Decatur County Fair

In Copenhagen I saw a listing for an event called "Leonard Cohen" to be held at a church. This flyer was posted in front of the church and, though I can't read it, I thought his face and the heavy use of his name meant he would be there.

When I showed up for the event the next night, there were hundreds of people filling the pews, singing English hymns led by a man at the altar. The church was very large and the altar far away and, having only this cloud-face as a reference for Leonard Cohen's real-face, I thought the leader must be him. I lingered in the lobby for a few songs, waiting for the hymnal warm-up to end and Leonard to start performing some of his own music. Or at the very least, to lead the crowd in a cover of his "Hallelujah".

After a while I realized I was probably wrong. On my way from the church I spotted the flyer torn off and crumpled on the ground. I wondered if there was another foreigner who was as excited as I had been to hear a warm voice from home and as disappointed to find out that it wouldn't be happening. I smoothed out the flyer and saved it to prove that I wasn't crazy for thinking Leonard Cohen would be performing a free concert in a Danish church.

This week I finally uncovered the flyer and translated it online. See below:



"Leonard Cohen - Evening Lounge

St. Matthew's Church Presents: Leonard Cohen and The Bible

The concert singer and author Leonard Cohen is of Jewish origin, but his texts flower both with figurative languages from the Old Testament and Christianity. He now declares himself to be Buddhist.

Minister Louise Britze will speak about Leonard Cohen and his texts.

There will be more or less New Yorker-like snacks. Free access - Welcome!"


...I really would have stayed if I'd known they were having pizza bagels.