Queen Margrethe’s made her New Year Speech at 6pm on television and radio.
I could not follow the speech, but I was surprised at how many times she used one of the few Danish words I know:
Tak.
Thank you.
Appreciation from the head of a state towards the citizens.
How very different from what we are used to in Africa.
The monarch’s New Year Speech has virtually become a national rallying point since it was first made in 1942 during the German Occupation,
when the King called for national unity.
Since dusk at 4pm, fireworks lit the sky over Copenhagen,
but at the striking of midnight by the Town Hall Clock,
the night sky exploded.
All over the city, the millions of fireworks were seen in a spontaneous group effort between Copenhageners.
However, “effort” is not the best word;
if this was an “effort” I can’t imagine what an “achievement” would look like.
Last night I experience the Danes' inherent joy & appreciation.
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| The statue of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid (Den lille havfrue) against last night's backdrop of fireworks at the Langelinie promenade in Copenhagen. |
