Bøgeskoven, meaning “the beech forest,” is the natural setting at the heart of Smukfest in Skanderborg, central Jutland. The festival has taken place among these trees since its beginning in 1980, when the first stage was built using simple tarpaulins. Today, the forest becomes a temporary festival city filled with stages, concerts, food, bars and entertainment. What makes Bøgeskoven special for a standing festival is its natural surroundings. Instead of standing in a large open field, the audience experiences the music beneath tall beech trees, with paths and different festival areas creating a sense of discovery. During the day it feels like a woodland village, while at night the lights and music transform the forest into a completely different world. The combination of nature, music and community is what makes Bøgeskoven such a distinctive festival venue.
