The Danish folk high schools 
This Danish tradition of ‘peoples enlightenment of public matters’, which still has an influence on Danish society today, dates back to the mid 19th century, when democracy made its breakthrough in Denmark as in other European countries. In this connection, Grundtvig - regarded as a sort of Danish national father figure - began to consider that if the people were going to participate in governing the country, they would need to be suitably enlightened. The vision of the Danish folk high school was born, and in the space of only a few years - as part of a broader social movement - it was put into practice throughout the country. At the heart of the folk high school project were the ideas of ‘enlightenment for life’ (livsoplysning), peoples enlightenment, and democratic education - still central tenets of the Danish folk high school philosophy.

Hadsten Folk High School
At Hadsten Folk High School, enlightenment for life has to do with thinking about, discussing and working with central issues of life - while being in the midst of it. The perspectives are many: philosophical, pedagogical, political, historical, religious and social.

Peoples enlightenment and education is concerned with being part of a community, part of a society, part of a culture. This also relates to the small community at the folk high school; the students are ’learning by doing’.

Democratic education is about being a citizen and a participant in a democracy - at the local level, the national, and the supranational level. The challenge of today is whether ideas of national democracy can be implemented also at the European level.

At Hadsten Folk High School, we offer many different subjects, ranging from social studies and Danish language to arts & crafts and sport. When you arrive at the school, you put together your own schedule with the help of your assigned counsellor.