A Coastal Upbringing

Protected dunes at the beach in Gilleleje

The town canal in Gilleleje

For centuries, Denmark's coast has shaped its national identity and physicality in more ways than one. I found this geography to shape Denmark in two central categories: the human culture of coast life, and the biodiverse environment that trails along it. As with most things, these two topics often clash, but somehow they have a symbiotic relationship in Denmark's seaside towns and villages.

The Danes have taken part in common natural mistakes like that of most other populations throughout history. A few of these include the draining of bogs and straitening of rivers. Fortunately, the Danes have also had a positive history of restoring the coast back to a stable condition so it may thrive in the future. The agricultural movement of plantations of forest along the coast has helped significantly in preventing erosion and dune creep. 

Traveling on the train to Gilleleje, I was pleasantly surprised to see the plantations to be as widespread and vibrant. Moreover, I felt that the longevity of these plantations should be celebrated, since a country like Denmark has very little room to grow as it is. In addition, this increase in greenspace helps the country restore and preserve biodiversity found in coastal streams and beaches. In the end, this helps the nation safeguard its natural wonders, and betters its seafood and tourism economies. 

A house garden in Gilleleje

On the cultural end, I have once again noticed how much respect Danes bestow upon nature and outdoor life. The Danish concept of summerhouses is a perfect example of this admiration. The idea of owning one's own summerhouse is so foundational to the Danish experience, that it was even included in the country's European Union agreements that only Danish citizens may purchase a home. Within a summerhouse, a family gets to escape the confines of the city, and are able to enjoy a small modest home adjacent to nature and seaside fun. Another cultural element of Denmark's coastscape is its value it places on sea industries of boating and seafood. As we have seen in Lejre, the ancestors of Denmark began this tradition of maritime interaction byway of boating and fishing. 

A typical Danish summerhouse

After viewing these sites, I was reminded of my own home state of Maryland, where the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean has no doubt shaped its statehood identity and culture. A recurring theme that I have begun to create throughout this course is the idea of a "respectable relationship" between Danes and nature. Over time, the landscape has continued to shape Denmark to accomplish this relationship, and strengthen the traditions that are reflected in these values.

At the beach in Gilleleje, Denmark