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Snapshot of Denmark
Danish is the official language of mainland Denmark, though German is also an officially protected minority language in South Jutland County. Although 79% of Denmark’s population belongs to the Church of Denmark, and other religions are also present, very few Danes attend church on a weekly basis, with some estimates saying only 3% of the population attends weekly services. A variety of modern pop and folk music are popular in Denmark. Music frequently is a part of family celebrations and other events, and choirs are also popular. Photography and painting are other popular artistic outlets. Soccer is the most popular sport in Denmark, though other sports, such as handball and golf are also popular. A variety of meat and fish dishes are popular in Denmark. Smørrebrød, buttered rye bread served with cold cuts, cheese, or meat is a popular lunch item. Several types of these open-face sandwiches are available throughout the country. Other popular dishes include meatballs, roast pork with crackling, and pea soup. Hot dog vans that sell a variety of sausages are a popular form of fast food.
Snapshot of Iceland (part of the Denmark Copenhagen mission)
Icelandic is the official language of Iceland. While the vast majority of Iceland’s population is Christian (most of whom belong to the Church of Iceland), the actual attendance for religious services is very low, and irreligion is on the rise. Iceland has a very homogenous society, and much of the culture comes from Norse traditions. Icelanders are generally friendly, addressing each other by their first name, and have a strong sense of community. Being independent and self-sufficient are highly prized in Icelandic culture. Folk music and the epic poems known as rímur have long been part of the culture, though modern pop and rock groups such as Of Monsters and Men (who are from Iceland) are quite popular. Literature and reading are very popular in Iceland, and many citizens are avid writers as well. Mountain climbing, hiking, swimming, and other outdoor activities are also popular. Popular sports in Iceland include handball, soccer, and Glíma, a traditional form of wrestling. Fish and lamb dishes are popular in Iceland. Other popular Icelandic foods include skyr (a type of strained yogurt) and kleina (a fried pastry). Other breads and pastries are also popular.
Snapshot of Greenland (part of the Denmark Copenhagen mission)
Greenland is an autonomous country that is part of Denmark. Greenlandic (also known as Kalaallisut) is the official language of the island, though Danish is also spoken. The majority of the island’s population are Greenlandic Inuit, and though many Inuit traditions remain, the majority of the population now pertains to the Lutheran Church of Denmark. Modern Greenlandic culture blends both Induit and Scandinavian traditions. Traditional art forms include tupilaq carvings that are often made using sperm whale ivory. Traditional music, such as drum dances and various game songs, are still performed today, though hip hop and rock are also popular. Hunting and ice fishing continue to be important aspects of Greenlandic culture, with meats such as reindeer, lamb, and even whale and seal being parts of different dishes. The soup suaasat is usually made using one of these meats along with potatoes and onions, and occasionally rice.
*The Faroe Islands are assigned to the Denmark Copenhagen Mission but there is no mission presence in the Faroe Islands at this time*
Copenhagen Denmark Temple – Dedicated May 23, 2004 by President Gordon B. Hinckley
- Priorvej 12, DK-2000 Frederiksberg, Denmark
- The Copenhagen Denmark Temple was the first temple built in Denmark and the second temple built from an existing building. The temple is a total renovation of the neo-classical Priorvej chapel which was built in 1931.
Currently, Denmark has 4500 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The first LDS missionaries arrived in Copenhagen in 1850. Less than two months after, the first 15 people were baptized on August 12 in Oresund, the strait separating Denmark and Sweden. The first congregation was established the following month on September 15 with approximately 50 members.
Popular Danish foods include porridge, open sandwiches and the classic roast pork with parsley sauce. Potatoes and bacon are staple ingredients in many traditional Danish meals. Hot dog stands dot the city of Copenhagen, along with various fruit and vegetable stands. These stands provide original Nordic cuisine sausages and are extremely popular.
Unique to Denmark’s breakfast table is junket crumble (ymerdrys), a mixture of grated rye bread and brown sugar. Lunch is generally rye bread buttered and covered with various kinds of sausage, sliced boiled egg or liver paste, a baked mixture of chopped pig’s liver and lard of a spreadable consistency.
Danes make an effort to gather the family for dinner for a hot meal every evening. The typical dinner menu is mainly minced or cut meat for pan frying and traditional gravy and potatoes on
Denmark consists of the Jutland peninsula and 433 named island. All 72 inhabited islands are connected by bridges or reached by ferryboat. You can travel to most cities by train, bus or ferry. Copenhagen has an efficient metro system that operates 24/7.
Almost every person in Copenhagen owns a bicycle because it is the best way to see the city. There are few hills above 30 metres to make you pant and gasp. Every inch of Copenhagen is streamlined with well-maintained cycle paths making cycling (weather permitting) one of the most pleasant and quickest ways to get from A to B. If you haven’t been on a bike for a few years, it could be worthwhile to refresh your skills before you hit the cycle paths because the Danes simply don’t tolerate “dangerous” or “stupid” cyclists.
Considering Copenhagen is such a large, busy city, it’s amazing to see the low crime rates here compared to other European capitals. As with any other destination though, travelers should keep an eye on their wallets and purses. There are no “bad neighborhoods” in Copenhagen, although single travelers sometimes prefer to not enter the train stations late at night to be safe.
In Denmark, great attention is paid to traditions and festivals, though without great ceremony. Many Danish traditions are based around the Christian calendar, with Christmas, Easter and St. John’s Eve (at the end of June) being some of the most important and typically spent together with family.
Other important celebrations include the carnival “Fastelavn” in February, New Year and Great Prayer Day, which was established to combine several traditional holidays into one day. There are also May Day (Labour Day) and April Fool’s Day, where Danes tease each other with pranks and outlandish stories. In recent years, Danes have also started to embrace both Valentine’s Day and Halloween.
Borups Alle 128, 1.Tv
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