Dear Denmark,
Recently I decided to Google you in the hopes of finding new
places to visit or sites to see in preparation for my trip there later this
year. And overwhelmingly, two phrases pop up. Hans Christian Anderson. And royalty.
Denmark, you are the oldest kingdom in the world, and you are often marketed as
a ‘fairytale country’. Especially since I live in Australia, and your Crown
Princess is Australian. We all have heard the stories of how her and her prince
lived happily ever after. Even your national tourism website says “looking for
more facts about Denmark, the home of the Crown Princess Mary?”
But not all is rosy and well in the fairytale kingdom is it?
Recently, the issue of asylum seekers and refugees has been hotly debated. At least 600 people were forcefully expelled from your borders. I’m sure that for
them, the fairytale, promised land of opportunity and wealth ended
disastrously. And amidst all this clamour and desire for the perfect royal
family, there are deeply buried and dark stories about their past. Few remember
the mad kings who ruled whilst also troubled and mentally unwell. The riots and uprisings which gained many kings their crown are also rarely spoken about.
Denmark, it is unfair that you’ve been essentialised in this
manner. Because no one can live up to the ideals of a fairytale, no one can
possibly have a life as perfect as a Hans Christian Anderson novel. And if you’re
constantly seeking perfection, more often than not you will be disappointed.
Hence, as a traveller I must keep in mind that Denmark, you are no dream. You
have beauty and you also have flaws. There might be rude people, there might be
bad weather, but there’s also friendliness and exciting adventures ahead as
well. I must keep my expectations reasonable.
Because, let’s be honest. I probably won’t find a prince.
Helen
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