“They who set out, never to return.” This inscription marks the entrance to the Mindestenen Stone. It is a poignant reminder of the Danish emigrants who left their homeland.
The Mindestenen Stone stands on a slope in Søndermarken near Frederiksberg Palace. This memorial mound commemorates Danish emigrants. Imagine their hopes as they departed.
This mound is eight meters in diameter. It rises five meters tall. Tall trees surround it. A narrow stone-lined passageway leads to it.
Inside the Mindestenen Stone, a meter-wide opening lets in daylight. At the center, a life-size figure embraces her children. She symbolizes Mother Denmark.
Nine bas-reliefs decorate the walls. These depict the lives and activities of emigrants abroad. A five-pointed star in the floor represents the five continents.
Let’s examine the reliefs. The first shows a mother watching her two sons leave. A loyal dog follows them. The next depicts struggles abroad. Then we see the clearing of forests and building of first homes. Plowing fields, sowing seeds, and planting trees follows. Christianity is represented by Protestants, Catholics, and crusaders. Cattle breeding is shown with shepherds, milkmaids and livestock. Seafaring shows the merchant navy. Crafts and trade show the building of new lands. Family life is depicted with play and sports.
Danish-Americans in the United States conceived the idea for this memorial in the early 1920s. They wanted a counterpoint to the Rebild Hills celebrations in Jutland. The sculptor Anders Bundgaard created the design. He drew inspiration from prehistoric Danish burial mounds.
Several locations were considered. These included Jægersborg Dyrehave and Kastellet. Bundgaard favored Søndermarken. Discussions took place in the media.
Despite some criticism, Søndermarken was approved. Funds were raised worldwide among expatriate Danes. About $12,000 was collected.
The Mindestenen Stone was inaugurated in 1925. Forty thousand people attended the ceremony including the entire Danish royal family. Today, the memorial mound opens to the public every year on July 4th.
Consider the sacrifices and dreams embodied within this mound. The Mindestenen Stone serves as a powerful reminder of the Danish diaspora. It honors those who ventured into the unknown.