Community dinner

Before starting a summer of working as an intern in Copenhagen, it was time to go home. So I now find myself in the lazy village of Strandby, with some 200 residents, not 10 days after I flew out of Hong Kong. Needless to say nothing much happens here, but yesterday was an exception: one of the four quarterly "community dinners".

Denmark has a history of cooperation dating back to the 18th century, following the abolishment of the serfdom-like institution of "stavnsbånd". Most towns were united around a church, a town hall, and a "forsamlingshus" - literally a "gathering house". These were buildings where community matters could be discussed, where feasts and festivals took place, and which could be rented for personal use. The buildings today have a board and some limited funds, and survive in modern society by being rented out to wedding receptions, confirmations, art exhibitions, or being used for own initiatives such as the community dinner.
  
Having now spent around 2 years in metropolitan society, I sincerely enjoy the charm of rural country life. The concept's are simple; yesterday everybody paid a registration fee for the food, while drinks were purchased on the spot, and the focus is on strengthening the community rather than harvesting a large profit. Everybody gets greeted with a handshake before one sits down, and a song or two get sung before the food is served. The feeling that the concept is slightly old-fashioned gets exacerbated by an average age well in excess of 50, and sights of old men poking at broccoli and frowningly ask their wife what the hell that is, or the heart-warming gruff laughter accompanying strong black coffee and home-baked biscuits, provide subtle reminders of fond memories - just like visiting one's grandmother.

Almost 60 people filled the forsamlingshus during yesterdays event. My parents knew everybody in the room, perhaps not equally personally, but they knew who they were and what they did. The bond between neighbours in these rural communities seem to be one of the key factors in their survival. Like the Chinese concept of guanxi, the community is strengthened through reciprocal exchange of favours, and the community acts like close family with strong bonds of trust and a sense of belonging. A lot of young people, myself included, seek out larger cities with the possibility of school, work and adventure, but young families and people close to retirement return to the countryside for its tranquillity, security and community.
 
And then there is the nature. Strolling home at 9 PM, with setting sun filling the clear blue sky with orange and red hues, I smiled at the delights of the Danish countryside, but rural life is not for me. Not yet at least.