From the beginning of the 17th century until 1814 Norway belonged to Denmark and had no flag of its own ...

From the beginning of the 17th century until 1814 Norway belonged to Denmark and had no flag of its own. In 1814 Norway entered into union with Sweden. In 1818 it was decided that Norway had to adopt the Swedish flag, but with a white diagonal cross on a red background in the upper left corner to signify Norway. However, the Norwegians insisted on having a flag of their own. In 1821 Fredrik Meltzer designed the flag as we know it today with an indigo blue cross outlined in white on a red background. In 1844 a Swedish-Norwegian variant appeared, with the Swedish union badge in the upper left corner. When the union with Sweden was dissolved on June 7, 1905, the original flag of 1821 became the official national flag of Norway.

As in other Nordic countries, the Norwegians fly the flag on festive, family, and official occasions. The flag is also flown for football champions, lottery winners, at births, etc. In other words: Whoever has a flag should fly it as often as possible.

»Ja, vi elsker dette landet« (Yes, we love this country) is the title of the Norwegian national anthem. The lyrics were written in Riksmål (written national language) between 1859 (first version) and 1868 by Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson ...

»Ja, vi elsker dette landet« (Yes, we love this country) is the title of the Norwegian national anthem. The lyrics were written in Riksmål (written national language) between 1859 (first version) and 1868 by Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, the later Nobel Prize Laureate in Literature. The melody was composed by his cousin Rikard Nordraak. The anthem was sung for the first time in public on 17 May 1864 in Eidsvoll on the occasion of the festivities of the 50th anniversary of the Norwegian constitution. Prior to that, the patriotic song »Sønner av Norge« (The sons of Norway) was considered to be the national anthem of Norway.

1. Ja, vi elsker dette landet,
som det stiger frem,
furet, værbitt, over vannet,
med de tusen hjem.
Elsker, elsker det og tenker
på vår far og mor
og den saganatt som senker
drømmer på vår jord.

2. Norske mann i hus og hytte,
takk din store Gud!
Landet ville han beskytte
Skjønt det mørkt så ut.
Alt hva fedrene har kjempet,
mødrene har grett,
har den Herre stille lempet,
så vi vant vår rett.

3. Ja, vi elsker dette landet,
som det stiger frem,
furet, værbitt over vannet,
med de tusen hjem!
Og som fedres kamp har hevet
det fra nød til seier
også vi når det blir krevet,
for dets fred slår leir.

Due to Norway’s unique geography and settlement structure, the country has many different local and regional dialects still in common use today. There are two official standard languages ...

Due to Norway’s unique geography and settlement structure, the country has many different local and regional dialects still in common use today. There are two official standard languages, Bokmål (literally: book language) and Nynorsk (literally: new Norwegian).

Bokmål is based on Dano-Norwegian, which evolved from standard Danish and was adapted to the phonology of the dialects spoken in eastern Norway. Nynorsk was developed by the linguist Ivar Aasen in the 1850s and is based on a combination of different West Norwegian dialects. Officially Bokmål and Nynorsk have the same status. However, Bokmål is used more frequently in Oslo and the big cities. Nynorsk is used by about 10-15 per cent of the population, mostly on the west coast, but is also found in government texts, literature, dramatic art, public broadcasting, and church services.

Mini language course in Norwegian:
Good day – god dag  
Good evening – god kveld
Hello – hei
Good-bye – ha det
Thank you – takk
Excuse me – unnskyld

May 17 is an important national holiday on which Norway celebrates its constitution of 1814 and the dissolution of the union with Denmark. The way it is celebrated has its origins in the mid-19th century ...

May 17 is an important national holiday on which Norway celebrates its constitution of 1814 and the dissolution of the union with Denmark. The way it is celebrated has its origins in the mid-19th century, not least thanks to Norwegian poet Henrik Wergeland.

The day has become a big spring party. People decorate their front doors and their cars with flags, balloons, and fresh green birch branches. The day begins with the hoisting of the flags and often also with cannon salutes. Many people go to a church service. Norwegians who own a national costume wear it on the national day. Today the Royal family, a symbol of the common national identity, waves to the parade of schoolchildren in Oslo from the balcony of the castle. This parade is the principal attraction of the day. Of course, marching bands, playing military marches and the national anthem, also take part in the festivities along with war veterans, firemen and police officers, and last but not least the so called russ – high school graduates celebrating their graduation.

In the evening there are fun contributions from the russ with self-decorated floats ironically presenting topics of public debate – almost like the German Karneval parades.

Christmas is called Jul in Norwegian ...

Christmas is called Jul in Norwegian.

Advent Season
The children have an Advent calendar. In some families, an orange is decorated with 24 cloves. Each day until the 24th, a clove is removed. December 13 is St. Lucia’s Day, which is celebrated mainly on the border to Sweden. Companies, associations, and schools celebrate the Christmas tree party, the Juletrefest, where people dance around a Christmas tree and drink glögg (hot wine punch).

It is a tradition to bake seven different kinds of Christmas cookies and to make your own Christmas decorations. On December 23, Lille Julaften, the family gathers at home and watches »Dinner for one« on television.

Christmas Eve
At noon rice pudding is eaten and at 5 p.m. church bells ring in Christmas Eve. Many people attend a Christmas service. On television the boy’s choir Sølvgutterne (the Silverlads) sings.

Christmas food in Norway differs from region to region. People either eat svineribbe (pork ribs), pinnekjøtt (cured lamb rib) or codfish. Creamy rice pudding with a hidden almond is served as dessert. The person who finds the almond gets a small present, usually a marzipan pig. Before dinner, a big bowl of rice pudding with butter, sugar, and cinnamon is placed in front of the door for the Julenisse (Christmas elf). After dinner, people dance around the Christmas tree and exchange presents. The children drink sweet red Julebrus at dinner, a red raspberry soft drink that is only available during the Christmas season.

Christmas holidays
The period between Christmas and New Year’s is called Romjul. The most festive Christmas service is on December 25. Traditional food on this day is e.g. Lutefisk (cod that has been soaked in lye and water and then air dried), different kinds of pickled herring, smoked meat and julepølse (Christmas sausage).

The children embark on a custom called julebukk (Christmas goat). They dress up as nisser (imps) and go from door to door, singing Christmas carols. In return they receive sweets.

Easter is called påske in Norwegian ...

Easter is called påske in Norwegian.

Since Holy Thursday is a national holiday in Norway, this makes for a nice long weekend to take a trip. Although statistically most Norwegians stay at home, it’s still a typical Norwegian thing to spend the Easter break in the mountains (til fjells). It is often the last opportunity to go skiing before spring arrives in full force. The weather is often warm and sunny, and the snow is wet. People always eat their provisions outside, either on the slope or leaning against the cabin wall with skis on their feet – oranges and nistepakke (homemade sandwiches) and drink something hot. A Kvikklunsj is always part of the meal as well (the Norwegian »hiking« chocolate biscuit). There is no luxury whatsoever in the mountain cabins, but people enjoy the simplicity and relax. People who don’t enjoy skiing just stay home or go for walks in the woods. It is »important« to get påskebrun, meaning to get a nice sun tan!

Whether you are in the city or in the mountains, everyone seizes the opportunity at Easter to drink the first utepils (a Norwegian expression meaning drinking beer outside) outdoors in the sun. A typical entertainment at Easter is reading or watching crime stories – either in book form or on television. We call it påske-krim, and every year almost all TV channels show a special mystery series.

We don’t hide eggs in Norway, but we enjoy painting them. Typical Easter decorations are made of pussy willow, birch twigs, tulips, lilies, and daffodils (just like in Finland); artificial eggs and down feathers are used as well. Yellow is the typical Easter colour, and the Norwegian Easter bunny is not a rabbit, but a påskekylling (chicken) that is of course yellow, soft and fluffy. As during the Christmas season, people eat sweets such as chocolate and marzipan, not in the shape of Santa and coloured red, but in the shape of eggs, chickens, and rabbits in yellow.

The Norwegian summer may not be very warm, but everything looks fresh and green, and the air is bright and clear. Above all, summer means almost endless daylight ...

The Norwegian summer may not be very warm, but everything looks fresh and green, and the air is bright and clear. Above all, summer means almost endless daylight!

Life along the coast is in full swing; people who own a boat are out on the water, and those who don’t spend their time on an island in the archipelago, peeling shrimp and watching the others a little jealously. In northern Norway, when there are no clouds in the sky, you can see the sun shine throughout the night. The most beautiful summer day of all is June 23, when Sankthans is celebrated. The name is a contraction of St. Johannes. Some people call Midsummer day Jonsok, meaning St. John’s day, in commemoration of John the Baptist.

Since ancient times St. John’s celebrations have been connected with the summer solstice, the longest day and shortest night of the year. There is something magical about it. In former times, people believed that plants at midsummer had miraculous and healing powers. Therefore, medicinal herbs were picked during this night. Today, unmarried girls and women still pick flowers – they have to pick seven different kinds – and put them under their pillow. It is said that by doing so they will dream a true dream about their future husband.

For a long time, one of the characteristic traits of the celebration was to make a bonfire, which is still the central theme today. Fire was used as protection against supernatural evil forces, for witches were said to wander around during St. John’s night to meet other evil beings. Today people celebrate with their families and friends, light a bonfire, and dance through the night. Usually the celebrations take place on the beach or at the shore of a lake, where bonfires are lit and barbecues are held already in the early evening. The Sankthans bonfires can be seen along the entire coastline.

Norway has many well-known and successful athletes who compete in traditional winter sports like cross-country skiing, biathlon, and ski jumping ...

Norway has many well-known and successful athletes who compete in traditional winter sports like cross-country skiing, biathlon, and ski jumping.

Norwegians are also experts in the newer winter sports disciplines such as Telemark skiing and ski orienteering. Moreover, there are exotic sports that derive from the Sami, the original inhabitants of Northern Scandinavia. When the darkness of winter finally comes to an end and gives way to the light, time has come for the reindeer race. The animals pull the skiers at a speed of up to 70 kilometres per hour over snow and ice.

Norway – like some other Scandinavian countries with similar systems – has a »right of public access« policy, a set of rights and responsibilities you need to know when you are roaming in nature. In Norway everybody is allowed to move around freely in nature, i.e. on the beach, in the woods, in the mountains, and in other areas, as long as there are no signs stating something else. That makes Norway an ideal country for hiking, climbing, sailing, and for all other outdoor activities.