Easter in Norway

Easter is a time of feasting and celebrations for most of the people around the world. However, observant Christians also make special efforts to attend church services. Easter Sunday church services are generally longer than regular services and generally wrap up with a festive meal. Easter celebrations in Norway are very similar to the other countries which have maximum Christian population and celebrate the festival with great joy. Read on to explore more about the Easter celebrations in Norway, in this article.

'Easter' in Norway is called 'P�ske'. Though the celebrations of Easter in Norway are not very different from that of the celebrations in the other parts of the world, the Easter here are characterized by more colorful celebrations and longer holidays. In Norway, Easter holiday is longer as compared to many other European countries. The Easter holidays begin on Wednesday afternoon even before the Maundy Thursday, and wrap up on Tuesday morning after Easter Monday.

Easter in Norway is also more about colorful traditions and joyous festivities than solemn religious observations. P�ske, the Norwegian name for Easter, is closely related to the French p�ques, Greek pascha, and Hebrew pesach. In tune with the festive spirit, Easter break is longer in Norway than in many other European countries. Easter holidays starts from Wednesday afternoon before Maundy Thursday and extends to Tuesday morning after Easter Monday.

Easter in Norway is all about Easter symbols such as Easter chickens, Easter eggs in all colors and occasionally Easter bunnies. Easter celebration in Norway is seeped in the bright hues of Yellow. Drawn chickens, plastic chickens, cotton chickens-all of them in yellow--can be seen in private homes, shop windows, newspapers and magazines, on plastic bags and on television. Another popular pastime of Easter season in Norway is Yathzee, a popular game .

Reading crime stories and detective novels during Easter is a peculiar national trait in Norway. In order to cash in on this national pastime, publishers churn out series of books known as "Easter-Thrillers" or P�skekrimmen. TV stations, radio and newspapers also jump on the bandwagon by running detective series based on the works of famous crime novelists such as Agatha Christie, P.D. James, Simenon and Ruth Rendell.

The more adventurous ones prefer to spend the Easter holidays by skiing in the mountains. Getting away from the city, enjoying the snow and the weather and not to mention getting a tan to show off when back at work are popular things to do during the vacation. Easter Holidays become a long weekend rejuvenation phase for most of the people in the country and is thus the longest awaited holiday too!