Find Fun 4 Free

Line Frederiksen

  • Home
  • Why?
  • My Library
  • Calendar
  • Contact
  • DIY
  • Creativity
  • Music
  • Workshop
  • Innovation
  • Other fun stuff
    • Books
    • Dance
    • Network
    • Science
    • Sport
    • Theatre
You are here: Home / History / 350 years at Kastellet

350 years at Kastellet

November 2, 2014 By Line Frederiksen

I am not a big fan of war. Nevertheless, I still find it worth a huge amount of respect that generations of young men (and women) risk their lives to fight for a cause they believe in. To a soldier nothing is stronger than their fellowship, and that probably explains the strong enthusiasm I witnessed at this weekend’s celebration of the 350-year-old fortification Kastellet in Copenhagen East.

Kastellet 350 years celebration, soldiers, Home Guard

Home Guard was all dressed up for party, and their Drummer Corps welcomed the guests with current tunes from 1864: “Dengang jeg drog afsted …” (“The Brave Soldier”).

Kastellet 350 years celebration, soldiers, Home Guard

Security – and flags . Always first in the army.

Nevertheless, security is always first in the army. That is why audience with bicycles, dogs and pushchairs were gently pushed aside to make room for a certain guest of honour. Note that this security officer has got the greatest job of all; to make sure the Danish flag is visible among the audience.

Who is this certain guest of honour who wants to help the crowd celebrate the 350 years at Kastellet? I will give you a hint – she is a very special lady, and she likes to drive a car like this:

Kastellet 350 years celebration, Royal Highness' car, Krone I

That’s right. Her Royal Highness, Queen Margrethe II joined the party. Lovely as always she took har time to great the people after she entered the small building, which is housing Kastellet’s Historical Collection. She had a busy schedule, though. So she drove along Kastellet’s area in a car with a little less comfort than her usual car … but still great, right?

Kastellet 350 years celebration, Her Royal Highness, Queen Margrethe II, Kastellet's Historical Collection

Have your seat, Madam.

No army without a parade. The Guard Hussar Regime is no exception – and that day the Trumpet Corps delivered the show. On horseback, of course. I cannot help being impressed by all the hard work they must have put into the art of playing a trumpet and handling a horse at the same time … and even let the horses do synchronized tricks to the sound of the drummer in the middle. WAAAUUH!

Kastellet 350 years celebration, soldiers, Guard Hussar Regime, Trumpet Corps, horseshow

Speaking of music …

Kastellet’s very own choir raised their beautiful voices inside the Kastel-church. Since this was a happy day, the tracklist was all joyful. I listened to classics like “Mandalay” and “Alle gĂĽr rundt og forelsker sig” (“Everyone falls in love”). Amazing what a sound the room of a church (as small it is) can create.

Kastellet 350 years celebration, soldiers, Kastel-Choir in church

Still, soldiers are soldiers for one reason; war. That is why it suddenly looked like a battlefield outside.

We were back in 1807-1814. The Danish-Norwegian alliance has been a thorn in the side of the Brits for a long time. A few years earlier Lord Nelson took down the Danish Navy, but the United Kingdom in West still feared a Danish reunion with France. Therefore, they had to act.

Kastellet 350 years celebration, soldiers, British Army 1807, cannon

As the British soldiers load the cannon for shooting, the United Kingdom’s army lines up for attack at the Danes, a bit scary … Note the Union Jack-flag, which was just designed the previous year.

Kastellet 350 years celebration, soldiers, United Kingdom 1807

As the drummers played “Scottish Highland” (from the original music notes), the British troops moved forward. They fired the cannons with fire and BANG!

But the brave Danish soldiers fired back. In a cloud of smoke from the gun they fought for their country and their army, which they did not want to give up for the warlike Brits.

Kastellet 350 years celebration, soldiers, 1807 Danes in war against Brits

Sadly, as the story goes, the Danes were beaten off the field, Kastellet was occupied and the city of Copenhagen was bombed, until the British soldiers returned to their country with the Danish Navy.

Personally, I am happy that we share a much more warm neighbourliness with United Kingdom today. 🙂

Kastellet 350 years celebration, soldiers, Danish-British fight 1807

Read more about the celebration of 350 years at Kastellet.

Learn more about Kastellet.

More fun from my site:

Christmas ligtning, Trianglen 2014, Ann Hjort, Santa ClausBlinking-jingling Christmas :) New Year resolution, free experiences, findfun4freeHappy New Experience Year! Balletdancers, Royal Danish Theatre, legs upBe strong as a horse – but never let it show! Central Library, Golden Days Festival, No1 War, writing letters in basementYour last letter from “den Unterstand” Radiohead, sheet of music, Central Library Copenhagen, Impressions ofClassic Radiohead Golden Days Festival, Royal Playhouse, B-sides, history, ballet dancer, The EggDon’t forget your B-sides

Filed Under: History, Music, Theatre Tagged With: battle 1807, British Army, Her Royal Highness, Home Guard, Kastellet, Queen Margrethe II, soldiers, The Guard Hussar Regiment

About Line Frederiksen

My name is Line Frederiksen. I am a journalist with trained skills and experience in classical journalism as well as communication journalism.

About me

Line Frederiksen

journalist 4 experiences

Findfun4free Newsletter

When you sign up for the newsletter at findfun4free.com, you will never miss another blogpost.

In most cases the newsletter contains the current blogpost – straight to your mailbox. But sometimes you will also receive exclusives like contests, special events or offers.

You may resign any time you wish.

By signing up for the newsletter you confirm that you have read and accepted our terms of delivery for newsletters. You can always unsubscribe from the link in the newsletters sent out. Read more in our Privacy Policy.

About me

My name is Line Frederiksen. I am a journalist with trained skills and experience in classical journalism as well as communication journalism.

Read more about me

Recent posts

  • Pop it like Shakespeare
  • Everyone is talking about it …
  • Let’s get lost in music
  • Crowd to the Lady of Light
  • Set your Christmas Spirit free

Search

Categories

Art Body Books Creativity Dance Debate Democracy DIY Europe Fiction Food History Holiday Innovation Music Network Science Sport Theatre Workshop Writing

© 2023 Find Fun 4 Free | Privacy | Cookie Policy