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Lesson Transcript

Hello, and welcome to the Culture Class- Holidays in Norway Series at NorwegianClass101.com. In this series, we’re exploring the traditions behind Norwegian holidays and observances. I’m Michael, and you're listening to Season 1, Lesson 14 - Fall Break. In Norwegian, it’s called høstferie.
Norwegian school children are lucky enough to enjoy a fall break, or høstferie, each year. Fall break normally falls at the beginning of October and lasts for a week.
In this lesson, we will discuss what Norwegian children do during fall break.
Now, before we get into more detail, do you know the answer to this question-
Do you know what type of berries are usually picked in the fall in Norway?
If you don't already know, you’ll find out a bit later. Keep listening.
As you can probably imagine, all kids in Norway excitedly await a whole week off school each fall. Fall is a time when it starts getting dark early outside, so it is important to allow children and families to take a break during this time. Norwegians typically go to their cabins, or hytter, or hike in the mountains or forest if the weather is good. If it rains, many people opt to enjoy games, hobbies and cooking inside.
During fall break, it’s common for many kids to harvest fruit in the family garden or take a trip in the forest to pick mushrooms, called sopp in Norwegian. Many Norwegians take their families on a mushroom hike, but it’s very important to keep the places one finds mushrooms secret, or hemmelig in Norwegian. Norwegian forests are not only packed with mushrooms, but also berries, or bær.
In the recent years, Octoberfest has become more common in Norway. Originally coming from Germany, the first Octoberfest was held in 2000. These days, large Octoberfest festivals are held in several of Norway’s bigger cities during the fall break. Norwegians gather to eat great food, drink beer, and participate in activities such as beer barrel lifting, in Norwegian called øltønneløfting.
In the old days, fall break was known as the potato holiday. The reason is that potato holiday, though it gave children time off school, allowed no time for vacation, just for work. During the potato holiday, the schools were closed so that Norwegian children could help pick potatoes in the field and make some money.
Now it's time to answer our quiz question-
Do you know what type of berries are usually picked in the fall in Norway?
Blueberries are the most commonly picked berries. Using blueberries, many Norwegians make jams and cakes, picking several boxes full at a time. The blueberries get frozen and last until fall of the following year.
So listeners, what did you think of this lesson? Did you learn anything interesting?
Do you have fall break where you come from?
Leave us your comments at NorwegianClass101.com, and we'll see you in the next lesson.

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