Easter in Norway

Category: Ramblings | Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 8:57 am

Last week-end was Palm Sunday, and this week is called the silent week. Schools are closed all week. Monday and Tuesday are normal work days, but Wednesday is a half-day. Thursday and Friday are red days, the shops open briefly on Saturday, and both Sunday and Monday are red days. Many Norwegians take the opportunity to go away over Easter. Some are lucky enough to get to use some of their holiday and spend an entire week-and-a-half somewhere else. Others set out Wednesday afternoon, and most go in search of snow and fun.

The Norwegian mountains have lots of cabins, normally clustered together like a little village. Easter is the time of year when those little villages come to life. If you're not lucky enough to have someone to look after your cabin, you'll probably meet a huge pile of snow with a chimney sticking out, and then it's digging time. Once the front door's been found it's time to get the fire place started, unpack and head for the slopes or the cross-country trails. Not surprisingly, lots of cabin villages are located close to the slopes or prepared trails. People without cabins often rent one or stay in hotels.

To many, the perfect Easter vacation is hot sun, powdery snow and all the time in the world to enjoy it with family or friends. Imagine, sitting by the wall with the sun in your face, eating oranges and biscuit chocolate. Mmmm! And board games in the evenings. In order to make the most of the vacation, people get very stressed. Yesterday the police had speed controls all over the country and they fined a speeder every five minutes. That's a nice start to the vacation, isn't it? The Red Cross is very busy during Easter too. People don't stop to think that they're out of training before strapping the skis on, and subsequently lots of them get hurt and get to spend Easter in hospital.

For those staying at home, Easter is a good time to enjoy the family, make good food, invite friends and let the stress of everyday life evaporate. Lamb is popular food, and magazines have loads of tempting recipes. The chickens and other decorations are brought out of hiding, and most homes have a plethora of yellow around Easter. The children are looking forward to Easter Sunday, when the Easter bunny has left the big Easter eggs by their beds, filled with all kinds of goodies. And one for the grown-ups too, of course.

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Sjoerd wrote on Thu Mar 20, 2008 10:59 am:

Droopy, it sounds like easter is a very active time up there, and with lots of possibilities for everyone. I especially likede the eating part. It sounds good. I can picture myself sitting with my back against the wall, face in the sun with a hot cocoa and a biccy at hand. Very nice image.

Speaking of taking the decorations out...have you and your kids made new decorations this year?
Why don't you show some of your decorations. We do not decorate here, but I sure do enjoy seeing other folks's.
Thanks for this nice insight into Norwegian culture.

Netty wrote on Thu Mar 20, 2008 1:12 pm:

Sounds wonderful Droopy!
Easter here is filled with great food, family and of course an egg hunt Sunday morning!

glendann wrote on Thu Mar 20, 2008 5:46 pm:

Droopy ,Our families always got together and had a big feast and egg hunts.The difference in our family was we were never taught the Easter Bunny brought the eggs.The kids always helped dye the chicken eggs and the older kids or parents hid the eggs.Lots of people teach their kids that the Easter Bunny lays the eggs and dyes them.My mother always said that is just to much to make kids believe.Its bad enough for Santa but she always taught us that Santa is only the gift of giving.If you believe in him he is there if not he isn't.

Droopy wrote on Thu Mar 20, 2008 7:21 pm:

The girls have made a couple of new decorations at school. We're planning to make some if we get a grey, rainy day, and I'll try to remember to photograph them if we do, Sjoerd. You know what my memory's like...

We don't hunt for eggs, and the Easter bunny thing is very new here. I haven't taught my children about it, they have picked it up themselves through children's shows on TV I guess, or from friends. We kind of just went along with it. The bunny's only connected to the eggs with sweets inside, though. More or less a tooth fairy with floppy ears, I'd say. :D

Mary Beth wrote on Wed Mar 26, 2008 7:17 pm:

Hi,
Thanks for your welcome to the garden stew! What a wonderful description of Norway at Easter time. My grandfather was born in Norway and I have always dreamed of someday visiting. See you again! Mary Beth