Midsummer, an observation of the longest day of the year, is celebrated in each of the Scandinavian countries. Originally a pagan holiday, Midsummer is celebrated on the day of John the Baptist and is now held on the weekend closest to the summer solstice. In Sweden the celebration takes place around a maypole that is… More Scandinavian Midsummer
On the 4th of July we celebrate our Independence Day. Nearly every country has a day that they celebrate their country’s formation or independence. Here is a list of the Nordic national days, three of which fall in June! Denmark In Denmark, Constitution Day (Danish: Grundlovsdag) is observed on June 5th. Both the first constitution… More Nordic National Days
Outdoor living is such a large part of the Nordic culture, that Norway even has a word for this cultural phenomenon, friluftsliv [FREE-loofts-leev]. This concept is about connecting with nature and fitting into the natural rhythm of the world around us. Skiing, sledding, walking, and bathing (brrrr) are common winter pastimes in Scandinavia and are all a… More Embracing Friluftsliv