hidden europe 26

Radishes in Hesselø

by hidden europe

Summary

As long as the radishes grown on Hesselø remain red and white, so shall the island be forever Danish. At least that is the perspective of one of the island's last remaining residents. Hesselø is a little remnant of Denmark that is coveted by Sweden - a rare instance of strife disturbing a Nordic harmony of nations.

The ease with which Denmark allowed Iceland to secede from the kingdom, and the generosity of spirit which most Danes have shown towards Faroese aspirations for selfgoverning nationhood are symbolic aspects of a peculiarly Nordic peace. Outsiders looking at Scandinavia are often seduced into thinking that these are countries where diplomatic voices are simply never raised. But the case of the tiny island of Hesselø reveals that there are occasionally moments when even Scandinavian feathers are ruffled.

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