{"id":71,"date":"2009-04-08T22:32:57","date_gmt":"2009-04-09T02:32:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/norwegian\/?p=71"},"modified":"2009-04-08T22:32:57","modified_gmt":"2009-04-09T02:32:57","slug":"russ-not-short-for-russell","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/norwegian\/russ-not-short-for-russell\/","title":{"rendered":"Russ-not short for Russell p\u00e5 norsk"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>It’s almost that time of year again.\u00a0 Russetid <\/strong>(Russ time, the ‘u’ pronounced like a short vowel with your lips pursed in a small circle).\u00a0 May 1st represents the beginning of a very important celebration in Norway-graduation from high school-which lasts until May 17, Norway’s Constitution Day.\u00a0 You are probably wondering what a celebration like this entails besides having a party.\u00a0 In the United States, most students that graduate from high school will have a party at their home to give friends and relatives a chance to celebrate the student’s academic achievements.\u00a0 And of course there is the graduation ceremony.\u00a0 And the loot students\u00a0receive from their guests.\u00a0 All of this essentially completes the celebration of high school in the U.S.\u00a0 Pretty weak compared to Norway.\u00a0 In Norway, these kids really know how to party!<\/p>\n

Norwegian students\u00a0celebrate graduation from high school in a much more serious fashion.\u00a0 The celebration lasts for over two weeks!\u00a0 Students (many with the help of their parents…) spend thousands upon thousands of dollars on items they deem absolutely necessary for a good Russ\u00a0<\/strong>celebration.\u00a0 The expenses can be huge when you add up the cost of russekl\u00e6r, en russebuss, musikk, og alt som har med fester \u00e5 gj\u00f8re <\/strong>(russ clothing, a russ bus, music, and everything to do with parties).\u00a0 A lot of students go on trips to different cities in their vans or buses.\u00a0 There’s always food and drinks (often copious amounts) to buy, in addition to club cover charges or whatever the case may be.<\/p>\n

While most students hope to purchase a big van that fits a group of friends, some spend upwards of 6,000 to rent a full-size bus, do some major interior and exterior decorating.\u00a0 Some go as far as to put a bar in the bus.\u00a0 Others spend thousands of dollars on prime sound systems.\u00a0 I remember hearing the thumping of super loud music from the russ <\/strong>buses\u00a0that drove\u00a0by my apartment when I lived in Norway.<\/p>\n

So how did this tradition start?\u00a0 Back in the 1700s Norwegians studied in Copenhagen because there was not yet a Norwegian university until 1811 (when the University of Oslo was established).\u00a0 Upon arrival at the university, students would have to take an exam, after which horns would be placed on their heads and they would be ridiculed.\u00a0 Later on when the results were ready, a ceremony was held to reveal which students passed the test.\u00a0 If you passed, the horns would be taken off your head, which would symbolize the right to refer to yourself as a ‘student.’\u00a0<\/p>\n

At the beginning of the 20th century, the tradition evolved into Russ <\/strong>wearing red caps.\u00a0 Today Russ <\/strong>wear caps (which have a tassel that they can attach items to, items that they have gained through completing certain ‘tasks’) and overalls with iron-on patches (also representing tasks that they have completed).\u00a0 The colors of Russ <\/strong>apparel correlate with areas of study.\u00a0 For example, blue = economics.\u00a0<\/p>\n

I’ve heard some pretty crazy stories about Russ <\/strong>celebrations.\u00a0 For you Norwegians out there, throw out a story!\u00a0 And for those of you who are familiar with other cultures’ traditions for graduation from secondary school, please share them if they are interesting!<\/p>\n

In my next post, I will provide examples of the ‘tasks’ (essentially dares) that Russ <\/strong>complete\u00a0to decorate their clothing and their pride with.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\"\"

It’s almost that time of year again.\u00a0 Russetid (Russ time, the ‘u’ pronounced like a short vowel with your lips pursed in a small circle).\u00a0 May 1st represents the beginning of a very important celebration in Norway-graduation from high school-which lasts until May 17, Norway’s Constitution Day.\u00a0 You are probably wondering what a celebration like…<\/p>\n

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