Archive for 'Traditions'
What’s in a flag? Posted by Bjørn A. Bojesen on Jan 30, 2014
In 1219, the Danish King Valdemar Sejr (Victory) and his brave Christian troops were fighting the heathens in Lyndanise, Estland (Estonia). The savage Estonians were getting the upper hand, and the Danish troops were on the point of leaving their konge (king). Then, miraculously, a giant flag [flay] fell from the sky. It was red as…
Eating Danish Posted by Bjørn A. Bojesen on Jan 26, 2014
Some people say that danskere snakker med en kartoffel i munden (Danes talk with a potato in their mouth). While I would never recommend that you scorch yourself just to get the words right, there might be some truth to the saying… Your traditional Dane does eat a lot of kartofler (potatoes), and maybe eating…
Unwrapping the gifts of Christmas Posted by Bjørn A. Bojesen on Dec 30, 2013
Hvad fik du i julegave i år? (What did you get for Christmas this year?) Most Danes are crazy about giving & getting gaver (gifts). Too bad you can only celebrate fødselsdag (birthday) once a year. Heldigvis (fortunately), julen (”the Christmas”) is there to save every Dane from despair… During the December days leading up…
Oh When The Nisser… Posted by Bjørn A. Bojesen on Dec 14, 2013
Okay, I promised you some more grammar, but I just have to show you this marching band of nisser, who brought December to town a handful of days ago: Julemanden (Father Christmas) was throwing karameller (caramels) – and børnene (the children) loved it! To the delight of many small drenge (boys), even brandbilen (the fire…
Hello Houses! Posted by Bjørn A. Bojesen on Aug 31, 2013
Danes love their hus/e (houses). According to Patrick Kingsley, author of ”How to be Danish”, Danes have the second-largest houses in Europe. (I wonder where the largest houses are…) I have never been in another country where people spend so much time fixing every little detail of their hjem [yem] (home) and turning every stone…
Cows in Paradise Posted by Bjørn A. Bojesen on Apr 23, 2013
Muh! It’s finally forår (Spring), and all the Danish køer (cows) are dying to get out on markerne (the fields). Nattefrosten (the night frost) has left the jord (earth, soil), and our four-legged friends are endelig (finally) allowed to leave the stald (stable). It’s time for køernes forårsdans (the spring-dance of the cows). I forgårs…
Words From The Easter Egg Posted by Bjørn A. Bojesen on Mar 31, 2013
It’s påske (Easter)! Last year I told you about the various dag/e (day/s) of Easter in Denmark. Let’s look at some words associated with this important højtid (festival, literally ”high-time”): kirke (”KEERkeh”, church). As a rule, Denmark is not a very religious country. However, even the typical Danish tvivler (doubter) might fall in love with…