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| 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 9 - Advent. In Norwegian, it’s called advent. |
| Like many other countries, Norway celebrates Advent. The Advent period comprises the weeks leading up to Christmas and represents all the preparation that is done before December 24. |
| In this lesson, you will learn about Advent in Norway. |
| Now, before we get into more detail, do you know the answer to this question- |
| A long time ago, it was very common to serve a special type of dish during Advent. Can you guess which dish? |
| If you don't already know, you’ll find out a bit later. Keep listening. |
| Advent is a Christian holiday, and the word Advent means “The Lord’s Arrival”. Advent marks the time of waiting which leads up to Christmas. Advent begins every year on a Sunday, and continues over the four Sundays until Christmas Eve. Norwegians usually keep a candleholder, or lysestake, that holds four candles, and one candle is lit each Sunday as a countdown to Christmas. |
| Many Norwegians spend the four weeks before Christmas Eve shopping for Christmas presents, so nowadays a lot of people associate Advent with julestress, meaning Christmas stress. Christmas stress is the stress of all the preparations before Christmas. Advent in Norway is no longer a time of peace and quiet as it used to be, since most stores and malls are open on Sundays. |
| However, apart from the stress, many Norwegians enjoy spending their time baking cookies or going to Christmas concerts during the Advent period. It is also common to arrange a Christmas workshop where children and adults can make Christmas decorations, or julepynt, together. In the Advent period, the typical Norwegian family always has clementines called klementiner and gingerbread cookies called pepperkaker on the living room table, and these are served with a cup of hot mulled wine. |
| Since Norwegians enjoy counting the days up until Christmas Eve, they also keep a julekalender, meaning Christmas Calendar or Advent Calendar. Each morning from December 1-24, Norwegian children will run to their calendar to receive a chocolate or a small gift inside. |
| Now it's time to answer our quiz question- |
| A long time ago, it was very common to serve a special type of dish during Advent. Can you guess which dish? |
| Norwegians used to eat a lot of “lye fish” during Advent. It was common to fast before the rich food on Christmas Eve, so fish dishes – especially lye-soaked stockfish – were served. This is why it is common these days for Norwegians to eat “lutefisk” in December. |
| What did you think of this lesson? Did you learn anything interesting? |
| What Advent traditions do you have in your country? |
| Leave us your comments on NorwegianClass101.com, and we'll see you in the next lesson. |
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