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March, "Gække Letters", and the things lost in Digital Denmark: The Danish Year Part 3

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Manage episode 469756846 series 166169
Content provided by Kay Xander Mellish. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Kay Xander Mellish or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://staging.podcastplayer.com/legal.

Gækkebrev are a great Danish tradition, but like many other Danish traditions, they are fighting to survive amid the country’s ambitious digital agenda.

What is a gækkebrev, or gække letter? A single piece of paper, cut into a lace-like design somewhat like a snowflake, sent anonymously in the days before Easter.

A poem is handwritten on the letter, but it is unsigned...except for a number of dots that correspond to the number of letters in the sender's name.

If you can guess who sent the letter, that person owes you a chocolate Easter egg. If you can't guess, you owe them a chocolate Easter Egg whenever they reveal themselves.

Needless to say, gækkebrev are very popular with small children looking for candy.

(The "gække" refers to a vintergække flower that used to accompany the letter back in the day)

But the tradition is slowly dying out, thanks to Denmark's widespread digitalization. Paper letters have almost disappeared; it's quite possible to go for months without receiving any physical mail at all.

Stamps and coins are also dying out. While Denmark got a new king more than a year ago, I've yet to see his image on any stamps or coins...because I so rarely see stamps or coins.

Read more at howtoliveindenmark.com.

  continue reading

143 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 469756846 series 166169
Content provided by Kay Xander Mellish. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Kay Xander Mellish or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://staging.podcastplayer.com/legal.

Gækkebrev are a great Danish tradition, but like many other Danish traditions, they are fighting to survive amid the country’s ambitious digital agenda.

What is a gækkebrev, or gække letter? A single piece of paper, cut into a lace-like design somewhat like a snowflake, sent anonymously in the days before Easter.

A poem is handwritten on the letter, but it is unsigned...except for a number of dots that correspond to the number of letters in the sender's name.

If you can guess who sent the letter, that person owes you a chocolate Easter egg. If you can't guess, you owe them a chocolate Easter Egg whenever they reveal themselves.

Needless to say, gækkebrev are very popular with small children looking for candy.

(The "gække" refers to a vintergække flower that used to accompany the letter back in the day)

But the tradition is slowly dying out, thanks to Denmark's widespread digitalization. Paper letters have almost disappeared; it's quite possible to go for months without receiving any physical mail at all.

Stamps and coins are also dying out. While Denmark got a new king more than a year ago, I've yet to see his image on any stamps or coins...because I so rarely see stamps or coins.

Read more at howtoliveindenmark.com.

  continue reading

143 episodes

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