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The inducted on this day were seventeen members from the Hjallerup Market committee, the board of Aalborg Craftmen’s Association, and some associated with Stenhouse’s 400th anniversary.
Chief bencher Niels Voss Hansen ensured that the new members understood exactly whom they were now joining as brothers and sisters - a noteworthy occasion, given that the Guild includes members from the royal family, prime ministers and presidents from various countries, as well as cultural figures from around the world. Only a small sample of the many people inducted into Christian IV’s Guild since 1942 was mentioned here.
All seventeen who sought induction still wished to become members after learning about the terms described in the Guild’s charter. Thus, walks received certificates of induction along with a key to the “secret passage,” Then is was time for a "city walk" starting in the new part and ending in the old part of the city.
Back in the cellar once again, the Guild’s grand dinner was enjoyed with due reverence, and there was great respect and solemnity around the tradition of drinking the allotted glass of “Water of Life,” also known as aquavit.
The chief bencher adhered strictly to the induction ritual on this day, maintaining a long-standing tradition of the market committee’s involvement in the Guild of Christian IV. This was partly for the experience of the induction but also because a contingent of “old members” from the committee was present, both to ensure that everything proceeded as prescribed and to ensure that the “young members” behaved appropriately—and indeed they did.
As always, the Guild’s troubadours contributed delightful music and song, and the communal singing resonated beautifully under the ancient vaults of Duus Vinkjælder.
On September 4th, an induction was held with UNMILPOC, the international military police organization, which conducts training courses for military police personnel in Aalborg twice a year. A long-standing tradition during these courses is that participants are treated to some good Aalborg humor.
After the mayor’s reception at Aalborg City Hall, the next stop is Duus Wine Cellar, where they are inducted into Christian IV's Guild. This gives them a brief historical insight into Christian IV and, not least, Jens Bang's Stone House.
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On September 10th, we held an induction for 14 guests, all with connections to the Royal Danish Air Force.
Participants came from all over Denmark and experienced the Guild’s induction ritual in the best possible way. The Guild’s songs were sung as if by a much larger choir, and the Guild’s fine lunch was enjoyed with great pleasure.
As tradition dictates, our troubadours concluded the event with music and song.
On August 30th, Nordjyske Museums and the S.C. Strøyberg Foundation for the Preservation of Jens Bang’s Stone House hosted a reception to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Jens Bang’s Stone House and the release of Jacob Ørnbjerg’s book "The Merchant, the Apothecary, and the Widows."
The Guild Board attended, almost in full, and the chief bencher briefly mentioned the Guild’s 82-year association with the house, expressing joy that the former Apothecary had been restored to almost its original appearance. He also wished the Stone House good fortune for the next four hundred years.
Additionally, the chief bencher presented the author, Jacob Ørnbjerg, with a bottle of the Guild's bitter. The Guild's two troubadours provided some musical entertainment, and we concluded by singing "We Belong to Aalborg."
On August 31st, Aalborg Museum, had organized tours of the building celebrating its 400th anniversary. Christian the IV’s Guild also participated, offering guided tours for five groups of fifteen people. Treasurer Torben Røgild and Thirst Master Palle Bjørnstrup led these tours, which started at the old pharmacy, continued along Adelgade to Cortes Gyde, and entered the Guild’s rooms through the Secret Passage.
During the tour and in the Guild's room, information was shared about the Guild’s activities, and many questions were answered thoroughly. It was clearly emphasized that we are not a closed lodge and that we have no objections to women joining at the board.
In the end, it was not just five groups of fifteen people, but rather five groups of twenty people, meaning around one hundred individuals had the chance to experience and gain an impression of Christian IV’s Guild.