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
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
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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
