91Èȱ¬

‘Hygge’ (pronounced hoo-ga) along with ‘tak’ (the word for ‘thank you’ that we learnt from watching Borgen and other Scandi dramas) is one of the few Danish words to have become known to us in the UK.

It’s a word that means comfort, contentment and cherishing the simple pleasures in life. In lifestyle magazines it’s faux fur throws, cups of hot cocoa and scented candles; but to the Danish it has simpler and less commercial roots.

As these cold winter nights draw in after a difficult year of scant comfort, it feels like we all need some hygge and legendary Dane, Sandi Toksvig, will do her best to bring it to you.

Deep in the Danish countryside in her cosy wood cabin, Sandi will explore the concept of hygge and the Danish way of life and welcomes celebrity guests who join her in front of the open fire to explore what brings them hygge.

In this episode, 91Èȱ¬ Stargazing's Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock helps point out the constellations we can see when there is no light pollution and Youtubers Rose & Rosie try to embrace digital detoxing and the joys of glamping.

Additional material from Simon Alcock and Charlie Dinkin.

Producer: Julia McKenzie

A 91Èȱ¬ Studios production for 91Èȱ¬ Radio 4, first broadcast in December 2020.