Strange People
If you are in Copenhagen this weekend and wondering if it is actually Halloween here, don’t be confused. In Denmark we hold a celebration similar to Halloween called “Fastelavn.” So, if you see princesses, Batman, Superman or otherwise strange looking folks in these parts, don’t worry you’re not losing it.
Fastelavn is an annual tradition here that started in the 1500’s as a fun and games night for the young and single. The name Fastelavn itself, if translated directly actually means “festival evening.” Part of the tradition involves going door to door collecting candies, just like Halloween.
Activities can also include a container filled with sweets suspended on a rope from a tree branch, where stick wielding children attempt to break the container open in order to collect the candies, very similar to the Mexican “pinata” tradition.
There are many activities taking place in celebration of Fastelavn this weekend, too many to name here actually, but here are a couple to get you started. Starting today, a huge televised arrangement will be held in the City Square (Rådhuspladsen) where cocoa and baked buns will be provided to the young ones.
“Tøndeslagning” also known as the stick wielding, barrel breaking, candy eating activity I mentioned earlier, will take place at 17:30 p.m. sharp on Friday February the 1st in the City Square. In other words today. Entre is free for all and all for one.
On Sunday February 3rd, from 11:00 to 13:00 p.m. you might choose to have a little taste of all that is Fastelavn including various games, sing-songs and stories of how other countries celebrate Fastelavn. Entre again is free and it happens at:
The National Museum, Frederiksholms Kanal 12, 1220 Copenhagen
