Danish Hygge

Hi! 

I hope you had a really nice weekend! 
I do not know how it is in your countries right now, but in Denmark the weather can be very depressing these days.. Today, the sun was shining very nicely, so I decided to go to the city center, suddenly a BIG (I am telling you, BIG!) rain cought me and my new, summer dress became all wet, and the funniest part - when I got home, the sun was up again,without any rain.

Today, I would like to write about something that is strongly underlying in a danish culture. When I came to Denmark I had no idea it is such an important phenomenon and you can hear it endlessly, applied to many environments. Here I mean "Hygge", (pronounced as hewge) the word is very hard to describe and translete in any other languages, but can be easily illustrated in examples from a real life.

I thought it could be essential for you to know, when you are new in Denmark and plan to make new friends, Hygge may be helpful, since it is a fundation to the happy life of every Dane. 
It is told, that Hygge appeared during the grey and cold days, when  Scandinavians gathered around the fire place, drinking warm wine - nowadays it happens also in the winter time, especially during Christmas. But! Remember the film that I made about summer in Denmark?  It can also emerge as a Summer hygge :)

Yesterday I felt it very strongly, when one danish friend, visited me and my boyfriend. Hygge feeling, happens when you spend a good time with people that you care about the most. You appreciate every single moment and you forget about everything that could bother you. The atmosphere is very relaxing, without any false feelings. If I would have to find synonims to Hygge it would be - love, true friendship, coziness, warmth, although everyone can feel it differentely. 

For me it is the time when me and my bofriend are home, I light many candles, open a good, portugeese wine, cook a delicious dinner and after that, read a good book. Also it is the time like yesterday, spontanous visit by a friend and a long conversation just with a glass of water and small box of chocolate.

Here is a video for you what a true Danes think of hygge!:) Hope you enjoy!

Of course you can say, that it happens everywhere in the world, gathering the family together, to enjoy a good dinner for example, but I must tell you - it does not happen everywhere that it is so much appreciated. Danes get it very seriously and directely into their hearts, so try to do everything to make yourself comfortable here and get the Hygge feeling, every time when you are with the closest ones. :) 

I am attaching the article about hygge on Visit Denmark  and as alawys - let me know what you think of this phenomenon. :)

Aleks

Hvordan er vejret i dag?

Welcome back!

Today I have prepared for you something unexpected and silly but actually highly requested.

When I was in Poland to promote UCN, many people asked me question "why they should come to Denmark? Isn't too cold there?"

Before I came to Denmark I also imagined people as vikings still in here, who are living in warmer ice age. Anyway, I have to say - I love the danish weather. You can experience 4 different seasons in one day!

Some say that danish weather is so unpredictable as women - you never know what is coming next.

What really surprised me when I came to Aalborg in September 2009 was - beautiful sun and looooong days. After I moved in to UC house, around October, I remember days were getting shorter, very windy and rainy. It was shocking for me that the sunrise came at 8 or 9 in the morning and when I was going out from school - around 15:30 it was already dark. Bearing in mind that I am living in Scandinavian country - it was beautiful for me to observe the changing days.

Winter

I also remember when teachers were saying that there was no really winter snow from 30 years. It is all the time raining and lots of mud on the streets. Well, what is that picture saying then?

November 2009

I remember when I woke up in UC House and I took this picture behind my room window. I also remember the days I was going to school that time. I even told my mother to send me in a package my snowboarding jacket! It was freezing so much.. As you can tell, it was unexpected for Danes as well:)

From that time we can see this every year right now. The climate is really changing.

But committing myself to vikings again - maybe they really are the ones. Even in that kind of weather you can see many of them walking on the street without jackets, sometimes in shorts.

Autumn

When I am writing about that - I just remembered when UCN took us for integration day together with danish students. It was our first year here. They separated us into small groups and we needed to follow some steps and make small exercises in order to finish the day with sandwiches and hot tea. I think it was end of September, beginning of October. It was getting really cold when you had to spend all day outside and   the most important - it was raining. The last exercise with the most rain on it, was to jump into water and swim to pick up some balls. Okay guys - even though I wanted to help very much and get some points for my group to win - I just could not take my clothes off, in such a weather and swim in that cold water! Guess what? All the international student did not do that! Just the Danes! I really admire them for that. Don't believe me? I think I should have some pictures from that time.. :)

Getting some points for the team:)

Spring

Me in Aalborg Park :)

When coming to spring time - I must say - the weather is really beautiful, although you can still feel some freezing wind. I remember the time of picnics in the park, boys playing football or basketball, girls volleyball. Danish  people love sport very much, so it is quite normal to see more and more people jogging after winter and going outside to play some sports or music. It is really nice to go to the river side and meet all the people walking with a dog or kids dancing on the streets.

Summer

I guess summer is the most beautiful time for all of us. I stayed in Denmark for the first time in the summer previous year. It wasn't too hot and it wasn't too cold. I even sunbathed in the parks ;) It was really good! Music is bombing the city, all the birds are singing and people are more happy. What else do you need? Wait! I know - days are so long that the sunrise is around 5-6 in the morning and the sunset around 23:00!

In summer time, there is a lot going on in Aalborg. You always need to check websites with different events (for example this ONE) to find something for yourself. When it is really warm outside I like to go out for a long walks and enjoy the weather of course. I am always buying ice creams and just go around the city to make some nice pictures. Going out with friends for a picnic, sunbathe and playing volleyball is my thing  as well. I also like to sit on the bench with a good coffee and just stare at the people. (It is not weird, right?)  I am leaving you with some pictures.

Twin sisters at the same bike, in the same clothes. Lovely

Guys! Let me know if came or stayed in Denmark during the summer and what did you like the most here?

 I would be really glad to hear your thoughts :)

PS. I created a facebook page, that you can like and be informed when is the next post ready!
YOU CAN LIKE IT HERE!