Soldier of the Year 2024: A Familiar Face to the Guild

At the annual New Year’s Ceremony on Domkirkepladsen in Aalborg, Christian IV’s Guild awarded the title of Soldier of the Year along with an accompanying grant.

The Soldier of the Year is selected by Aalborg Garrison, which seeks a candidate who exemplifies not only being a skilled soldier but also an inspiring and supportive comrade. This year, the honor went to Sergeant Casper Steen Christensen, who, before an audience of approximately three hundred spectators, received a diploma and donation as Soldier of the Year 2024.

Remarkably, this was not his first time receiving a grant from Christian IV’s Guild. Back in 1996, the Guild awarded a Triplet Grant to his family, and Casper was one of the triplets.On this special day, the entire Christensen family was present, including parents Henrik Steen Christensen, former Master Sergeant of the Queen’s Life Regiment, and Hanne Kjær Christensen, as well as older sister Maria Kjær Kristensen and twin brothers Martin, a former soldier in the Jutland Dragoon Regiment, and Jeppe, who serves in the Royal Danish Air Force and Military Police. 

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This Year’s Good Spirit Prize was Awarded

The Good Spirit Prize were awarded to a student at Aalborghus State Gymnasium and a waiter apprentice at Restaurant Det Tredje Sted in Bispensgade.

The Guild delegation began their day at Aalborghus Gymnasium, and they were received with  applause during the Guild’s entrance, which of course, was accompanied by music.

The chief bencher explained the criteria for receiving Christian IV’s Good Spirit Prize, noting that he had rarely seen such a comprehensive nomination that clearly outlined why Anna Hvidtfeldt Gade Sten was the chosen recipient.

And  with great applause, Anna was called forward, and the chief bencher presented her with both a diploma certifying the award and a small envelope, which he suggested she use for something frivolous.

As the C4 delegation exited the hall, it was naturally accompanied by music and thunderous applause from everyone present – a cheerful atmosphere prevailed throughout the scholarship presentation.

Later in the day, the delegation visited Restaurant Det Tredje Sted in Bispensgade. All the restaurant's patrons looked up, undoubtedly wondering what was about to happen. Once they reached the bar, the chief bencher took the floor to explain Christian IV’s Good Spirit Prize. Again, there was an impressive nomination for the recipient, who was clearly unaware of what was about to take place.

When the chief bencher mentioned his name – Martin Dam – he practically jumped in surprise and let out an exclamation. He, too, received a diploma detailing the honor and an envelope whose contents he was encouraged to spend on joyful activities.

Martin’s professional skills, in addition to his good humor, were demonstrated when the restaurant’s manager, Jeanett, tasked him with serving the Guild members present. The Guild members also took the opportunity to greet the restaurant’s other guests.

A double celebration with two happy awards and two delighted recipients – it couldn’t have been more cheerful.

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 4^th, 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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