Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Festival Special – Denmark
The shellfish capital of Denmark Nykøbing Mors is situated on the island of Mors in the northern part of Jutland, surrounded by the beautiful and bountiful Limfjorden. Limfjorden has some of the most exquisite shellfish and seafood to be found in Denmark, something that gets celebrated every year at Skaldyrsfestival, the shellfish festival, in Nykøbing Mors.
The festival happens this year from 30 May to 1 June, with over 16,000 people expected to join in across three days. Admission to the festival is free, although some things, like the shellfish buffet and sailing trips, require tickets. There is an abundance of food and drinks to try at the festival, with many stands offering some of the best produce to be found in and around Limfjorden. 40 | Issue 120 | January 2019
From fjord to chopping board
Throughout the festival, there are many stalls showcasing the best of the local region. From these, it is possible to try local delicacies, such as the oysters, which are a sought-after ingredient at the top restaurants in London, at incredibly reasonable prices. This is also one of the best opportunities to try a variety of fresh shellfish and seafood.
Skaldyrsfestivalen works closely with the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), which puts on an event where kids and adults alike are allowed to play a little with their food and learn more about where it comes from. The kids can try frying jellyfish and can also pick out their own crab, which they then cook and eat. Limfjorden provides the perfect setting for this, as most of what they are handling comes straight from there, providing a good understanding of where the food comes from.
The festival is perfect for everyone, whether already a shellfish lover or a new explorer of the food. “We put the festival on for everyone, so whether you’re part of a family with young kids, coming straight from work, or you’re a group of friends, there’s something for everyone,” says Tang. “Last year, we even had two separate pairs of newlyweds who celebrated their weddings at the festival,
“The kids always enjoy that they get to try some unusual things, like dried seaweed and jellyfish. To connect them even more to where the food comes from, we also have a fishing vessel that people can go on to explore. We want to emphasise what’s in the backyard of the festival, and I think being right in the harbour really helps people feel close to where their food is coming from.”
By Josefine Older Steffensen | Photos: Skaldyrsfestivalen
“The festival was actually started by a local group of people. We wanted to showcase the food from the selfproclaimed shellfish capital of the world, and where better to start than with the fantastic shellfish itself?” explains Lars Tang, chairman of the festival. The first festival took place in 2005, and since then, its popularity has massively taken off.
one pair eating from the stalls while the other pair enjoyed the buffet.”
Something to discover