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Being Danish by Marie Mamonia-Brown.

January 19, 2021

"As people, we are more alike than we are different but our differences are beautiful too".

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of interviewing Copenhagen based Reiki Master Marie Mamonia Brown on the Culture Power Podcast, and in that episode, we touched briefly on the traditions she holds most dear. Marie has lived in many places and I met her about ten years ago in Brooklyn, New York where she lived with her now-husband, musician Findlay Brown. Here is what she had to say about being Danish:


What is your name and location:  

Marie Brown - Charlottenlund, Copenhagen, Denmark.

 

Where are your parents from? From Denmark.

 

What’s your earliest memory of a Danish tradition.

Christmas is my earliest memory. The real tree being brought into the house, it being decorated and lit with real candles in the evening.

It all felt so magical and full of spirit. Christmas is very festive here. In fact, the whole of December is one long gearing up to Christmas.

So it is a big deal with lots of small traditions tied to it. From what we eat, to dancing around the tree and singing carols.


 

How has it changed over time?

It is still one of my favorite traditions mainly because I feel that we connect through the heart, for something greater and bigger than us.

 Any related to health and wellness?

In terms of health and wellness traditions. We have many traditions in nature, honoring nature and the natural healing abilities of being in nature.  

Walking in the forest. Running in the forest. Dipping and swimming in the sea. Many people dip all year round even in winter when there is ice on the sea!

Sauna is also a favorite here. Yoga has become a massive part of the danish health culture here. There is a yoga studio in every part of the city.



Do you practice any particular Danish traditions with your son and husband?

Christmas (or “JUL as we call it)  is one of the traditions that we are still very true to in my family. It is a big event.

We eat together and celebrate the light in a very dark time of year. We call Christmas the fest of the hearts.

It is all about the love.


What do you the world to know about being Danish and what are you most proud of)?


I think being Danish is a privilege. We live in a very safe and secure part of the world. Danes can be very trusting. Bordering on naive.

Most Danes don’t know how lucky they are, living here is so easy. It is easy to take the high standard of living for granted.

I believe it comes with a responsibility to the rest of the world. To try and do good and use your privilege to help others.

That is what I wish to inspire in my son. To be a giving person. To share the love.

To be free. To be peaceful. To be curious.

I don’t think Danes have the only license to this.

Thank you for reading this second installment giving a glimpse into the life of another person. At Culture x Co we believe that empathy helps to build strong bonds that counter the negativity of racism. If you would like to be featured or know somebody who would, please email us culturexcoinfo@gmail.com



As people, we are more alike than we are different but our differences are beautiful too".

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