Our Christmas at a Danish Folk High School Erik and Jonna GEAR Plus, Konolfingen, 2014

N.F.S. Grundtvig, Worldfamous – in Denmark

Grundtvig ideas A human first, then a Christian Freedom in school, in church, in politics School for Life – not for exams Spirit is the power or life force, it manifests itself through spoken words, it works only in freedom and connects always with concrete human and social life. Sing hymns and songs in common!

Ry Folkehøjskole (Jonna, 1965)

Krogerup Højskole (Erik, 1965)

Lets sing! Singen wir, bitte! Die Gedanken sind frei, wer kann sie erraten? Sie fliegen vorbei wie nächtliche Schatten. Kein Mensch kann sie wissen, kein Jäger erschießen es bleibet dabei: Die Gedanken sind frei! - A lecture in Folk High Schools begins with a song from the Folkehøjskolens Sangbog (here no. 805)

Erik and Jonnas Christmases Through all years With family, our parents (died years ago), then siblings, nephews, nieces and their children. Stress about correct level of gifts and about where to go and who to disappoint? Now in 2013 We want the peace and contemplation of Christmas And the wonderful texts and music in the church And not alone, with other people of the same mind Lets go to ……….

Løgumkloster Højskole ( & Church)

One week, short course 72 grown ups, Jonna and Erik were the relatively young! Many came every year, or for other courses during the year From all Denmark, two from Norway and two (Danish-speaking) from Freiburg

Morning 07:45-08:15 Breakfast 08:30-08:50 Morning song, teachers words for the day and a prayer in the chapter house 09:30-11:50 Lectures on Christmas stories, or on Dickens, or Tolkien, or Christmas in the arts, or Christmas music through the centuries. 12:00-13:00 Lunch

Morning sessions Chapter house (song and one way talk) Lecture (talk and dialogue) in the blue octagon

Afternoons Tours to Flensborg (Germany) Tønder (Laces) Walk in town (rain!) Memorial for PoW (the land was German until 1920)

Evenings Dinners and friends Films Library Concerts in church

Christmas Eve, small gifts for everyone Much singing and dancing around the tree

Results? We experienced active calmness, and anxiety melted away We met very friendly and very different people We sang and sang and sang… We shall do it again!

Singen wir nochmal, bitte! Und sperrt man mich ein im finsteren Kerker, das alles sind rein vergebliche Werke. Denn meine Gedanken zerreißen die Schranken und Mauern entzwei, die Gedanken sind frei!