Your description of the celebration sure does sound very Danish. I can see why going back to this place must be really emotional for you.
Traditions are good for family members to connect. My parents are currently trying to sell their house where I grew up. It is really weird to see the sale sign in front of the lawn. That house is so full of memories and is still the place where the entire family is gathered during summer holidays and christmas celebrations. I am not sure how we will manage the traditions when my parents do finally move..
@ronni, this was definitely a "different time." When my dad died (1978), in some way the "old fashioned" gatherings-- very Danish-- died with him.
Yes, it is very emotional to back now... in some ways, time has stood still here... the place is untouched by the passing of time and I can sense the echoes of the past here. But at the same time, I also stand there and know that we can never go back... because "back" is a feeling and a mood, not a place or an actual thing.
I am grateful to my aunt for more or less "insisting" that my cousins take over the house before she died, with some "creative help" from her. For many of us, it is the only old touchpoint we have now.
I'm sure it must be quite emotional for you to experience your childhood home being sold. Seems these are often time for reflection and to look at what is really important to us.