MESSAGE FROM MAYOR MARK INFANTI, on behalf of the CITY OF SOLVANG
April 22, 2024
It is with heavy hearts that we wish to convey our most sincere condolences to the City of Copenhagen, the Capital of Denmark, and all of its citizens and businesses, for the loss of most of their beloved and historic Old Stock Exchange building (Børsen) in last week’s unprecedented fire.
As many of our own residents and families have direct ties to Denmark through their lineage and remaining relatives, we also extend our condolences to them.
Although Danish-settled and rooted, Solvang is a rather young city in comparison to our European counterparts. We cannot fathom the loss-induced grief that comes from witnessing the destruction of a national treasure, and one that has stood for 400 years as a symbol of Danish culture and heritage.
It is tragedies such as these, and the resilience that surfaces, that fortify our pride in what Solvang’s settlers and Danish founders also built here, in this “new” world. We are honored to be an extension of Danish culture and history.
We encourage our locals and visitors to stroll past Solvang’s own King Christian Tower building, located on First Street just south of Copenhagen Drive, where you can see a replica sculpture inspired by the dragon-tail spire which sat atop The Old Stock Exchange in Copenhagen. The tower on this Solvang building was the last work designed and crafted by Ferd Sorensen, the man responsible for much of Solvang’s Danish architectural elements.
We encourage you to take a moment to honor that replica landmark, and all that the original stood for as a rich symbol in Denmark’s history – and all that it will stand for once again, as Copenhagen’s Old Stock Exchange rebuilds.
In sympathy and hope,
Mayor Mark Infanti
City of Solvang
© Photo: Thomas Høyrup Christensen