Queen Margrethe II joined King Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark as they hosted a traditional Banquet for Arts and Culture at Christiansborg Palace on the evening of February 28th.
King Frederik X and Queen Mary were joined by Queen Margrethe II at the Gala Dinner for Arts and Culture at Christiansborg Palace.
When the Royal Couple hosts an evening party for arts and culture in February, they continue a tradition that began in 1976, when HM Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik first hosted an evening party for guests representing arts and culture. At that time, the party was held under the name ‘Arts et Lettres’ (arts and words).
Parties where the invitees were employed in the arts and culture have threads going back to the time of Christian VIII (1786-1848), when the king, based on his great interest in arts, culture and science, invited people to parties at the palace.
Throughout history, the Royal House has had a tradition of inviting various actors in society to parties at the palace. At the evening parties, guests are invited to dinner and entertainment in the Great Hall at Christiansborg Palace.
King Frederik X gave a Speech:
Ladies and gentlemen, dear guests,
Tonight we celebrate art and culture.
Tonight we celebrate you who give us everything:– from classical to culinary works of art
– from performing arts to the art of physical expression
– from musical to cinematic to architectural gems
– from tactile crafts and design to digital experiences and gamesI grew up surrounded by pictures and books, sculptures and music. As the child of two performing artists, I am genetically burdened. And enriched.
From a young age, I have seen art draw both my mother and my father. Both had – and mother, you still do – something on their hearts and an urge to let ‘that something’ find expression and take shape.
As a boy, I didn’t understand it.
Art was a puzzle that I set out to solve.
I wanted to understand art and allied myself with experienced people who patiently led me into their world.
Work by work I gained nuances and a taste for visual art in particular. I began to think about and surrender to art. The childhood urge to clarify had been replaced by a desire to discover.
Art and culture have always been a subject of discussion. When is something one thing and when is something the other – or neither one nor the other?
The current debate is whether art can come from artificial intelligence, or whether art is inextricably linked to being human with consciousness and intention.
Again, the important thing is perhaps not to clarify, but precisely to explore. Art sets something – and rarely the same thing – in motion within us.
We cannot do without art or culture and cannot avoid either. Art and culture are woven into our lives and often play a key role in life’s most crucial moments.
It could be anything from an international sporting event that led to an unlikely meeting between two people, to a chorus that gave weight to the promise of weightless love,
just to name a few examples.An ancient Latin expression reads:
«Vita brevis, Ars longa».
Life is short, art is long.
Tonight we celebrate what unites us and moves us in the present and long after.
I propose a toast to art and culture.
Cheers!
Queen Mary wore her Diamond Necklace Tiara.
Queen Margrethe II wore the Baden Palmette Tiara and Queen Alexandrine’s Sapphire Parure
The Jewels of the Queens of Denmark
The Danish Emerald Parure
The Danish Pearl Poiré Tiara
The Danish Ruby Parure
Danish Diamond Bandeau
Wedding Tiara
Diamond Necklace Tiara
Midnight Tiara
Danish Diamond Rivière
‘Belle Epoque’ Diamond Earrings
Duchess of Leuchtenberg’s Pearl Bracelet
Wedding Earrings
Diamond Fringe Earrings
Aquamarine Jewels
Amethyst Earrings
Queen Josefina’s Diamond Brooches
Connaught Sapphire Brooch
Queen Louise of Sweden’s Engagement Bracelet 
Diamond Flower Brooch
Antique Turquoise Parure
Diamond Flower Earrings
