Lister

Written by Kenneth Praefke
Translated by Tobias Bindslet

Jonathan is smiling and seated comfortably. Meanwhile, Birgitte rubs his toes thoroughly in a big metal bowl of water.

“Could you pull the toes a bit too?” Jonathan asks. In front of the Cathedral of silence a long queue of hopeful, dirty festival feet are waiting to reach the same treatment Jonathan is getting. Suddenly he notices a lump of horny skin underneath his big toe, “Would you happen to have a foot file?”

The many miles of walking on the festival area have taken their toll on his feet. When the toes are clean and washed, he can be let in to the Cathedral of Silence. A number of people try to sneak inside, but only newly washed feet are allowed. “I don’t know what’s in there. I’m just going to lie down and sleep,” Jonathan says hopefully.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church washes your feet

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark is behind the washing of feet. They want to contribute with what you most need at a festival. Getting your feet washed. “Many are overwhelmed. To think that someone sits there and wants to wash my festival feet,” says Helene, one of those behind the initiative. She sees the washing of feet as a unique act of compassion. Afterwards, you can be let into the great white tent, the Cathedral of Silence.

“From here you can unwind and experience the sensory perceptions from the outside, far off in the distance,” Helle tells us.

Back to Jonathan’s feet

The foot washing is over, and the toes are being dried. “Would you like lotion on?”, Birgitte asks, and Jonathan accepts gratefully. A total of four volunteers sit on a row, washing the dirty feet. They frequently dip their own feet in the clean, foamy bath and massage them clean.

“The first time you do have to win past your personal limits. But I have yet to come across any really gross feet,” Birgitte says, as she thoroughly rubs lotion onto Jonathan’s toes. “Sometimes, you should just avoid looking at the toenails,” she laughs.

Jonathan smiles quietly, while his feet are rubbed. Birgitte finishes, and Jonathan gets up. ”Thanks a bunch,” he says and walks into the cathedral.