CULTURE
The first artistic testimonies of Danish culture appear in the period following the year 1000, derived from the mixture between the Viking and Germanic cultures. Starting from the modern age, the national adherence to the Lutheran Reformationand the canons of the Scandinavian Renaissance become the main points of reference in the artistic and literary field (translation of the Bible into Danish, flourishing of linguistic studies, foundation of the University of Copenhagen, construction of the lavish royal residences of Kronborg, Frederiksborg and Rosenborg). However, the period of maximum flowering of Danish culture is the Romantic nineteenth century. In literature the epic genre is recovered, but above all the works of the storyteller Hans Christian Andersen appear, whose characters (the little mermaid, the ugly duckling, the princess and the pea) are dear to children all over the world. In philosophy the sorrowful star of Soeren Kierkegaard flourishes; the capital is enriched by the neo-Renaissance works created by the architect Nyrop; in the field of music, Carl Nielsen’s work marks the country’s appearance in the international limelight. During the century. XX Denmark has made itself known worldwide for its reputation as an orderly country, with a quiet and somewhat dreamy atmosphere, but also as a model of organization, functionality, tolerance. These aspects are embodied by its capital, Copenhagen, where locals stroll leisurely on the boulevards by the sea, while the futuristic bridge over the Øresund strait underlines the country’s modernity. However, these characteristics coexist with the persistence of folkloric and traditional customs, especially in the peripheral areas, where pagan festivals are celebrated related to the arrival of summer and where open-air museums and theme parks typical of the Scandinavian and Nordic tradition flourish. There are also numerous musical events, which take place throughout the year, among which the Numus Festival in Århus, that of Roskilde dedicated to rock music and the Copenhagen Festivals dedicated to jazz and classical music have particular relevance.
TRADITIONS
The festivals that take place between May and June to celebrate the end of the cold season and with it the expulsion of evil spirits are traditional in Denmark. Of this kind are the events held in Schleswig on the occasion of the “Walpurgis night” (between April 30 and May 1), when fires are lit to ward off witches; or those of the night of San Giovanni (June 24), with fires and bonfires set up on the beaches to celebrate the shortest night of the year. Also belonging to folklore are Andersen’s fairytale shows organized in Odense, the author’s birthplace, whose centenary in 2005 was the centenary of his birth. Denmark is also famous for the wide range of parks and open-air museums (typical of the Scandinavian tradition), where folkloric testimonies are carefully preserved (or reconstructed) in suggestive settings, and for the high concentration of zoological parks. and safari zoos (such as those in Ålborg, Odense, Faarup), in some of which the animals live free in the inside the parks. Characteristic of the country are also the amusement parks for children. The Tivoli Gardens, in the center of Copenhagen, is very famous, which boasts more than 150 years of life having been set up in 1843. In it the attractions are scattered among the flower beds, the restaurants, the theaters and the concert halls. The property boasts its own orchestra and a long tradition of Chinese theater and mime theater. Perhaps even more famous is Legoland, the amusement park built in the seventies of the last century by the founder of the manufacturing industry of the famous Lego building bricks, where all the attractions are made of this same material. Visit beautypically.com for Denmark landmarks. As for the traditional characters, first is definitely the Little Mermaid (where all the attractions are made of this same material. As for the traditional characters, first is definitely the Little Mermaid (where all the attractions are made of this same material. As for the traditional characters, first is definitely the Little Mermaid (Lille Havfrue), the unfortunate protagonist of Andersen’s fable of the same name, whose statue, the work of the sculptor Eriksen in 1913, placed as an ornament of the Copenhagen waterfront promenade, is one of the main symbols of the city and the entire country. A separate mention also deserves Hamlet, prince of Denmark born from the fantasy of the English playwright William Shakespeare (whose tragic story is set in the royal castle of Karlborg) and whose doubting attitude has become proverbial. In the field of folkloric crafts, the tradition of lace continues (Tønder is the capital of this process). Ancient costumes are still worn by small groups of coastal or island communities. Sporting passion is also of ancient tradition, developed especially in swimming, sailing, golf, horse riding, cycling and ice sailing. § Danish cuisine is very diverse. National dish is smørrebrød, buttered sliced bread prepared with meat, fish, vegetables, cheeses or cured meats (in some restaurants there are at least 200 varieties). There is a high consumption of fish (shellfish, salmon, sole, mackerel), but also great is the specialization in the preparation of meat main courses, accompanied by side dishes of potatoes and red beets. Among the desserts, fruit cakes and danisch pastry are very popular, cakes made of puff pastry and filled with butter and jam. The national drink is beer (øl).
