Discover the Happiness Museum in Copenhagen
Can you distinguish between a genuine smile and a forced one? What truly defines happiness? Furthermore, if you had the option to live in a synthetic world where only pleasant experiences occur, would you embrace it? These philosophical inquiries await visitors at the newly-opened Happiness Museum in , a unique institution that delves deep into the factors that contribute to our sense of well-being.
Situated in a late 18th-century basement on Admiralgade in , the Happiness Museum is spearheaded by Meik Wiking, the acclaimed author of popular books such as The Little Book of Lykke, The Little Book of Hygge, and The Art of Making Memories.
The museum is curated by the Happiness Research Institute, an independent organization dedicated to promoting well-being and enhancing quality of life. The museum showcases how happiness influences every facet of our existence through eight distinct rooms that explore various perspectives on the topic.
Visitors can engage in interactive experiences such as light therapy trials and thought experiments. For example, a wallet filled with cash is left in the exhibition area, enabling guests to learn about studies where researchers have intentionally “lost” wallets across various cities worldwide, assessing how many were returned.
The museum also features a geography of happiness section that investigates the influence of urban environments on happiness, revealing insights from the World Happiness Report 2020, which ranked happiness levels across 153 countries.
According to Wiking, “The UN has prioritized happiness in the World Happiness Report, where consistently ranks as one of the top countries for fostering well-being and quality of life. Therefore, it is only fitting that Denmark is home to a museum dedicated to enhancing our understanding of happiness.”
Other engaging sections encompass the science of happiness, its historical context, and future predictions. Notably, there is a dedicated area focused on smiling, offering insights into which side of Mona Lisa’s face evokes the smile. Additionally, a personal touch is presented through a collection of items donated by individuals worldwide, each representing a cherished moment of happiness in their lives.
For further details on the Happiness Museum, you can visit the official website.
