There has always been a close connection between Danes and Norwegians. Therefore when a number of Norwegians in Oslo – all members of Christian the Fourth´s Guild in Aalborg – thought there should be a similar guild in Oslo there was not far between thought and action. The 15th of May 1991 it became a reality. With Jahn Otto Johansen as vice chief bencher a Christian the Fourth´s Guild in Oslo was established in close cooperation with the guild in Aalborg. There is of course only one chief bencher at any given time, and that is Niels Voss Hansen from the guild in Aalborg. That is why the guild in Oslo is led by a vice chief bencher.
In all the years the two guilds have visited each other many times and always in an enjoyable and brotherly fashion. All initiations in the guild in Oslo are performed by the guild brothers from Aalborg – either in Aalborg or in Oslo.
That’s why the board in Oslo thought that the 25th anniversary should be celebrated in Aalborg in connection with the annual Norwegian visit to Aalborg and the initiation of new guild members. The attendance at the celebration was high – 154 participated in the tour to Aalborg. The festivities began on Stortorvet in Oslo where the Norwegian vice chief bencher Helge Qvigstad placed a wreath at the statue of Christian the Fourth. The Danish chief bencher Niels Voss Hansen – who together with vice chief bencher Kaj Handberg participated in the event – also made a speech.
The actress Berrit Kvorning recited a text before the whole procession with music and escorted by mounted police marched along the main street Karl Johan to Oslo Military Establishment – and later on to the ferry to Denmark.
Next morning all arrived in Aalborg. 26 new Norwegian brothers were initiated into Christian the Fourth´s Guild. As usual the initiation was held in Duus´ Vinkjælder in Jens Bangs Stenhus on Østerå in Aalborg. Also as usual the crowd in the cellar was very cheerful – and the participants who could not get a seat in the cellar could enjoy a mug of beer outside – entertained by the jazz orchestra brought with them from Drøbak.
After the traditional initiation almost all the participants were gathered for a group photo in front of the old city hall and near the guild tree. The anniversary present from the guild in Aalborg was an impressive cannon salute from Aalborg Cannon Guild.
The celebration in Aalborg ended with a lunch for all the Norwegian guests and the guild brothers from Aalborg. During the lunch the guests were entertained by the guild troubadours and by Berrit Kvorning. The Norwegian vice chief bencher Jahn Otto Johansen told anecdotes about Christian the Fourth. The thank-you-speech was made by vice chief bencher (hon.) Trygve Sødring who in connection with the visit was honored with Christian the Fourth´s Guild´s gold medal.<<<
Photo: Fini Ryming