The renovated Oersteds Pavilion, Langeland, March 1, 2015

The Ørsted pavilion (OEP) has an important role in the history of Langeland. It was built in 1908 and has for many years been the place where the inhabitants of Langeland (Long Islanders) gathered to celebrate and enjoy themselves. In 1911 a theater hall was added to the OEP. All Long Islanders over a certain age know OEP and they love the old buildings. Here they danced, they had their first kiss and the here they got drunk for the first time (and maybe several times thereafter). The author Jørgen Minor starts his CV by mentioning that he was conceived on New Year's Eve 1938 the New Year's ball in the Ørsted pavilion, but unfortunately he does not go into any detail (either he can’t remember or he is too discreet). OEP have hosted the great events of generations of Long Islanders life: Baptism, Confirmation, wedding, birthdays, anniversaries etc. Throughout the lifetime of OEP professional and amateur artists played music and theater in the theater hall. Countless artists, professional and amateur, have performed on scene of OEP, actors, musicians, singers, dancers. OEP was Langeland rock and roll place in the years 1966 to 1968 (http://www.rockensdanmarkskort.dk/steder/ørstedspavillonen). But when television came it started the decline of OEP. Long Islanders preferred to sit in front of the TV, and did not bother going out anymore when they could get entertainment, served together with the evening coffee in their sofa. The number of events declined and economy ailing. The Ørsted Pavilion Association (http://www.oerstedspavillonen.dk/) bought the OEP building in 2012. The association was founded in November 2010, with the intention of buying Ørsted pavilion to reestablish it as a cultural powerhouse of Langeland, and the entire South Funen. The intention is that OEP will again spurt of life. The Association has broad popular support and has hundreds of members. The acquisition of the property was the first step, and thanks to a series of donations, especially AP Møller Foundation's grant of 1.3 million Euro, and lots of volunteer work, the Association could inaugurate the newly renovated OEP March 1 2015. Now it is open to all organizations and individuals who need a nice place to meet for special event. The name “Ørsted” originates from Langelands famous brothers, , who grew up in the Rudkøbing Pharmacy at the end of the 18th century, and played a major in Denmark role as administrators and scientists (HC Ørsted discovered that electric currents create magnetic fields). Ørstedspavillonen (ØP) blev bygget i 1908 og har siden været langelændernes samlingssted. I 1911 kom teatersalen bag ØP til. Alle langelændere over en vis alder kender ØP, og de fleste elsker de gamle bygninger. Her dansede de, fik de deres første kys og nattens sidste bajer. Forfatteren Jørgen Minor starter sit CV med at nævne at han blev undfanget nytårsaften 1938 under Borgerforeningens bal i Ørstedspavillonen, men han går desværre ikke i detailler (enten kan han ikke huske dem eller også er han for diskret beskrive dem). ØP har lagt hus til de store begivenheder i generationer af langelænderes liv: Barnedåb, konfirmation, bryllup, runde fødselsdage, jubilæer. I teatersalen har kunstnere og amatører til alle tider spillet musik og teater. Utallige kunstnere, professionelle og amatører, har stået på ØPs scene, skuespillere, musikere, sangere, dansere. Ørstedspavillonen var Langelands helt store pigtrådstempel i årene 1966 til 1968 (http://www.rockensdanmarkskort.dk/steder/ørstedspavillonen). Men da fjernsynet kom, begyndte det at gå tilbage for ØP. Langelænderne gad ikke gå i byen længere, når de kunne få underholdningen, serveret sammen med aftenkaffen i sofaen. Selv om der var nogle opblomstringsperioder, blev arrangementerne færre og færre og økonomien skrantede. Foreningen Ørstedspavillonen (http://www.oerstedspavillonen.dk/) købte ejendommen i 2012. Foreningen blev stiftet i november 2010, med den hensigt at købe Ørstedspavillonen for at gøre den til et kulturelt kraftcenter på Langeland, ja, på hele Sydfyn. Stedet skal igen sprudle af liv og lyst. Foreningen har bred folkelig opbakning. Købet af ejendommen var første skridt på vejen, og takket være en række donationer, ikke mindst A.P. Møller Fondens bevilling på 10 millioner kroner, samt masser af frivilliges arbejde, kunne foreningen indvie den ny renoverede ØP den 1. marts Her er åbent for alle, foreninger og private, som har brug for et rart sted at mødes til hverdag og fest. Navnet ”Ørsted” kommer naturligvis efter to brødre, den ene mere markant end den anden, som voksede op på Rudkøbing Apotek, og spillede en stor rolle som administratorer og videnskabsmænd (HC Ørsted beskrev som den første elektromagnetismen).

OEP is right next to Ørstedsparken The name “Ørsted” originates from Langelands famous brothers, , who grew up in the Rudkøbing Pharmacy at the end of the 18th century, and played a major in Denmark role as administrators and scientists (HC Ørsted discovered that electric currents create magnetic fields). ØP ligger lige op til Ørstedsparken Navnet ”Ørsted” kommer naturligvis efter to brødre, den ene mere markant end den anden, som voksede op på Rudkøbing Apotek, og spillede en stor rolle som administratorer og videnskabsmænd (HC Ørsted beskrev som den første elektromagnetismen)

The OEP in the rock and roll period Således så ØP ud i pigtrådsperioden

The glass foyer is the most significant change (addition) to the OEP during the renovation The Ørsted pavilion (OEP) has an important role in the history of Langeland. It was built in 1908 and has for many years been the place where the inhabitants of Langeland (Long Islanders) gathered to celebrate and enjoy themselves. In 1911 a theater hall was added to the OEP. Glasfoyen er det mest markante ændring af (tilbygning til) ØP i forbindelse med renoveringen. ØP har lagt hus til de store begivenheder i generationer af langelænderes liv: Barnedåb, konfirmation, bryllup, runde fødselsdage, jubilæer

The original part of OEP today Den oprindelige del af ØP i dag

Originally OEP, was right next to the water ØP, lå lige ud til vandet, da den blev bygget

The auditorium: Many l Long Islanders helped celebrating OEP's rebirth Teatersalen: Mange langelændere var med til at fejre ØP’s genfødsel

The auditorium was filled with Long Islanders. Teatersalen var fyldt med langelændere

The mayor gives the opening speech Borgmesteren holder åbningstalen

Local artists entertains Barakkens hvile underholder

A red carpet was leading to the entrance Den røde løber var rullet ud i dagens anledning

The former Cuba Bar is now a cosy coffee place Den tidligere Cuba Bar er blevet til et pænt festlokale

The PH lamp in the glass foyer is both for lighting and decoration (design PH - Poul Henningsen (1894 –1967), Danish author, architect and critic, was one of the leading figures of the cultural life of Denmark between the World Wars. In Denmark, he is often referred to as PH) Lampen i glasfoyen er både til belysning og dekoration (design PH)

Rudkøbing Kirkekor underholdt også Rudkoebing church choir was also entertaining