Archive for 'Traditions'
Up the Mountain Posted by Bjørn A. Bojesen on Oct 30, 2020
What’s the most Norwegian thing there is? Above trolls, Vikings and brunost (Norwegian brown cheese), I’d put hiking in the Norwegian fjell [fyell] (mountains). Vil du bli med på fjelltur? (Do you want to go on a mountain trip with me/us?) Fjellturer are a sosial aktivitet which makes your heart go faster! Even if you…
17 Things to Love about Norway Posted by Bjørn A. Bojesen on May 17, 2020
Gratulerer med dagen! (Happy May 17th!) Today Norwegians all over the world are celebrating their grunnlov (constitution – from 1814). This year, of course, is very different. Most of the fun 17. mai-tog (May 17th parades) have been cancelled. 🙁 Instead, children and adults have to celebrate hjemme [YEMMeh] (at home). Let’s join the celebrations…
Christmas Countdown Posted by Bjørn A. Bojesen on Nov 30, 2019
Julemåneden er nesten her. (The Xmas month [= December] is almost here.) Like many Norwegian shops, your blogger kan ikke vente med å pynte til jul (can’t wait decorating for Christmas). Here’s a typical November pre-launch of a julekalender (Xmas calender) with 24 sweets, one for each day until julaften. But don’t click the first…
3 Billy Goats Bruse Posted by Bjørn A. Bojesen on Jun 30, 2019
Hello, how are you, see you later. As language learners, we often focus on everyday communication. Still, dreaming and telling stories is also important! Below is one of the most famous eventyr (fairy-tales) by the Norwegian folktale collectors Asbjørnsen og Moe (19th century) – De tre bukkene Bruse. (In English it’s known as Three Billy…
Christmassy Christmas in Norway Posted by Bjørn A. Bojesen on Dec 24, 2018
Nå er det jul igjen, og nå er det jul igjen, og jula varer helt til påske! (Now it’s Xmas again, and now it’s Xmas again, and the Xmas lasts until Easter.) This verse from a popular julesang (Christmas song) shows just how much Norwegians love jula [yoola] – Easter doesn’t even come close! This…
17. mai, Step by Step Posted by Bjørn A. Bojesen on May 17, 2018
Gratulerer med dagen, Norge! (”Congrats with the day”, Norway!) It’s syttende mai [May 17th] again, and Norwegians all over the world are rejoicing and celebrating their nasjonaldag [nashoNAALdaag]. A 17. mai spent in a Norwegian bygd (village/town) or by (town/city) is a great experience, so for those of you who haven’t got that opportunity, here’s…
Looking Back and Looking Forward Posted by Bjørn A. Bojesen on Dec 31, 2017
Da ble det jammen nyttår igjen! (Then it really became New Year again!) Nyttårsaften (New Year’s Eve) is a time for looking back at året som gikk (the year that went) as well as looking forward to det nye året (the new year). Let’s look in both directions in this post. 🙂 To recall something…