Danish crew films first episode of series in qathet region

After a three-day whirlwind journey to the qathet region, a Danish film crew and hosts were overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity shown by locals.

Chef Anne Hjernøe and journalist Anders Agger, along with their crew from Denmark, filmed their first episode here for a Danish prime-time television show called Anne and Anders.

“I've been to Canada before, but never up here [northern Sunshine Coast],” said Agger. “As a Dane coming from a small country, it’s hard to comprehend and understand how important this region is.”

This was their first stop on a cross-Canada trip, for a series that will showcase different foods, stories and people from across the nation.

The two hosts are also visiting Danes living in Canada. They met a fellow Dane, Julie Froekjaer, who has lived in Canada for 20 years and qathet for around three years. Agger also wanted to connect with his [now past away] grandfather and understand his journey away from his family to be a logger in Canada.

“In 1928 my grandpa left Denmark and came to Canada to work in forestry, even though he had six children back home,” said Agger.

They also visited Tla’amin Nation carver and elder Randy Timothy Sr., Heiltsuk Nation carver Ivan Rosypskye, food forager and educator Alexander McNaughton, and Tla’amin elders Philip and Glynis Galligos. Glynis took chef Hjernøe salmon fishing and “he [Philip] told me a story about the residential school he was put in, it was quite emotional for him and for us,” said Agger.

The hosts and crew also wanted to know more about forestry in the region.

“We met up with this amazing guy [logger and forester] Bob Marquis from Powell River,” said Agger. “He took us on a whole day trip, and we saw how they [foresters] work with the harvest and how they take care of the next generation of trees.

We saw the machinery and  how they do hand felling; they are really tough guys.”

Agger said Danes are quite fascinated with Canada and that the intention of the series is to connect to the soul of the country by talking with people, connecting to the land, preparing and sampling local foods and visiting points of attractions.

The two hosts have made television shows together for more than a decade, travelling to different places to learn about people and local culture.

The first episode will air in August and feature their time in qathet and Vancouver. The duo is currently travelling across Canada and plan to film in Alberta, Quebec and Nova Scotia.