What language is this?
It is Danish. You’re witnessing the language of Hans Christian Andersen, Karen Blixen and Soeren Kierkegaard, and your curiosity is very much appreciated.
Danish language is closely related to Swedish and Norwegian and has evolved from a core language very similar to the language spoken in Iceland today. Its early literary manifestations include writings on stones called Runesten from the Viking period.
As you strive your way through history of languages, you’ll find traces of Danish or old Viking language and Viking mythology in the most astonishing places. Fore instance, the English name of the first day of the weekend Friday is derived from the Nordic Goddess called Frey. Another frequent term of old Nordic origin is the word Gun, which originates from the Nordic woman name Gunhild. Originally the name was introduced as a nickname for some stonethrowing engine.
(Una magna ballista de cornu quae vocotur Domina Gunhilda. (1330) The Viking Legacy by John Geipel 1971 David & Charles.)
What is Rock Ad Hoc?
Rock ad Hoc is part of the Veronica project, which is a 100% private initiative committing itself to the task of defining the cultural climate of Denmark and Europe during the last decades of 20’th century and the first decade of the 21’th century. As you meet it here, the project is under execution and consequently the site will be updated from time to time.
Who is Veronica?
Veronica is the woman who according to a legend wiped the sweat from the face of Christ as he passed down the Via Dolorosa carrying the cross on his way to Golgotha. Her name means image of truth. Love songs, books and films have been dedicated women bearing her name.
What is the Veronica Project?
The project is based on a trinity consisting of the elements from history, present time and future. You are evaluating these elements as you work your way through the project. You are the expert to whom the concluding aspect is totally handed over.
What is history?
History is represented by various biographical writings including an untraditional biographical description of a Danish author Holger Drachmann (1846 – 1908) The greatest Danish poet of his time. This work is the story of his young life and early carrier including a lot of contemporary texts illustrating older Danish language and nowadays ways of expression used by Danes. The author Drachmann was very attached to the English literary tradition as Shelly and Byron passed it on. In fact, Drachmann was the one who translated Byron’s work Don Joan to Danish.
The aim of the biographical work, focusing on Drachmann and his time, involves an attempt to encircle the degree of liberty present in the spirit of that time. You could say the degree of implemented freedom of thinking, speech and writhing.
What is present time?
Present time is represented partly by the songs, lyrics and music you find on this site, partly by forgotten public readings, mostly on shut down and inferior places in Copenhagen and partly by disputes and writings primarily concerning health, cultural and environmental matters. The latest of these writings you will find on the server of the SF party of Denmark. Earlier writings you will have to look for on the Royal Library of Denmark: http://www.kb.dk/index-en.htm
The public readings have frequently been in cooperation with The Copenhagen Café of Lyrics. This is a literary phenomenon to which I shall return.
What is future?
Future is represented by ultra short satirical stories describing the new world of this region as I expect it to come.
What is going to happen?
All these writings and songs are left no mercy by the Danish Establishment, and are, as a consequence of that unspoken fact, going to be published any way thanks to the web. Return to the www.RockAdHoc.com , and you shall find it and read it some day I hope.
What is your challenge?
What I invite you to is ... Or should I say, my challenge to you is: Learn this little inferior language of my home land or find some one who masters it for a translation and give Hans Christian Andersen, Karen Blixen and Soeren Kierkegaard your attention and leave an hour or to for the back street poet, who is subject of your attention right now.
€:-)