Le Nord : revue internationale des Pays de Nord - 01.06.1943, Page 74

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LE NORD
the outside world, with which the Danish nation feels such a
strong desire to get into contact.
It may be worth while to dilate for a moment on some features
of the work of the Danish Society which distinguish it from
many organizations of a similar kind elsewhere. In the first place,
it is worthy of note that the Society is anxious to enlist the co-
operation, not only of the Metropolis, but also of the Provinces.
It has already been mentioned that the activities of the Socie-
ty in the various countries are not intended to be confined to
their capitals, but that they will also be extended to important
localities outside the latter. There is a corresponding desire that
the Danish provinces should also take an active share and contri-
bute effectively to the work. This desire is reflected in the pro-
ject that each of the posts which the Society establishes abroad
should be associated with a »sponsor« among the towns of Den-
mark. Such an arrangement would have especial importance in
connection with the projected study tours round Denmark, parti-
cularly as regards the tours to be arranged for foreign students.
In any case, such tours must not be confined to the beautiful,
but somewhat hackneyed route from Copenhagen through North
Sealand: they must extend to the whole of the country. It will
then become the chief task of the sponsor town to prepare a
welcome for the young foreign visitors, and to see that the homes
of the town are opened to them — not only those of well-to-do
families, but also those of employees and working men, so that
the visitors may meet Danes of their own age and of the right
type, without regard to fortune or class. These homes will then
provide a basis for the study of conditions in the sponsor town,
and will give the visitors a picture of Danish provincial town
life which is at the same time individual and of a wider validity.
And the sponsor town will be the starting point for a further
journey round the Danish countryside, ending with a visit to the
Capital.
That the provincial towns are in sympathy with this plan
appears from the very considerable sums which the Danish muni-
cipalities have placed at the disposal of the Society. The Danish
Rotary Movement has also given active support to the Society
and the cause which it promotes.
Another characteristic feature of the work of the Danish
Society is the way in which it is endeavouring to make the
younger generation take a share in its activities. It often happens,