Love at Smukfest with beer bongs, community and festive futures

This is where the beer bong, friendships and stories you don't tell your mother begin.

You can feel it immediately when you enter the square. A buzz, lots of laughter, a feeling that something is going on and that it will probably be a little wild. We are on our way to Kærligheden. Smukfest's camping area for young people. And no, it's not just a place with tents. But more of a youthful parallel world with tent poles, tramping paths and spontaneous communities.

The love spreads across two large fields, Mark 1 and Mark 2, separated by Horsensvej, which runs right through the area. On one side the party starts, and on the other it continues.

As soon as we walk in, we spot the first beer bong. And then the next. And the next. It's like they're hanging on every camping table, ready to use.

“You never say no to a beer bong, that's just the way it is,” laughs a girl who has turned 20 today. She is sitting with a group she has just met. They talk like old friends. At Kærligheden you are never alone for very long at a time.

On the shoulders and right in the speaker

We ask them if they want to show their “own version” of a beer bong. It quickly goes from chill to acrobatics. Heads down, people up on their shoulders and bum, two guys fall straight into a speaker. They get up laughing, ready for another round. There is applause and shouting “ONE MORE!”. And so it goes.

Beautiful party as an heirloom

One of the people we talk to says that her father has been going to Smukfest for over 30 years. Last year she partied the most with him. This year she has her own camp and her own party. And even though the atmosphere is different, it's still Smuk. It's still part of the same story.

Isn't that... Emil Lange?

Up at the bar, Smirnoff, shots and canned beer are being plied across the counter at a fast pace. The young bartenders are volunteers and fully into the party. “We’re staying in a tent here at Kærligheden, so it’s not far from home,” laughs one of them as she mixes a drink and nods along to the music. The atmosphere is relaxed, the pace is fast and no one complains about taking on an extra shift when the party continues afterwards anyway.

One of the bartenders looks a little too much like Emil Lange, and several of the guests have tried their hand at an autograph. He has signed many, but with his own name. He takes it with a laugh, and the whole bar is having a lot of fun with the guests constantly asking: “Isn't that the DJ?” The atmosphere is great, and even when things get a little crazy, everyone is in on the fun.

We met six party-minded girls inside their tent, where the atmosphere was already in full swing. When we asked what was the most important thing to bring in the tent, the answer came promptly: “Alcohol!” said one and immediately the others agreed with “wet wipes… and a sleeping bag of course!”. The priorities were completely in place.

When asked if anyone had scored, they started laughing. “We always have a joint scoring,” they explained with a smile. “That means that when a boy has slept here, we always take a group picture in the morning, all the girls and then the one boy.” Classic Love creativity.

And what is the best advice they would give to others at the square? “Don't take yourself so f... seriously,” several said. “Have fun, laugh, take care of yourself and bring plenty of clothes, even if the weather promises sun.”

Music under the tent

In the middle of the camp area stands Kærligheden's own tent. Here there are concerts with both up-and-coming and established artists. You don't have to go very far to feel the bass in your chest. The music comes to you. And so does the community.

Safety in the tent city

Even though the party is raging out there, there are still adults present. Safe people you can go to if something goes wrong. That means something and you can feel it. Here there is room to be young, but also to be insecure. And that's actually quite nice.

Trash heroes and dancing to reels

Even the garbage team joined in the fun when we came by. We asked if they wanted to do a dance for the camera and of course they did. Because at Kærligheden you rarely say no. Here everyone is in on the fun. Even those with the sack cart and garbage bags.

Love is not just a camp

It's a place you feel in your body. Where you wake up with a little too little sleep, a little too many cans and a feeling that you are part of something bigger. Around the tables, drinks are made, mackerel salad is eaten, sunscreen is shared and laughter is shared over the night's escapades. One had slept in a strange tent, one had kissed his ex, one had lost both shoes. No one seemed upset.

We left Love with hoarse voices and enough stories for a whole bus ride home. Love is not just a place where you live during Smukfest. It is where you are. Where you feel. Where you remember.

Long after the glitter is gone and the tents have long since been packed down.