The Norwegian Easter


Illustrations: "The Social Guidebook to Norway"

Norwegians love Easter

The country virtually stops for about a week

The cities are empty

Those left behind are hytte-løse Norwegians and immigrants

Most Norwegians are up in the mountains at the winter cabin, or vinterhytte

At the vinterhytte i påske Norwegians går på ski

They organize ski races and compete 

But Norwegians do not really like to compete

So they create an "ideal time" - idealtid - for each race

Idealtid is not the best race time, it is a random race time that anyone can achieve

You set that time secretly

And the one who finishes closest to that ideal time wins

Anyone can win, you do not need to be good

Everyone has a chance to win in Norway

 

They also play quiz 

This is a great way to connect with Norwegians

It is a type of "framed activity" which frame socialization in Norway

As explained in our Social Guidebook to Norway

Norwegians also eat Lammelår and light candels at Easter

They spend time with their hyttevenner

These are friends which Norwegians only have at the hytte

They have a great time at the hytte together but nearly never meet these hytte-friends in the city

Easter is one of the happiest times of the year in Norway

It is when the Sun is back and you can enjoy the first sun rays on your skin

After six long months in the dark

This year was a fantastic Easter with loads of snow and sun

--

We are looking forward to a great spring talking and writing about Norwegians

Read more about our amazing Norwegian friends and their culture in our Social Guidebooks to Norway 

 

By Julien S. Bourrelle

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