By Julie Hindkjær, volunteer journalist.
“It’s not about writing something clever or good. It’s about writing – and feeling good while you do it.”
So says Nadja Kaspersen, co-founder of Dagbogsskolen, who invites you to a different kind of writing workshop on Sunday at 14:45 at Flokkr. No one will be asked to read aloud. You won’t have to stand up. All you need to do is write – and tune in to yourself.
“We believe change begins with imagination. And sometimes, you need a safe space to imagine something new,” says Nadja.
From private pages to shared utopias
This year’s theme at Roskilde Festival is utopia. It may sound abstract – but at its core, it’s about daring to imagine that the world could be different. Or that your everyday life could be.
Last year, young people in Dagbogsskolen’s writing club explored dreams and utopias in the camping area. Their texts were later used in a research project in collaboration with Roskilde Festival – and the results surprised Nadja:
“Many young people actually found the word ‘utopia’ a bit depressing. Like something you could never actually achieve. But we believe that by starting small, you can take a step closer to making it real.”
Facts: Dagbogsskolen
Dagbogsskolen was founded by Julie Thalund, Nadja Kaspersen and Julie Stokkendal. It works with the diary as both an artistic and personal practice. The school runs a monthly writing club for young people aged 16–29, but also organises events and longer courses for adults, and collaborates with museums.
In 2024, they launched Dagbogsradio in partnership with Podimo. Dagbogsskolen is based in Verdens Mindste Kulturhus (“The World’s Smallest Cultural Centre”).
At Dagbogsskolen, you won’t be asked to read aloud or stand up. But you might end up talking to a stranger about something that once felt like a mystery – until you got it down on paper and eventually found the words to say it out loud.
“When we create a space, it’s incredibly important that we take care of people and make sure everyone feels safe. So we’ll never ask anyone to share something they’re still in the middle of. You should only ever share something you’ve moved past – and only if you want to.”
Dagbogsskolen: Flokkr, Sunday at 14:45
If you're looking for the same kind of calm you might find with Dagbogsskolen, Nadja Kaspersen offers three personal picks from this year’s festival programme:
Hedestrik, Monday at 11:00 (Flokkr): “Because, like diary writing, it’s a craft that can slow us down and bring us back to the present.”
Victoria: Happy Unbirthday, Monday at 15:00 (Flokkr): “Because it’s a reminder of community – and how little it actually takes for us to feel connected.”
Aka Hansen, Tuesday at 11:00 (Re:Act): “She speaks her truth and encourages other Inuit people to do the same.”
