Spend Christmas Eve with friends from around the world at the Studenterhus Aarhus

Once again this year, the Studenterhus Aarhus is providing the premises on Christmas Eve for both Danish and international students to celebrate a Danish Christmas (in Denmark Christmas is traditionally celebrated together with family on Christmas Eve, ed.).

[Translate to English:] Arkivfoto

If you do not have anywhere to celebrate Christmas, or if you are looking for an unconventional way to celebrate it, this is the place to go. The university chaplains and Studenterhus Aarhus have arranged the event, and according to university chaplain Jens Munk this type of event is needed.

"In our experience there is a considerable need, primarily among the international students at Aarhus University. It can be difficult to celebrate Christmas in Denmark if you come from Peru and can’t afford to travel home to your own family. This is not when people just invite strangers, even if they’re friends, because it’s a family gathering. New Year's Eve is much better suited for doing that, but it’s not something we do in Denmark at Christmas," he says.

A different way to celebrate Christmas

The international students are not always the only ones who do not have anywhere to celebrate Christmas. The same can be true of Danish students – and they are more than welcome.

"The typical Danish student who comes along is someone who has experienced a conflict. Maybe they’re unable to celebrate Christmas with their family because they’ve fallen out with them, or maybe the Christmas planning has ended up meaning they can’t participate. The other type of Danish student who comes along is someone who is looking for a different way to celebrate Christmas. We sing and dance and sing Christmas carols in both Danish and English, so you can celebrate Christmas with the whole world," says Jens Munk.

Christmas decorations, and traditional Danish marzipan confectionary

On 18 December the students who have registered meet at the Studenterhus Aarhus café from 16:00 - 18:00 and have time to get to know each other a little and make Christmas decorations, and traditional Danish marzipan confectionary.

You can register via the website of the Studenterhus Aarhus. Select the calendar, select 24 December and click on 'Christmas Eve'. The tickets cost DKK 110 each and will be on sale until 17:00 on 22 December.

Translated by Peter Lambourne