On Saturday, February 15, 2025, a record-breaking initiation took place. At least fifty-seven members from the Odd Fellow lodges in North Jutland sought initiation to Christian IV’s Guild.

This meant that every seat in Duus Wine Cellar was occupied by people eager to join the guild. After a city tour through both old and new Aalborg, as well as a check to ensure that the secret entrance could be accessed with the C4 key, the group returned to their seats, where they had the opportunity to taste the ancient Viking drink, mead.

The large gathering created an electrifying atmosphere in the cellar, especially when the benchers sat the main table repeatedly toasted with delicious beer—an act that was met with longing glances from those awaiting initiation.

There was also much amusement during the introduction of the benchers, whether during the short or extended presentation of the chief bencher, the troubadour who graduated from the Royal Danish Academy of Music, or the senior brother who married into a fortune.

Christian IV’s Guild’s “Grand Lunch” dinner was enjoyed with the necessary respect, and afterward, the gathering was introduced to the renowned temperance advocate Larsen-Ledet and his efforts in this cause. 

The guests sang along enthusiastically with the songs from the guild’s songbook, and the atmosphere was further lifted when the guild’s troubadours performed several musical pieces.

It turned into a couple of joyful and festive hours—not least because, naturally, it took some extra time to organize all fifty-seven new applicants. However, the benchers were able to leave behind a happily buzzing crowd.

See the pictures here   

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