Traditions and everyday life in DenmarkFestivals, family customs, favourite places and everyday traditions, written by members of Global Penfriends who live in Denmark. Each cultural keepsake is a short note about life where they are.
35 keepsakes from Denmark · page 1 of 2
Since February is around the corner, so is the tradition ‘fastelavn’ in Denmark! Fastelavn is a tradition that circles back to around the 1300s. To begin with it was a religious practice where people fasted. In the bible, Jesus…
Shared by Idabjoerch
The day of fastelavn is reminiscent of halloween, though much less scary! On the day children wear costumes and hit a barrel with a bat till it breaks and candy pours out! very therapeutic and quite literally rewarding indeed!…
Shared by Silent Breaks
I live in an ordinary apartment with my two cats. unfortunately I have no garden, but have a terrace where I often sit and enjoy the good weather. I live frugally and try and recycle everything I can and can save on electricity…
Shared by Cindie Iwersen
The elfs in Denmark is not green. They are red. I comes from an Old belief that farms had elfs who helped the farmer kepping the animals safe and healthe. In return, the Human gave the elf some porrige with cinnamonsucker and…
Shared by Maria15
This is crazy guys! In Denmark, finishing high school means one thing: time to celebrate, big time! Once students pass their last exam, they throw on the iconic white graduation cap and party for days. The best part? Riding…
Shared by VictorianHeels
The Job Patrol are young volunteers who tell other young people about their rights in the labor market when they have holiday or leisure jobs. They can also advise employers, parents and others. Every summer, the Job Patrol…
Shared by llks27
Hygge is a core part of the Danish culture! The best translation is being cozy but it doesn\'t do it justice. It is a cultural thing with only a Danish word for it. It is about being in a relaxed, safe, comfortable and inner…
Shared by captainkay33blue
So basically, in Denmark if you are 25/30 years old and still single, friends and family will show up to your place and shower you in cinnamon. Furthermore, they also like to do pranks, such as placing a wheelbarrow, or just…
Shared by Mathorzen
Once you graduate, your class gets together and rents a big open truck and we drive between each of our houses while getting wasted and most likely flashing other people in traffic, irked on by a stupid rhyme that will get them…
Shared by Bookishfriend
Local to me, there is a walk around a lake in the middle of the city. It is one of the only places with nature close to me due to being right in the centre, but in the summer, cows will be there! They hide under the trees as it…
Shared by greengr0gu
I love hygge. “Hygge” is a Danish way of life. It pronounced "hoo-ga.” This Danish concept cannot be translated to one single word but encompasses a feeling of cozy contentment and well-being through enjoying the simple things in…
Shared by Cosy
A tradition that all Danes hate when it involves themselves. It's basically about when you turn 25 and are still unmarried, you are tied to a lamppost by family and friends, and then you have cinnamon thrown all over you. It's…
Shared by Aprilmaijune
So every year on the 23rd of June, people in your town gather around a huge bonfire with a witch on top. You stand and watch the fire while your priest says some words. When the bonfire is burnt to the ground with the witch, it’s…
Shared by Lynet mcqueen
When young people have their last day at school in 9th or 10th grade just before the summer holidays (just before starting high school), they dress up and throw candy for the younger students to pick up. Some throw water…
Shared by Fjeldfe
In Denmark we tend to use our flag excessively for celebrations. Many get surprised to see the flag many places because flags are usually seen as something patriotic. In Denmark we use the flag to signify a celebration, usually…
Shared by mallieskye
The beach houses in Ærøskøbing and Marstal on Ærø in Denmark were build over 100 years ago. They were used in the summer for people to get changed in to their bathing suits. The houses are rarely for sale and are passed down to…
Shared by Robbyg112
The average summer weather is pretty much pouring rain. The weather here is almost impossible to forecast cause it just has its own life. One second it’s sunny the next it’s raining cats and dogs and if you’re really lucky it…
Shared by ImBored247
Snorbrød is a type of bread. It's a small tradition in Denmark, so that every summer families gather, make dough, put it on sticks and cook it outside in a fire. Now that I woke at a restaurant, we started serving it as a desert…
Shared by Alex1307
The beautiful Palmhouse in the Botanical Garden in Copenhagen! They have all sorts of amazing plants and butterflies. I went there not long ago, and even though I have been there several times before, I still become so amazed…
Shared by Caroline Freja
You know that cozy & warm feeling you get, when you curl up in a blanket with a good movie or relax with a nice cup of tea with your friends?That relaxed and comforting atmosphere. In Denmark we call it "Hygge"I think that's…
Shared by Clementinez
We celebrate christmas on the 24th of December in the evening. Vi put decorations on a christmas tree and then after christmas dinner, we walk aroond the christmas tree holding each others hands while we sing christmas carols.
Shared by ellevilde_ella
In Denmark we celebrate Christmas the 24th December. In the evening, we go around the Christmas tree (gå rundt om træet) while we sing Christmas songs in danish, after that we open the presents.
Shared by Maddie11
Denmark is the home of the author Hans Christian Andersen who wrote a lot of fairy tales including The Little Mermaid, which was the inspiration for the turis attraction - a statue - of her.
Shared by MaycePe
In Denmark we celebrate Christmas on the 24th December. In the evening we dance around the Christmas tree and sing Christmas songs. After the dance, we open the presents.
Shared by Emilie20
Denmark is known for having really delicious cakes and pastries. We have a lot of different types of cakes and they are all super good, so you should come and try some!!
Shared by Sunlightee
Christmas in Denmark is something we cherrish a lot! - We love to decorate our christmas trees with our national colors and ornaments that means a lot to our families.
Shared by Benlu
Pics from our daily life in CPH. It is the most happiest country in the world and summer is really enjoyable here. But that does not mean you have to hate the winter.
Shared by horizen
Ribe is the oldest town in Denmark. It has a well preserved medieval town centre.the town was founded in c. 700 A.D. A really beautiful town.
Shared by TravelDane
We celebrate the four Sundays before Christmas eve. Each Sunday we light a candle in the advent wreath and have homemade candy and goodies
Shared by Lisamy19
On the graduating class' last day of school, we dress up in costumes, throw around sweets for the children and party!🤗
Shared by SiridklWant to hear about life in Denmark first-hand? Write to a penpal who lives there.
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