The Danish Tradition of Friluftsliv Is One We Should All Embrace

In the mid-1800s the Norwegian poet Henrik Ibsen used the word “friluftsliv” to describe the value of spending time in remote locations for spiritual and physical wellbeing. The literal translation is “open-air living.”

During the pandemic, artist Thomas Dambo decided to inspire more Danes to get outdoors by building a series of ten larger-than-life-sized trolls outside as part of a scavenger hunt known as The Great Troll Folk Fest. Writing for the BBC, Kristin Vuković describes troll seeking and visiting island “dark sky” havens in a way that will inspire your wanderlust for new experiences.

The good news is that finding a bit of friluftsliv doesn't require a plane ticket to Denmark. It mostly requires ditching your phone and heading outside.