Entrance to Rebild National Park

The Rebild Festival (Danish: Rebildfesten), or Rebild Celebrations, is an annual celebration of the American Independence Day in Denmark. At the same time, it serves as a homecoming for Danish-Americans. It takes place in the Rebild National Park in Jutland from which it takes its name and is arranged by the Danish-American Rebild Society.[1]

It is the largest event celebrating the 4th of July outside the USA.[2]

History

Painting by Emil Wennerwald from the first Rebild Celebration August 5th 1912

Rebild National Park (Danish: Rebild Bakker) is a Danish national park situated near the town of Skørping in Rebild municipality, Region Nordjylland in northern Jutland, Denmark. The idea of arranging an annual gathering for Danish-Americans in a moorland setting in Denmark originated with Danish immigrant Max Henius. Funds were raised by Danish Americans to purchase to 200 acres (0.81 km2) of heather-covered hills and moorland, located within Denmark's largest forest, Rold Forest (Danish: Rold Skov).[3][4][5]

When the area for the park was presented to the Danish government, it was specified that the area was to remain in its natural state and be open to the general public throughout the year. Henius also required it to serve as the venue for annual Fourth of July celebrations.[4] Every July 4 since 1912, except during the two world wars and the COVID-19 pandemic, large crowds have gathered in the heather-covered hills of Rebild to celebrate American Independence Day. Due to a period of national mourning caused by King Frederik VIII's sudden death in May 1912, the first Rebild Festival was delayed until August 5. It was attended by somewhere between 10,000 and 15,000 people,[6][7] including about 1,000 returning emigres to the U.S.[4] Attendance peaked at approximately 50,000 in 1948.[4]

Significant speakers

Danish actor Caspar Phillipson, performing as American President John F. Kennedy, gave three of Kennedy's speeches at the Rebild Festival (2022).

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Danish-American Rebild Society". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark • Museum of Danish America. Retrieved January 1, 2016.
  2. ↑ Vice.com
  3. ↑ Interview with Mrs. Hilda Holmes (November 27, 1936). "Biography of Max Henius". National Endowment for the Humanities. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Ashley Winchester (December 12, 2019). "The US gift that came with a catch". BBC Travel.
  5. ↑ "Rold Skov". Naturturist. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  6. ↑ "Rebild's Unique History". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark • Museum of Danish America. Retrieved January 1, 2016.
  7. ↑ "About the Rebild Festival in Denmark". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark • Museum of Danish America. Retrieved January 1, 2016.
  8. ↑ "Speakers and entertainment 2023 Rebild National Park Society". RebildFesten.dk. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
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