
A lively October evening in 1829 finds a circle of newly‑minted scholars gathered in a Copenhagen home, their recent exams still fresh with triumph. Their celebration is a spirited blend of Latin toast‑speak, impromptu verses, and playful ribbing, as a plaster bust of Homer becomes the centerpiece of their revelry. The air is thick with the scent of wine, tobacco, and youthful ambition, each friend swapping nicknames and anecdotes that reveal the quirks of their provincial and city backgrounds.
Against this backdrop of camaraderie, the young men taste the first freedoms of adulthood, their laughter echoing the promise of future travels to Jutland and Funen. Yet beneath the merriment lies a subtle tension: the inevitable shift from carefree student life toward the responsibilities that await. As the night unfolds, listeners are invited to share in the exuberant spirit of these Danish youths, feeling the pulse of their hopes, jokes, and the bittersweet awareness that such bright evenings are fleeting.
Language
en
Duration
~9 hours (522K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Nicole Apostola, and David Widger
Release date
2005-02-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1805–1875
Best known for timeless fairy tales like "The Little Mermaid," "The Ugly Duckling," and "The Emperor’s New Clothes," this Danish writer turned stories for children into classics loved by readers of all ages. His work mixes wonder, sadness, humor, and hope in a way that still feels fresh today.
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