Holger Danske

Helsingør, Denmark

I’m not so sure why I immediately became fascinated with this folk hero, also known as Ogier the Dane. Maybe it was the idea of a statue coming to life, sitting and sleeping, waiting for a mythical alarm. Maybe it was the idea that while I’m looking at this statue, it could turn on me for simply being an American while the President was blustering about taking over Danish sovereign territory; a country with which we have an alliance, have a treaty to build military bases, and agreements to develop mining ventures. Maybe it was the idea of an angry Viking coming to life, Minerva McGonagall/Harry Potter-style, to right a bunch of wrongs, not because it was feasible but because it made me, as an American, take a hard look at how we could potentially be portrayed abroad.

As for Holger Dankse, he is part real/part myth. In real life, he was an 8th-century Danish knight who served under Charlemagne as Ogier the Dane. Over time, he became the mythical guardian of Denmark and has appeared as a symbol on many products and promotions. Even one of the largest resistance groups in World War II was known as Holger Danske.

Hans Christian Anderson wrote about Holger Danske and set his home at Kronborg Castle. In Andersen’s version of the story, Holger Danske is told as part of the story of a Danish family featuring a boy and his grandfather. The story alludes to many Danish figures and provides context for Holger Danske in a then-modern environment. In the story, the boy told the story, but Holger Danske dreamt what was happening. In the dream, Holger Danske said, “Ah, yes, remember me, you Danish people, keep me in your memory, I will come to you in the hour of need.”

Denmark is a country that we have been friends with for over 200 years. Our love of Legos, Ozempic, cheese danishes, Bluetooth, Vikings, and cookie tins that house sewing kits throughout the South are legendary. Disney has been incredibly influenced by Denmark, from Tivoli Gardens serving as the model for Disneyland/Disney World and a couple of Danish stories, The Little Mermaid and Frozen, becoming two of their largest animated hits. Denmark reciprocates with its love of all things American culture, including cheeseburgers, hot dogs, and rock and roll. Denmark sold the Virgin Islands to the United States and has maintained close ties with Greenland ever since. Denmark has been a steadfast ally in NATO and has served beside us in conflicts around the world.

Maybe Holger Danske inspired me because I cannot imagine turning our backs on our true friends, especially from someone who views the world only through a transactional lens. My love for Denmark grew tremendously during my visit, and I hope, once again, we have normal times when Holger Danske never has to dream about waking up and only has to be remembered.