ArticleChristian X

It's hardly surprising that the legend, discussing the origins of Copenhagen, features a goddess and a king. The very meaning of the word "legendary" ("remarkable enough to be famous" - as well as "described in, or based on legends) implies that legends focus on prominent beings rather than common ones. Gods. Heroes (semi-gods or mortal beings with supernatural powers). True leaders. 

Not every nominal leader (as in "Head of State", "Chief of Staff" and such) is a Leader. Christian X of Denmark, who reigned for 20 years in the first half of the 20th century, was. The latter part of his reign was marred by World War II, and of all Scandinavian countries, Denmark was, in a way, hit the hardest by it. While Sweden turned itself into the key source of strategic raw materials for the German war machine, thus managing to maintain its formal neutrality, and Norway's landscape provided ample opportunities for a guerilla war, Danish flats were perfect for deploying German tanks. Openly resisting the invasion under those circumstances would have been tantamount to bringing doom to the whole nation, and it was not before German armies got stuck in Eastern European swamps that Danish Resistance started to shape up. The initial defiance was moral rather than expressed in military actions - and its precarious nature called for a brave leader of unquestionable moral authority. The king answered the call. He never stopped rubbing it in the face of German occupational forces in one way or another. One such slap in the face was "forgetting" to send birthday greetings to Adolf Hitler. Even more embarrassing for the Germans was his habit of parading the capital on his horse day in, day out - and never taking any guards with him. "But Your Majesty should be protected when exposed to common people" - the Commander, personally responsible for the king's well-being, tried in vain. "My people are those who protect me!" - that answer alone would be enough to earn Christian X his place in history. Full of dignity and grace, the king's equestrian statue in Copenhagen makes that place come alive.