News
There were a festive atmosphere and much laughter in front of and inside Duus’ Vinkjælder when 80 Norwegian members of the Guild visited the Guild in Aalborg on the third of June. 15 Norwegian women and men were initiated into the Guild in the traditional way in the wine-cellar . The other Norwegians were present to witness that everything was done in the proper way (as chief-bencher Niels Voss Hansen put it) and to visit our town.
The Guild of Christian the Fourth has for many years had a very active branch in Oslo with about 200 members. At least once a year the board of the Guild visits Oslo – and every summer Norwegian members of the Guild visit us in Aalborg. Because of these close connections the Guild has for many years had a Norwegian vice-chief-bencher. Since 2007 Trygve Soedring has held this position, but as he has wished to retire, Helge Qvigstad was appointed vice-chief-bencher at the visit here on the third of June. Helge Qvigstad who is already the leader of the Guilds Norwegian branch. He has had a long business-career, and is now retired. Privately, he lives with the Danish actor Berit Kvorrning - and should supposedly have a good chance of understanding the Danes!
Picture 1:
The new Norwegian vice-chef-bencher receives the cloak of the Guild from former vice-chief-bencher Trygve Soedring (midst) while chief-bencher Niels Voss Hansen (left) and vice-chief-bencher lend a hand.
Picture 2:
15 Norwegian women and men went through the traditional initiation in Duus’ Vinkjælder.
Picture 3:
The Norwegian guests enjoyed the “out of doors” refreshments in the nice summer weather – and to “Danish” prices, as they happily remarked.
Foto: Jens Morten
Prizes of Honour from Christian The Fourth´s Guild.
When two young students a couple of years ago moved into the 4. of May College they didn’t know much about Christian The Fourth´s Guild, but that was quickly changed when they found themselves living in respectively the Churchill-room and the Toldstrup-room, as these two rooms are sponsored by the Guild, and every year at the annual Guild meeting the occupants of these rooms are given a cheque as a supplement to their SU.
That is why Kathrine Størup Thomsen and Søren Windfeld Nielsen attended this year’s annual Guild meeting in Duus’s winecellar in Aalborg. The Guild meeting is the Guild’s general assembly, where the previous year is reviewed, and where – in accordance with the spirit of the Guild – donations are presented.
Senior p.f.c. Dennis Bødker Johansen was chosen by the Guild as “Soldier of the Year”. Ahmad Vakili got the “Prize for Initiative” for his engagement in the yearly “Days of the Middle Ages” in the local park - Kildeparken. This year’s “Aalborg Prize” went to Anders Hjulmand for his many initiatives to support art and culture in Aalborg, and the “Prize of Honour” was presented to Orla Kops for his great work for Aalborg Forsvars- og Garnisonsmuseum.
Then there was – somewhat delayed – the presenting of the Guild’s “Triplet Grant” . Kjeld and Charlotte Sten Christensen got their triplets more than a year ago, but only recently it came to the knowledge of the Guild, that Line, Maria and Magnus were born. Originally it was the custom that each of the triplets got a savings bank book, but these don’t exist anymore. But a cheque will do the same thing for the children’s savings – as chief bencher Niel s Voss Hansen remarked, when he presented the parents with the cheques.
The chief bencher was very pleased to note that 584 persons were initiated into the Guild in 2012: 385 Danes, 67 Norwegians and 132 persons from 33 different nations. The Guild having a branch in Norway is one of the reasons why so many Norwegians every year are initiated into the Guild.
The many initiations contribute to making a favourable impression on people visiting Aalborg – and they contribute to making the Guild and the Guild´s foundation able to make their donations. In December 2012 the Guild´s foundation donated about 80.000 DKK to charities and cultural and social institutions.
Foto: Jens Morten
See the pictures
Normally it is the Guild (or the foundation) who are giving out the cheques, but at this year’s annual meeting in the Aalborg Kongres og Kultur Center for the shareholders of Spar Nord Bank it was the other way around: the benchers of Christian The Fourth´s Guild were summoned to the stage to receive a cheque.
"Christian The Fourth´s Guild is an organization which is making a difference in everyday life here in Aalborg – and possibly in most of the world” said director Henrik Schou, when he handed over this extra help to the work of the Guild.
The anniversary was celebrated with a reception in Duus' Winecellar.
Many members, friends and connections participated in the celebration.
Foto: Jens Morten