Thousands expected at puttefest in Dyrehaven as Danish Nature Agency raises concerns

Thousands of festive young people are expected to gather tonight at Ulvedalene in Dyrehaven, just north of Copenhagen, for the infamous “puttefest,” which marks the beginning of a new school year for students in the Copenhagen area. However, the event is not welcomed by the Danish Nature Agency.

“This is not an event we want, as it creates a lot of litter in Dyrehaven, leading to extra work for us,” said Jakob Skriver, a forest ranger at the agency. He expressed concern for both the animals and visitors who enjoy the park’s tranquility.

The puttefest came under scrutiny in 2016 when 11 students were hospitalized due to alcohol poisoning. Last year, the agency initiated a campaign encouraging participants to help with cleanup the following day, but the effort was largely unsuccessful and has been abandoned this year. “Only a small number of young people came to help, mostly looking for lost belongings,” Skriver noted.

To tackle the issue of waste, the agency will deploy about 100 manpower hours and set up waste containers with banners and lights in hopes that some of the litter, such as cans and nicotine pouches, will be disposed of properly. Despite these efforts, cleanup last year left Dyrehaven inundated with glass shards, abandoned clothing, and plastic waste.

“This is an unwanted activity, but we are working to mitigate the damages,” Skriver explained. The Danish Red Cross will also be present to assist partygoers who may suffer from alcohol-related issues.

Instead of running another campaign, the Nature Agency has asked local youth education institutions to encourage students to either stay home or assist with the cleanup. Many institutions are promoting non-alcoholic gatherings to foster social connections without intoxication. The responsibility for ensuring cleanliness, according to one school rector, ultimately lies with the students themselves.