Fastelavn[1] is a Carnival tradition in the Northern European, and historically Lutheran, nations of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Latvia, Estonia, Iceland, Faroe Islands, as well as Greenland.[2][3]
The traditions of Fastelavn vary somewhat by country and by local region, as some traditions have changed over time. A common theme of Fastelavn in all the countries currently involves children dressing up in costumes, walking door to door while they sing and gathering treats for the Fastelavn feast, a form of trick-or-treating.[4] Today, the festivities of Fastelavn are generally considered to be a time for children’s fun and family games.
Fastelavn is celebrated seven weeks before Easter Sunday and therefore always falls on a Sunday between February 1 and March 7.[5]
- ^ Danish pronunciation: [fæstəˈlɑwˀn]
- ^ "Customs behind the buns on Fastelavnsdag". The Foreigner. Norway. Archived from the original on 26 February 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
- ^ Alex, John (2020-03-04). "Danish pride is on display at annual Fastelavn celebration". The Brooklyn Home Reporter. Retrieved 2020-09-30.
- ^ "Shrovetide". Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
- ^ Fastelavn