Archive for 'Traditions'
Norwegian Wedding Preparation Posted by kari on Dec 21, 2011
There are few places more beautiful to hold a wedding than in the various beautiful and romantic landscapes of Norway. In Norway, the brudgrom (groom) traditionally wears a hand-made woolen suit known as a bunad. The bunad consists of a white silk shirt, short pants and stockings that come up to the calf, a vest…
Christmas in Tromsø Posted by kari on Dec 9, 2011
Although I have not had the pleasure to spend Christmas in Tromsø (or any place in Norway), I can imagine what the island must feel like. Even on nice summer nights, people would pack into the cafés, bars, and restaurants. It was always very cozy, whether it was a Tuesday evening or a Saturday…
Thanksgiving in Norway Posted by kari on Nov 17, 2011
Perhaps you have spent a lonely Thanksgiving away from your family, maybe even out of the country. Fear not, if you happen to be in Norway for some reason during Thanksgiving and you are not with your family or other Americans, you can still enjoy a feast close to those we love here in…
Lutefisk Season is upon us Posted by kari on Oct 23, 2011
Whether you like it or not, it is Lutefisk season for Norwegians and Norwegian Americas alike! I must be honest, I have never ordered lutefisk at a restaurant and I have never chosen to eat it. The St. Olaf (my alma mater) cafeteria serves it every year in early December during the St. Olaf…
Akevitt-the Norwegian flavored spirt otherwise known as “Water of Life” Posted by kari on Oct 15, 2011
Akevitt (Norwegian spelling), akvavit and aquavit-however you prefer to spell it, is a delicious flavored (many are probably mumbling “speak for yourself” right now…) spirit home to Scandinavia-Norway, Sweden, and Denmark in particular. Brandy is known by the French as “eau de vie” (Water of Life). Of course I will be focusing on Norwegian Akevitt!…
Strange and interesting facts about Norway Posted by kari on Sep 30, 2011
Working for a company headquartered in a foreign country really makes cultural differences apparent. My colleagues and I often feel like anthropologists studying the potential reasons and implications for these cultural differences. Since I have spent more time in Norway than I have in the Netherlands, I have become very used to the differences between…
Inflyttingsfest-housewarming party Posted by kari on Aug 18, 2011
I don’t own a hus (house), but someday when I do, I’m definitely going to throw an inflyttingsfest (housewarming party). I have older friends that own a house, but none of my friends that are the same age as me (26) have taken that jump (or can afford it). In any case, in the next…