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There were thirty-eight people seeking induction. Among them was the new restaurateur of Restaurant Duus Vinkjælder, David Olsen, accompanied by his 
wife. In addition, several guests attended, so the cellar was completely full.
The chief bencher warmly welcomed the large gathering, who were then introduced to the world of Christian the Fourth’s Guild. They were presented with some of the distinguished figures they now joined as fellow members, including Queen Margrethe II, King Frederik, and Prince Joachim, among others. The Guild’s benchers were also introduced, and the Guild’s historical expert provided insight into the Guild’s history.
The new brothers and sisters were then called to the high table and presented with the conditions of membership — which they all accepted. Afterwards, the newly inducted were sent on a walk through old and new Aalborg, ending at the secret entrance, where they had the chance to evaluate their newly issued keys, which fit perfectly.
Back in the cellar, the chief bencher welcomed them once again as new brothers and sisters and offered them the ancient Danish drink, mead.
Following the tour, Christian the Fourth’s Guild served its traditional Gala Lunch of sausages and bread, and the atmosphere grew even livelier when the participants were introduced to the so-called “potato juice.”
Songs from the Guild’s songbook were sung, guided with great spirit by the Guild’s troubadours, who kept the entertainment joyful. As all good things must come to an end, time passed quickly, and the benchers bid farewell to the company, while conversations happily continued afterwards.
Four benchers from Christian the Fourth’s Guild participated in the event, together with the chairperson of the Guild’s Foundation, councilor Vibeke Gamst. The Foundation had donated 5.000 Dr.kr. to the project.
German artist Gunter Demnig created the Stumbling Stone Project. The first stone was placed in Cologne in 1995, and since then more than 116,000 stones have been laid across the world.
Stumbling Stones are small memorials, the size of a cobblestone, laid in remembrance of people who were persecuted and perished under Nazism.
The first Stumbling Stone in Aalborg honors Police Superintendent Poul Larsen, who was highly active in the resistance movement during World War II. Poul Larsen was executed in Ryvangen on March 10, 1945.
The stone was laid by his son, Niels Peter Juhl Larsen, and his daughter and grandchildren were also present.
The Stumbling Stone has been placed at Gabels Square, the former site of Aalborg’s old police station.
On August 22, 2025, employees from Vela/Vermund Larsen’s Tampa, Florida branch were officially inducted into Christian the Fourth’s Guild in Aalborg.
The company wanted their American colleagues to experience a touch of Danish hygge and humor, while also introducing them to the historic 401-year-old Jens Bang’s Stone House. For many participants, it was their very first journey outside the United States.
The induction ceremony, held in Duus’ Wine Cellar, combined tradition, history, and camaraderie. Guests took part in the Guild’s rituals, visited the symbolic linden tree at Aalborg City Hall, and even passed through the Guild’s secret passage with their newly awarded golden keys.
The program continued with a gala lunch, where participants were introduced to mead, Aalborg snaps, and the Nordic way of life—complete with music and song provided by the Guild’s troubadours.
The event left the new members in high spirits, marking both a cultural exchange and a memorable celebration of friendship between Denmark and their American colleagues.
As part of their advanced training program in Aalborg, 30 international military police officers were recently inducted into Christian the Fourth’s Guild—continuing a tradition that has lasted for more than half a century.
The ceremony introduced the participants to the Guild’s history, founded in 1942 during World War II, and its ongoing charitable work in Aalborg. After pledging to uphold the Guild’s rules, the new member
s joined a symbolic walk through the city, passed through the historic secret passage, and received their own golden keys.
Back in Duus’ Wine Cellar, they experienced Danish culture firsthand with mead, the Guild’s gala lunch, music, and song—a lively finale to an unforgettable day of fellowship and tradition.
See more pictures here
Christian the Fourth’s Guild recently welcomed 40 new members from Lodge Cimbria, joined by an equal number of guests, in a packed celebration at Duus’ Wine Cellar in Aalborg.
The induction ceremony featured the Guild’s traditional rituals, the awarding of the golden key, and a festive procession through the old and new parts of the city, including a visit to the Guild’s symbolic linden tree at City Hall and the historic secret passage.
Back in the cellar, the new members enjoyed mead and the Guild’s gala lunch—complete with beer, the famous cognac mustard, and the traditional (and carefully instructed) potato juice. Music and songs from the Guild’s troubadours ensured a lively atmosphere throughout.
The event concluded with warm wishes from the chief bencher and benchers, marking a memorable day of fellowship and tradition for the new Guild brothers and sisters.
See the pictures here