Hygge makes Denmark my great source of inspiration. But hygge isn't the only reason I love going there, and it's also not the only source of ideas for new illustrations. Because Denmark has so much beauty! Think picturesque villages, an endless coastline, and history (literally) for the taking.
For years, my husband and I have been holidaying in Denmark. In 2016, we actually wanted to go to Sweden, but found it a bit too far for a week. So we tried Denmark. We found a cottage in the dunes of Jutland, within walking distance of the sea. We had beautiful weather that week and since then, I dare say, I'm addicted. Addicted to the peace and space, to the beach and the sea, to dill crisps and to black Riberhus cheese.
You often hear that 'Denmark is just very similar to the Netherlands,' so why bother? Yes, the country is occasionally as flat as our little country and about the same size. But where we have to share the space with over 18 million people, in Denmark it's less than 6 million. And you notice that as soon as you cross the German-Danish border at Flensburg; the landscape is rolling, with little development, and the highways, compared to here, are practically empty.
Beach and sea
What I look forward to most when we go again is the beach and the sea. The Danish coast is long, so there's a good chance you'll have a stretch all to yourself. Here you have all the space to stroll, build sandcastles, look for crabs and shells. And don't forget amber! This resin, solidified millions of years ago, can contain trapped insects and is sometimes found on the coastline after a storm.
Especially on the coast, shipping and fishing were important aspects of daily life, and much still reminds us of that time. There are many small museums about local shipping, aquariums with North Sea fish, and shops with amber, shells, and other sea-related trinkets. There are also a number of lighthouses to climb, if you dare.
Hollyhocks and history
Danish towns and villages are also so charming, with bumpy streets, colorful houses, and shops with cute signboards. With lace curtains and, if you're lucky, a cat in the window. Odense is a city I particularly like. It's where Hans Christian Andersen was born in 1805, writer of fairy tales like The Little Mermaid and The Princess and the Pea. In Odense, there are bronze statues of his characters, and there's the beautiful H.C. Andersen Hus where the fairy tales come to life. Scattered across the country are also a few real fairy tale castles, well worth a visit.
What I also love about the country is how steeped in history it still is. There's much that reminds one of the Vikings, such as museums (Jelling) and reconstructed villages (Ribe and Bork). Throughout the landscape, you'll find burial mounds, runestones, and references to gods like Odin, Thor, and Freya. This bit of folklore and mythology doesn't really feature in my illustrations; you have to keep work and private life somewhat separate, after all ;).
At the end of this month, we're going to the Danish Wadden island of Rømø for the first time. I'm very curious to see what we'll discover there and what new illustrations will emerge. To be continued!