What is Hygge?
Hygge, (pronounced HOO-gah) is the danish art or concept of creating a cozy, pleasing environment. It is a sort of a hybrid of both an art and a concept, and is most applicable in wintertime when days can be grey and cold. Hygge offers ways to embrace the cold or to counter it. It became a trend about 10 years ago for other cultures to adopt hygge ways because it offers many accessible comforts in the realm of well-being. I thought it would be worthwhile to resurrect some of the hygge traditions as we begin 2021. This movement of Nordic’s rich design ancestry fed the global appetite for the Scandinavian aesthetic, yet the benefits and popularity spread far and wide. In short, hygge is really a celebration of warmth, happiness and togetherness and can be recreated by anyone, anywhere, even right here in Berks County.
Candles & Kettles
So, being at home with a cup of herbal tea, hot cocoa, or any warm soothing drink of your choosing is a standard and beloved hygge activity, but for that matter, meeting friends in a cafe counts too. The hygge vibe enters in with low ambient lighting provided by candles to set the mood. But NOT scented candles! It turns out that Danes burn more candles than anyone in the world, but they do not believe in using scented candles as they are considered artificial.
Coziness & Being Present
While there is no one English word that translates directly from the word hygge, simply being present with yourself or those around you is another big component of the hygge lifestyle. I know it may seem daunting to pull that off with the current state of the world, but I would argue that it's needed now more than ever. Enjoy the small things. Take pleasure in what is in front of you. Grab a blanket, some books, perch by the window, unplug and give yourself permission to just be. Have a simple dinner of hearty soup and homemade bread and play a board game or just talk and laugh with family.
Nature & Art
There are many activities in nature that align with concepts of hygge. Just nature itself, is hygge. Even in winter, you can bundle up and take a walk, and notice how your neighborhood transforms under a blanket of snow. Can a work of art be hygge? Sure. Art that employs aspects of simplicity either in its subject matter or materials can be considered contemplative and therefore would fit this concept. My challenge to you is to see if you notice anything in your daily activities this winter, that you are already doing or that you might now seek to do, that is hygge. If you do venture out to any local museums or galleries, see if you can find any art that addresses hygge themes.
Beth Krumholz is a Berks County native, currently residing in Bethlehem. She is an educator, artist and poet. She has worked in the field of alternative art education for 20+ years, from NYC to San Francisco. In her spare time, she enjoys Indian cooking, Appalachian waterfalls, table-top herb gardening, and hanging out with her wonderful son and their mischievous cats. Photo: Jenny Schulder-Brant
