October, Democracy in Denmark, and competitive poster hanging: The Danish Year Part 10

Election posters are a colorful part of democracy in Denmark. In October, the campaigns swing into gear, and when whistle blows on a set dat...

September, elite sports in Denmark, and the not-quite death of Jante Law: The Danish Year Part 9

How does Denmark develop world-class athletes while staying true to its egalitarian values? From handball and cycling to the unique influenc...

August, The first day of school, and how children learn to be Danish: The Danish Year Part 8

Kids learn to be Danish in day care, which usually begins at age 1. Values like independence, responsibility, and empathy are how they learn...

July, Nature in Denmark, and following The Daisy Route: The Danish Year Part 7

The Daisy Route in Denmark is a great place to experience the many types of Danish nature, from fjords to marshes to grasslands to open mead...

June: Danish pride, women in uniform, and the reverse Jante Law: The Danish Year Part 6

June in Denmark is a month of light, tradition, and quiet patriotism — from Sankt Hans bonfires and fresh strawberries to Constitution Day...

May, the Candle in the Window, and Getting Old in Denmark: The Danish Year Part 5

Setting a candle in the window on the night of May 4 in Denmark is a lovely way to commemorate the end of the Nazi occupation in 1945. The o...

April, Gardening in Denmark, and what it means to be “Pear Danish”: The Danish Year Part 4

"Pear Danish", or Pærdansk, refers to things that are thoroughly, unmistakably Danish. Spring gardening in your urban "kolonihave" is one o...

March, Gækkebreve, and the things lost in Digital Denmark: The Danish Year Part 3

What is a gækkebrev? A single piece of paper, cut into a lace-like design, sent anonymously in the days before Easter. This Danish traditio...

February, The Cat in the Barrel and the Absence of Faith: The Danish Year Part 2

"Hitting the Cat in the Barrel" is a popular Danish children's game to celebrate Fastelavn, the local version of Mardi Gras. Danes enjoy the...

January, Skiing, and Income Inequality: The Danish Year Part 1

Income inequality in Denmark is growing, despite the country’s traditionally egalitarian culture. The rich go skiing in January, while the...