Fastelavn Fun!

Fastelavn is an annual festivity held the Sunday before Ash Wednesday. Everyone is invited to an evening of family fun (hitting the ‘cat’ out of the barrels) before the Lenten worship series begins later in the week. Fastelavn is the Scandinavian Mardi Gras.

According to the old Danish tradition, a black cat was placed in a barrel suspended from a tree branch. Batting the barrel ensued. The cat was chased out of town when it escaped as the barrel was broken open. It probably didn’t need much encouragement to leave town. With the cat went the community’s collective sin. As Denmark became Protestant, the festival lost some of its superstitious nature, candy filled the barrel, and children’s games and sweet buns marked the festivities preceding the 6 weeks of Lenten solemnity.

After gathering in the Parish Hall (also known as the Gym Hall) we take turns batting at three wooden barrels. Children go first, followed by women, then the men. A small cloth cat is tied into each barrel along with candy, coins, peanuts and straw. Children run to collect the goodies as the barrels break, and the batter who “releases” the cat becomes royalty for the year. A folk- dance promenade (and coffee) follows the crowning.

All are welcome – spectators and active participants each have a role to play!