Norway

NORWAY - Answers to some common questions. This e-book was written because I wanted to answer some questions about my

country. Some of these questions come from friends abroad, and some are ar e questions I have found on various internet sites. Index: Foreword Chapter 1: General questions about Norway Chapter 2: History Chapter 3: Culture and religion Chapter 4: People and lifestyle Chapter 5: Food Chapter 6: Holidays and celebrations Chapter 7: Christmas Chapter 8: Myths Chapter 9: Government and laws Chapter 10: Nature and animals Chapter 11: Agriculture and fishing Chapter 12: Various themes Chapter 13: Some common misunderstandings about Norway Chapter 14: Do’s and don’ts

Foreword Who am I, and why am I writing writing this book? Well I am a regular Norwegian, and the reason why I made this book is that I have gotten a lot of questions about Norway from my pen-friends and e-mail friends abroad. In addition I have also read some of the questions people have posted on various internet sites. There seems to be a lot of misunderstandings about my country, and I hope this book will help clarify some of them. This book is written for anyone who is interested in Norway, whether you plan to come here as tourists or not. Perhaps you are just curious to know more about Norway. I hope I can c an answer some of the most common questions. However there are certainly some questions I have not included in this book. I still hope you will learn more about my country from reading this book, and perhaps you will get so curious that you decide to book your next holiday in Norway. You would certainly c ertainly be welcome!

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Chapter 1: General questions about Norway In this chapter I will try to answer some of the basics about my country. Where is Norway?

Mainland Norway covers the western part of the Scandinavian Peninsula. In addition to the mainland, Norway also includes the islands i slands of Svalbard and Jan Mayen. Bouvetøya, off Antarctica, is also Norwegian territory. What is the longitude and latitude of Norway?

Norway is a very long country. The mainland stretches from about 57 degrees N to 71 degrees N. The arctic city of Longyearbyen on Svalbard is at 78 degrees N. Norway stretches from 5 degrees to 11 degrees E. What is the time zone of Norway?

Norway follows Central European Time Time (CET), which is 1 hour ahead of GMT. (2 hours when we we have summer-time) How big is Norway?

Mainland Norway is 323 878 square kilometers. kilometers. (125 050 sq miles) In addition there there are the arctic islands of Svalbard and Jan Mayen. Mayen. Svalbard is 61 020 sq kilometers and Jan Mayen is 377 sq km. 16 360 sq km of the country is covered by lakes. What is the capital of Norway? N orway?

Our capital city is Oslo. How many people live in Norway?

About 4.7 million people live in Norway. (January 2009) Which countries share borders borders with Norway? Norway?

Norway shares borders with Sweden (1619 km), Finland (727 km) and Russia (169 km) Is Norway a member of NATO?

Yes. Norway joined NATO in 1949. What other international organizations is Norway a member of?

Norway was one of the first countries to join the United Nations. We are also members of the















Oslo, Akershus, Aust-Agder, Vest-Agder, Buskerud, Vestfold, Østfold, Hedmark, Oppland, Hordaland, Rogaland, Telemark, Sogn- og Fjordane, Møre og Romsdal, Sør-Trøndelag, Sør-Trøndelag, Nord-Trøndelag, Nordland, Troms and Finnmark. What are the major cities in Norway?

The five biggest cities in Norway are: Oslo Oslo (575 000 people people)) Bergen Bergen (252 000 people) people) Trondheim Trondheim (168 000 people) people) Stavanger Stavanger (121 000 people) people) Kristi Kristians ansand and (80 100 peopl people) e) How many cities are there in Norway?

There are currently 96 places in Norway that have official city status. Some of these places are quite small, though, and tourists would probably regard them as small towns or villages. What are Norway’s main export articles?

The main export articles include oil, natural gas, hydroelectric power, fish, pulp and paper-products, and minerals. What types of industry does Norway have?

Norway has a lot of industry. It is a major country in shipping and ship-building, we have off-shore industry, metal industry, chemical industry, mining, fishing and paper production. Which countries are the main trade-partners trade-partners for Norway?

74 % of Norway’s export goes to the EU. And about 68 % of the import comes from the EU-countries. The Nordic countries, Great Britain and Germany are the main markets for Norwegian export. What jobs are common in Norway?

76 % of the Norwegian workers are in the service industry. 21 % are employed in the regular industry and 2.9 % are employed in agriculture and fishing. What is Norway really like?

Norway is a long country, and the nature changes a lot depending on where you are. So does the dialects, the food, the weather, weather, the culture and traditions. Mountains and plateaus cover about 2/3 2/3 of the country, and we also have a lot of woods. Norway’s coastline is long and rugged, scattered with fjords and thousands of islands. About 70 % of the country is not inhabited. Norway has 4 distinct seasons, and the amount of daylight varies a lot through the year. There are lots of old buildings in Norway, and many historic sites. The country has a rich and varied















southwest), Østlandet (the southeast), Midt-Norge (central Norway) and Nord-Norge (northern Norway). Every part of the country has its distinct charm. Sørlandet is known for the coastline, which is scattered with rocks and small islands. This region of Norway has the mildest climate, with little snow in the winters. The farmers in Sørlandet usually plant their crops at least 1 month before the rest of the country. The summers in in Sørlandet are often warm and sunny. Summer temperatures in this area area can get just as high as temperatures temperatures in Central Europe. Sørlandet is also famous for its small coastal villages. Often all the houses in these villages are painted white. Vestlandet is most known for the dramatic fjords, the mountains and the waterfalls. The climate there is also very mild. The fjords don’t freeze in the winter, and the area get a lot of rainfall even in the winter. The mild climate in the fjords makes them the ideal places for growing fruit. And especially the fruit blossom in Hardanger is famous. famous. Vestlandet is probably the region region of Norway that is most known in other countries. Foreign cruise-ships usually go to Western Norway, and the coastal steamer is also popular with tourists. Østlandet is the only region of Norway that has an inland climate. This area gets the most snow in the winter, and often very cold temperatures. The summers in Østlandet are usually warm and dry. The nature in this area is less dramatic than in the west. Østlandet has big forests forests and round mountains. The majority of the people in Norway live in this region. Oslo is also located here. Østlandet is shielded from much of the wild wil d winds that sweep the western coastline of o f Norway, and this region has a more stable climate. Midt-Norge also has fjords, but they are less dramatic than those in the west. The nature in Central Norway combines round mountains, woods and long fjords. The region has a lot of islands and a mild climate. Central Norway is often referred to as the “average” of Norway. N orway. This does not only refer to the nature, but also to the people. In most statistic studies the people in Central Norway will be the average of the population. Central Norway has a very varied nature and lots of historic places. Trondheim was the country’s capital for over 400 years during the Middle Ages. Nord-Norge is also famous for the the nature. A lot of tourists go to this region of the country. Northern Norway has midnight sun in the summer, arctic night in the winter, lots of fjords and islands. The region is known for the rich fishing and for the North Cape. Although the region lies far north, the coastal areas have a fairly mild climate. There is a lot of snow in the winter, but the the summers can get surprisingly warm. The plateaus in the inland can experience very cold temperatures in the winter. Most of the country’s Sami population lives in this region of Norway. What is Norway known for?

Norway is known for the nature, the the fjords, glaciers, islands and the mountains. Unlike much of the world it isn’t just the untouched nature that is famous. Part of what makes the fjord-landscapes special is the way they have been shaped by humans. The tiny farms in the steep steep mountains are big















The country has also played an important role in several peace negotiations around the world. We are also known for The Nobel Peace Prize. Wasn’t Alfred Nobel Swedish? Why is Norway handing out this price?

Yes, Alfred Nobel was Swedish. And all the other Nobel prizes are handed out by the Swedish Nobel committee. However, in his last will, Alfred Nobel wrote down the rules that the Nobel committees should follow when handing out these prizes. And in the will he also wrote that Norway should hand out the Peace Prize. There are lots of speculations to why he did this. At the time Norway and Sweden was in a union, and he might have wanted to give Norway the chance to gain some pride. Or he might have chosen Norway to hand out the Peace Price because at that time we did not have our own foreign policy, since that was controlled by Sweden. Having no foreign policy of our own might mean we were more neutral in choosing the recipient. But no one knows why Nobel made this decision. Besides nature, what do tourists want to see in Norway?

The Viking ship museum is a popular tourist tourist attraction, the Kon-Tiki museum and the new opera in Oslo also attract tourist, as well as the stave stave churches and the old stone churches all over the country. The main cities get a lot of tourists. The North Cape is popular, and the museums. museums. Other tourists want to visit the rural areas to get to know the people and the culture. What activities do tourists like to do when they visit Norway?

Well, Norway offers something for almost everyone, whether they like peaceful activities or extreme sports. Norway attracts BASE-jumpers, climbers and skiers. Others like to go hiking in the mountains, bicycling or canoeing. Some tourists want to go fishing; fishing; some go on whale-safari, elk-safari elk-safari or eaglesafari. There are lots of birds in Norway and it’s a great place for all bird-watchers. You can also play golf or stay on a farm if you want. There are also pastures in the mountains where you can rent rooms and see what life was like in the old days. Norwegians like to go from cabin to cabin, whether on ski in the winter or on foot in the summer. What does the name Scandinavia mean?

The name has German roots and comes c omes from the word Scania which means “danger” and the word awjo,, which means island. Scandinavia would translate awjo translate to “dangerous island”. In the very old days, people further south in Europe believed that the Scandinavian Peninsula was an island. The danger referred to in the name is probably the treacherous sandbanks around the southern tip of the peninsula. What are the similarities between the Scandinavian countries?

There are several similarities both in i n the culture and the language. The languages of Norway, Sweden and Denmark are mutually intelligible. We share a lot of common history, and all the three countries have been in union with each other in the past. We also have a lot of the same culture and traditions.















These two names are sometimes used to describe the same island group. But the difference is this: Svalbard is the name of the entire island group. Spitsbergen is the name of one of the islands islands in this group. The Svalbard treaty of 1920 gives Norway sovereignty over the island group. What does the name Svalbard mean?

The name Svalbard means “The land with the cold coast”, which is a very suitable name for an arctic island group. 60 % of Svalbard is covered by glaciers, glaciers, and the permafrost is from from 100 to 500 meters thick. Are there people living on Svalbard?

Yes. About 2000 people live on Svalbard. Most of them are Norwegians and Russians, but there are also researchers from all over the world living there. In Longyearbyen is the biggest settlement on Svalbard. The small city has schools, shops and a hospital. Longyearbyen was founded in 1906 by the Arctic Coal Co. the city is named after the company’s founder J.M. Longyear. Can tourists go to Svalbard?

Yes. A lot of tourists come to Svalbard every year. However H owever there are some restrictions to tourism there, in order to protect the vulnerable nature. There are several protected areas areas on Svalbard, and if you are planning to visit any of the national parks there, you must report your plans to the Sysselmann’s office. You might even be asked to sign a special insurance policy if your trip is considered dangerous. How many airports are there in Norway?

Norway has 98 airports. However not all of them are are used for commercial flights. Others Others are only used for small planes and domestic flights. Does Norway have electric trains?

The trains south of Trondheim are electric. But north of Trondheim there are diesel fueled trains. So, if you travel by train, you will have to switch train in Trondheim. What are the main risks of going to Norway?

The main risks would be accidents, weather conditions and natural disasters, even though big natural disasters are rare.) Several tourists get injured every year from walking in the rough terrain, and some tourists get lost. Bring along a map or a GPS and of course a mobile phone. But don’t rely too much on the mobile phone. There are lots of places in Norway where the mobile phone won’t work. In the summer, there is always the risk of local flooding. Especially the small mountain rivers can grow surprisingly fast. Don’t walk in a deep riverbed. The water can rise fast, and you might not find

















down at any time. Never go underneath a glacier unless you have a guide with you. Ice caves can collapse. Heavy rainfall can occur all year round in Norway, and on rare occasions they can lead to landslides. Even in the summer the nights can get cold, especially in the mountain regions, so you need to bring along warm clothes. Another risk is fishing at sea. There have been several accidents in the last years, where tourists have died. If you are at sea, you should keep in mind that the weather can change really fast. The wind can increase in strength, and the waves might suddenly get tall and dangerous. Always listen to locals and follow the advice you are given. In the winter the main dangers come from cold weather, blizzards and avalanches. If you travel in the Norwegian mountains in the winter, make sure to bring along extra clothes, food and a spade for digging a snow-cave. The weather can change really fast, and you might get lost. Even if you are crossing a mountain-pass in a car, you need to bring extra clothes and food. Cars can get stuck in the snow. If you go to Svalbard, there is always a risk of meeting polar bears. Unlike most wild animals, the polar bears are not afraid of humans. In fact, they regard humans as food. So you need to be careful in these areas.

















Chapter 2: History

When did the first inhabitants come to Norway? N orway?

The first people settled in Norway about 10 000 years ago. The first settlers were hunters, hunters, and they probably followed the flocks flocks of wild animals north as the ice withdrew. Is there any evidence of the first settlers in Norway?

Yes. There are lots of rock carvings in Norway. You can also find old tools made of flint-stone. Who founded the country?

The Vikings founded the country. country. In the beginning the country was ruled by local chiefs. It was first first united as one country in the year 872. When was the Viking age?

The Viking Viking age lasted from from about 800 AD to 1050 AD. “Officially” “Officially” the Viking Viking age started started in 793 AD, when Nordic sailors attacked the Lindisfarns monastery monastery on the east-coast of England. Were all Vikings warriors?

No. a lot of the Vikings actually did peaceful trade, and they founded lots of cities, including Dublin. How was Norway affected by the black plague?

In 1349 the black plague killed between 50 % and 60 % of the population in Norway. This lead to a time of decline, but for the survivors it actually led to a better time. A lot of farms were deserted, and those who had previously been living on small farms with unproductive soil could move to those abandoned farms and make a better life for themselves. A lot of Norwegian farms still have names referring to that time. Such as the name name Ødegård (“deserted farm”). This farmfarm- and family-name is used in several places of the country. What was the Kalmar Union?

















continued foreign rule, and they decided to make their own constitution c onstitution and declare independence. th This constitution was signed on May 17 1814. However Sweden did not accept Norway’s claim for independence, and Norway was not strong enough to win a war with Sweden. So Norway finally agreed to be in union with Sweden. Norway had some institutions of its own, but all foreign politics was controlled by Sweden. When did Norway become an independent country again?

Norway decided to go out of the union in 1905. At first Sweden was very opposed to this, and threatened to invade Norway. But the union was finally dissolved peacefully, and the two countries countri es have been living as friends ever since. In a referendum, the Norwegians decided they wanted a monarchy. Prince Carl of Denmark was chosen as the new king. He took the name Haakon VII, because that is an old royal name in Norway. He, his wife Maud and their young son son came to Norway. Their son was given the name Olav, which is another old royal name in Norway. How many Norwegians emigrated and went to the United States?

About 800 000 Norwegians emigrated, emigrated, of a population of about 2.4 million. Today there is more Americans of Norwegian descent than there are Norwegians in Norway! Who are some famous Norwegian explorers?

There are several famous explorers from Norway. Some of the most known are Leiv Eriksson. (Who discovered America in 1001 AD), Fridtjof Nansen, Roald Roald Amundsen, and more recently Thor Heyerdahl. What is the oldest city in Norway?

The oldest existing city in Norway is Tønsberg. It It was founded in the year 871. The city of Kaupang was the first city ever in Norway. It was founded around the year 800, but but it only existed for 150 years. When did Oslo become Norway’s capital?

Oslo became the country’s capital in the late 1200’s, under the rule of king Haakon the 5th. The process happened gradually, and there is no specific date when Oslo was named capital. But the city

















Chapter 3: Culture and religion Can you name some famous Norwegian painters?

Edvard Munch is probably the Norwegian painter that is most known abroad. Other painters include Adolph Adolph Tiedemann and Hans Gude. Can you name some famous Norwegian writers?

Henrik Ibsen, Henrik Wergeland, Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, Alexander Kielland, Knut Hamsun and Sigrid Undset are some well-known Norwegian writers, along with poet Andrè Bjerke. Can you name some famous Norwegian composers?

The most famous one is probably Edvard Grieg. Grieg. Are there any other famous Norwegians?

Two other famous Norwegians are mathematician Niels Henrik Abel and Kristian Birkeland (he did research on the northern light and founded Norsk Hydro). The first Secretary General of the UN, Trygve Lie, was also Norwegian. What is the main religion in Norway?

About 90 % of the population is Christians, and about 83 % are members of the state church. Most Norwegians are Protestants, but 4.5 % of the population is members of other Christian communities, 6 % refer to themselves as atheists, 2 % are Muslims and about 1 % of Norwegians have other religions. All major world religions are represented in Norway, as well as some smaller religions. When did Norway become a Christian country?

Christianity came to Norway in the 10th and 11th century. The process process of introducing introducing Christianity took a long time. The king Olav Haraldsson is credited with making Norway Norway a Christian country. The king was killed in battle with local chiefs at Stiklestad in 1030 AD, and was later made a saint. When When the king became a saint, the Christian church won its final battle over the Old Norse religion.

















Norway is a secular country, and a lot of Norwegians rarely go to church. But this doesn’t necessarily mean that they are non-religious. Most Norwegians are members of the state church. Most baptize their children in church; have a Christian communion and a church wedding. And even though the number of Norwegians who call themselves “Christian” has dropped, the number of people that say they are “spiritual” “spiritual” has grown. grown. Are there cathedrals in Norway?

Yes. There are cathedrals in Norway. The biggest one is Nidarosdomen in Trondheim. Are there mosques or synagogues in Norway?

Yes. Norway has several mosques and synagogues. Most of them are in the major cities. Is it true that Norway used to be a pilgrim destination?

Yes. Nidaros was a major pilgrim site in the middle ages. In fact, it was the third most important Christian pilgrim site in the world. (After Jerusalem and Santiago di Compostella) Who was St Olav?

St Olav was the king who is credited with making Norway a Christian country. His real name was Olav Haraldsson. He was killed in the battle of Stiklestad July 29th 1030. He is said to have performed several miracles both before and after his death, and he was later made a saint. Can you name some famous Norwegian musicians of today?

In classic music, there is Arne Nordheim. Jan Garbarek is a famous jazz-musician. But Norway is also known for black metal. Several Norwegian black metal bands are famous all over the world. (Such as Gorgoroth and Satyricon) What are the main tourist attractions in Norway?

The main attraction is the nature. The fjords in western Norway are particularly famous. Norway is also known for mountains and glaciers. Other tourist attractions include the Viking ship museum, the Kon-Tiki museum, the stave churches, the North Cape. What are some traditional crafts in Norway?



















Bryggen, the hanseatic wharf, in Bergen. The rock carvings in Alta and the Struve Arc (which is a chain of survey triangulations stretching from Hammerfest in Northern Norway to the Black Sea) What are the most popular tourist sites in Norway?

The most visited places in 2008 were; 1. Galdhøpiggen (Norway’s tallest mountain) 2. The Nigard glacier 3. The Geiranger fjord 4. Vøringsfossen waterfall. Does Norway have a lot of museums and theaters?

All the major cities have at least one museum and one theatre, some have more. And a lot of the smaller towns also have local museums and even local theaters. In the summers there are also al so several places where you can see outdoor theatrical performances. Most of these performances are historical reenactments. You c an even experience outdoor operaperformances. Does Norway have festivals featuring modern music?

Yes. There are several such festivals, all over the country. You can check out the homepage of visit Norway for more details about such events. www.visitnorway.com What do I have to remember as a tourist in Norway?



















Chapter 4: People and lifestyle What is the main source of energy in Norway?

About 70 % of the energy in Norway comes from hydroelectric power. What is the literacy rate in Norway?

It’s almost 100 %. Where do the majority of the people live?

Most people live in cities. The majority of the population lives in south-east of Norway and along the coastline in southern Norway. What are Norwegians really like?

Norwegians are mostly open-minded and friendly. Some say we are a bit shy, but once you get to know Norwegians they will treat you like a friend. friend. Don’t be surprised if Norwegians Norwegians invite you to their home. Norwegians appreciate honesty. They are down to earth and proud of their heritage, but they still like to explore new ideas and new trends. In Norway we rarely use titles when we talk to people. Most people only use first names, and this might be unusual to those who are used to “Mr”, “Mrs.” and “Miss”. But Norwegians don’t do this to be rude; they are just used to there being little class difference in the society. We don’t have much of an “upper” or “lower” class in the society. People in Norway never brag about wealth or positions. They don’t like to show off, and they don’t



















Does Norway have universal health care?

Yes. You don’t pay any hospital bills. If you go to the doctor doctor you will pay a users fee, but only up to a certain amount. Is higher education free in Norway?

Yes. Kids might have to pay for books and computers, but the school itself is free. What hobbies do Norwegians have?

Norwegians like to be active, and sports are a popular hobby. Traditional crafts are also popular, and Norwegians read more books per person than any other country in the world! What sports-activities are popular in Norway?

Some of the most popular sports are cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, soccer, and golf, skating, hiking and bicycling. But you will find a lot of different activities in Norway. How long is the maternity leave in Norway?

Total parental leave in Norway is 44 weeks weeks with 100 % pay, or 54 weeks with 80 % pay. Fathers have to take at least 4 weeks of the total leave, or else the parents will lose those weeks. Mothers have to take at least three weeks. The first 6 weeks are reserved for the mother, but the rest of the period can be divided between the parents. A lot of Norwegian fathers chose to take at least 3 months of the total leave. When do most Norwegians take their summer holiday? holiday?



















What are Norwegian families like?

Very varied! Most live in traditional nuclear families, but people don’t necessarily get married before they start a family. There are also a lot of single parents, some people live in gay or lesbian relationships and other people live alone. On Norwegian farms it is still common for the grandparents to live there after they have passed on the farm to the next generation, but in cities most grand-parents don’t live with the family. How should you greet people in Norway?

You should be polite the first time you meet a person, of course. But most Norwegians will quickly include you in their circle of friends. Norwegians greet each other by a simple hand-shake. Look the person in the eyes when you greet them, and say your name. Don’t be surprised if Norwegians only introduce intr oduce themselves with their last name, OR if they only say their first name. You can certainly certainly use Mr, Mrs. or Miss the first time you meet people, but the Norwegians Norwegians will probably ask you to just use their first names. Norwegian women expect to be treated with respect both in business-life and privately. Keep in mind that just because two people are living together they might not be married. So when you greet a woman, woman, don’t expect her to be “Mrs. Jensen” even even if she is living with Mr Jensen! How should you behave when you are invited to a Norwegian home?

Don’t be surprised if you are invited to family dinner or to coffee. Norwegians are mostly friendly and open, and they like to make new friends. A lot of invitations are given orally. Written Written invitations are only used for special occasions. In Norway people expect you to arrive on time, whether it is a formal meeting or a private dinner. It is considered rude to be late, so try to be there in time.



















Chapter 5: Food What types of food are popular in Norway?

Bread, fish, meat, pasta, pizza… The Norwegian diet is very varied. Norwegians also eat a lot of cheese, yoghurt and other milk products. Is Norway known for any special type of food?

Norway is known for fish, smoked salmon, salmon, cured salmon and trout. The country is is known for food with pure tastes. Traditional Norwegian food doesn’t “cover up” the taste by using a lot of spices. The natural tastes are preferred. Cured ham is also used a lot in Norway. And geitost is popular. It is a brown cheese made of goatmilk that is famous among tourists. What do Norwegians eat for dinner?

Norwegians eat all sorts of food. Meat-cakes, Meat-cakes, fish and other traditional dishes are still popular, but so is pasta, taco and several several international dishes. What do Norwegians eat for dessert?

Ice-cream is a popular dessert. So is jelly, chocolate pudding, fresh or frozen berries, fruit soups and fruit porridges. What do Norwegians eat for breakfast and supper?





















venison (elk or roe-deer). It is traditional to serve the best local food food for special occasions. You could also be served fårikål (mutton and cabbage stew), lapskaus (stew) or a cold buffet. In Western Norway you might get smalahove (sheep’s head) or pinnekjøtt (mutton ribs), in Northern Norway you might get lutefisk, fish soup, halibut, crab or reindeer meat, and in the the south you might get shrimps or crawfish. In central Norway it is common to serve sodd (a local meat soup) for special occasions. All over the country most dinners are served with flatbread on special occasions. For dessert you might get cloudberries, or cloudberry cream. Others like to serve creamed rice pudding, chocolate pudding or caramel pudding. All Norwegian families have their own traditions, and they like to stick with them. What is served when you have guests?

It depends on where you are in the country and on how formal the gathering is. If it’s dinner you can expect some local specialty, or a koldtbord. If the invitation is for coffee, you will be served cream cakes and baked goods (often prepared by the host or hostess). It can be cookies, chocolate cake, Swiss Swiss roll or some Norwegian specialties. Inviting people for coffee is very common in Norway. It is also popular to invite people over for for a barbeque or garden party in the summer. summer. Then you can





















Chapter 6: Holidays and celebrations In this chapter I have included the most important holidays in Norway, and some details about how they are celebrated. celebrated. Not all of these holidays are public public holidays. (A public holiday in Norway Norway is a day when banks and stores are closed.) New Year’s Day

New Year’s Day is a public holiday. All stores are closed on this day. For For most people this is a quiet day that they prefer to spend with their close family. According to old traditions there should be food on the table all day on New Year’s Day. Mother’s day

In Norway, mother’s day is the second Sunday in February. On this day kids will usually get up early and decorate a cream-cake for their mother. They also make coffee. (Young kids will get help from their father for this). The coffee and cake is served to the mother on her bedside. Norwegians also





















chance to go skiing that season. Others go to the coast, to their boat or coastal cabin. Some like to travel abroad, and others use Easter to relax at home. Easter often means the start of spring, so some people spend this week in their garden, preparing for the summer. Norwegians also read a lot in the Easter, especially crime novels. And they like to watch crime series on TV. This is said to have have started out several decades ago, with a mysterious headline headline in a newspaper. The headline said; “The train to Bergen was robbed last night”. The headline was actually a clever marketing strategy for a new book, but this event is said to have started the connection between Easter and crime stories. Because people have a lot of spare time in the Easter, they like to read, and crime novels are a popular choice even today. st

May 1

International Labor Day is a public holiday when all stores and schools are closed. Lots of people still go in parades to demand demand better local and international labor rights. There are speeches speeches for the day, often made by a politician or a local labor leader.





















No. Every community has its own parade. th

Who started the May 17 celebrations?

Officially the celebration was started by a man named Peder Qvam. He started started the first children’s parades in 1870. Mr Qvam was a friend of the famous writer Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson. (But other areas of the country claim that they were the first to start this tradition.) In the beginning the parades were only for boys. The first girls were allowed allowed to join in 1889. What clothes are worn on May M ay 17th?

Those who have bunads will use them on this day. But everyone dress in their finest clothes. Depending on the weather it might be necessary to use warm jackets or rain-clothes, but even if the weather is cold or wet this is still always a nice day! What food is eaten on May 17th?

Traditionally Norwegians eat a lot of hot dogs and ice-cream on May 17th. Cured ham is also popular. It’s also common to serve cream-cakes and jelly in the evening.





















Isn’t May 17th the Independence day?

No. May 17th is the Constitution Day. Summer solstice

This is not a public holiday, but it was always an important day. Because the Norwegians live live so far north, the variation in the length of the day are very big. On this day the sun has reached its northernmost point in the sky. Traditionally all “kringgjerning” is forbidden on this day. “Kringgjerning” is doing something that makes a circular circular motion. Like spinning a wheel or even drawing a circle. St Hans – midsu midsummer mmer (also known known as Jonsok Jonsok))

Midsummer Eve is on the 23rd of June. This is an old celebration to mark the summer solstice. The name St.Hans is a Christian name, referring to John the Baptist (Johannes in Norwegian). But this day has been celebrated long before Norway became a Christian country. The evening is i s celebrated with th barbeques, huge bonfires and music. Midsummer Day is on the 24 . These days days are not public holidays, but they are still celebrated. There is a lot of superstition surrounding this celebration.























Father’s Day is on the second Sunday of November every year. This day is celebrated much like Mother’s Day. Kids will serve coffee and cake on the bedside, and give their fathers and grandfathers nice gifts. Advent

The last four weeks before Christmas are called c alled advent. The first Sunday of advent is the beginning of the church year. Lucia























Chapter 7: Christmas Christmas in Norway is a mix of heathen heathen and Christian traditions. The heathen midwinter celebration celebration called Jul is very old. It marked the winter solstice. What is Advent?

The four last weeks before Christmas are called c alled advent. This is a time when you should prepare for























sing. They also hand out Lussekatter. In earlier days such parades would go from door to to door in the neighborhood. Lucia was a young girl who died as a martyr in Italy in the fourth century AD. Lucia is celebrated in the darkest time of the year. The candles symbolize that the light will win over the darkness, and that the sun will return again. Does Norway have a lot of snow in the Christmas?

That actually depends on where you are. In the inland there is usually snow for Christmas, but along the coast it can vary a lot. You might be surprised at how mild the coastal areas can be.























Norwegians also often decorate with snowflakes, tiny stars and birds. The birds symbolize the Holy Ghost. The tree can also be decorated with ginger-bread figures. Who brings the gifts?

It depends. It could be Santa Claus, but it can also be the local nisse. When do the children open the gifts?























It is still common to dress out and “go Julebukk”. In this tradition people go to the neighbors and knock on their doors. Nowadays it’s mostly kids who go Julebukk, but in the past it was something everyone did. The Julebukk used to be a scary creature, but today the kids who go Julebukk will sing songs, and for this they get some candies or other treats from the people they visit. What food is eaten for Christmas? C hristmas?

That depends on where in Norway you are. Different parts of the country have different traditions. Often there will be porridge served in the daytime on Christmas Eve. In one of the bowls there is an almond hidden, and the person who finds it will get a gift (mostly a marzipan pig).

























Chapter 8: Myths























the water. Nøkken wants to drag people into the water.























stayed friendly with the hulder, she would be successful and the cows would remain healthy and give























one knows yet what these beings are.























In the beginning there was no time. Then the Norse gods gave the jotne-female Natt (night) and her























































































































































































































































































































Norway

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