#sankthansaften

sankthansaften fit check 🧡💛

Elk Horn is home to many different Danish traditions and I was lucky enough to arrive just in time for Sankt Hans Aften, which is organized by the Museum of Danish America every year. The witch created for Sankt Hans is prepared by Anette Andersen, a long time volunter of the museum, who has been in charge of this task for several years. Danish-inspired hotdogs with red sausages, homemade remoulade, crispy onions, and cucumber salad was served in the museum’s backyard. The meal felt much like a typical order at a Danish 'pølsevogn'. Also, cookies with different midsummer motives had been made for the occasion. The most popular of these cookies was shaped as a viking and those were quickly eaten. A local band was playing classic jazz, while people had gathered around in camping chairs, reminding me a little of Roskilde Festival - just without all the mud and chaos. It was really fascinating to meet so many Danish-Americans, who had come for so many years to celebrate Sankt Hans at the MoDA. Later, a bonfire was started and in the great American-Danish spirit, classic all-American s’mores was served alongside snobroed with jam. As the beautiful western Iowa sun went down over Elk Horn, the witch began to burn, and I felt almost as being back in Denmark. All in all, it was a very 'hyggelig' event and I was happy to experience a very unique celebration of Sankt Hans.

Best from Anders Tornsø Jørgensen