A late summer has surprised all of us this past week. With some of the warmest days of the summer so far, the sun is not yet done with its annual runway. Independently of the weather, however, comes the return of school and university classes, as well as regular routines for families and workers around the country. For many, September and October are time for the famous arbejdsweekend (or working weekend).
Arbejdsweekend is a weekend event organized by institutions, whether schools, clubs, or housing organizations, where its members come together to do maintenance tasks and projects. If you lived in a shared building, there are high odds you have one of these. In many cases, at least one member of each household has to participate, with possible fines for those who don’t collaborate.
The main goal of an arbejdsweekend is to foster a sense of community, reminding every member of the group that, as Danes very well know, success is better achieved when each party contributes. It is also an opportunity to bring to the surface the egalitarian societal scheme that Denmark loves: no matter your role or status, typical arbejdsweekend activities like gardening, cleaning, and repairing force all participants to get their hands dirty.
Not all is hard work, though. This community tradition also involves shared meals, breaks, and a good laugh. It also means lower costs for community upkeep and, most importantly, encourages a sense of ownership and pride in communal spaces.
