Embrace the Richness of Norway’s Culture and Traditions

From stirring Landscapes to extraordinary cuisine, Norway allures you with a remarkable character like no other. Norway is one of the world’s most beautiful countries and Norweigan culture, one of the most sought after. Whether you take a trip to Norway’s busiest cities or it’s remote countryside villages, the cultural attributes of this country will reel you in with its uniqueness. Much of this Norwegian culture, can be followed back to the 8th-century Viking era when a crowd of Scandinavian seafaring pirates and trade pioneers settled in this region.

And even today, Norwegians honour this rural culture by donning traditional costumes, cooking classical cuisine and dancing to the tunes of folk music. More contemporary representations of Norwegian culture are Constitution Day and Jante Law. Constitution Day falls on May 17th each year, the day when entire Norway celebrates its nationhood by partaking in parades with bands and performers. Jante Law, on the other hand, lays stress upon egalitarianism by highlighting modesty, equality, esteem, integrity and uniformity.

Then there’s landscape culture! From steep-sided Norwegian fjords to notched coastlines to glaciers and ice fields, Norway’s panoramic depths, echo primaeval fortifications and unimaginable majesty of the Arctic. Everyone residing in and visiting Norway is bound to enjoy nature very much. Which, is what makes Norway, one of the most breathtaking and diverse European adventure destination. Some of the activities on offer are cycling, dog-sledging, world-class hiking, white-water rafting, skiing and snowmobiling. An exciting way of embracing nature!

The abundance of natural wonders also makes Norway home to a crowd of wildlife. From polar bears, moose, wild reindeers, musk oxen, walruses to Arctic foxes, exotic birds, humpback, orca and sperm whales; Norway is a prized habitat of many wild species. Norway’s cultured life exhibits a Scandinavian aptitude for style through various eras. Boasting a trail of architectural icons, UNESCO sites, traditional wooden homes and magnificent archipelagos, Norway ranks among Europe’s most photogenic nations.

Gastronomy in Norway is sophistication served on a plate. Through their food, Norwegians expand the bounds of their cultural passion while riding intensely on a centuries-old tradition. Most dishes are light, delicious and are usually brought with mild North and Baltic sauces. Locals say that a trip to Norway is incomplete until you have tasted the authentic Norwegian Fiskesuppe (fish soup), Røkt Laks (smoked salmon), sild pickled herring, and Gravlaks (salmon filets) served with mustard sauce. Music too contributes exceedingly to Norwegian culture.

From January when Norway hosts Nordlysfestivalen, a week-long Northern Lights Music Festival, to mark the return of the sun; to spring when Bergen International Festival takes centre stage with some of the best contemporary music, Norway is quite a music festival haven. Take UKA Trondheim, a three and a 1/2 week-long Norwegian fest starring international and local artists. It’s the largest festival in Norway superintending classical music, rock concerts, theatricals, wrestling, juggling, crime writing and so on. As for shopaholics, you must shop for wood souvenirs, pottery, jewellery, textile and leather crafts. While here, I learned a few common Norwegian phrases as well, and they turned out to be quite handy.

Good Morning – God Morgen

Cheers! – Skål

Good Night – God Natt

Sorry – Beklager

Yes – Ja

No – Nei

Thank you – Takk

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