🇩🇰 What makes Denmark… Denmark? From more than 10,000 suggestions, 20 cultural gems are now in the running to become part of Denmark’s official bid for UNESCO’s intangible heritage list. The finalists, including folk high schools, communal singing, and (possibly) wienerbrød, were handpicked by a committee featuring national icons like Søren Ryge and Ghita Nørby. The shortlist celebrates living traditions that bring us together and have deep historical roots. You can vote for your favorite until May 14 on folkehøringen.dk.
What are the 20 Danish traditions? Andelsbevægelsen (The Cooperative Movement); Bournonville-ballet; Cycling; Dannebrog (The Danish flag); Efterskoler (Gap year boarding schools); Associations; Forsamlinghuskultur (Community Assembly Halls); Fællessang (Communal singing); Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales; Hygge; Højskoler (High schools for adults); Handball; Kolonihaver (Allotment Gardens); Pølsevogne (Hot Dog Stands); Revy (Cabaret Theatre); Røgerier (Smokehouses); Sankthans (Midsummer Celebration); Smørrebrød; Wienerbrød; Tillidssamfundet (Society of Trust).
Read our article The (brief) story of legally flying national flags in Denmark – Last Week in Denmark
😴 A silent epidemic in the bedroom. Around 400,000 people in Denmark may suffer from sleep apnea, a chronic condition where breathing repeatedly stops during sleep, yet most have no idea. Only 100,000 have been diagnosed, despite serious health risks like heart problems, poor concentration, and even car accidents due to daytime fatigue. Diagnosis often takes over a decade, and the condition remains taboo, wrongly seen as something only older, overweight men experience. Experts warn the rising number of cases demands more awareness, earlier detection, and better treatment options across the healthcare system.
Here are five common signs that you might have sleep apnea:
- Loud snoring and pauses in breathing during sleep.
- Constant fatigue and daytime sleepiness.
- Frequent nighttime urination.
- Memory and concentration problems.
- Irritability, mood swings, or low sex drive.
🎁 What teens want in 2025. With over 230,000 wishes logged on the digital wishlist site Ønskeskyen, this year’s confirmation gift trends give a revealing peek into the teenage brain. Boys are asking for Ralph Lauren clothes, AirPods, and high-end perfumes. Girls lean toward digital cameras, jewelry, and beauty kits, with a TikTok-driven focus on glowy skin and perfect lashes. Experts say kids are swapping toys for trends earlier than ever, driven by social media and influencer culture.
🌿 Aarø is turning into a nature island. The small island of Aarø in Southern Jutland, known for its scenic coast and migrating starlings (yes, the “black sun” phenomenon), will soon be upgraded with new trails, birdwatching towers, and better parking on the mainland to make it accessible year-round. The goal is to attract visitors outside the summer season and support local businesses. The 20 million DKK project runs until 2027.
🎵 Music over laughing gas. Aalborg’s maternity ward is turning down the climate-unfriendly laughing gas and turning up the volume on music therapy. As part of a green healthcare push, expecting mothers can now try calming music sessions to ease stress and pain during labor. The goal is to offer more choices while welcoming new life into the world without harming the planet they’ll grow up on.
🛡️ New safety patrols hit the streets. In Greve, two cheerful women in grey t-shirts are the newest addition to the public space, not just to chat, but to keep watch. As part of a new municipal initiative, “tryghedsvagter” (security guards) now patrol hotspots like transport stations, shopping centers, and beaches to deter unrest and offer reassurance. Trained in conflict management and linked directly to police, they aim to ease community concerns, especially around youth behavior near stations and libraries.
