PROMPT: Does the historic and elitist institution of the country house estate have a role and purpose in Denmark's egalitarian society? Explain.
The private estate that we visited today seemed somewhat out of place in in society that places so much value on egalitarianism. Egeskov Castle has been in the same family for many generations dating back to the 1700’s. Though some may think that a country estate doesn’t have a role and purpose in Denmark’s society, I think otherwise. Once this estate was probably used to showcase wealth, power, and to highlight social class which, to me, is a very non-Danish thing to do. It is clear that it is now used as a tool to educate the public about how life was a long time ago and for recreation. In this usage, I think that it serves a really great purpose. Actually providing the public with the opportunity to visit the historic land is quite reflective of Denmark’s egalitarianism.
The private estate that we visited today seemed somewhat out of place in in society that places so much value on egalitarianism. Egeskov Castle has been in the same family for many generations dating back to the 1700’s. Though some may think that a country estate doesn’t have a role and purpose in Denmark’s society, I think otherwise. Once this estate was probably used to showcase wealth, power, and to highlight social class which, to me, is a very non-Danish thing to do. It is clear that it is now used as a tool to educate the public about how life was a long time ago and for recreation. In this usage, I think that it serves a really great purpose. Actually providing the public with the opportunity to visit the historic land is quite reflective of Denmark’s egalitarianism.
This is what I always imagined when reading a fairytale. This castle was so beautiful and secluded. Hans Christian Anderson, famous for fairytale writing, actually visited the castle on two different occasions. I guess he liked what he saw because I can literally say that this castle is what he based his fairytale castles off of.
Sadly, little funding by the government goes towards privately
owned estate/projects like Egeskov due to the very socialist ideology here. The government sees it as unfair to give the
elitist funding when not everyone else is getting it… though I think this is a
pretty close-minded attitude.
Egeskov Estate is such a unique place. The owners of the castle have put in a lot of
effort trying to make the castle appeal to tourists; a major source of income
for them. Visitors are encouraged to take a peek inside the castle,
visit the many gardens, see the old car and airplane collections, eat at the
cafes, and play in the many parks. This
is a place appeals to all age groups and has a variety of attractions that peak
the interests of many different visitors. Because it is privately owned, the family can
really put their own twist on how they want to run the property—there is very
little, if any, government involvement.
If owned by the government the property would lose some of its intimacy
and uniqueness that come with being run by a family.
Estates like Egeskov provide so many positive benefits to
society and the people visiting despite a surrounding egalitarian
attitude. As long as these estates stay
accessible and are used to showcase pieces of history, estates like Egeskov definitely
belong in Denmark.
