Taking place 11-13 October 2019, the Oyster and Mussel Premiere in Nykøbing Mors presents a number of oyster- and mussel-related events and activities.
Denmark’s Shellfish Capital — where oysters are for everyone Many people may associate oysters with fancy restaurants, evening wear, and adrenalin-inducing bills. However, on the small island of Mors, also dubbed the Shellfish Capital of Denmark, this could not be further from reality. With the surrounding waters of the Limfjord literally teeming with oysters, wellies, a bucket and a shovel are all you need to get your hands on the tasty little treats. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Morsø Kommune
As Mors’ numerous remnants of Stone Age kitchen middens prove, shellfish has been an essential part of life at the Limfjord for millennia. Today, the island’s rich abundance of mussels and oysters has, together with its beautiful and serene scenery, made it a popular travel destination. “As the largest island in the Limfjord, which is crammed with 68 | Issue 128 | September 2019
shellfish, including two different oyster species, we have a long and rich tradition built around shellfish,” explains Maria Kjelds from Morsø Municipality. “This, combined with the fact that we’re home to Vilsund Blue, Denmark’s largest mussel producer, as well as the Danish Shellfish Centre, which arranges a string of shellfish-
related activities, has made us a centre for everything shellfish-related.” Among the island’s many yearly shellfish-centred events is the upcoming Oyster and Mussel Premiere in October. Running from 11 to 13 October, the event celebrates the beginning of the oyster and mussel season with a string of cooking competitions, including the Danish Oyster Opening Championship, and activities.
A taste of the past While the last century has seen mussels and particularly oysters become an exclusive delicacy, for the island’s early