The Unceremonious Danes

For example, it is characteristic that a survey made in the spring of 2002 showed that the majority of Danes believed Christmas to be the most important religious festival.

From the standpoint of the church, this is not true – Easter is the most important – but Christmas in Denmark is surrounded by many more traditions - being together with the family and the eating of traditional meals - than is Easter.

6 JANUARY - EPIPHANY

Epiphany was abolished as an official church festival in 1770. When the candles thus go out, it symbolises the end of Christmas.

14 FEBRUARY - VALENTINE'S DAY

In the early 1990s, the Danes began to celebrate Valentine’s Day as the great day of love, inspired by the American custom.

FEBRUARY/MARCH - SHROVETIDE

Shrovetide falls on different days each year because – as a legacy from Catholic times – it must begin 40 fast-days before Easter.

MARCH/APRIL - EASTER

Easter is the Christian Church’s commemoration of Christ’s death and resurrection.

1 APRIL - APRIL FOOL'S DAY

As in many other countries, the Danes also tease each other with fictitious stories etc on 1 April.

30 APRIL - WALPURGIS NIGHT

Walpurgis Day (1 May) refers to an English saint, Walburga, who according to popular belief protected against magic and witchcraft.

APRIL/MAY - GREAT PRAYER DAY

Great Prayer Day is a special Danish festival falling on the fourth Friday after Easter Sunday

MAY - MOTHER'S DAY

In Denmark, Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in May.

APRIL/MAY - GREAT PRAYER DAY

Great Prayer Day is a special Danish festival falling on the fourth Friday after Easter Sunday

MAY - MOTHER'S DAY

In Denmark, Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in May.

1 MAY - 1 MAY

1 May is the international workers’ campaign and festival day and a holiday in many workplaces.

5 MAY - DENMARK'S LIBERATION

After having been occupied by Germany since 9 April 1940, Denmark became free again on 5 May 1945.

MAY/JUNE - PENTECOST/WHITSUN

Pentecost is a Church festival celebrated to mark the advent of the Holy Spirit and the founding of the Church.

5 JUNE - CONSTITUTION DAY

5 June is the anniversary of the coming in force of the first Danish Constitution, the June Constitution of 1849.

15 JUNE - VALDEMAR'S DAY

According to the legend, the Danish flag, Dannebrog, on this day fell from the sky by Lyndanise in Estonia, where King Valdemar II the Victorious was crusading in 1219.

23 JUNE - ST. JOHN'S EVE

The evening before Midsummer Day, which is the birthday of John the Baptist, has become one of the popular red letter days in the calendar.

NOVEMBER - ALL SAINT'S DAY

All Saints’ Day, which is celebrated on the first Sunday in November, was originally a commemoration day for the dead saints held on 1 November.

10 NOVEMBER - MARTINMAS EVE

Martinmas Eve is the evening before St Martin’s Day. Many Danes eat roast duck or goose on this evening.

THE CHRISTMAS MONTH

The whole month of December is dominated by Christmas. In most towns, the main shopping streets are decorated with fir garlands and lights.

NEW YEAR

Unlike Christmas, which most people spend with their family, New Year is celebrated with the friends.