Nanna Aakjær facts for kids
Nielsine Juliane (Nanna) Aakjær (1874–1962) was a talented Danish carpenter and woodcarver. She is best known for helping to design and decorate Jenle, the home she shared with her husband, the writer Jeppe Aakjær. Jenle is located on the Salling Peninsula in northern Jutland, Denmark. Nanna Aakjær was also very active in the Women's Suffrage Association, which worked to get women the right to vote. She organized meetings at Jenle starting in 1908. The popular festive gatherings she began in 1910 are still held at Jenle every August.
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Who Was Nanna Aakjær?
Nanna Aakjær was born Nielsine Juliane Jensen Krog on January 23, 1874. Her family lived at Store Døes Manor near Holstebro, Denmark. She was one of 15 children, though six of her siblings died when they were young.
Early Life and Learning
Nanna grew up in a very open-minded family. Her parents believed that girls and boys should have the same chances in life. This was part of their "Grundtvigian" beliefs, which encouraged personal freedom and education.
A Family of Builders
Nanna's interest in working with wood came from her father. He was a carpenter and had a workshop at their manor. When her father became ill, he moved to a smaller house nearby. Nanna often stayed with him and helped him with his carpentry work. This is where she learned many skills.
After her father passed away in 1887, Nanna was only 13 years old. She became a nanny for family friends. Her mother sold the manor and moved to Copenhagen with the younger children. Nanna later joined them in Copenhagen. She trained as a carpenter with her brothers. Then, she went to the Arts and Crafts School for Women. She graduated as a carpenter in 1895.
Studying Abroad
Nanna continued her education at the Technical School in Stockholm, Sweden. She even received two grants, which are like scholarships. These grants allowed her to travel to London for a study trip. She also took a course at a crafts college in Nääs Castle in Gothenburg, Sweden. In London, she learned about new art styles in Europe. She also saw the social and political issues that women faced in England. When she finished her studies, Nanna was very well-educated. She knew a lot about art and design, and she spoke several languages. In 1898, she returned home to Copenhagen as a skilled woodcarver.
Building a Home and a Movement
In 1902, Nanna met the famous writer Jeppe Aakjær. They fell in love. There were some delays because of Jeppe's divorce from his first wife. But they finally got married on April 25, 1907, at Copenhagen City Hall.
Designing Jenle, Her Special Home
Nanna Krog was the first person to come up with ideas for their new home, Jenle. She later asked her friend, the architect Povl Baumann, to draw the detailed plans. However, it was Nanna who designed all the colorful rooms inside the house. They moved into Jenle right after they got married. They lived there for the rest of their lives.
Fighting for Women's Rights
Nanna Aakjær was also very involved in the Women's Suffrage Association. This group worked hard to give women the right to vote. She organized meetings for the association at Jenle starting in 1908. Nanna also started popular festive gatherings at Jenle in 1910. These gatherings are still held every year at the beginning of August.
Later Life and Legacy
Nanna and Jeppe Aakjær had two children together. Their daughter was Solveig Bjerre (1908–2001). Their son was Espen Aakjær (1911–1958). Jeppe Aakjær passed away on April 22, 1930. Nanna continued to live in Jenle until 1961. She sold the house to her daughter, Solveig, that year. Nanna Aakjær died in a hospital in Skive on August 4, 1962.
