An effective chair ensured a swift and smooth conduct of the 2026 Guild Assembly of Christian the Fourth’s Guild
In late February 2026, benchers, members, and guests gathered at Duus Vinkjælder for this year’s Guild Assembly.
As usual, the chief bencher warmly welcomed everyone present. He then introduced the agenda for the evening and handed over the task of chairing the meeting to former Garrison Commander Colonel Flemming Larsen.
Flemming Larsen began by confirming that the Assembly had been convened in accordance with the statutes and that all formalities were in order. He then returned the floor to the chief bencher for the Board’s report. With great pleasure, the chief bencher announced that no fewer than 345 new guild brothers and sisters had been admitted in 2025—an encouraging increase compared to previous years. He also mentioned that the customary admissions of members from Unmilpoc had now transitioned to Normilpoc, while cooperation otherwise continued. This remains positive, as it brings in new members from many different nations and strengthens the international dimension of Christian IV’s Guild.
Another international tradition that continued was the Rebild Festival, celebrating Danish American friendship. For this reason, no individuals from the official USA delegation were admitted on that occasion. The Guild also presented the “Soldier of the Year” award at the New Year’s Parade to Alberte Bech Kristensen, who, based on an excellent nomination, was selected as Soldier of the Year. The Guild was pleased that she was present this evening to be admitted as a member.
As usual, the Guild also awarded its Humor Scholarships—ten in total—to school pupils and apprentices. The Guild participated in two of these ceremonies: at Nørresundby Gymnasium, where Magnus Nielsen received a scholarship upon nomination by the faculty, and later when apprentice Mikkela Kristensen at Guldsmed Otte in Østerå received a Cheerfulness Scholarship upon nomination by her employer.
During the year, the Guild developed a donor concept to strengthen its social outreach. Eleven donors joined this initiative, enabling the Guild to support Safe House in Jomfru Ane Gade. With over one hundred volunteers, Safe House assists approximately two hundred and fifty –three hundred people every Friday and Saturday night who require various forms of help. Unfortunately, it has become necessary to protect the volunteers, and Safe House lacked funds to hire security personnel. The Guild allocated DKK 50,000 from donor funds for this purpose. In total, the Guild distributed DKK 100,000 to various charitable causes.
In addition, the Christian the Fourth’s Guild Foundation was active in 2025, supporting around twenty worthy causes with grants totaling DKK 90,000. Beneficiaries ranged from the Colitis-Crohn Association to the Knitting Girls.
The chief bencher then expressed thanks to the evening’s chair, Flemming Larsen, to the Guild’s partners, and to the chair brothers for their efforts during the year.
As tradition dictates, the Guild’s Aalborg Prize, Initiative Prize, and Honorary Prize—each worth DKK 10,000—were then awarded.
The Aalborg Prize was awarded to Ole Nielsen, who has served as director of the Himmerland Housing Association since 2008. He has conducted significant work, particularly in the association’s housing areas in Aalborg East, which have developed into a vibrant and active district. Ole Nielsen is highly enterprising and has made his mark in Aalborg in many ways, including as current chairman of SIFA. A former rugby player and senior leader in Danish rugby at both national and international levels, he has helped put Aalborg on the world map. With a big heart and a strong commitment to grassroots sports, he never forgets the most vulnerable. It is therefore with great pleasure that he received the Guild’s Aalborg Prize.
The Initiative Prize was awarded to Maj Kær. After losing her 14-year-old son Victor to meningitis, she experienced firsthand the lack of proper facilities for conversations with doctors and nursing staff and for families staying with seriously ill relatives. Meetings often had to take place in utility rooms and similar spaces. Maj Kær resolved that proper family facilities should be established at the new hospital. As a result, family rooms have now been created at the new Aalborg Universityhospital. She also found that when Victor wished to become an organ donor, the family received little support or guidance. This led her to establish the association “Værdig,” which provides advice and support in connection with transplants and similar situations. It was with great pleasure to give Maja Kær the Guild’s Initiative Prize.
The Honorary Prize was awarded to Lynge Jacobsen, who has long been engaged in social work, particularly for vulnerable young people. Since 2019 he has been deeply involved with VUK, a specialized educational program where many students come from STU, a three-year specialized program for young people unable to participate in the regular education system. Lynge has devoted great effort to ensuring that everyone—regardless of disability—has the opportunity to compete on equal terms and participate in social activities.
Congratulations to all the award recipients.
After the formal Guild Assembly, the event transitioned into an initiation evening for new members of Christian the Fourth’s Guild. The new prize recipients and other interested participants were admitted to the Guild. Following a welcome, the chief bencher introduced the chair brothers who form the Board—though, as usual, he forgot to introduce himself. Observers could hardly attribute this to blasphemy, and the vice chief bencher quickly remedied the oversight with a heartfelt introduction that left few dry eyes.
The chief bencher then explained the principles members are expected to respect and live by. The Guild’s historical expert recounted its history, and the newly admitted members received the golden keys granting access to Duus Vinkjælder through the Secret Passage. The group then set out through Aalborg in search of the Secret Passage, where the golden key was tested—and worked—allowing them to return to the cellar. Back inside, the initiates tasted the ancient drink mead, after which Christian the Fourth’s Guild’s grand dinner awaited: two red sausages with bread. The Guild songbook was distributed, and the Guild’s two troubadours provided music for the songs. Guests were also given insight into what life might be like for opponents of alcohol. With a final musical performance, the troubadours concluded the evening’s initiation.
Afterwards, the benchers, the evening’s award recipients, and other invited guests gathered for a reception to further discuss the events of the evening.
See more pictures here