How We Celebrate Easter in Norway

Easter is one of the most important holidays in Norway, and is basically a time where countries in the northern hemisphere celebrate the arrival of spring after the long dark winter. Norway however, spend this time clinging to and honoring the last of winter, because even after half a year of snow we are still not tired of it, or so it seems. Easter is also a great excuse to spend time with family and friends and having a long break from work and school. Norway actually have the world's longest easter holiday, which means schools are closed for around 10 days, and most people go on vacation. Shops are closed for many days as well.

Easter is mostly a christian holiday of course, but most people now associate easter with the earlier and more pagan traditions of celebrating the coming of spring. We decorate our homes in bright colors, branches with catkins and dyed eggs, little birds and chicken and hares. Flowers are abundant (usually yellow and white spring flowers), especially daffodils which in norwegian is called Easter lilies.

Easter holidays traditions however, seem kind of strange if you come to think about it. It is basically a spring celebration, but what we really do is saying goodbye to winter. It seems like we norwegians can't get enough of the snow. Because our main easter tradition is heading to our primitive mountain cabins far up in the roadless mountains, going skiing every day.

This is my brother and me.

This is kind of what you are supposed to do during easter, but of course many people would rather stay at home doing other activities. I did however grow up with these tradtions, which meant usually spending 10 or more days at our mountain cabin without electricity. It is located in the valley of my ancestors, so many relatives have cabins here as well. Usually there are metres of snow, so the only way to get around is by skiing.

Every year I find it harder having time for easter vacation, because adulting is hard. This year I was lucky to spend 4 days doing hardcore skiing in the mountains, meeting my family which I see only a couple of times a year, and even spending one of these days snowblading (it's a cross between snowboarding and slalom which I also do, but more fun and creative). All that fresh mountain air and strong easter sun was so refreshing!

Of course easter is not complete with out a large cozy family lunch with the everpresent eggs, lamb steak and decorations in bright colors, mostly yellow. There are chicken figures everywhere. And don't forget the oranges. Tradition has it where the easter bunny comes with eggs on Easter Sunday and hides them around. The children are often up early and go hunting for these brightly colored paper eggs filled with goodies.

When easter is over and we have travelled home from the mountains, we Norwegians will wholeheartedly welcome spring. The snow will usually start melting away and we can soon glimpse the first brave wildflowers.

What is your easter traditions?