Your Excellences, ladies and gentlemen, dear friends
Last night, I had the privilege to hear the recipient of this evening’s honor Mr. Jordi Savall play for an attentive and packed audience. To my delight, one of the pieces he played was John Dowlands “To the King of Denmark’s Gaillard”. It sounds like this… (Adrian sings)
John Dowland happened to be the court composer of the Danish Renaissance King Christian the Fourth, and no more than six days ago, I presented a History Quiz on Danish Television where we stood in the very room in the small summer palace of Rosenborg in the middle of Copenhagen where this music was played before the King.
Not only that! King Christian was so enthusiastic about his music, that he had his winter room designed with secret vents, so music could be played hidden in the cellar below and dissipate up through the floor as if by magic.
We know this because there is a very elaborate description of the phenomenon by a Dutch diplomat of the time: he conveys how the Danish King, full of himself and his clever invention, tries to impress his foreign visitors – as would any present man infatuated by all his gadgets with his entire home wired up with music from Apple Airplay and what not.
In the Television History Quiz we repeated his magic, and had the music played from the cellar. I also showed the contestants a piece of the immensely expensive Royal Danish Porcelain “Flora Danica”, and unfortunately DROPPED one of the plates before their very eyes. Naturally they were aghast and there was a moment of great panic, however it wasn’t really one of the irreplaceable famous plates. It was just a prank, a great Television moment…
It is also a very accurate example of what I do. I delight in telling stories, especially historic ones and revel so much more in doing so, if I can achieve a light touch.
I have always talked a lot – maybe to night even too much – and I’ve been lucky that the Danish Broadcasting Corporation has been able to use this to their advantage. It is truly the miracle of my life that I have been privileged to make a living out of what would have been my hobby.
To me, and probably also to you, culture is what we do with our extra resources, when we are through with the bear necessities of feeding and clothing ourselves. Culture – and after a while, the heritage it represents – is what distinguishes us as the most intelligent species of mammals yet to have populated this planet.
I’m deeply devoted to conveying to the public the endeavors of all Artists, Artisans and Architects. To me, this is what the Helena Vaz da Silva Award is all about: a deep joy in the rich history and heritage that surrounds us, and the firm commitment to preserving it and keeping it vibrant for future generations.
I will certainly do my best to live up to the honour the Jury has bestowed upon me and receive its Special Mentioning with greatest gratitude and humility.
I would like to thank the many volunteers who work with such commitment for Europa Nostra and the Helena Vaz da Silva Award.
My sincere thanks to all of you, OBRIGADA
ADRIAN LLOYD HUGHES
