The Story of Per and Lilly (née Christensen) Falkenberg-Andersen
The gift Per presented to Queen Margrethe II of Denmark symbolizes Dickson's enduring link to Denmark. He crafted it from oak wood recovered from the Great Belt off Reersø on the island of Sjælland, Denmark.
But the gift also has a symbolic meaning for the Queen herself. It's a link to her predecessor, Queen Margrethe I, whose ship was shipwrecked in the Great Belt in 1396.
Holding onto a plank, Margrethe made it to Reersø. She managed to walk to a farm. The farmer, Hans Hansen, didn't know who she was and Margrethe did not tell him. He treated her with respect and kindly took her in.
After three days of rest (and a diet of herring and peanuts), she recovered from her ordeal.
The next day, Hans had to deliver firewood and cattle to Kalundborg, so he offered Margrethe a ride in his wagon. When they arrived, she told him who she was and asked to be taken to Kalundborg Castle. What a shock it must have been for him!
To commemorate Hans Hansen's hospitality to a poor unknown woman, Queen Margrethe I declared Reersø tax-free, a privilege that lasted several hundred years. Hans Hansen's farm is still known as Dronningegården (The Queen's Farm).
What did Per craft from that piece of ancient oak from Reersø? A shallow bowl of burnished wood, with a centre mosaic inlay depicting the Dickson Store Museum.
Queen Margrethe II was delighted and intrigued by Per's gift. She marvelled that a gift given to her in Dickson, Alberta, Canada could have such ancient links to Denmark. Per was pleased his gift had been so graciously received.
Two years later, Queen Margrethe II made her first official visit to Reersø. Coincidence? Or was she lured by Per's gift?
Adapted from the 2007 Heritage Book,with permission from the Federation of Danish Associations in Canada
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