European Fire Celebrations

Visit to Denmark

On June Sunday 21st to Thursday 25th 2009 a group from Dragon Arts and Learning consisting of 3 staff, Lisa Llewellyn, Nicola Kelly, Craig Williams and 2 learners, David Colclough and Matthew Booth had the great opportunity to visit Denmark as part of the European fire celebrations partnership project with Denmark, Spain, Turkey and the Czech Republic. We were able to participate in an enriching cultural experience through which we developed a range of skills, knowledge and cultural understanding and shared by adult learners and staff of representing organizations. we were able to participate Danish, “Sankt Hans Night” celebrations.

Program began on Sunday with an outdoor historical re-enactment which provided an insight into the origins of the Danish nation, cultures and traditions. We watched a performance called “The Women’s Hill’ which explored an aspect of Viking history and showed from where Danish society has developed. As a result we were able to interact with many Danish people of all ages as well as people from Spain, Wales and Czech Republic, and talk about their history and share ours, which enabled the development of a common understanding and respect for each nation. This continued into the evening where we were kindly invited to a tradition Danish meal,. The opportunity to explore traditional food continued through the week.

The program included a guided tour of Aalborg city and an introduction to and presentation by the vice mayor on the many historical traditions of the Danish nation and also of the North Jutland region which includes the city of Aalborg and the community of Gistrup.

During the week we also participated in a number of workshops to help create the Danish fire celebration. This involved learning new skills and sharing ours particularly in the area of arts and crafts for Adult learners. The actual event was extremely successful with many people from local communities of all ages attending the event, which enriched our experience.

The final opportunity in Denmark enabled us to explore interesting and unique landscapes, ecology and local environments. Including the importance of one of the major industries in the region namely limestone quarrying.

We feel proud to have been part of a great opportunity that has truly developed better multi cultural understanding and respect, and created strong and positive relations with others around Europe.