Inauguration
The re-creation of the Hjortspring Boat
June 5, 1999. Inauguration of the reconstructed Hjortspring Boat
Now is the day the Hjortspring Boat be resurrected! The boat is carried out by the upcoming crew.
The boat must be placed on the wagon under close control.
The boat waits in torrential rain until it is time to begin the ceremonial.
Meanwhile, we can take a look at the beautification of our building: New entrance and windows, the facade plastered
and painted, and with a picture of the Hjortspring Boat in scale 1: 1, The rubble in the foreground will one day become a road.
The crew is getting in place, if they can otherwise come in for interested guests.
The boat has been emptied of rainwater and now the trip goes towards Dyvig, with the chief as banner bearer.
The boat is carefully towed along the small roads by the crew.
It is a serious matter to transport the boat the approx. 800 m to Dyvig.
But music is needed! It is only 150 years ago Bronze Age ended, so you can still blow in a lure.
Down the hill, the last part before the parking lot at Dyvig.
The men's choir sings a hymn in honor of the boat.
The boat must "cut" its way through the crowd the last bit down to the water's edge.
It is after speeches have been given by various honorariores.
But it succeeded, perhaps because of the "music".
The boat is towed to the floating bridge.
It did not go completely unnoticed, there were approx. 4,000 spectators.
The crew is getting on board.
The Viking ship on the left is Freja Byrding, a copy of Skuldelev 3.
Before we can sail, the boat must have a name.
This action is performed by the Goddess Nerteus, with water in a clay jar.
Then we can show the many people on the shore that we have made a boat that can sail(e).
On the first trip we sailed around in the nearby waters, the spectators should be able to see Tilia.
On the second trip, with part of the crew replaced with our good friends from the National Museum,
we were greeted by Freja, they wanted to give a gift, an oak tree, it is now planted on our lawn.
It turned into several trips.
Meanwhile, spectators could watch crafts and enjoy whole roasted wild boar and Hjortspring wine.
Finally, the good days but over and the guests are moving away from Dyvig.
- Ib Stolberg-Rohr has selected and customized the images.
Notes and sources
- 6. Tilia is the Latin name for linden.
Alsie ~ from Als