DANES AND BRITONS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 264, 3 August 1929, Page 29

DANES AND BRITONS

BONDS OF CULTURE AND ART

Copenhagen is a friendly city for an Englishman to visit (writes an “Observer” correspondent). A Danish writer has said that his countrymen know each other by knowing England, and wherever one goes there seems a real interest in England and things English. I brought with me from London a letter of introduction to Dr. Vincent Naser, who, besides being one of the directors of the “Berlingske Tidende,” the great Copenhagen daily paper, is the promoter of the International Exchange of University Students and a member of the Joint Committee of the League of Nations Union. Dr. Naser told me that he invented the slogan, “Peace among the peace societies!” His great passion is a.cultural exchange between Denmark and England, and he has definite ideas how this could be helped. “For centuries,” he said, “our culture has been derived from Germany, and Denmark Is just beginning to realise that its true kinship is with Great Britain. In the two countries, because of racial influences, there is a oneness of intellectual purpose, the same sense of fair play, and the similar habit of mind in letting things evolve slowly. This applies to all the Scandinavian countries, and it should be realised more thoroughly in Great Britain. “I say this,” he continued, in the long talk I had with him, “because England for some reason neglects the .Scandinavian countries. I wish your people could realise the great demand there is for English things and the enormous trust there is in your culture. The Scandinavians are aching for a wider knowledge of British books and plays. What Is not appreciated is the widespread knowledge of the English language here and that, by backing up the products of your language, you back up your trade. There is a big export of human beings from Scandinavia. They all have to learn English, and their influence is tremendous. It would pay England to create a small fund to create a cultural mission to the Scandinavian countries instead, because our populations are comparatively small, of neglecting us entirely.” “What do you mean by ‘neglecting’ you?” I asked. “Well, take the case of English books. German publishers are alive to the Scandinavian market for literature, but your publishers hardly trouble about us at all. Perhaps they think we are too small, and except for certain detective-story writers, it is difficult to get your books. Curiously this also applies even in the case of the motor-car trade. There are no Danish motor-cars, and we are pre-

pared to believe your slogan that ‘British goods are best,’ but the Scandinavian contract for your most popular small car goes to a Germany company, which has given the ear a different name. Consequently, the Danes will not buy it. They adopt your slogan and say they want a British car!” "But it is in the theatre that British influence could be best felt,” Dr. Naser said. “We should be prepared to sacrifice a good deal to get English companies to play in Scandinavia. Through the ‘Berlingske Tidende’ in the last few years I have arranged for the 0.U.D.5., the Cambridge Amateurs, and also the King’s College, London, Society, to visit Copenhagen. Except for the appearance of the English players from Paris these are the only British actors that have been seen over here. The acting was not first-rate, but the Danish people filled the theatre each night to hear English spoken. Apart from anything else, that was important in itself. “These visits had four great results: (t) Danish theatre managers discovered something ef the modern English drama, and most of the plays that were performed have since been translated and staged successfully in the Scandinavian theatres; (b) the critics urged the Danish teachers to re-learn their English diction; (c) the students for the first time formed themselves into amateur dramatic societies to give performances of British plays themselves; (d) the soil was prepared for the visits that I hope will be forthcoming from other English companies. Now we want to see some of your best actors. There would not be a great deal of money for them, but they could be promised keen and appreciative audiences. Hospitality would be given to the members of the company, and I think I could promise that facilities could be arranged for the journey from England and through Scandinavia. “If arrangements could be made for one company a year to act in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, the cultural results would be Incalculable. One year I should like to see the Old Vic give a repertoire of Shakespeare and old English plays, to be followed the next, say, by a great actress like Miss Sybil Thorndike and a small company in modern pieces. We would take all the responsibility from them on this side, as long as the actors did not ask for the earth!” As I left Dr. Naser, I told him that Mr. Maurice Browne talked of a visit of a “Journey’s End” company to the Continental cities. Scandinavia had been mentioned to end the tour, and he said that he would do all he could to help the project,