Civilization.ca - Christian Bennedsen - Scrapbook of a Life in Letters

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Spandet

A Childhood in Spandet

Chris Bennedsen’s class photo, ca 1945. Chris is second from the right, third row down. After graduating from middle school, Chris spent a few months at a continuation school (community college) in Vester Vedsted, about ten kilometres from Spandet. At the school, young people learned more about their trades.
(Private Collection)

Astrid Schmidt, one of Chris’s first Danish girlfriends, ca 1952.
(CMC, Christian Bennedsen Collection, P35-7.E1-50.001, E2007-00428)

A Childhood in Spandet

The Bennedsens' life was hard: A chronic shortage of money and endless work took a toll. Frederik drank heavily, and the parents' relationship was difficult. Chris remembered escaping their trials by sneaking out the window and going to his Uncle Thomas's house, or to Meta's, a close neighbour. As a child, he developed many enduring friendships that lasted for decades.

Meta, Sigvard Bennetzen, and Ingeborg (another neighbour), at Meta's house, ca 1938. Chris and Sigvard spent many hours at Meta's, their closest neighbour and their mother's closest friend.
(Private Collection)

Alvilda Johannesson (Thomas's cousin), Thomas Johannesson (Chris's uncle), Chris and Ole Bennedsen.
(Private Collection)

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