Avnø Højskole

27/09/2025

🎬 Inside Avnø Oasis: Life in a Sustainable Ecovillage 🌱✨

We’re excited to share our new short documentary, beautifully filmed and created by Simple Frames. A huge thank you to her for capturing the spirit of life here at Avnø Oasis 💚

Avnø Oasis is a growing eco-village in Denmark where people from all over the world come together to live, learn, and co-create a more sustainable future. From community meals and shared projects to personal growth and cultural exchange, we’re building a home that values connection to nature, to each other, and to ourselves. 🌍🤝🌿

👉 Watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1z7THlUWC3o&t=1s

Welcome to Avnø Oasis 🌱This introduction to our eco-village was beautifully filmed and created by ​ ⁨. A huge thank you to her for capturing ...

01/09/2025

✨ What a weekend! ✨
Our DISCOVER BIODANZA retreat has just come to a beautiful close, and our hearts are full. 💛

Three days of movement, music, laughter, and deep connection by the sea, and what an amazing group of humans came together to make it happen! 🌊✨

A huge thank you to Paola Wales for guiding us through this journey of presence, expression, and joy, and to everyone who showed up with an open heart and danced their way into transformation.

📸 Here are some glimpses of the magic we shared – the freedom of moving without judgment, the power of community, and the beauty of nature holding us all.

💫 If you missed this one, stay tuned, more experiences like this are on the horizon!

👉 Follow us on our social channels and explore our website for our future events and courses. 🌿

26/08/2025

After stepping into the mysteries of Nordic shamanism last week, our Folklore For Future journey continued on August 24 with a walk into the green world of Slavic foraging traditions 🌿

This time guided by Helena March, we began with a discussion on how people once lived in harmony with the seasons, gathering berries, mushrooms, and herbs as part of their daily lives. Helena is originally from Ukraine; now she is a permaculture designer and teacher at Avnø Højskole. In the past, foraging was essential and greatly shaped culture and community in Ukraine and other countries around the world. Wild local plants contain more nutrients, strength, and resilience — gifts they pass on to our bodies when we gather and consume them with care.

Then the adventure began — we stepped outside with bags in our hands, learning about and picking lime tree, raspberry, strawberry, and blackberry leaves, blackberries, and discovering hawthorn along the way. In our herbal garden, we discovered oregano, thyme, lemon balm, mint, lovage, monarda, and more. Back at the Højskole, we started processing our natural treasures. We recycled our kitchen boxes and old fabrics into drying tools, and learned how to dry and store herbs properly. Later, calm joy filled the room as we played a little practical game: each person selected the herbs with relevant medicinal properties for them and created a personal tea mix. Everyone left with their own little bag of tea, carefully labeled with names, dates, and effects — small bundles of Slavic wisdom to take home 🍵✨

Participants shared how much they enjoyed not just the knowledge, but the diversity and flow of the workshop — walking, gathering, touching, smelling, creating. Many said they got new insights into herbs, tradition, and their lifestyles.

This event is expected to inspire participants both now and in the long-term: by reconnecting with Slavic and their own cultural traditions, the participants rediscovered how folklore is not something distant but a living practice, deeply tied to well-being, community, and sustainability. It shows how traditional wisdom can guide us into a healthier, more harmonious future.

🌿 Helena is happy to offer this kind of experience in other places too — if you’d like to connect with her, feel free to DM us.

This event was a multiplier activity for the Folklore For Future Erasmus+ project, carried out together with our partners Nausika Foundation (an educational hub in Krakow, Poland) and Hästekasen Gård - Bohuslän (a permaculture gardenfarm community near Gothenburg, Sweden). Our aim is to explore and bring folklore into modern times — as a source of wisdom, connection, and future inspiration 🌍 We are grateful to Erasmus+ for making such journeys possible, and to the European Union, whose support financed this event 💙⭐

20/08/2025

On August 18, our community gathered for something truly special. Fourteen curious souls from different countries stepped into the world of Nordic shamanism, guided by Rikke Schwegler and Olha Simon.

We began by learning about the roots of shamanism in the North — old gods, intuition, vision quests, spirit guides… the threads of folklore weaving into modern life. Then, with the steady beat of Rikke’s big white drum and her mystical singing, we journeyed inward. Lying on the floor, wrapped in sound, each of us drifted into our own feelings and visions. Some set intentions, some pulled metaphorical cards, and all came back relaxed — with smiles, tears, and glowing eyes. The sharing round afterwards was full of honesty, surprise, and gratitude.

Later, over a communal dinner, stories kept flowing — and as dusk arrived, we gathered again for the Vølve circle! The Vølve was a wise woman and seer in ancient Nordic tradition, and a Vølve circle is a ceremonial gathering where participants can ask her spirit for guidance, clarity, and support. The word "Vølve" is derived from “vǫlr“ — an Old Norse word for “staff”, because every Vølve has a staff, which is a powerful tool and represents her connection to the unseen world 🙂

Usually the Vølve circle is held under a tree in the forest, but this time the mosquitoes nudged us indoors 😆 With a little common song, Rikke invited the spirit of the wise woman, the Vølve, into the space. One by one, participants stepped into the circle and asked their questions — about life, challenges, choices, healing — and received answers that touched them deeply. The atmosphere was almost otherworldly, a mix of mystery and authentic presence. We stayed until late, and many left lighter, clearer, and inspired, and carried something valuable back with them 🌌

Rikke was very glad for the chance to share these traditions and would be happy to offer such experiences in other places too — if you’re curious, feel free to DM us for her contact 🌿

This event was a multiplier activity for the Folklore For Future Erasmus+ project, carried out together with our partners Nausika Foundation (an educational hub in Krakow, Poland) and Hästekasen Gård - Bohuslän (a permaculture gardenfarm community near Gothenburg, Sweden). Our aim is to explore and bring folklore into modern times — as a source of wisdom, connection, and future inspiration 🌍 We are grateful to Erasmus+ for making such journeys possible, and to the European Union, whose support financed this event 💙⭐

15/08/2025

🇩🇰 Danish participants needed for an Erasmus+ course at Avnø! (with Danish CPR)

Dear creators, makers, facilitators, trainers, nomads and seekers - we invite you to our first project! RAIN collective has gotten their Erasmus+ skill-share training approved, and we wish to bring together those looking to create life-sustaining change to exchange, expand and inspire and understand what wants to emerge when we come together.

What is RAIN? 🌸🌼🌺
RAIN is a new collective aiming to regenerate the relationships of people with themselves, each other and the world around through non-formal education. Our focus is on sharing knowledge, skills and presence with each other by creating emergent spaces for symbiosis, to foster interconnection and resilience.

When and where is the project? 🗓🕘🗺
2nd-10th of September, Avnø Oasis ecovillage in Denmark.

Who can join? 🐱🐭🐶
We are welcoming 18+ y.o. participants from/living in/connected to, the following countries:

- Netherlands (Adventures of the Valparaiso)
- Belgium (Gaia Education)
- France (Catfarm Education)
- Denmark (Avnø Oasis)

If you are not from/living in these countries or connected to these organizations you can still apply and we will try to make it possible!

Copy this link to fill the application form:
https://forms.gle/hYW8v1JKj1vLiigG7

01/06/2025

Last weekend, we hosted The Green Friends Gathering (De Grønne Venner) here at Avnø Oasis✨

The event brought together several Danish eco organisations: LØS (Danish Ecovillage Network), LØB (The Association of Ecological Building), PKDK (Permaculture Denmark), and PØ (Practical Ecology), etc.

This year’s theme, “Green Transition Together”, shaped a meaningful programme of assemblies, lectures, and workshops — all rooted in today’s ecological realities and the need for grounded, practical responses.

Before and between sessions, there were activities to relax — walks and bike rides in nature, yoga, meditation, qigong, singing, dancing, and enjoying organic meals. It was precious to see how people of different ages, backgrounds, and movements listened openly and exchanged ideas — including a beautiful Biodanza workshop: dancing together with joy, spontaneity and openness to connect, under the guidance of our facilitator Ana Maria💚

We’re deeply grateful for the trust of the organizing team that decided to host this gathering at Avnø and offered us this opportunity. As it often appears in a close collaboration, there naturally were some tensions and challenges, but we managed to co-create a meaningful space of connection and enjoy what we have created.

At Avnø Oasis, we welcome events aligned with our values of regeneration, connection, health, and conscious living. Feel free to reach out if you’d like to host your event here — surrounded by nature and shared values (Link in bio)📩

📷: Sissi & Echo

29/05/2025

🌿Our 2025 Growing Green Skills course is coming to an end — from March 7 to May 29, these 12 weeks have been a journey of learning, living, and growing together.✨

Students not only deepened their understanding of regenerative agriculture, permaculture design, sustainable systems, emotional intelligence, group dynamics and holistic health, they also explored the richness of community life: hiking through nature, visiting green projects in Denmark, and crafting with their hands. Beyond tending the garden, they learned to create with natural materials: from botanical signs to birdhouses, from handwoven baskets to home-made cosmetics.🧺🌱

They cooked in the kitchen, joined in cozy-crazy parties, explored towns and cities, walked quiet paths through fields and shores, laughed in the sauna cabin, and shared countless conversations. But these 12 weeks in our community also meant stepping out of comfort zones — adapting to Danish rural life, unfamiliar Nordic weather, and a new diet. There were challenges along the way, but our students met them with courage and willingness to dive in. Here, every photo is a reflection of those colorful moments, offering a glimpse of the life we lived together at Avnø.

We are deeply grateful to our students — for their spirit of exploration, eagerness to learn and wholehearted perseverance. Thank you for sharing with us the serenity of nature, the grounding ritual of preparing and enjoying food together, the peace of slow living, and the warmth of genuine connection across cultures.🫶

As this chapter closes, we hope you carry these memories and knowledge with you — as roots beneath your feet and seeds for the path ahead. May the joy, resilience, and connection you found here stay with you, wherever life takes you next. With all our love and gratitude — from Avnø.💚

📢 Our next Growing Green Skills 12-week course runs from March 6 to May 28, 2026. Early birds receive a 15% discount 🐣 Apply now — link in bio!

📸: Gab, Lena, Rin, Kota, Villie, Mari, Isabel, Momoka, Echo

22/05/2025

🌿What does it mean to live “regeneratively”? And why is “connection” the heart of it?

We had the joy of welcoming Joy😊 — founder of The Organic Company — to a special session in our Growing Green Skills course. Her story of leaving the corporate world to build a company rooted in sustainability was the perfect backdrop for this powerful lesson on Regeneration.🌱

In the first part of the session, Joy walked us through a vital shift: from Degenerative to Regenerative. Degenerative systems disconnect us: from ourselves, from each other, and from nature. They manifest in isolation, addiction, and destruction.

But we can choose differently.

Regeneration means healing. Repair. Reconnection. It is about creating life-supporting systems, whether in forests, communities, or our own inner lives.🫶

In the second part, we experienced “connection” in practice:

🫂Mindful Hugging: Holding each other in presence and appreciation.
👁️Eye Gazing: Looking into each other’s eyes — truly seeing and being seen.
🦶Grounding: Barefoot on the earth, reconnecting with nature in silence and stillness.

These weren’t just activities — they were invitations to remember that “connection” is the path to peace, collaboration, and ecological healing.💚

🌍We also explored the concept of Active Hope: a courageous way to face difficult realities without giving in to despair. Instead of freezing in fear or negativity, Active Hope invites us to take meaningful action, one step at a time. It’s about choosing to contribute, looking for positive signs, and staying connected to what truly matters.

🔄We reflected on the need to shift from Yesterday’s Logic — built on silos, hierarchies, and separation — to the Logic of Life: a regenerative mindset rooted in equality, inclusivity, collaboration, organic growth, transformation, and openness to possibility. Change begins with one small step up the ladder; and together, we climb.

✨Thank you Joy for your generous presence and vision. Let us keep walking the regenerative path, with open hearts, joined hands and grounded feet.🤝

📷

19/05/2025

We’re glad to be collaborating with our partner Nausika Foundation (Poland) on this Erasmus+ journey, alongside Hästekasen Gård - Bohuslän (Sweden), and soon we’ll be hosting an arts & crafts residency at Avnø! Participants from Denmark, Sweden, and Poland will come together to explore which elements of our past cultures — Slavic, Scandinavian, and beyond — are still relevant and valuable as we co-create a more harmonious and conscious future 🌱

In this new interview, Joanna Malita-Król, PhD and expert in contemporary paganism, shares insights into how neopagan traditions are practiced today and how they speak to the needs of modern people.

The Folklore For Future project, that we are engaged in, is co-founded by the European Union.

Religions and Traditions: Ancient Roots, Modern Relevance – An Interview on Contemporary Paganism in Poland:The next feature in the series created by the Fol...

15/05/2025

🌼Last Thursday, as part of our Growing Green Skills course, our students visited Køge fælles jord — a real-life model of sustainable, eco-friendly community life!🌿

At Køge Fælles Jord (“Køge Common Land”), we explored how permaculture, social connection, and ecological awareness blend into a meaningful way of living. The community grows a wide variety of edible plants, and designs the land to support biodiversity and food resilience. In particular, they practice what's known as no-dig gardening: layering cardboard, compost and horse manure directly on the ground to build healthy soil without disturbing it — making the process easier, more fertile, and better for the environment.💚

We saw their market garden, where locals harvest fresh vegetables themselves, reconnecting with the land and the seasons. One beautiful section is their edible forest garden, filled with trees, berry bushes and perennial plants — a long-term design that nourishes both people and soil. They’ve also built a greenhouse from reused materials, where peaches, almonds, herbs, and early spring harvests thrive.🪴

Their project ''Tiny Varigheden'' features tiny homes, created under strict state regulations to reduce ecological footprints — living proof that “less” can mean “more.” These homes reflect a lifestyle that uses just 0.6 of a planet’s worth of resources — compared to the global average of 1.7 or more.🏡♻️

Our host Marianne shared the heart of the project: a vision of self-sufficiency and simplicity, rooted in a meaningful life close to nature. We left feeling inspired, deeply connected and full of renewed hope.🙏

✨Would you like to gain sustainable knowledge and skills first-hand, try a lifestyle that’s gentler to the Earth, and help shape a brighter path forward?🌍
Check out our Højskole courses calendar in the bio and sign up! 💌

📷 by Lena & Kota💚

08/05/2025

🌱Our 2025 spring AIMA Coach Training has just come to an end. During the past 7 weeks, our students explored the AIMA method — a unique integrative approach that helps reveal the deeper emotional patterns and internal struggles that shape how we relate to ourselves and others.

AIMA stands for Awareness-based Integral Meta-Coaching Approach. It blends psychology, systems thinking, mindfulness and body-based practices — empowering people to support themselves and others through transformative changes.

In a time when crises rise faster than we can process them, many of us carry invisible stress and emotions that are hard to name. Learning to navigate difficult emotions and unconscious patterns isn’t a luxury, it’s a life skill.💪

The AIMA method helps us go beneath the surface, look deeper to the root of what drives us, and through mindfulness, body-based practices together with integral coaching tools, we learn to meet these layers with awareness, compassion, and clarity. 💙

Over the past 49 days, our students not only trained their coaching skills but also practised emotional resilience, honest communication and deep listening. They shared moments of joy and peace, found connection across cultures and generations.🤝

One student, Mitsuki from Japan, shared in the video the most impressive part of the course for her. As she said, she can now feel emotions that she used to suppress and has come to better understand her needs and goals. She recommends the course to anyone who wants to gain the skills to support others, especially when it comes to handling difficult emotions or situations. Thank you, Mitsuki 🙏

We also celebrate every student who walked this path with us — learning, growing, reconnecting with nature, enjoying nourishing food with our multi-nationality community.🫶

✨Would you like to build the capacity to support both yourself and others through life’s emotional challenges? Are you looking for emotional tools that truly help, a healthier rhythm of life, and a community that feels like home? Join us: the autumn course runs from Sept 26 to Nov 13 — Apply now to receive a 15% discount (link in bio)🌿

📷 & Momoka

07/05/2025

👉Tomorrow at 20:00 CEST ! Join us for the Virtual Tour of Avnø Oasis ecovillage — or invite your friends who are curious to try us out ☘️ 😀

Kristiane and Olga will be talking about...

why we joined our community
overview of our community’s history and future goals
some key features of our community that make it unique
the membership process for joining our community

Tomorrow at 20:00 CEST 🙌

Avnø Oasis Ecovillage is a diverse community and a højskole (adult learning center) where people come to explore their true self, learn regenerative and community-building skills, get new friends, enjoy nature, and live in harmony — together.