Aalborg Municipality, the organizer of this major recurring sporting event, thought that some of the participating leaders from various nations should also have a genuine Aalborg experience by being inducted into Christian the Fourth’s Guild.

Twenty-eight leaders from the participating nations gathered in the old cellar beneath Jens Bang’s Stone House, where they went through the induction ritual and became new members of Christian the Fourth’s Guild. Naturally, the ceremony was conducted in English, and everyone was introduced to the Guild’s humanitarian efforts and history. They also learned that the Guild has many international members spread across 120 nations.

After being informed of this and of the gentlemen seated at the high table, the newly inducted members set off on a tour of both the old and new Aalborg. Along the way, a stop was made at the Guild’s beautiful linden tree in front of the City Hall. Here, the Guild’s Forest Ranger, Henrik Schou, spoke about the tree and, not least, about his delightful task of caring for it, as well as two trees in Norway for which the Guild is also responsible. He also told them about the engraved stone at the base of the tree, bearing Christian the Fourth’s symbol.

The procession then continued into old Aalborg and stopped at the Guild’s secret entrance. Here, the Guild’s historical expert, Palle Bjørnstrup, spoke about developments during World War II that necessitated an alternative entrance, one that could only be used by Guild members, all of whom were equipped with the golden key—a key identical to the one they had now been given, which they could use on future visits to Aalborg. The Master of Ceremonies, Svend Aage Suhr, ensured that one of the new members evaluated the key, which worked perfectly, and all could then pass through the hidden passage back to the cellar.

Here, Guild Master Niels Voss Hansen once again took the floor, and the guests were led through a tasting of mead, followed by the Guild’s grand gala dinner. They were also introduced to the art and appreciation of drinking Aalborg Akvavit—a process aided by communal singing, led by the Guild’s troubadours, Kjeld Trudslev and Henning Kaastrup. These troubadours later performed a joyful musical medley that matched the good spirits in the room.

The Guild Master also shared stories and illustrations about how some people fought against alcohol, including the well-known Larsen-Ledet in Denmark, and about alcohol in Northern Norway. The gathering also heard his personal story about how one might learn to speak Finnish.

When the mood was at its peak, the Guild Master announced that the Stolsbrødre would now leave the gathering, doing so with wishes for enjoyable days and good experiences in Aalborg during the Youth Games, and reminding the guests to bring their key to the Hidden Passage when they next visit Aalborg.