If you are in Norway in May, you’ve probably seen groups of teenagers walking on the streets, wearing the same overalls (blue or red, maybe black). These uniforms represent that they are russ: high school graduates. It’s a tradition in Norway that the graduates party for a month. They have some peculiarities like for example: they wear the same uniform all this period, they party and stay awake the night before National Day. They are popular among children, who run to them to get visit cards.
I am lucky enough to be able to interview 2022’s russ president in Rogaland state.
Like I usually say: it’s worth having Norwegian friends. Check my post how to make friends in Norway, by clicking here. Curious to know my cool information?
Here are the questions and answers:
- Is it true that you don’t wash the jumpers?
It’s not common to wash the suit because it is signed by friends and it’s ironed or glued with letters that write my name.
2. Who do you give visit cards to?
Each russ has 600 cards. We give them to whoever asks for it.
3. How many are you and how much money do you spend in renting/buying a bus?
We are 20-25 people on a bus. A bus costs around 500.000NOK or more. We do voluntary work for a couple of years to raise money, like selling toilet paper, doing bingo, etc. Some students prefer to buy a van instead, then they are 6-10 people. Others choose not to buy a bus nor a van.
4. What happens on the bus?
The russebus is equipped with large music system, disco lights, smoke system. So it works like a disco on wheels.
5. Can you drive and park anywhere to party?
The russebus can run everywhere, but we agree between the buses where we are going. We often park in deserted places, so we don’t disturb, and then it becomes like a festival area. We dance and run in and off each other’s buses.
6. How long does russetid party time last?
This year, russetiden (russ time) is from April 1st to May 17th in Stavanger. Other places, it varies from May 1st to May 17th.
7. Is it true that a russ has to complete a task in order to get an adornment on the cap? Can you say some examples of tasks?
The russ get knots in their hats each time they do different tasks. In the old days, it was allowed to run naked through the city, kiss a police officer, spend the night at a roundabout, but these are no longer allowed. So we have typical challenges such as chewing a whole pack of chewing gum at once, drinking a bottle of wine in 5 minutes, drinking 24 beers in one night, sitting with goggles for a whole hour. It is the school that comes up with the rules and the principal must approve them.
Do you like this post? Do you have such celebration in your country? Feel free to comment here and share this post.
You know what? I have inside information about russ parties for e-mail subscribers only. 😉 You can subscribe by writing your name and e-mail in the form here below.
Check my Instagram for every day in Norway.
Cover picture by By Peulle – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=79403876