Funny

Sometimes Danes are funny.  This is a post about that.

1.  You may recall that Danes are really into "coziness," or hygge, as it's known in Danish.  Anything can be cozy, from a dinner party to an apartment to a cafe or market or neighborhood.  Blockbuster (yes, the American video rental store) has caught on to this.  Every day we walk past the Blockbuster store on the way to work, and we get to see all the posters with their Danish slogan:

Blockbuster: Vildt hyggeligt!

or,

Blockbuster:  Wildly cozy!

2.We've written before about how Danes love bikes.  Here's a (totally not comprehensive) list of things we have seen Danes do on bikes.

    carry 2x4s home

    carry floor lamps home

    hold open umbrellas over their heads

    hold hands with other bicyclists

    talk on cell phones

    text on cell phones

    drag rolling suitcases

    drive another bike at the same time

    eat an ice cream cone

    ignore traffic signs  (it's the only time!  God help you if you do it on foot!)

 3.  We've also mentioned before how Danes love scarves.  And weird haircuts.  Well, turns out we're not the only ones who've noticed this.  Check out the link below, "How to Look Like a Dane."  Completely accurate and verified by actual Danes.

December 9th--Advent at ADAFT!

In the States, "The Night Before Christmas" is probably our best-known holiday book. But here in Denmark, the most popular and hyggelig story is "Peters Jul." It's a children's book of verses about the time before, during, and after Christmas in a cozy family in the mid-1800s. The book was first published in 1866, and though there have been new editions with different illustrations, it's always a classic. It's been made into a television program, songs, and countless amateur dramatic productions.

I think it's sweet.

After reading the poem, you'll find an illustration from the original print run and a link to a video of a Danish theatre group performing "Peters Jul." I actually heard this very arrangement of the song/verse last night at my concert, but without the costumes and acting. Do watch at least part of the video--you'll at least be amused to hear the Danish words pronounced, plus (if you didn't already peek at Google Translate) you'll get some clues as to what Peter is going on about.

Here's the first poem,

"Før Julen."
(Before Christmas)

Jeg glæder mig i denne tid;
nu falder julesneen hvid,
så ved jeg julen kommer.
Min Far hver dag i byen går,
og når han kommer hjem, jeg står
og ser hans store lommer.

Og på hans bord forleden dag
jeg så et yndigt, lille flag,
og det jeg ikke glemmer.
Papir han klipper med en Saks;
men når jeg kommer ind, han straks
sin stads i skuffen gemmer.

Og Mor har peberkager bagt;
jeg ved det, jeg har selv dem smagt,
da de var ganske varme.
Sit sølvskab Mor nu åbnet har,
og stadsestagen frem hun ta'er,
den med de mange arme.

Og Mor hun har så mange bud,
hvert øjeblik skal Anders ud,
og Mor og Anders hvisker.
Men jeg kan dog høre, - tys!
i morges var det julelys
og røde bånd og svesker.

Og søster Hanne syr og syr.
Hun siger, julen er så dyr,
hver gang hun grisen ryster.
Til Far hun har en pibesnor
af perler, og til Bedstemor
hun hækler på en trøster.

Jeg vil nok også noget få;
jeg må jo ud i gangen gå,
når hun skal til at strikke.
Der inde er der rigt'nok koldt;
men når jeg spiller med min bold,
så mærker jeg det ikke.

Da før jeg ud med Karen gik,
vi var i bagerens butik;
dér stod den tykke bager,
og han skrev op, hvad Karen sa'e:
Til juleaften skal vi ha'e
to store julekager.

Gid det var jul! Hvor det var rart.
Men nu må den da komme snart,
det varer ikke længe;
for - fra min Stol ved vindvet her
på køkkenmuren jeg jo ser
alt julegåsen hænge.

Jeg Glæder Mig I Denne Tid