Fun & Famous
WHAT THE F IS ‘HYGGE’?
Hint: something Danish with a fireplace, glühwein, and knitted socks
I'll just say it: I'm looking forward to this winter. And don't think I've taken something or anything, I'm speaking the truth and nothing but the truth so help me God.
So I'll quickly explain why I'm looking forward to winter, because I understand that it's at least remarkable to suddenly shout something like that.
It all comes down to the Danish phenomenon ‘hygge’, which - as I recently read in the NRC - is currently sweeping over (among others) the Netherlands. Hygge is the Danish word for coziness, but while in the Netherlands it is mainly a cozy word for random moments during the day, in Denmark it is a highly valued and frequently used verb. ‘Coziness’ is practically elevated to an art form there, and now that I've delved into the ingredients of this art of being cozy, I must say that it is darn well written for my winter self. The ingredients of hygge are: your very best friends and/or family members, a burning open fire, glühwein (yaasss), a selection of cookies and sweets (even more yaaass), burning candles, and a pot of stew (even much more yaaassss). Outside, it should mainly be dim and chilly, and oh yes, you must of course wear a warm knitted sweater and matching socks. In short, who wouldn't want that?
I definitely want it, sorry.
It's a tradition that probably arose from the fact that there is very little to experience outside in Denmark during the winter. Look, in Norway or Sweden you can at least still ski. Or snowboard, or snowboard. Don't let yourself be easily rattled, tsssss. However, the Danes cannot throw themselves down a mountain with full abandon, so they invented hygge. During the week, they talk en masse about how hygge they will make it this weekend, who they have invited for the hygge, and on Monday they talk about how incredibly hygge it was this weekend. Nice, right?
Funny detail: you can attach the word ‘hygge’ to practically any Danish word. In the article in the NRC, there is an extraordinarily fun box with the most common hygge words. For example, a hyggebukser is a cozy comfy pants for during hygge, in other words, pants you would never wear outside. Hyggesokker are extremely delicious knitted socks, a hyggespreder is someone who makes things cozy, and a hyggekrog is a cozy corner with cushions for hygge. Oh, and during hygge, you preferably talk about non-controversial topics, which is called very cozy hyggesnak.
I want it, I want it so badly! Hyggesnacking in hyggesokker!
In short, hygge is hot. Also because the Danish culture is currently in the spotlight anyway. Denmark is ranked number one in the UN's World Happiness Report, and the omnipresence of hygge could very well have something to do with that. Especially since hygge means that you regularly meet with family and friends, which seems to be good for your sense of happiness. There are also books raining down about the phenomenon, such as the book ‘Hygge, the Danish art of living’, published on October 13, by happiness researcher Meik Wiking.
Long story short: I'm going to quickly look for suitable hyggesokker. And a hyggebukser. And of course, I need to immediately create a nice hyggekrog. PLUS I need to learn how to make stew right away! I'm telling you: this hygge isn't so crazy after all. It keeps you off the streets for a whole autumn and winter.
Bam. (That was the door closing.)
