One of the things I love about Denmark (stop me if you've heard this one before...) is the mixture of new and old. On the face of it, Denmark is a liberal, modern, forward thinking country. When you scratch the surface, you discover the Danes' deeply ingrained love of traditions. This morning I saw the new/old combo working… Continue reading Off to Danish church? Don't forget your smartphone!
Tag: church
Attention! It's Ascension!
Hot on the heels of Big Prayer Day, I bring you yet another public service announcement...This Thursday, 5 May 2016, we have yet another religious holiday where Denmark will basically be closed for business. What's the occasion this time? Kristi Himmelfart. Literally, Christ's Sky Flight. Or Ascension, as is the more boring name in English. Oh, yes,… Continue reading Attention! It's Ascension!
Big Prayer Day? Time for big rolls!
With Easter behind us, we are counting down to the strangest day on the Danish religious calendar. This Friday, 22 April, is Stor Bededag. ’Big Prayer Day’! Those crazy Danes decided back in 1686 that there were just too many religious holidays during the year. So they lumped the minor ones together, four weeks after Easter and –… Continue reading Big Prayer Day? Time for big rolls!
Getting ready for Easter
If you live here in Denmark you’ll have noticed that the Danes are getting ready for Easter. They celebrate in big style, and the country will basically shut down tonight, Wednesday. Despite being very low-key about religion, most of Denmark will be closed Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. So although you… Continue reading Getting ready for Easter
My Danish Christmas Advent Calendar – 24 December (The Big Day)
Welcome to the final instalment of My Danish Christmas Advent Calendar!24 DECEMBERThe Big Day is finally here! Let's start with our lunch, which was fairly light - sild (marinated herring) and æggesalat (egg mayo)... and varmt leverpostej med bacon og champignon (hot liver pâté with bacon and mushrooms). Washed down with julebryg! After lunch we went to… Continue reading My Danish Christmas Advent Calendar – 24 December (The Big Day)
My Danish Christmas Advent Calendar – 14 December (Et barn er født)
Welcome to My Danish Christmas Advent Calendar! Join me every day in opening a new door. Once again, I’ve got a host of goodies to share with you – traditional Danish Christmas recipes, traditions, songs, games, decorations, crafts and landscapes… So sit back, relax and enjoy!14 DECEMBERToday is Sunday, the third in Advent, so this morning… Continue reading My Danish Christmas Advent Calendar – 14 December (Et barn er født)
To be, or not to be (confirmed). That is the question! (Part Three)
Our DS14 (dear son, aged 14) is at the age where many young Danes get 'confirmed' and, if you saw Part One and Part Two, you'll know that he's been in a bit of a quandary. To be, or not to be (confirmed). That is the question!Well, he's been attending the confirmation prep classes (which, you… Continue reading To be, or not to be (confirmed). That is the question! (Part Three)
10 November? Duck for dinner!
My DDH (Dear Danish Husband) often accuses (is that the right word?!) me of being more Danish than the Danes. You see, I ♥ traditions. And in Denmark there are just so many of the dang things - hooray - that I sometimes tend to go a bit overboard. Take today, for example - 10… Continue reading 10 November? Duck for dinner!
To be, or not to be (confirmed). That is the question! (Part two)
Okay, back to my DS14 (Dear Son, aged 14) and his forthcoming "confirmation" preparation classes. Or, as they call it here, "at gå til præst" ("go to the priest"). And no, it has nothing to do with the very smelly, rather rude looking mushroom I showed you in Monday's post! ;P "That smell? Must be… Continue reading To be, or not to be (confirmed). That is the question! (Part two)
To be, or not to be (confirmed). That is the question! (Part One)
As you saw in my Monday post - Back to (the new) school (reform)! - my two little darlings are back at school and life has returned to normal. Or is this just the calm before the proverbial storm? We may be coming up for a turbulent six months. Should we be ringing round relatives?… Continue reading To be, or not to be (confirmed). That is the question! (Part One)
Tea and hot rolls Thursday = Big Prayer Day Friday
With the excitement of Eurovision behind us, my kids are now eagerly counting down to the strangest day on the Danish religious calendar. Okay - let's be honest - they're really just counting down to yet another day off school! 😉 On Friday they'll be able to have a lie in because it's Stor Bededag. ’Big Prayer Day’! Yep, those crazy… Continue reading Tea and hot rolls Thursday = Big Prayer Day Friday
Denmark is closing for Easter! Buy! Buy! Buy!
If you're new to Denmark, then you had better stop frittering away your time on the internet. Get out RIGHT NOW and stock up! Yep, the Danes celebrate Easter in big style and the country will basically shut down on Wednesday night. Despite being very low-key about religion, Denmark will be closed Maundy Thursday, Good… Continue reading Denmark is closing for Easter! Buy! Buy! Buy!
Back to school. Amen?
The Christmas and New Year break is now officially over. All the decorations are down, we've eaten the last of the goodies and - much to the kids' dismay - school restarted today! ;)DD11 (Dear Daughter, 11) has a rather strange book for Religion at the moment. It's The Bible. But not as we know it, Jim... "Manga… Continue reading Back to school. Amen?
My Danish Christmas Advent Calendar – 12 December
Welcome to My Danish Christmas Advent Calendar! Join me every day in opening a new door. Just like last year, I’ve got a host of goodies to share with you – traditional Danish Christmas recipes, traditions, songs, games, decorations, crafts and landscapes… So sit back, relax and enjoy!12 DECEMBERSo far you've heard the 'most played'… Continue reading My Danish Christmas Advent Calendar – 12 December
Danish Weddings (Part Two)
So, in Danish Weddings (Part One), I told you about the Danish marriage ceremony.Now that we've said "Ja!" (Yes!) to each other and are officially married, what next? Well, let's get the party started, selvfølgelig! :)Danish weddings involve lots and lots (and lots) of kissing. You'll need to keep your wits about you!Keep your ears open:Ching,… Continue reading Danish Weddings (Part Two)