Vig Festival offers veterans a dedicated retreat space

Veterans attending this year’s Vig Festival in northwest Zealand will have access to Camp Dannevirke, a secluded area reserved for them and their families, reports Danish broadcaster DR.

The initiative, run by Veteranprojekt Vig, allows veterans to step away from the crowds and noise if the festival environment becomes overwhelming. Morten Klejnstrup, the project’s vice chair and a former deployed soldier diagnosed with PTSD, said the space helps veterans re-engage with life on their own terms.

“It’s about being able to tolerate things you couldn’t before,” he said.

Veteran Dennis Gram-Petersen, who has struggled with stress, described the camp as a place where everyone understands the need for space. His children, too, have benefited from the supportive environment, he added.

Now in its third year, Camp Dannevirke has grown from 20 participants in its first year to 80 this year. The veterans attend the festival for free but contribute voluntary work tailored to their needs. Festival chair Mette Arnth Vadsager said the project aligns with the event’s ethos of giving back to the community.