--- title: "DENMARK - IVU - International Vegetarian Union" description: "DENMARK: NIELSEN Vice-President, Danish Vegetarian Society The Danish Vegetarian Society was founded in 1896, by Dr. Michael Larsen (municipal physician in Copenhagen) who - much in advance of his time, and with great clearness - maintained that the most healthy food for man, i e., the right food" url: "https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/interviews/3900-congress-wvc57-souvenir-denmark.html" date: "2026-11-06T00:22:00+00:00" language: "en-GB" --- # DENMARK ![DENMARK](https://ivu.org/images/legacy/history/banners/congress-wvc57-souvenir-denmark.png) **DENMARK** N. NIELSEN *Vice-President, Danish Vegetarian Society* The Danish Vegetarian Society was founded in 1896, by Dr. Michael Larsen (municipal physician in Copenhagen) who - much in advance of his time, and with great clearness - maintained that the most healthy food for man, i e., the right food for man, is that determined by nature, by man's physical and physiological capacities, viz., fruit and nuts, and vegetables which can be eaten without cooking. The Society but slowly gained adherents as its teachings so decidedly were in opposition to the views held by the general public as well as by the medical profession in this nation so fond of eating. Still the Society has succeeded in issuing since 1907, a monthly paper which of late years has frequently been quoted in the Press. Oluf Egerod, now Honorary Secretary to the I.V.U., for many years conducted a widespread propaganda (pamphlets, lectures, cookery-demonstrations), and during the first world war the number of members was more than doubled as the Society obtained the right for its members to change pork rations into sugar, bread, or butter. But these "butter members" withdrew when the rationing ceased, possibly because strong divergences between the leaders hampered the work of the Society, and possibly because the Society according to its rules accepts as a member anyone "sympathizing" with its aims: to spread knowledge about the vegetarian mode of living, thereby furthering health, counteracting the use of harmful stimulants, and lessening the suffering of animals. Total abstinence from meat, alcohol, and tobacco is compulsory on committee members only, and some vegetarians do not wish to be members of a "vegetarian society" in company with meat-eaters but would prefer a "society of vegetarians." Much has been done to further the vegetarian way of life in Denmark by The Seventh Day Adventists, especially by Dr. Carl Ottosen, but this has resulted in many people holding the opinion that vegetarianism is a religious movement. The propaganda by Dr. Mikkel Hindhede (adviser on food questions to the Government during the first world war) for the use of vegetable food also spread the knowledge of vegetarianism, but as he laid stress upon cheap food he met strong opposition in the working classes. In his food theories they saw a danger of lower wages, a lower standard of living. The advocacy of raw food by Dr. Kirstine Nolfi has caused much stir among the medical profession. She undeniably has helped people to regain their health, but because of her emphatic rejection of any cooked food there are only few strict followers of this the most logical form of vegetarianism. In spite of its few members, and the lack of capable assistants, the work of the Society has greatly influenced the public view on vegetarianism which now is quite different from that at the Society's start. A vegetarian was at that time considered to be a crank if not a madman, but now the vegetarian diet in wide circles is admitted to be the right one, and people emphasize that they readily eat vegetables - and many of them. Nevertheless the meat consumption per head in Denmark is very large, and therefore eager advocates of vegetarianism are much needed - I hope that they in their future work will lay stress upon the ethics of vegetarianism, the compassion with animals. In 1935, our society successfully arranged the I.V.U. Congress at Daugaurd, and I look forward to this summer's Congress at Sigtuna, hoping that it may find ways and means to convince the public, and the Press, that vegetarianism is not a sectarian movement, and not a patent cure for bad stomachs, but that a vegetarian diet for all people is a necessity if we are to oust that hunger-ghost which threatens mankind to-day. Also it might benefit our organizations if the Congress gave a warning to those advocates of vegetarianism who promise freedom from any illness, cancer included, if people but would keep one or other special diet. Our movement has been handicapped by such propagandists dying in mid-age, and even from cancer. It may strengthen our position that many of' our adherents can affirm that the vegetarian way of life has helped them to regain health, but in the long run it would give much more impetus to our cause if we could gain over more sportsmen and hardworking people who could testify that they thrive on a vegetarian diet. --- **H. Mosegaard** *President, Danish Vegetarian Society* As it probably can be seen from Mr. Nielsen's report of the development of the vegetarian movement in this country it has generally followed the same lines as in other countries. That our Society is not stronger to-day is partly due to a general weariness of organizations, but it is first of all because the Society, owing to divergences of opinion among its leaders, did not succeed in securing special rations for its members during the second world war as was the case during the first. People naturally want value for their money. True idealists who want to work for the cause at heart have as a rule but little money, and it is difficult to attain results without members and means even for the best of leaders. It seems to me that the vegetarianism of Denmark today stands at a crossway. Either it shall continue to be a "nature-philosophical" system gathering all sorts of "isms" and therefore attractive to a very special public only - to people who most likely will be unable to raise the movement from the position it has had until now, a position that in our risible nation touches upon the comical - or we shall we try to put the principal idea of vegetarianism on a true scientific basis. For there it belongs! If we write off the "nature-philosophical" speculations and all "isms," and religions = irrelevant to vegetarianism as such - there remains a nucleus which cannot be contested even by the most critical considerations of empirical science. The question is whether our organization can be brought through this revolution, or it dissolves, and the idea, if it is to survive, has to be carried on by the individual. I have not much knowledge of the international vegetarian work but it is my impression that in a good many places scientific considerations are even less applied than in our country, and I should be very glad if we here could help the movement, but a cock-step nearer the goal. Knowledge obliges, and as it is said that we in Denmark as regards f.i. agriculture have obtained better results than in any other country we must give the world something new and positive. While it is admitted that during the last 50 years the Americans have succeeded in partly destroying an originally fertile soil we have been able to increase the yield of our long cultivated soil by 100 per cent, mainly by applying the results of science in daily life. Whether we want it or not we shall also in the future have to follow this law of evolution. Any attempt to turn to "nature-philosophical" systems regarding food production will increase the hunger of the world, and thereby make us accomplices of that starvation which already causes so many deaths. We must either make use of science, or go back to the stone-age. | A note on this archive. The history section of this website is drawn from a body of legacy content originally compiled by John Davis, former manager of the International Vegetarian Union. It represents his curation of historical material, and in places includes passages written by him directly. Over the years, the IVU website has migrated between several different hosting servers. In the course of these migrations, a number of PDF files were unfortunately lost, and **some links to PDF documents may no longer function**. Where this is the case, we have chosen to leave the original link text in place, as it may itself carry information of historical value. - Hits: 967 ### Vegan Recipes - [![Chilean Pesto (Pebre)](https://ivu.org/media/zoo/images/chilean-pesto--pebre--1793236862_994cf50ce708a3fe39382f826cfbf7ae.jpg "Chilean Pesto (Pebre)")](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/chilean-pesto-pebre.html "Chilean Pesto (Pebre)") #### [Chilean Pesto (Pebre)](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/chilean-pesto-pebre.html "Chilean Pesto (Pebre)") [Chile](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/chile.html) [Sauces](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/sauces.html) [Starters & side dishes](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/snack-side-dishes.html) [South America](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/south-america.html) - [![Tabil - Traditional Tunisian Spice Mix](https://ivu.org/media/zoo/images/tabil---traditional-tunisian-spice-mix-1775519067_3dd4baa681a18b35b2affa0d08df6d71.jpg "Tabil - Traditional Tunisian Spice Mix")](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/tabil-traditional-tunisian-spice-mix.html "Tabil - Traditional Tunisian Spice Mix") #### [Tabil - Traditional Tunisian Spice Mix](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/tabil-traditional-tunisian-spice-mix.html "Tabil - Traditional Tunisian Spice Mix") [Sauces](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/sauces.html) [African](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/african.html) [Tunisia](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/tunisia.html) - [![VEGAN TOMATO NOODLES](https://ivu.org/media/zoo/images/mon%209_8848e396bc18218bc4fb7736bf4e3ce1.jpg "VEGAN TOMATO NOODLES")](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/vegan-tomato-noodles.html "VEGAN TOMATO NOODLES") #### [VEGAN TOMATO NOODLES](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/vegan-tomato-noodles.html "VEGAN TOMATO NOODLES") [Vietnam](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/vietnam.html) [Snacks](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/snacks.html) [Starters & side dishes](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/snack-side-dishes.html) [Stir Fry](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/fake-meats-tofu-etc-2.html) ### VFA Blog - #### [In the Heart of the Himalayas, a Vegan Revolution Begins: Bhutan’s Pema Yoedling Monastery Becomes a Beacon of Compassion and Sustainability](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/blog-front-page/item/in-the-heart-of-the-himalayas-a-vegan-revolution-begins-bhutans-pema-yoedling-monastery-becomes-a-beacon-of-compassion-and-sustainability.html "In the Heart of the Himalayas, a Vegan Revolution Begins: Bhutan’s Pema Yoedling Monastery Becomes a Beacon of Compassion and Sustainability") - [Read more](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/blog-front-page/item/in-the-heart-of-the-himalayas-a-vegan-revolution-begins-bhutans-pema-yoedling-monastery-becomes-a-beacon-of-compassion-and-sustainability.html) ### Science - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/207-rapid-global-phaseout-of-animal-agriculture-has-the-potential-to-stabilize-greenhouse-gas-levels-for-30-years.html) [ Rapid global phaseout of animal agriculture has the potential to stabilize greenhouse gas levels for 30 years](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/207-rapid-global-phaseout-of-animal-agriculture-has-the-potential-to-stabilize-greenhouse-gas-levels-for-30-years.html) Popular - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/206-animal-agriculture-and-climate-change-a-qualitative-holistic-note.html) [ Animal Agriculture and Climate change a Qualitative holistic note](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/206-animal-agriculture-and-climate-change-a-qualitative-holistic-note.html) Popular - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/202-environmental-impact-of-two-plant-based-isocaloric-and-isoproteic-diets-the-vegan-diet-vs-the-mediterranean-diet.html) [ Environmental Impact of Two Plant Based Isocaloric and Isoproteic Diets The Vegan Diet vs the Mediterranean Diet](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/202-environmental-impact-of-two-plant-based-isocaloric-and-isoproteic-diets-the-vegan-diet-vs-the-mediterranean-diet.html) Popular ### History [ ![Taiwan's climate legislation embraces plant based eating](https://ivu.org/joomlatools-files/docman-images/generated/0f49c89d1e7298bb9930789c8ed59d48.jpg) Taiwan's climate legislation embraces plant based eating ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/history/vegan-nutrition-history/283-taiwans-climate-legislation-embraces-plant-based-eating.html "Taiwan's climate legislation embraces plant based eating") [ ![Chinese Dietary Guidelines 2022 Guideline 4 Eat fish poultry eggs, and lean meat in moderation](https://ivu.org/joomlatools-files/docman-images/generated/6a9aeddfc689c1d0e3b9ccc3ab651bc5.jpg) Chinese Dietary Guidelines 2022 Guideline 4 Eat fish poultry eggs, and lean meat in moderation ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/history/vegan-nutrition-history/282-chinese-dietary-guidelines-2022-guideline-4-eat-fish-poultry-eggs-and-lean-meat-in-moderation.html "Chinese Dietary Guidelines 2022 Guideline 4 Eat fish poultry eggs, and lean meat in moderation") [ ![Reply to Proposal No 4748 (Agriculture and Water Conservancy Category No 297) of the Third Session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People´s Political Consultative Conference](https://ivu.org/joomlatools-files/docman-images/generated/e3796ae838835da0b6f6ea37bcf8bcb7.jpg) Reply to Proposal No 4748 (Agriculture and Water Conservancy Category No 297) of the Third Session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People´s Political Consultative Conference ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/history/vegan-nutrition-history/281-reply-to-proposal-no-4748-agriculture-and-water-conservancy-category-no-297-of-the-third-session-of-the-13th-national-committee-of-the-chinese-peoples-political-consultative-conference.html "Reply to Proposal No 4748 (Agriculture and Water Conservancy Category No 297) of the Third Session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People´s Political Consultative Conference") ### Download the Vegetarian Nutrition Booklet for Kids and Adolescents - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/117-vegetarian-nutrition-booklet-for-kids-and-adolescents.html) [ vegetarian-nutrition-booklet-for-kids-and-adolescents](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/117-vegetarian-nutrition-booklet-for-kids-and-adolescents.html) Popular 7676 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/122-booklet-ivu-portugues-web.html) [ Booklet IVU portugues web](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/122-booklet-ivu-portugues-web.html) Popular 7320 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/123-nutrition-guide-for-students-with-khmer-translation.html) [ Nutrition Guide for Students (with Khmer Translation)](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/123-nutrition-guide-for-students-with-khmer-translation.html) Popular 6052 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/130-2023-05-03-18-17-13.html) [ ベジタリアン・ヴィーガン栄養ガイド](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/130-2023-05-03-18-17-13.html) Popular 5524 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/124-vegetarian-nutritie-cartea-pentru-copii-si-adolescenti.html) [ BROȘURA DE NUTRIȚIE VEGETARIANĂ - Romanian](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/124-vegetarian-nutritie-cartea-pentru-copii-si-adolescenti.html) Popular 5040 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/131-cartel-de-nutricion-vegetariana.html) [ CARTEL DE NUTRICIÓN VEGETARIANA](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/131-cartel-de-nutricion-vegetariana.html) Popular 4558 downloads ### Nutrition - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/294-what-are-the-best-sources-of-protein-introducing-the-bpi-score.html) [ What are the best sources of protein Introducing the BPI Score](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/294-what-are-the-best-sources-of-protein-introducing-the-bpi-score.html) Popular 603 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/250-2024-the-omniveg-study-health-outcomes-of-shifting-from-a-traditional-to-a-vegan-mediterranean-diet-in-healthy-men-a-controlled-crossover-trial.html) [ 2024 The OMNIVEG STUDY Health outcomes of shifting from a traditional to a vegan Mediterranean diet in healthy men A controlled crossover trial](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/250-2024-the-omniveg-study-health-outcomes-of-shifting-from-a-traditional-to-a-vegan-mediterranean-diet-in-healthy-men-a-controlled-crossover-trial.html) Popular 2782 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/205-plant-based-nutrition-exploring-health-benefits-for-atherosclerosis-chronic-diseases-and-metabolic-syndrome-a-comprehensive-review.html) [ Plant Based Nutrition Exploring Health Benefits for Atherosclerosis, Chronic Diseases, and Metabolic Syndrome—A Comprehensive Review](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/205-plant-based-nutrition-exploring-health-benefits-for-atherosclerosis-chronic-diseases-and-metabolic-syndrome-a-comprehensive-review.html) Popular 3834 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/204-2024-plant-and-animal-fat-intake-and-overall-and-cardiovascular-disease-mortality-main-folder-all-cause-mortality.html) [ 2024 Plant and Animal Fat Intake and Overall and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality Main Folder All Cause Mortality](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/204-2024-plant-and-animal-fat-intake-and-overall-and-cardiovascular-disease-mortality-main-folder-all-cause-mortality.html) Popular 4052 downloads ![](https://ivu.org/media/yootheme/cache/02/adult-guide-029d8cad.png)### The International Vegetarian Union’s Vegan Nutrition Guide for Adults In 2 versions: - [For healthcare professionals](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutritional-guide/the-international-vegetarian-union-s-vegan-nutrition-guide-for-adults-healthcare-professionals.html) - [General Public Edition](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutritional-guide/guide-for-non-healthcare-professionals.html) [Get it now](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutritional-guide.html) ![](https://ivu.org/images/banners/booklet2.jpg)### Vegetarian Nutrition Booklet A Dietary Approach to Vegetarianism for Kids and Adolescents The intention of this booklet is present to kids and adolescents a healthy vegan diet [Read more](https://ivu.org/nutrition/vegetarian-nutrition-book-for-kids-and-adolescents.html) Vegan Nutrition ![](https://ivu.org/media/yootheme/cache/a6/logo_IVU_01_SLOGAN-a678b962.png) ### Presidents, Chair and Council - [IVU President and Chair of the International Council](https://ivu.org/ivu-chair.html) - [IVU Honorary President](https://ivu.org/ivu-honorary-president.html) - [International Council](https://ivu.org/international-council.html) ### Departments - [Fund-raising](https://ivu.org/fund-raising.html) - [Global Health](https://ivu.org/global-health-department.html) - [Medicine and Nutrition](https://ivu.org/nutrition/medicine-and-nutrition.html) - [Policy Initiatives](https://ivu.org/policies-initiatives.html) - [Articles](https://ivu.org/policies-initiatives/policies-iniciatives-articles.html) ### Regions - [Europe](https://ivu.org/europe-union.html) - [Latin America](https://ivu.org/latin-america.html) - [North America](https://ivu.org/north-america.html) - [Africa](https://ivu.org/africa-continent.html) - [Asia-Pacific](https://ivu.org/asia-pacific-region.html) - [Asia-South & India](https://ivu.org/asia-south-west.html) - [Asia-West & Middle East](https://ivu.org/asia-west-middle-east.html) - [Contacts](https://ivu.org/contact-ivu.html) ### Blogs - [Cynthia Schuck](https://ivu.org/cynthia-schuck.html) - [John Davis](https://ivu.org/john-davis.html) - [Marly Winckler](https://ivu.org/marly-winckler.html) - [Vegan Food Academy](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/blog-front-page.html) - [Login](https://ivu.org/login-2.html) ## Schema ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://ivu.org/hv-congress-1957-congress-wvc57-souvenir-index.html?view=article&id=3900:congress-wvc57-souvenir-denmark&catid=184","url":"https://ivu.org/hv-congress-1957-congress-wvc57-souvenir-index.html?view=article&id=3900:congress-wvc57-souvenir-denmark&catid=184","name":"DENMARK","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":[{"@id":"https://ivu.org/history-of-ivu.html#archive"},{"@id":"https://ivu.org/hv-congress-1957-congress-wvc57-souvenir-index.html"}],"publisher":{"@id":"https://ivu.org/#organization"},"description":"DENMARK N. NIELSEN Vice-President, Danish Vegetarian Society The Danish Vegetarian Society was founded in 1896, by Dr.","about":{"@id":"https://ivu.org/history-of-ivu.html#wvc-1957"}}]} ``` ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://ivu.org" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "IVU", "item": "https://ivu.org/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Resources", "item": "https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources.html" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Interviews", "item": "https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/interviews.html" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 5, "name": "History of the Vegetarian Societies", "item": "https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/interviews.html" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 6, "name": "congress", "item": "https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/interviews.html" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 7, "name": "wvc57", "item": "https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/interviews.html" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 8, "name": "souvenir", "item": "https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/interviews.html" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 9, "name": "DENMARK", "item": "https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/interviews/3900-congress-wvc57-souvenir-denmark.html" } ] } ``` ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/interviews/3900-congress-wvc57-souvenir-denmark.html" }, "headline": "DENMARK", "description": "DENMARK: NIELSEN Vice-President, Danish Vegetarian Society The Danish Vegetarian Society was founded in 1896, by Dr. Michael Larsen (municipal physician in Copenhagen) who - much in advance of his time, and with great clearness - maintained that the most healthy food for man, i e., the right food", "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "International Vegetarian Union", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://ivu.org/images/logos/logo-ivu-tranparent-background.png" } }, "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Alex Fernandes", "url": "https://ivu.org/international-council.html" }, "datePublished": "2026-06-30T23:45:26+00:00", "dateCreated": "2026-06-25T00:14:18+00:00", "dateModified": "2026-10-08T00:52:41+00:00" } ```