Fastelavn

Fastelavn is the Danish name for Lent Carnival. Fastelavn was originally a medieval celebration of the days before Lent, but today it can be described as Danish Halloween, with children dressing up in costumes and collecting candy and/or money (similar to trick-or-treating).

One of the old traditions consisted of a cat being put in a barrel and beaten to death as a symbol of man slaying the devil. But you know, they don't do that anymore...haha. Danes now fill the barrel with candy instead.

Even though Fastelavn is technically not this weekend, there were some Fastelavn events this weekend that we went to. I legitimately love Halloween so the fact that Denmark doesn't celebrate Halloween did make me a little disappointed. I mean, when else is it socially acceptable to dress up in costume/crazy makeup? So I was actually kinda of excited for Fastelavn. This year I was a "nerd."




In Danish class, we were treated with Fastelavn pastries. And since we have the Danish vocabulary of a 5 year old, our Danish teacher also taught/forced-us-to-sing the song that children sing on Fastelavn (google translate this shiz):

Fastelavn er mit navn,
boller vil jeg have.
Hvis jeg ingen boller får,
så laver jeg ballade.

Boller op, boller ned,
boller i min mave,
hvis jeg ingen boller får,
så laver jeg ballade.

This week, we have our midterm reviews for Architecture. And next weekend, I'm off to Sweden and Finland for my DIS long study tour! Excited!

Valentine's Day

Girly hyggelig night in:



"I don’t understand why Cupid was chosen to represent Valentine’s Day. When I think about romance, the last thing on my mind is a short, chubby toddler coming at me with a weapon." – Unknown Author

Danish Ballet: Dans2go

This past Thursday, I went to my first ballet (courtesy of my Danish class), called Dans2go, in Copenhagen's Royal Theater.




It was really great. I have so much respect for ballet dancers and the dedication and passion they have for their art. The last act of the ballet was my favorite. It was more tribal influenced and emotionally driven. Men danced barefoot on red sand in what was a very raw and moving performance to Metallica and Apocalyptica music.

Speaking of which, the song "Unforgiven" by Apocalyptica is now one of my favorite songs (Rita, I think you would like it ;D): http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=weStzJV8ZTo

Berlin: 2.04-2.06

Last weekend, all the full year architecture students went to Berlin for DIS's short study tour. My choice words to describe that weekend: EXHAUSTING, FREEZING COLD, and emotional. Exhausting because we were all running on about 3-4 hours of sleep (some of us less) each day when we were walking through the city. Freezing cold because of the winds that blew in our faces during our daily treks. And emotional because of the breathtaking Jewish Museum and Jewish Memorial.

Some of the food:

Some weird cheese appetizer to start that was awesome. Followed by fish for main course and cake for dessert.





Reichstag building:

We went to the glass dome at the top of the building (by Norman Foster):




It had some great panoramic views of the city.


The Reichstag building as a whole. See the glass dome?

Brandenburg Gate:



DG Bank by Frank Gehry:



Holocaust Memorial:





It was beautiful. Concrete slabs (which varied in heights) were arranged in a grid pattern on an undulating landscape. The level changes of both the slabs and the ground made for a pretty powerful walk-through. And underneath the memorial was an information center. The coffered ceiling had insets of the slabs, which in a sense made the memorial visible even when underground.

Sony Center:



Schnitzel= fried pork= !!!= me :D



Berlin Philharmonic:


We got to go inside for a concert and listened to Mozart and Beethoven.

Neues Museum:



Jewish Museum by Libeskind:
This is the building that made him famous.





Holocaust Tower was a dark room with only one source of light emitting from the corner. My favorite because of the silent, cold stillness. Made me think.


Garden of exile was the only part of the museum that was built orthogonally.


Axis of Continuity


The Memory Void had thick copper faces piled all over the floor. Walking on the faces makes you very conscious of each step you make because the clashing of copper against copper echo throughout the space. Kind of eerie and very affecting.



Garden of Exile, exterior view

Hey, Chinese people...

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!