Yipee The Witch is Dead
Tonight is the night that the Danes celebrate "Sankt Hans Aften." Celebrated since the time of the Vikings, it's an old tradition to celebrate midsummer. The tradition has its roots in Christianity and in earlier times bonfires were lit to protect people from evil spirits.
The tradition of placing a handmade witch on top of the bonfire occurred in remembrance of the church's witchburnings from the 15 to 16 hundreds. This burning apparently sends the witch's spirit to Germany where she meets up with other likeminded witches. So if you spot bonfires on the beaches, or in backyards with witches atop, that's what's going on.
Here are some places where the Sankt Hans activities are taking place in Copenhagen, starting at around 19:00. No charge to watch.
- Christianshavns Beboerhus, Dronningensgade 34
- Blågårds Plads
- Amager Beach Park
