Sønderho kerk

Sønderho

23rd INTERNATIONAL SØNDERHO GUITAR FESTIVAL, Denmark
August 14, 2008

Fanø is the most northern of the Danish Wadden Sea Islands on the western coast of Jutland, Denmark. It is located just in front of the city of Esbjerg and holds one of Denmark's most beautiful villages: Sønderho.

The 23rd International Guitar Festival of Sønderho organized 6 concerts.
On August 14, 2008 Raphaella Smits performed a recital at the Church of Sønderho.


A visit to the island Fanø and the village Sønderho is like stepping back in time: the breathtaking silence, one single country road, petite thatched houses, dunes, heath and plantation as far as the eye can see.

The island Fanø was royal hunting ground, but in 1741 the inhabitants bought the island themselves. In the 18th century the island flourished on trade and shipping, and they had the second largest trading fleet next to Copenhagen’s fleet.

The island is 16 km long and 5 km wide, only 1.5 km from the main land, and counts today about 3,000 people.
One of the local celebrities was Ann Forrest (by birth Ann Kroman or Kornan): she became in Hollywood a silent film actress and appeared in 33 movies between 1915 and 1925.

Sønderho Kro founded in 1722 is one of the oldest and most well preserved inns in Denmark. It is situated just a few steps from the dike and has a great view to the marsh and the tidal area with its unique biodiversity.