National Identity

How one defines their national identity is widely based not only on the people, but several other factors like history, status, language and even economic issues.

Over the passed couple weeks here, I've realized how national identity manifests itself in different ways. Ask a Canadian how they might define their national identity and one might answer "I'm not sure". I think the reason that occurs is because we have a hard time seeing the differences between our own country and others that surround us (like America). We are quick to dismiss and assure others that we are nothing like Americans, however, we share many things (language, trade, land etc). What makes us unique? Our free health care or our education system? If these are the only things, it makes me wonder how we ever defined ourselves. I am not suggesting that it is a bad things, I merely found myself wondering about the phenomenon of national identity because here in Denmark it exists in a big way.

Denmark possess its own language, which is not spoken virtually anywhere else (with exception of some of the Nordic/Scandinavian countries). More than that, it has a rich culture and history that the Danes are aware of and continue to pass down from generation to generation. Sure, I took Canadian history in school, but the amount of pride that the Danes take in their history is astounding. Moreover, they are currently fighting to keep their own currency versus taking the Euro. In a country with a little over 5 million people they have done a remarkable job of making sure everyone around knows how proud they are. If you had never heard much about Denmark (much like I had not before I left), it is worth your time to know that these are proud people. They create a national identity that I have yet to see anywhere else. I don't want to argue about what is better or worse (because I haven't even an idea), but it is different and interesting to see.

I posted this video on Facebook, but since everyone so far has seemed to enjoy it so much, I thought I would put it up here as well.

I wanted to make something ridiculous for the Improv troupe I am a part of back home. It's something that we would all do together normally, but since I'm so far, I went solo on this one. Shout out to Margaret for filming and taking all the pictures. She helped me out even though she was mortified :).

Here it is, enjoy!

shorttt

AH!

It's been a week since I posted, sorry about the lack of post. This week has been very uneventful, just started school. I'm taking a Shakespearean lit course and a ancient textile course. Also have a Danish culture course, but it doesn't start for another 2 weeks.

I've been searching for a bike, but no luck so far. Hopefully I'll find something within the next week. I'll be post a vlog soon hopefully, but I just thought I would stop by and say HEJ!

Jeg elsker du and I hope you are all well :)

Meghan

Towers, food and Sweden

Hej!

I realize I'm a little late for a weekend update, but it's more of a last week update. My friend Heather came from Canada, she is studying in Aarhus but stopped by for a week visit. We explored more of Copenhagen and ended up going to Malmo (Sweden) on Saturday.

I had passed Rundetarn many times while walking downtown but never thought to go in. I had wanted to wait for a nicer day so that I could actually see the city, and not just fog. Rundetarn is a tower which overlooks all of Copenhagen. Because Copenhagen is so flat it means that the tower gives you an extraordinary view of the city. Heather and I decided, since the weather was stunning that day, to make our way to the tower and take a look. We ended up staying up there for about 40 minutes.

Notably, the tower also has a church in it and houses galleries and exhibits. When we arrived the exhibit being shown was Hungry Planet. Hungry Planet is a incredible display of pictures depicting the ways in which families eat all over the world (including the price of food per week and other prevalent information). Peter Menzel is the photographer responsible for the display (more info at http://www.hungryplanet.dk/ - it is in Danish, though I believe you are able to use Google Translate).

On Saturday Heather and I hoped on a train to Malmo. The ride takes about a half-hour and is quite calming. Once we arrived we ran into our first pay toilets at the train station. Needless to say we willingly paid.

We made our way toward the Malmohus Castle, which has been converted to house an aquarium, art galleries and a lot (seriously there was so many) taxidermied animals. Heather is by far one of the jumpiest people I know and we ended up giggling at the ridiculousness of being terrified by a stuffed harmless creatures. Unfortunately, we couldn't understand some of the displays because everything was in Swedish and Danish.

The rest of our day was spent walking around, shopping (it is great there) and eating some pretty awesome food. We even sat outside one of the restaurants and enjoyed the heaters and complimentary blankets instead of sitting inside. A good day all in all.

Elsker,

Meghan

Malmo lit up at night