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Inspirational Stories

The Emperor’s Nightingale: A Secret Love Story

Craig Hewitt

Many of us are familiar with Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale The Emperor’s Nightingale – Entranced by the song of a nightingale outside his window, the Emperor calls for his most-skilled craftsmen to forge him one of metal and gears, a nightingale of such fine artifice that could imitate the bird’s sweet songs. The emperor fell ill, and the only thing that could cure him was the song of the real nightingale that lived in his own perfumed gardens.
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Food&Drink

recipe: Pickled Herring

Craig Hewitt

Perhaps one of the most iconic dishes to represent Denmark would be herring – pickled herring, in particular. Pickled herring is a Scandinavian delicacy, and dates back to Medieval times, as this was an efficient way to transport fish and keep it edible over long periods of time. It is usually served during Lent, and is eaten with dark ry bread, crip bread, sour cream, and potatoes. When served during Christmas, Easter, or Midsummer, it usually eaten alongside akvavit, a spirit flavored with carraway and dill. […]

Entertainment

Danish Artist Spotlight: Mads Mikkelsen

Craig Hewitt

The hit NBC TV series Hannibal is based on Thomas Harris’ chilling saga Red Dragon. At first glance, most viewers may wonder whatever happened to the manically suave genius-cannibal Anthony Hopkins immortalized on the silver screen. However, given time, these same armchair critics are swept away by the masterful unfurling of the self-same character, rendered by no other than Mads Mikkelsen. […]

Food&Drink

Recipe: Hof Pandekager (Court Pancakes)

Craig Hewitt

Following our posts on the saga of the royal romance between Queen Carolina Mathilde of Denmark and Johann Friedrich Struensee, here’s a new Danish breakfast recipe that’s sure to give you the royal treatment. It’s called Hof Pandekager, or Court Pancakes. No one is quite sure why these were called so. Where they a breakfast favorite at Christiansborg in Copenhagen? Did Christian VII gleefully munch on these while still in bed? No one knows, but these pancakes are sure to delight the tastebuds. […]

Education

The Legacy of Johann Friedrich Struensee

Craig Hewitt

In one of our earlier posts, we put a spotlight on the award-winning movie A Royal Affair, which tells the story of the romance between Johann Friedrich Struensee, court physician to “de facto” ruler, and Carolina Mathilde of Great Britain, queen to King Christian VII. Today, we’ll focus on the many political changes Streuensee brought about during his time of power. […]

Entertainment

A Royal Affair: The Romance That Changed a Nation

Craig Hewitt

The movie A Royal Affair (Danish Title: En kongelig affære) was released in 2012, and received much critical acclaim. It stars Mikkel Følsgaard and Christian VII of Denmark, Alicia Vikander as his wife Caroline Matilda of Great Britian, and Mads Mikkelsen as the court physician Johann Friedrish Streuensee. Set in the late 1700’s, it tells one of the most dramatic stories of factual historical account in Europe that changed the course of Denmark. […]

Entertainment

Whatever Happened to Aqua?

Craig Hewitt

 
Aqua may be well the most successful Danish band in the world. Bursting onto the international music scene with their bubblegum-dance-pop single “Barbie Girl”, their timing was just right to keep the dance music vibe of the late 90’s and the early 200’s going. LeneNystrøm and René Di sang while Søren Rasted and Claus Norreen accompanied with their respective keyboard and guitar.
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Entertainment

Emelie de Forest Wins Eurovision 2013 for Denmark

Craig Hewitt

On May 18, singer-songwriter Emmelie Charlotte-Victoria de Forest won the Eurovision 2013 final with her hit single. “Only Teardrops”. At the young age of 20, this youngblood burst onto the music scene and has won over a continent with her clear, bright voice and natural aesthetic. The song and her profromance garnered a whopping score of 281 points, flying far ahead of Azerbaijan in second place with a total score of 234.
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Food&Drink

Recipe: Danish Marzipan

Craig Hewitt

The Danish have a healthy love affair with almonds. If you look through some of our recipe posts, you’re bound to find a large amount of recipes with one form of almond or another: Rissealamande has almond essence in it and even a whole almond, Streussels are often garnished with chopped or sliced almonds, as do many Danish pastries. […]