Ryslinge Folk High-school

Silver arrow, 1870-1920. This was worn as hair ornament by women, who wished to show, that they had attended a folk high-school. The arrow is now at Møntergården in Odense. Photo: Jens Gregers Aagaard.

Intro

Ryslinge Folk High School was the first of its kind on Funen. It was established in 1851. The folk high schools were intended for young people of 18-25 years of age and the most important subjects were history, Christianity and Nordic mythology.

In the world of books Denmark’s first book was printed in Odense in 1482. It then became possible to disseminate knowledge and information on a previously unseen scale and at an unprecedented rate. The printed book still plays an important role in our education system, but its use has developed from the rote learning of the grammar schools to the responsibility for learning placed on the individual. The Funen resident, Christian Kold, who was an activist in the free school movement, was instrumental in sparking this development. Folk high-schools on Funen Ryslinge Folk High School was the first of its kind on Funen, to be joined later by Ollerup Folk High School in 1868 (today The Independent Academy for Free School Teaching) and the folk high school at Køng in 1877. These folk high schools were intended for young people of 18-25 years of age and the most important subjects were history, Christianity and Nordic mythology.

This location is part of the exhibition 'Funen – at the centre of the universe', at Møntergården in Odense. Read more about the exhibition on our website.