The atmosphere of Christmas, most unique family time of the whole year, has reached Baltic Barracks along with Saint Lucia procession and Danish delicacies. Danish community of the Multinational Corps Northeast (MNC NE) invited personnel of the Headquarters, their families and guests for traditional Jule-glögg, organised in Baltic Barracks on 6 December 2010.
Afterwards, the celebration moved to Baltic Barracks where the Senior Danish Officer Colonel Søren Bojesen and Chief of the Danish National Support Element Major Ole Reith welcomed all guests entering the gym, which had been transformed into a magic place for this special day. “I am tremendously pleased to see so many of you today,” said Colonel Bojesen to all guests. Colonel Bojesen was also very pleased to welcome the guest of honour, the Danish Ambassador to Warsaw His Excellency Thomas Østrup Møller. “The concept of work-life balance gets a whole new meaning when you have the privilege of enjoying Jule-glögg, Christmas carols and maybe even Santa Claus during working hours,” the Ambassador addressed the audience. “Christmas is a time for reflection and afterthought. It is the time of year we remember those who are no longer among us. It is also the time when we should enjoy and pay tribute to our families whom we have asked to accompany us abroad and whom we maybe take a little too much for granted the rest of the year. And remember - if you do not have Christmas in your hearts, you will not find it under the Christmas tree,” the Ambassador underlined.
After the Ambassador’s address, Colonel Bojesen took the floor again and continued his speech. “Jule-glögg event is not just aiming at setting our minds for the upcoming season, it also gives us, the Danish community, the opportunity to thank all our external beneficiaries, all of you who make our life in the lovely city of Szczecin so much easier,” he said. He also invited everybody to buy homemade and handmade gifts, crafts and goodies at the Christmas Charity Bazaar prepared by Danish ladies. As it was pointed out, all proceeds would be given to Special Primary and Secondary Schools in Nowe Czarnowo. Colonel Bojesen did not forget to mention the contribution of Szczecin Garrison Orchestra which made the whole event memorable.
Then, the Christmas buffet was opened with Danish delicacies prepared by the Royal Danish Navy. A must was obviously famous Jule-Glögg: wine-based drink with a drop of brandy or snaps, raisins, pieces of almond, cinnamon, cardamom and other spices. Jule-Glögg is usually served with a small hot cake of batter called "apple-piece" even though it does not contain apple anymore. It is eaten with jam and sugar or icing sugar instead.
All in all, everybody spent a very nice afternoon in a friendly and relaxing atmosphere. With Danish Jule-Glögg, the countdown and real preparations for Christmas can finally start. The Ambassador has already made some plans for the upcoming Christmas. “We are going to have a lot of family visiting us in Warsaw,” he said. “We gather around 6 o’clock for Christmas dinner and that normally goes on for a couple of hours. Then we dance around the Christmas tree and sing Christmas carols. Finally, it is time for unwrapping the presents,” he said about his traditional Christmas Eve.
