Today’s Post
As you may have noticed, we like to share Scandinavian traditions on this blog that go beyond baking and cooking. We have shared lots about Christmas and Easter on the blog, which you can view here. Today, we want to talk about a holiday coming up at the end of May: Pinse. This is the third most important Christian holiday after the aforementioned Christmas and Easter. However, it inspires far less cultural traditions in Scandinavia. Regardless, since it falls in the spring or early summer, people view it as a time to celebrate nicer weather and spend time with family.
The holidays that we celebrate in Scandinavia are typically celebrated by the rest of the world as well, so some things may seem familiar. However, our aim is to share the specific Scandinavian customs, as these may be a bit more unique. Not only does this allow us to share a bit of Scandinavia with you, but we can also learn more about particular customs in our lives. Truthfully, I think that most people don’t know the origin of their traditions, so it is very interesting to learn more about each holiday. I hope you enjoy today’s post all about Pinse!
What is Pinse?
You may know Pinse as Pentecost or Whitsun in English. Like many Christian spring holidays, it is related to Easter, and falls on the seventh Sunday after Easter. Of course, since Easter’s date changes every year, so does Pinse’s. This year (2023), it falls on Sunday, May 28th, and the next day is the second day of Pinse. It is a Monday and is given as a bank holiday to many, including the Danes. The holiday itself is religious, but many people are not religious and view the holiday as cultural. This is sometimes the same for Christmas and Easter, as it is for us, but there are still many who celebrate the religious significance of these days.
However, if you are interested, the Christian holiday celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus’ disciples. This actually stems from the Jewish harvest festival of Shavuot, which celebrated the early spring harvest. I can’t explain any religious history very well, so if you want to read more about it, there are plenty of resources. I feel weird linking religious websites here but if you are interested, definitely Google it!
Pinse Traditions in Scandinavia
As mentioned above, there actually are not too many traditions that we associate with Pinse in Scandinavia. While Christmas and Easter both include lots of customs, Pinse does not have the same significance. However, the Danes are given a three-day weekend, and the holiday falls when the weather is getting warmer. As a result, many people take this as a chance to go on a short vacation. Some people hold a “Pinsefrokost,” or big meal, to spend time with family and celebrate the holiday. When we lived in Denmark, we would always gather with extended family for a sort of reunion. This consisted of going for a long walk all together in the woods which culminated in an outdoor picnic. It was just a time to celebrate nature, spend time with family, and take a little break from our busy daily routines. In Norway and Sweden, celebrations are similarly low-key – many people eat fish and some will light bonfires.
Thanks for Reading!
This turned out to be an anticlimactic post, as there really aren’t too many Pinse traditions in Scandinavia. Nonetheless, I hope you learning something new about the holiday! Personally, I learned that it comes from an ancient harvest festival, which I found very interesting. It actually inspires me to appreciate nature and everything that it gives us, especially now that spring is here and summer is inching closer. As always, thank you for reading! Please leave a comment below if you have anything to add or discuss.
