-roast Summer Party
Apr 3rd Apr 9th Apr 11th Apr 20th
Open House, followed by Danish Church Service Valhalla working bee Committee Meeting Jazz-Evening, Dixieland Gipsy Band (Danish Jazzband)
May 1st May 9th May 14th
Open House Committee Meeting Valhalla working bee
Wednesday, April 20th, 8pm
Doors open at 7.30pm. Cash bar available. More details in next month’s magazine 4
Jun 5th Jun 11th Jun 13th Jun 19th Jun 25th
Open House Valhalla working bee Committee Meeting Skt Hans Mid-Winter Christmas Party (smoerrebroed)
Jul 3rd Jul 9th Jul 11th Jul 17th Aug 6th Aug 7th Aug 8th Aug 13th Aug 14th Aug 27th
Open House, followed by Danish Church Service Valhalla working bee Committee Meeting Bingo Winter-Warm-Up, Folkdancers Open House Committee Meeting Valhalla Working Bee Mothers’ Group Mid-Winter Christmas Dinner-Party (not smoerrebroed)
Sep 4th Sep 10th Sep 12th Sep 25th Oct 2nd Oct 8t Oct 10th
Open House Valhalla Working Bee Committee Meeting Young Over 60’s Lunch Open House Valhalla Working Bee Committee Meeting
Nov 6th Nov 7th Nov 7th-9th Nov 19th Nov 24th Nov 25th Nov 27th Nov 28th
Scandinavian Julemarked Committee Meeting Valhalla Mid Week Working Bee Christmas Party (smoerrebroed) Bishop Monrad Celebrations at Te Papa, Wellington Bishop Monrad Celebrations at Danish House AGM followed by family dinner (to be confirmed) Committee Meeting
Dec 4th Dec 11th Dec 16th
Open House, followed by Danish Church Service Children’s Christmas Party Christmas Carols Danish Society News Magazine ● March 2011
The Mark of Denmark Bertel Thorvaldsen was born in Copenhagen during 1770, and is believed to be of Icelandic heritage. He came from a humble family background and may not have received any formal schooling. Consequently he never became a competent academic or acquired an indept knowledge of art as a subject, which was generally expected of any artist. At the age of eleven, with some help, he was admitted to the Royal Danish Academy of Art, and among his professors were leading scholars such as Nicalai Abildgaard and Johannes Wiedberg. His sculptures received high praise at the Academy, and he was given a Royal Stipend to carry on his work in Rome in 1797. Thorvandsen’s first major success was the statue of “Jason with the Golden Fleece” which was completed in 1801, and this, together with subsequent work, established him as a recognised neo-classical artist. The motifs for his work were often drawn from Greek Mythology, as well as classical art and literature. He was of the opinion that only through the imitation of classical art pieces could one become a truly great artist. Part of his collection included a number of portraits, including one of Pope Pius VII which is placed in the Clementine Chapel at the Vatican, but being of
the Lutheran faith he was not allowed to sign his work. Many of his striking creations can be seen in different European countries outside Italy, including such diverse places as Poland and Switzerland. His most famous work may be the statue of the “Resurrected Christ“, which at times is referred to as “Thorvaldsen`s Christus.“ It is located at Vor Frue Kirke in Copenhagen. There are many replicas of this in various places in the U.S. where it can be found at the temple of Latter Day Saints in Salt Lake City, their Visitors Centres in Arizona and Santa Monica in California. It has also been recreated as part of the Lego range of material. A bronze copy of Thorvandsen stands in Central Park, New York near the East 97 Street entrance. Thorvaldsen`s primany mastery was his feel for the rhythm of lines and flow. Nearly all his work can be viewed from whatever angle without compromising the inpact. He also had the ability to work in monumental size. Among his friends were Adam Oehlenschlager and H.C. Andersen, both of whom he dinned with from time to time. He died in 1844, and is by his own special request buried in the courtyard at Thorvaldsen`s Museum in Copenhagen, where many of his master peices are located, and for everyone to enjoy when visiting the final resting place of the great Danish artist. Sent in by Carlo Mikkelsen
Movie Review
Friday March 18th, 7.30pm Come and watch
Kvinden der drømte om en mand The woman that dreamed about a man (2010) Per Fly is back five years after his Denmark-trilogy with a revitalized film style and new actors.
Synopsis: Fashion photographer K has had dreams of a strange man. One day she sees a man that looks exactly like the man of her dreams on a restaurant and follows him. When she sees him again the next day at the same place he approaches her. She falls in love with the man and jeopardices her life with her husband, her job and her life as she knew it Starring : Michael Nyqvist, Sonja Richter, Marcin Dorocinski, Tammi Øst March 2011 ● Danish Society News Magazine
As the magazine goes to print we would like to extend our prayers to the people of Christchurch. They will be facing extremely uncertain and frightening times in the weeks and months ahead. There is an active Scandinavian club in Christchurch and we send to our fellow friends our love and support. Our thoughts are with you all. Med kaerlig hilsen 5
From the Valhalla Booking Officer Farewell to a friend Last month while the newsletter was going to print, we learnt of Erik Nissen’s passing. I would like to acknowledge the huge effort and work Erik put into maintaining Valhalla. He was a man who saw a job that needed doing and got out there and did it. Not only that he did it with excellent craftsmanship, skills that will be very hard to replace. Erik has left his mark on Valhalla and in our hearts that will not be forgotten.
the new deck. The deck is currently safe as the slip was in front of it but we will need to check this out thoroughly and plan to get a Geotec report so that we know what we are dealing with. There has also been more erosion under the bottom rung of steps on the ocean side. Marion Stewart
Thank you Vibeke and Neville Courtney Vibeke and Neville have been an integral part of the Valhalla working bees for as long as I can remember. Vibeke took charge of the kitchen with a helper in tow to feed the workers during the busy weekend. The food was amazing and no-body went hungry, quite the opposite in fact. Every working bee Neville and Vibeke would go up early on Friday and give the house a good clean before the others arrived later that evening. They have decided it is now time to hand the job over. The dedication and work Vibeke and Neville have contributed towards the Valhalla working bees is outstanding and I would like to acknowledge this huge involvement on behalf of the Danish Society. Members like Vibeke and Neville are what make the Danish Society flourish.
Top of slip 1 m from deck. The slip cut 1 to 1.5 m deep, 4 to 6 m wide, and about 40 m in length downhill.
Housekeeping Your occupancy at Valhalla begins at 5pm and finishes at 5pm. Unless arranged otherwise with me do not turn up at the house expecting to move in before that time. It is unfair on the current occupants who feel they have to quickly clean and leave earlier than they had planned or if the cleaner is coming in she will not clean with people in the house.
New Lounge Furniture
The bank has been gradually eroding over the last 20 years. Now there has been further loss, threatening the bottom landing.
During my stay for a few days in January I realised the lounge furniture is not only old, it is very old, very tatty and extremely uncomfortable except the lovely corner lounge piece. I plan to visit 2nd hand furniture stores to see if I can pick up some new furniture. If anyone knows of a good shop to visit please let me know.
Damage at Valhalla We have suffered a bit of damage to the property during the storm on Auckland Anniversary. There have been several slips, the worst being just in front of 6
This 10 m Pohutukawa and some smaller trees were uprooted by a slip and fell on to the tidal rocks below. Danish Society News Magazine â—? March 2011
We need your help! at the next Valhalla Working Bees 21st-25th March, mid-week 9th-10th April
We are seeking your support to carry out a whole range of jobs, both indoors and outdoors. There is always house-cleaning to do as well as weeding etc. Any help is welcome. Lunch is supplied by the society, therefore we need to know the number of participants by Wednesday 6th April.
If you are able to help in any way, please contact Palle Olsen on 09 426 6840, 021 255 0911 or palle@olsens.co.nz
IN DEEP WATER by Erling Jensen My wife asked me to fill a bottle with water – clean water from the Pacific Ocean. She liked to sip a spoonful of salt water every morning while we celebrated Christmas in New Zealand. So off I went. With my six-year-old son I ran along the beach until we came to the end of the sandspit – a narrow gap where the Pataua River flows through an estuary into the ocean. I took off my glasses, gave them to my son and plunged into the waves. White-crested rollers rippled along my body like heedless champagne bubbles – a tingling sensation! But I wanted to make sure I got clean water – not the frothy foam churned up by breakers. I curled my toes and went further out until I could just touch the bottom. While filling the bottle I thought of the Christmas turkey in the ovens, crabs and shellfish, the creation – life in its astounding diversity. Pacific rollers splashed into my face. Time stood still. Or so I thought. Suddenly there was no bottom. The tide was going out. I was caught in a rip-tide! With the bottle in my hand I began swimming furiously towards the beach. I didn’t make any headway, so I threw the bottle away. Now I could swim unhindered. I saw the beach within tantalising reach. But it didn’t seem to get any closer. My arms started aching. My energy was ebbing. The tide was too strong. In a blur, I saw my son playing happily on the beach, unaware that his dad was fighting for his life less than forty yards away. So near, yet so far. “Is this it?” I thought. “The moment of truth?” Determined to find a way back to the beach I tried to stay cool. It was time to assess my options for survival. March 2011 ● Danish Society News Magazine
Should I follow the tide – drift into the open sea – hoping that someone would spot me from a fishing boat? The prospect of meeting a shark didn’t appeal to me. Jaws! I shuddered at the thought. The tide was seeping me into the ocean like a fan – a mighty force. Would I have a sporting chance if I tried to swim diagonally towards the coast? Would I have enough strength? A pretty calculated risk. “Help!” I yelled at the top of mu voice. While treading water I didn’t raise my hand. A sign of distress might have attracted someone’s attention, but I forgot. Never mind – there was no-one around anyway. Huge waves rolled over my head again – and again. I gasped for breath. Time was running out. Thoughts of dying flashed through my mind. Where would I spend eternity? What would it be like? Angels in oceans of light? I’d heard that when you drown you hear the bells ringing. I started praying – a fervant call for help in the name of Jesus. I pray for His hand to be over me – or rather, under me. Out of the blue I heard a voice: “Can I help you?” I couldn’t believe my ears. A tanned young man was right behind me – on a surfboard! Exhausted, I swam to his board and pulled myself onto it. In a few seconds he was riding a wave for shore. I felt the wind whipping across my face, water rushing beneath the board. As the wave faded, I lay face down and thanked God for answering my prayer in such an unexpected way! The surfer, on his knees, was paddling his blessed board towards the beach – and my son. 7
In Memoriam
Many members will be sad to hear of the death of
Erik Nissen
who passed away on 28 January at the age of 73. He had been an active member of the Society and very involved with Valhalla. Aere vaere hans minde.
Foreningsnyt Congratulations to all the members who have birthdays and the couples who have an anniversary in March especially Hanne Benbaruk som fylder 59 år d. 4.3.2011 Annette Jorna som fylder 45 år d. 5.3.2011 Jette Thomasen-Baker som fylder 47 år d. 5.3.2011 Pam Logan som fylder 61 år d. 12.3.2011 Graham Wright som fylder 77 år d. 18.3.2011 George Whitby som fylder 63 år d. 20.3.2011 Trevor Palmer som fylder 47 år d. 23.3.2011 Randi Beck Edwards som fylder 44 år d. 25.3.2011 Philip Gouge som fylder 65 år d. 27.3.2011 Ellen Aase Mayo-Smith som fylder 86 år d. 27.3.2011 Terese Phillips som fylder 60 år d. 29.3.2011
Thank You Letters
To the Danish Society, Thank-you for the lovely flower arrangement I received for my recent birthday. Dawn Nissen
The next magazine deadline is Mar 21
All contributions welcome – in English or Danish (with a short summary in English). The magazine can also be read (in full colour) online at www.danishsocietynz.com. Note: ads for events must be in a calendar month before the event. John Stewart editor@danishsocietynz.com 8
Welcome to New Members
Velkommen til nye medlemmer: Amy Dunlop Suzanna Dunlop Ulla, Dallas, Ella and Taylor Bennett David and Esther Keeling Martha Nielsen Lise Eriksen Eric Van der Sluis
Letters
Dear Editor, As one of the founding members of the Danish Church New Zealand Inc, I must endorse the article written by Niels Jaegersborg on this organisation, as published in the February issue of our News Magazine. In my view, we in the Danish Society are fortunate to have the Chursh connected with our Society. Many of our members have no doubt been baptized, confirmed and/or married in the Lutheran faith, which is very much part of our national hereitage. It is as Danish as “smoerrrebroed” or “fastelavn”. Danish House is a perfect venue for most events and our Pastor, Anja Mathiassen, has visited on many occasions. However, you can also select other settings for any appropiate activity which you may have in mind. For the Church to develop and grow into an established part of our Society, support is needed and I would urge the Society members to seek more information on the Church, perhaps with the aim of becoming members Med venlig hilsen, Carlo Mikkelsen Dear Editor, Ib and Esther Heller lived in Auckland in the seventies and made a reputation as documentary film-makers. Several of their films were shown on New Zealand TV. When they returned to Denmark their son Boaz Heller stayed here for a number of years, but he now lives in Denmark and produces documentaries there. Esther and Boaz have recently made a documentary about stroke victims and their families. As the average age of people increases, so does the number of people with strokes. The film is available on the internet at www.hellerfilm.dk/livet, and it may be of interest to the Danish community in Auckland to know that it is available on the internet free of charge. There are no English sub-titles, unfortunately. Kind regards, Kenneth Fink-Jensen Danish Society News Magazine ● March 2011
Spit-Roast Summer Party
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