HM Queen Margrethe of Denmark hosts event in celebration of the Award for the Fredensborg Palace Garden
On 10 June, a moving reception was hosted by HM Queen Margrethe of Denmark in celebration of the European Heritage Award / Europa Nostra Award that was granted to the restoration of the Fredensborg Palace Garden this year. HRH the Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark was also in attendance. The garden, which surrounds the summer residence of the Danish royal family, is one of the finest of its type, not only in Denmark but also across Europe. Some 45 people, including representatives from the wide range of professionals and supporters behind the restoration project, participated in the event, which took place outdoors in the parterre garden with the impressive view down The Wide Allé to Esrum Lake. Europa Nostra’s Executive President Hermann Parzinger sent a message of congratulations to all those involved in this exemplary restoration project.
Approximately 325 employees of the Danish Agency for Culture and Palaces (Slots- og Kulturstyrelsen) and external partners worked over the past 12 years to return this remarkable Baroque garden to its former splendour with special care taken to ensure the sustainable future of the garden.
Also in attendance at the ceremony was the Danish Minister for Culture, Joy Mogensen, the Representative of the European Commission in Denmark, Stina Soewarta, and Mayor of Fredensborg, Thomas Lykke Pedersen.
Ettie Castenskiold, the newly appointed chairperson of the Board of Directors of Europa Nostra Denmark, was the first speaker. Her thoughtful speech underlined the exceptional work of the Slots- og Kulturstyrelsen and the truly interdisciplinary approach that led to its success.
“The Fredensborg Palace Garden contains stories from the past, it contains a cultural heritage that tells us something about who we are and how Denmark is made up. But the restoration work also has a perspective. In addition to the long vistas across the garden, we find a look into the future with suggestions on how a baroque garden can be cared for more efficiently, more sustainably and in harmony with nature”, she said.
Mrs. Castenskiold also paid special respect to HRH Prince Henrik of Denmark, who was President of Europa Nostra from 1990 to 2017 and who passed away in 2018. His Presidency marked a phase of unprecedented growth and development for our organisation, which is today recognised as the true “Voice” of cultural heritage in Europe (read related news item).
The Danish Minister of Culture, Joy Mogensen, backed up these words and also emphasised the international aspect of the project and the importance of the Fredensborg Palace Garden for the preservation of Danish garden heritage and as a national symbol of Danish art and culture.
The project leader, Christine Waage Rasmussen from the Danish Agency for Culture and Palaces represented the group behind the restoration of the Fredensborg Palace Garden. She provided an insight into the restoration work sharing the importance of the DNA-analysis processing to determine plant material as well as important design decisions necessary for public safety and the privacy of the Royal Family.
The bronze awards plaque, which will be prominently placed in the Fredensborg orangery, was then presented to Christine Waage Rasmussen by Ettie Catsenskiold.
HM Queen Margrethe of Denmark then addressed the audience, sharing her experiences in the decision-making process during the restoration and thanking the many professionals behind the beautiful results which show the importance of garden architecture for all to experience and to enjoy.
The fine weather allowed for the reception to be concluded with a guided walk through the garden, where guests could see the results of the innovative restoration up close.
For additional photos from the reception, please visit the official website of the Danish Royal Family as well as the official website of Europa Nostra Denmark.
