It is Christmas time in Copenhagen!  Without the end of the Thanksgiving meal to mark the beginning of the Christmas season, Christmas has come to Denmark in mid-November.  The streets are decorated with garland and lights, and shop owners are adding snowflakes and wreaths to their window displays.  Two weeks ago the Danes celebrated J-Day, the day that Tuborg released its famous Julebryg, a Christmas beer that is only available during the holiday season.  Then two days ago we had our first snowfall of the year.  As the song goes, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas… 

The only thing standing in my way of enjoying the wonderful holiday season is the massive amount of schoolwork that is due during the last four weeks of the semester.  In the upcoming weeks I must complete two group presentations, three papers, two final exams, and a portfolio project.

For one of my papers, one of the topics that I will be discussing is the Danish concept called Jantelov.  In my opinion, Jantelov is the most striking difference between Danish and American cultural values.  Despite its name, Jantelov is not a law; it is a set of beliefs regarding Danish self-perception that carries over into nearly all other aspects of culture and daily life.  Written by the author Aksel Sandemose in his 1933 novel En Flygtning Krysdser Sit Spor (A Fugitive Crosses His Track), the Jantelov reads like the Ten Commandments.  Among the ten notions of Danish self-perception asserted in the Jantelov are “you shall not believe that you [individually] are worth as much as we [collectively] are”, “you shall not believe that you will be good at anything”, and “you shall not believe that you can teach us anything”.  Jantelov reinforces the Danish principle of equality by failing to recognize people’s differences and achievements, and it has a number of implications for social interaction and daily activities.  For example, at a social gathering Danes will not introduce people to one another.  Doing so would illuminate a social inequality - that the introducer knows people who the would be introducee does not.  Instead, guests who are brought to a social gathering are left to fend for themselves.  Earlier in the semester I attended a dinner at my host sister’s school and, upon arrival, was introduced to no one.  I had to remind myself that this was not rude, and that, in fact, it was quite the opposite.  Eventually I introduced myself to people and people introduced themselves to me, but we were never introduced my mutual acquaintances. 

Jantelov is also present in schools.  At my high school in the US, students had opportunities based on their academic needs and abilities.  Students enrolled in varying levels of courses based on the pace at which they could learn the material.  This system, in theory, ensures that no one falls behind and that everyone is academically challenged.  In Denmark, students are not given special opportunities if they need extra help or more challenging work.  Everyone learns together in one classroom.  In Danish society, it is more important that everyone learn and work together than individual students’ needs be met.  Furthermore, it is not uncommon for students not to know what career path to choose upon graduation – they have never been told what they are good at.  I try to remain open-minded about all aspects of Danish culture, but this is particularly difficult for me to wrap my head around.  My younger host sister is not academically challenged in school, and I wish that she could have the same opportunities in school that I had when I was her age.  Also Jantelov can have negative ramifications for Denmark; many talented Danes (actors, athletes, etc.) have left Denmark for other countries, particularly the US, where their skills would be celebrated rather than squashed.

One final tidbit of information: last week Denmark passed a new law that strengthens the existing anti-immigration laws.  The law includes a point system, based on education, work experience and language ability, for immigrants hoping to enter Denmark.  Those under age 24 need twice as many points as their older counterparts if they wish to enter the country.  The point system applies even to foreigners who are married to Danes.  While the law is likely an effort to slow immigration from Eastern European countries, I too, as an educated American, would not be able to move to Denmark under the new law.  Before the age of 24 I will not have sufficient education and work experience.  The law is strongly supported by the Dansk Folkeparti (Danish Peoples Party), a party that does not support multiculturalism in Denmark.  Though the party has little political influence, it is gaining support.  To be honest, the party’s beliefs and attempts to gain political power are a bit scary; I have even heard them be compared to the Nazis.  But there is one bit of good news for my mom: I now have no choice but to honor my promise not to marry a Dane and never come home.  In fact, I’ll be home in less than four weeks!