Each year, we host songwriting retreats at the end of January and the end of July. These gatherings are filled with co-writing, delicious food, creativity, and laughter. Attending a retreat is always a magical experience.
The retreats take place at Riishytten, a large scout lodge in the countryside not far from Billund Airport. The winter retreats in particular have an international focus, and recent participants have included songwriters from England, Ireland, Greece, and Austria, as well as expats living in Denmark and plenty of native Danes.
Gudny’s reflection on the Winter Retreat 2022:
Tired but soaring after four days of songwriting, co-writes, speedwrites, workshops, late-night jam sessions in the sofa corner that stretched into mornings, cosy moments, deep glasses of red wine, communal cooking, spontaneous morning dances, and whimsical conversations about life at Riishytten with Århus Sangskriverværksted.
There were nearly 30 songwriters from Jutland, Copenhagen, Ireland, and England, and even though my participation was a somewhat spontaneous last-minute decision, I am SO glad I joined. These songwriting retreats truly feel like coming home, reminding me that I’m not alone in the world and that there’s room for me and my quirky way of navigating life.
Thank you to everyone who attended for being so wonderful, kind, open, and honest. Thank you for the love we share—not just through music but also through simply being small humans on this big planet. Winter doesn’t seem quite as dark anymore after this experience.
– Gudny Olafsdottir