Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Visit Denmark
A taste of medieval life An hour’s drive north from Copenhagen, you will find Esrum Abbey, one of the oldest monasteries in Denmark. Completed in 1151 by the Cistercian order, it became a powerful northern centre for the spread and reinforcement of Catholicism. Though its religious inhabitants are now long gone, the abbey continues their legacy today, giving modern visitors of all ages a chance to get a taste of their medieval lives – sometimes quite literally. By Louise Older Steffensen | Photow: Esrum Kloster
At the height of its power, Esrum Abbey owned two-thirds of Northern Zealand, overseeing monasteries as far away as Poland and Germany. Though the religious complex was turned over to the king at Denmark’s turn to Lutheranism, the impressive abbey still to this day holds its own at the shore of Denmark’s second-largest lake, surrounded by the endless, blossoming nature that now makes up the Royal Retreat national park. “Esrum’s monks had a very close relationship to their natural surroundings,” says head of communications, Kristina Bille Nielsen. “They had to be self-sufficient and
made farming into an art form, from propagating fruit trees to making cheese – Esrom cheese is still around today. It’s become a huge part of our story here – experiencing the Middle Ages hands-on through food, activities and storytelling really brings these people’s history to life. We provide those experiences for everyone, from fairly grownup adults learning far too much about the monks’ beer brewing at company outings to school children experiencing the lives of medieval children.” On 15 and 16 June, Esrum Abbey hosts its annual medieval festival, when medieval merchants, tradesmen, knights and fools
turn up to make the Middle Ages interactive for families as well as experienced history nerds – a trend continued throughout the summer holidays, which will culminate in August’s harvest festival. The large playground and guided tours are available throughout the year, while October sees the reopening of the abbey’s interactive interior exhibitions. Themed medieval feasts take place throughout the rest of the year, and you would be an honoured guest. Medieval market.
Web: www.esrum.dk Facebook: esrumkloster Instagram: @esrumkloster
Knejpe Festival in Helsingør — the gateway to the rest of the world Knejpe Festival celebrates the history of Helsingør. The two-day festival runs in October each year, when the streets of the town transform into a bustling folk festival. By Emilie Kristensen-McLachlan | Photos: Knejpe Festival
Every year in October, Helsingør is brimming with the people and activities of Knejpe Festival. The festival, which has been running since 2011, celebrates the history of Helsingør in a very unique way, highlighting the town’s reputation as a gateway to the rest of the world. “Back in the day, we had up to 500 ships out in Øresund, waiting to pay taxes in Helsingør before they could continue their journey. What did people do while they were waiting to pay? They partied and drank,” says Søs Krogh Vikkelsøe, head of Knejpe Festival. The streets of Helsingør are the setting for two days of live music from Denmark as well as abroad, street performers, storytell98 | Issue 125 | June 2019
ers, and plenty of beer. Many of the locations for the festival programme are the old pubs and taverns – the places where you can imagine the sailors would have gone themselves. “The festival is a treasure. It’s a local folk festival, but really, it’s international as well,” says Krogh Vikkelsøe. The festival is a great way to experience the town outside of the tourist season. Businesses, organisations and locals all come together to celebrate the town’s history, and the whole area is bustling with energy, guests and celebration. “You can walk from one place to another and just enjoy the festival. There’s a lovely atmosphere with a lot of laughter and banter in the streets,” says Krogh Vikkelsøe.
Web: www.knejpe-festival.dk Facebook: KnejpeFestival