I was listening to the radio at the weekend,
and came across the Danish concept of hygge (pronounced HUE-gah).
Hygge is one of those words for which there is
no direct translation into another language, but one definition I found describes
it as:
“the Danish ritual of enjoying life’s simple pleasures, friends,
family, graciousness, contentment, good feelings, a warm glow.
Certainly, hygge is intrinsic to the Danish lifestyle, but this
feeling of well-being, so deeply satisfying and cosy, is something
we all experience, each in our own way.
The hygge tradition includes sharing stories about ideas
and history, culture and the things we create. Celebrating happiness is
important to us. Our goal: more hospitality, more warmth, more respect for each
other and the environments we share”
All this sounds fantastic, and definitely
something I’d sign up for. Perhaps there is an inner Dane in me somewhere.
It’s thought that the long, cold Danish winters
distilled these ideas of companionship, bonhomie and the good life into the
concept of hygge, and with the nights beginning to draw in and autumn just
around the corner, it reminded me that one of the great things to look forward
to in the coming months is a bracing walk by day followed by good food and friendship
by night.
Satisfaction guaranteed in my book, as the
accompanying photos show.
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