“Påskefjellet” isn’t a real mountain
If it’s one time of the year Norwegians go to their cabins, it’s at Easter meaning Påskeferien (the Easter holiday) to be when our major cities have their lowest populations. This time of the year, we like to say we are going to the “påskefjellet”. If you try to find it on google maps, you won’t find it, because it’s not a real mountain. Norwegians call all mountains in Norway “påskefjellet” during this holiday! So, if you decide to go to a mountain during Easter, you can also claim to have been to the famous “påskefjellet”!
Must read crime stories - “Påskeskrim”
As with some traditions, you just don’t know why we do them, but it is done just because it is tradition. There are various answers to the question why Norwegians love to read crime books during Easter, but one thing is for sure, it’s a must for many! Not only do we love to read about them, we also watch crime series on TV often imported murder-mystery shows from other countries. My mum once said: It’s not easter without crime, a little weird considering Easter is meant to symbolise rebirth and hope, right? Why not try reading a crime book and experience what the buzz is about this Easter? Some good authors to try are Jørn Lier Horst, Unni Lindell og Stefan Ahnhem.
Norwegian homes are adorned with “Påskepynt”
We love to decorate for Easter, and any other holiday for that matter. When Easter comes, we bring out the same decorations we have had for years and place them in the exact same place as every year. Yellow chickens, yellow tablecloths and eggs in all sizes and colours fill our homes. At school and kindergartens, we often bring in eggs, empty them (google to find out more..), and then paint them in colourful fun colors. My mum still has decorations I made at school, 20 years ago, and they go up every year and sits on the table.
Enjoy “Påskenøtter”, Easter puzzles and games
We love a good quiz, and Easter is the ideal time for this. Since 1984 Rune Gokstad and Øystein Bache have been presenting “EasterNuts” on NRK during the holiday, and it’s a fun, family oriented must-see program every evening.
We also love boardgames, and games such as Yatzi, Ludo and card games are amongst the classic boardgames we love to play during the holiday. Why not challenge your friends and family to a round of Yatzi?
Egg Hunts and Sweet Surprises - “Påskeeggjakt”
Easter egg hunt is a widely known tradition, and Norwegians love to do it too! If you’re at the cabin and there is a lot of snow, it’s so much fun to hide the Easter eggs in the snow! Some families don’t have the tradition of a hunt, but give cardboard easter eggs filled with sweets and chocolate!
