Coming To Scandinavia

To understand Copenhagen and the Danes, you must grasp the concept of “hygge.” The candle-lit, snow-covered, outdoor tables on a snowy night in Copenhagen are one example of hygge.

Although translated as “coziness,” hygge has no exact English equivalent. It is a complete absence of anything annoying, irritating, or emotionally overwhelming, and the presence of and pleasure from comforting, gentle, and soothing things.

Hygge is often associated with family and close friends. Christmas time when loved ones sit close together with candles lit on a cold rainy night is “hygge”, as is grilling a pølse (Danish sausage) on a long summer evening.

These examples, although they do not precisely define “hygge”, can give an English speaker an idea of a deeply valued traditional concept of Danish culture.