Socialized Bang!

Since midday yesterday there has been a fairly constant and increasing sound of bangs echoing over the city as people get ahead of New Years by setting off fireworks. They are small fireworks so there’s rarely anything to see – just the rolling sound of bangs.

By early morning the bangs were like the sound of hunting in the distance.

This morning I joined the Spanish contingent for a walking tour in Spanish. It was really interesting and provided some fantastic insights into how Danes live, especially around their ideas of equality and contribution. Meanwhile, Jennifer climbed a spiraling church tower and the kids went to Christiania again.

By lunchtime, the bangs were like the background track to an armed coup.

This afternoon everyone except Minerva and I went to the Tivoli Gardens – the second oldest amusement park in the world. Those of us who didn’t feel the need for an adrenaline rush walked the canals as the setting Sun put on a lovely show.

By evening the bangs were like a minor battle.

We all regrouped at the apartment for dinner which featured the traditional Danish cone desert.Bangs had upgraded to a rolling thunder.

Then we all headed to the Tivoli to watch the official fireworks at 11pm. By midnight the locals had gotten serious and the main square was like a First World War artillery barrage – nothing but noise, smoke, and flashing lights all around. Every single person was setting off fireworks in every direction; the noise was unbelievable. And it didn’t stop. We walked home to the backing of incessant noise and as I write this at 1am there’s no sign of it letting up. Sydney may do the best central fireworks but Copenhagen democratizes the whole experience in an incredibly intense way. Happy New Year.