This article takes you to a trip from one European capital to another. Before moving to Copenhagen I lived in Amsterdam – the most liberal city in the world. And now, I came back to spend my Christmas holidays here. In this modern society, due to open borders and opportunity of distant work people immerse themselves into a nomad style of life. Probably, in the nearest future the relevance of “nationality” will fade away and humans will become an intercultural, cosmopolitan personality. But, I will stop the big questions and will tell my tale of two cities.

Inevitably one who changes cities tries to compare them. As this part is very personal I want to warn that some of you may totally disagree with my opinion. But the advantage of democratic society is freedom of speech. So I will continue.

Two western capitals, where culture and diversity thrive, have common lifestyles but still are far too different. When Amsterdam is partying and raving all year round, Copenhagen accumulates festivals and happenings in a summer season. I have an impression that the Danish fall in state of “couch potato” during the winter and when days become short their partying spirit fades. Everybody enjoys “hugge” (cosy) evenings with friends in bars or home parties only voluntarily going out for Christmas dinners and lunches. Those start already in November, long, long time before the Christmas and are usually big celebrations with a lot of food and alcohol.

The Dutch are not that religious nation as the Danish, who are mostly Protestant. Therefore, for the first Christmas is a traditional family holiday, while for the second – a religious family holiday. The Dutch get presents for Sinterklaas (St Nicolas), while Danes find wrapped gifts under the tree on the 25th of December.

No matter what are the peculiarities of celebration, both countries put on festive decorations and drink warm wine on the Christmas markets that appear on all major squares. It is the nicest time to spend winter evening in the city centre and enjoy “All I Want for Christmas” song with a hot drink. Oh, I adore this time of a year. Just before the Christmas, my friend and I organized a dancing flash mob in the heart of Copenhagen, just in front of the Christmas market. It had happened on the 19th of December, day before leaving to Amsterdam. So just during the shopping rush, Copenhagen inhabitants and guests of the city caught a break glazing at 15 girls jumping and dancing on Hojbro Plads. This was our manifest to a sleepy Copenhagen in order to wake it up.

After coming to Amsterdam I immediately checked Light Festival, which this year is especially magnificent. 39 installations are scattered both inland and on water. Everyone who is willing to see it can take either walking tour or jump in a boat. A diversity of ideas, shapes, colours and locations of Amsterdam Light Festival makes it superior than the Light Festival in Copenhagen, happening at the very same time. If you don’t believe me check yourself!