Colors of Alborg - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Aalborg is famous for its beautiful historical traditions and customs, many of which have been observed for hundreds of years. Fishing was once the main livelihood for the townspeople until Aalborg became a major shipbuilding center. However, the fishing industry remains an important part of the city's economy to this day. A significant part of the fish caught here is used for regional needs. Fish dishes are everyday food for local people. Herring specialties are particularly popular and served in restaurants of any level.

At the beginning of the 20th century, Aalborg became a major industrial center where some of the country's largest cement plants were located. Everything changed in 1974 when the University of Aalborg opened in the city. Now it is one of the largest Danish universities operating many research centers. As a result, the industrial sphere has lost its former relevance. Today, Aalborg is a major scientific and cultural center.

Walking through the city streets, one can notice a lot of amazing peculiarities. An unusual local symbol is window mirrors, which can be seen on many houses in the historic district. They are mounted on the outside of the windows and a bit reminiscent of modern car mirrors. Houses of the most senior and wealthy citizens were once located in Aalborg's historic streets. Due to their high social status, they couldn't just watch the streets out of their windows. Special mirrors were installed on their houses so that local nobles didn't have to look out of their windows like ordinary citizens. Some mirrors that can be found in today's historic district appeared here more than a hundred years ago. There is no longer a need for them, but our contemporaries do not intend to remove the unusual historical symbol from the old facades. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Aalborg lives a rich cultural life - a lot of interesting holidays and festivals take place in the city throughout the year. An annual carnival dedicated to the long-awaited arrival of spring has been held here since 1983. This holiday is considered one of the most spectacular in the city's calendar. The main event of the carnival is a solemn procession passing along the central streets. Local folklore groups and ordinary citizens take part in it, and foreign guests of the city can join the carnival too.

For the parade, local residents prepare colorful costumes. Preparations for the holiday begin a few months prior. During the carnival, a solemn regatta of sailing ships passes through a large canal that crosses Aalborg. All of them are brightly decorated on the occasion of the holiday. The harbor area is the endpoint of the regatta. Each year, within the framework of the carnival, they crown the King selected from outstanding figures of art and culture from various cities of Denmark.

On the day of the carnival, musical and dance performances are held in the streets and squares, and a special entertainment program awaits young participants in the festival. Fairs where they sell interesting souvenirs and the best regional delicacies are very popular with tourists. The carnival ends with a traditional firework. During its period, the city receives the largest number of visitors. In recent years, at least 25,000 people have taken part in the solemn procession that takes place along the city's main streets.

According to historical traditions, local residents always celebrate major religious holidays on a grand scale. Rich entertainment programs involving all kinds of performances and fairs are organized on the occasion of Easter and Christmas. Historical festivals dedicated to Viking culture are another important component of the cultural calendar. They are held every year on the grounds of ancient castles, which are abundantly found in the vicinity of Aalborg. Guests of such festivals will have the opportunity to observe historical reenactments, try on beautiful old costumes, and taste dishes prepared according to ancient recipes. Historical festivals are always accompanied by workshops at which everyone can learn how to create works of craft art. Tourists are especially attracted by the opportunity to shoot a bow and gain some skills. Aalborg is a modern vibrant city where modern trends are closely intertwined with never-dying traditions of the past.