A Tale a Day: Holger Danske

 Holger Danske

"Holger Danske" is not so much a tale per se but the exaltation of Danish history framed by a little story. We start by being introduced to Holger Danske, an old man with a very long beard, stuck in the cellar of Kronenburg castle, who dreams about what is going on up in the world above his head and will only come out when Denmark needs him.

 

"(...) and here it is that Holger Danske sits in the deep dark cellar, where nobody goes. (...) He sleeps and dreams, but in his dreams he sees everything that happens up here in Denmark. (...) but when once such a danger comes, then old Holger Danske will rouse himself, so that the table shall burst when he draws out his beard! Then he will come forth and strike, so that it shall be heard in all the countries in the world."

 

An old man is carving Holger Danske's image and telling his grandson about him. Then, as he admires the Danish coat of arms on his sculpture, we go on a journey through Denmark's history and greatest victories.

 

""That's the most beautiful coat of arms there is in the world!" said the old man. "The lions are strength, and the heart is gentleness and love!""

 

In the end, we circle back to Holger Danske and, while the grandson dreams about him, he is in turn dreaming about the grandson, down there in his deep dark cellar. 

"But the little lad in the bed saw plainly the old Kronenburg with the Oer Sound, the real Holger Danske, who sat deep below, with his beard grown through the marble table, dreaming of all that happens up here. Holger Danske also dreamed of the little humble room where the carver sat; he heard all that passed (...)"

 

It's a sweet way to write about your favourite characters and moments in the history of your country. Holger Danske is one of those saviours that most nations and cultures seem to have, who shall return only when they're needed (but never actually do). In Portugal, we have D. Sebastião, a child-king of the 16th century who disappeared during battle in the North of Africa and whose body was never found, and it is said that he'll return one day riding his white horse, in a foggy morning, to fight the evils that plague the country and restore Portugal to its former glory. I sure hope not, since much of that "glory" was the start of colonialism. Yikes!

I'm not a big fan of nationalism, but I do love history and its myths. While not really much of a tale, I did enjoy learning about the myth of Holger Danske, a man hibernating underground dreaming about our world. I feel for him. He must be having terrible nightmares by now.

Does your country or culture also have a Holger Danske? I would love to hear about it!