What family life awaits you in the Scandinavian countries. Same-sex family. How to relate to this. Norwegian experiences Norway family children

When it comes to the royal family, we imagine luxury and wealth, a lot of gold, red carpets, expensive cars, diamonds. But in the 21st century, not all royals behave in a pattern. If you know anything about Norway, you can roughly guess what the royal family looks like there.

The standard of living in the country is high, education is at a decent level, healthcare does not need reforms, in general, literate people live with dignity and this commands respect. The respect is also due to the fact that the king of Norway himself, according to Forbes magazine, is the poorest of all the monarchs on Earth. You need to understand what the royal family of the 21st century is like, these are people who are to some extent a brand, because of which tourists come to the country, whose images are placed on souvenirs, and much more. Monarchs and their families do not care about money, they are representatives of their country, live beautifully, increase the prestige of the state.

The Norwegian royal family is actively involved in sports, unlike other monarchs, King Haakon most often appears at sports competitions, and not at social parties. For example, the heir to the Norwegian throne named Hakon Magnus walked along with other athletes along the path of the participants in the Gunnerside sabotage operation.

Soldiers 75 years ago did not allow German physicists to create an atomic bomb for the Third Reich, this is a very important moment in history. The crown prince decided to celebrate the anniversary of such a noble event. Then the athletes skied along the route of the Norwegian saboteurs for 4 hours in freezing temperatures of 20 degrees. We are talking about those participants in the war who blew up equipment for the production of heavy hydrogen water, maybe you remember from the history of the Vemork power plant.

The same can be said about the wife of the crown prince, Mette-Marit, who opened the 2017 World Cup for the Homeless in Oslo last summer. In the years of her youth, the girl studied ballet, she was also fond of sailing, this is the favorite sport of the family of Norwegian kings. And by the way, all the ladies who become members of the royal family, in childhood, sweated at the bar for the sake of excellent posture.

The woman and her husband even went to South Korea for the Olympics, Norway won 39 medals and this was a record for the country. Interestingly, the King of Norway Harald V himself, who was madly in love with sailing, participated in the Olympics. And his father with Ulaf V was an Olympic champion at all. Together with his wife Queen Sonja, Harald made his way to Antarctica in 2015. What can I say here? Love for ice and cold is in the Norwegians' blood.

By the way, it is very difficult for the royal family to accept a girl of common origin in the family, which is why the monarch and his son performed all their weddings against the will of their parents. For example, the king's wife Sonya had been waiting for that very moment for 9 years, consent to the marriage was given only after Harald threatened to renounce the throne.

But the already mentioned wife of the Crown Prince Mette-Marit did drugs in her youth and gave birth to a child out of wedlock, in Norway the level of prestige of the monarchy fell sharply when the whole country learned about the relationship of a member of the royal family with such a girl. They even raised the issue of regime change in the country, but everything worked out after she publicly apologized for her past.

The general hysteria about royal weddings, the birth of children, new outfits and so on usually only concerns the British Palace. It is not clear where so much attention to the British comes from, but they certainly are leaders in the public world of the kings of the 21st century.

Elena Benshin has been living in Norway for many years. She talked about how families live in this country, what are the traditions of raising children in the northern kingdom.

Childbirth

In Norway, a natural approach is widely preached: it is believed that pregnancy is not a disease, but a natural state of a woman. At the same time, the support of the father throughout all nine months is considered necessary: ​​couples go to the doctor's appointments together, and the husband is almost always present at childbirth. In some ways, this is a modern trend, because Norway has been a rather poor fishing country for a long time. In simple families, a man was more often at sea than at home. Therefore, the woman coped with household chores, with pregnancy, with children.

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There are no taboos regarding the age at which a child can be shown. Relatives, friends, colleagues come to look at the newborn almost immediately. Likewise, it is not customary to hide pregnancy. The fact that the addition is expected in the family, everyone becomes aware somewhere in the twelfth week. Contrary to the tradition in Russia, in Norway it is possible to give gifts in advance. Therefore, the dowry for the child is collected little by little, starting from the first weeks of pregnancy. At the same time, relatives and friends are usually very actively involved in this wonderful process, therefore, by the time the child is born, enough things are recruited.

In the hospital, the nursing staff usually congratulates the parents in a downright romantic setting. They bring candles and put the Norwegian flag on the table.

Family education traditions in Norway depend on the region and the environment in which the family lives. In every region of this actually small country, people speak their own dialect, which is often not understood by those who come from another area. What can we say about traditions, even if the language is so different. Fishermen, farmers, and white collar workers, of course, raise children differently.

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And yet there are points that can be called common. Modern Norwegian parents rarely keep their children strict. Few of moms and dads will pull down children, prohibit or call to order. Rather, the opposite is true. It comes to the point that kindergarten teachers and teachers in schools ask to be stricter with children.

One of the main values ​​is family mutual assistance. Family is a common cause. Therefore, everyone should add something to it. Parents take care of children, but children are also actively involved in many issues. For example, it is customary for elders to entrust the care of younger brothers and sisters. And this is not only the lot of girls. The brothers also take care of the younger ones, go for walks, look after. This is not considered shameful. Parents communicate with their children on an equal footing. Adults can talk about a variety of topics, including sensitive questions. It's easier to explain once than to evade an answer for years. At the same time, there are traditional conversations about the choice of a future life partner. Parents are unlikely to openly impose their will, but they will express their opinion.

Emancipation and the struggle for equal rights have left their mark on the upbringing of Norwegian boys and girls. Here they try to avoid all kinds of gender divisions with regard to children. There are virtually no toys for boys and girls or men's and women's sports. Do whatever you want and play whatever you want if you like it. The same happens when choosing a profession. There is no male or female job. Can you handle it? Work.

In Norway it is impossible to hear phrases like: “Be a man!”, “You’re a girl, girls don’t do that” or “This is not an activity for a girl,” as well as “Men don’t cry”.

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This equality of rights responds differently in adulthood. On the one hand, it gives freedom. On the other hand, from childhood, independent and emancipated Norwegian women often take on all possible things and carry them out with heroic perseverance, not accepting anyone's help. Not every Norwegian woman will allow a man to open his door or bring a heavy bag. At the same time, there is no logical answer to the question, why not actually agree to help, no. Because in the minds of most girls from childhood, there is simply no such category as male help. Everything is common, everything is the same. Sometimes it comes to situations on the verge of absurdity. I'll tell you about a situation from my life. New desks come to the firm and instead of asking for help from men, of whom there are plenty in the office, women begin to carry furniture themselves. They tear their backs and do not even think that men would do it faster, let alone that it is easier and better. When one of our compatriots decided, just for the sake of experiment, to seek help, the Norwegian men burst out a sigh of relief. They helped with great pleasure and continue to help. Although their ladies often simply do not dare to offer help.

However, this is only one side of the coin. It is sometimes said that Norway is a paradise for women. And this is also true. The fact is that there are fewer women here than men. Therefore, almost any woman can find a companion if she wishes. The same cannot be said about men. This is especially true in rural areas. In a situation where in a village school there are 27 boys and 9 girls in a class for 36 children, it is not easy to find a girlfriend. Discerning parents have been educating their sons since childhood. Set them up for tough competition. Some heartbreakers are such that the struggle for them begins in kindergarten. Here is one of the real stories. The children were friends in kindergarten, then the groom's family moved, and he moved to another kindergarten. Despite this, his parents regularly brought him to visit his "beloved". And they were then three years old ... It is somewhat funny, but it clearly shows how seriously parents can take this issue. And even though it will hardly be possible to “stake out” the girl in kindergarten, it is quite possible to bring up perseverance in the boy.

The role of parents has now undergone a great change. There is no longer any idea that chopping wood and banging on the table with your fist is the father's role, while cooking and feeling sorry is the mother's role. The father is so directly involved in pregnancy, childbirth, and maternity leave (which is given to fathers along with mothers) that often there is no difference between the parents with regard to raising or caring for children.

Most Norwegian grandparents work until age 67. Therefore, they do not have many opportunities to take care of their grandchildren. The main policy of parents after the children have created their families is not to interfere. In many ways, this also applies to raising children. New parents should rely primarily on themselves. Of course, situations in life are different. If you need help, grandparents will help. But without a request, one should not expect that one of the older relatives will take the initiative himself.

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Participation in the life of grandchildren is mainly limited to gifts, usually expensive, and family holidays. This does not mean that a child cannot just come to visit his grandparents. It's just that no one cultivates it as a system of constant supervision of grandchildren. But in the grandmother's house, children are usually allowed everything. If you want, run, if you want, play, if you want to get into grandmother's chest of drawers or into the chicken coop, you are welcome there and there.

Families are now smaller. But the generation of those who are now over 60, as a rule, has a large family. Grandmothers may have five, six, or more brothers and sisters. As a rule, everyone maintains a relationship and there is a tradition of organizing family gatherings. Sometimes they even have to rent gyms in schools. Because there are 200 or more relatives from all sides. This event is very interesting. For young people it is an opportunity to learn more about their family and roots, for older people it is a chance to meet relatives, whom they sometimes do not see for years.

It is very difficult for Norwegians to explain why they need to knock on wood, spit over their left shoulder, sit on the road or look in the mirror when they come back for something. For the most part, they do not attach importance to superstition. This also applies to gifts. Watches, knives and other "forbidden items" in Norway are given quite calmly. An even number of flowers in a bouquet also does not cause unpleasant associations for anyone. Here, in principle, no one will count the flowers in a vase or bouquet.

Most of the family traditions today are associated with the holidays. And in many ways they do not coincide with those we are used to. New Year, for example, is not particularly celebrated. This is more of an excuse to meet friends, go to a party, rather than a family celebration.

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But Christmas is the real main family holiday. Preparation for it begins in four weeks, from the first Sunday of Advent (Christmas fast). The tradition of fasting has long ceased, but Advent has remained. During this period, everything is decorated in lilac-purple tones. Children receive Christmas calendars. Four candles are placed in special beautiful wreaths according to the number of Sundays remaining before Christmas.

This is the waiting time for the holiday. A new candle is lit every week. During this time, children prepare Christmas gifts, not only at home, but also in schools and kindergartens. Christmas is preceded by a very beautiful holiday of Saint Lucia. It is celebrated not only in Norway, but throughout Scandinavia. Protestants have no veneration for saints. Saint Lucia's Day penetrated Sweden in a roundabout way and then spread to neighboring countries. Few people think about the meaning of the holiday itself. Saint Lucia was a Sicilian martyr who was blinded and killed for her faith in Christ. But there is also a legend that Lucia was the wife of a fisherman in Sweden. One night, when my husband was at sea, a storm broke out. The wandering evil spirits extinguished the lighthouse. Then Lucia went to the rock with a lantern and showed the fishermen the way to the shore. With this, she angered the evil spirits. The devils attacked the girl and cut off her head. But even after that, the ghost of Lucia stood on the rock with a burning lamp, continuing to show the way to the house to those wandering in the sea. On Saint Lucia's Day, the girls dress in white robes, sing songs about Lucia and treat everyone to saffron buns.

A couple of days before Christmas, the decorations in the houses change to red. Children visit churches, put together scenes of the birth of Christ with teachers. December 24 is a working day, but it ends early. By 12 noon, everyone is already free and hurrying home. Gifts are laid out under the tree. The culmination of the holiday is a family dinner. Each region has its own menu for the holiday. The main dish can be smoked and then boiled lamb head, steamed lamb ribs, pork ribs, fish. After dinner, kids have one of the happiest moments of the year. Gifts are opening! This solemn event is followed by the serving of dessert and long conversations with the family. During the Christmas holidays, relatives often meet for dinner or lunch.

Mother's Day is traditionally celebrated in February, which usually falls on the second Sunday of the month. In a sense, this is an analogue of March 8, with the difference that gifts are given by children to mothers, not husbands to wives. However, the father usually participates in the choice of the gift and can sponsor it. On this day, the younger ones visit the older ones. Usually families gather at grandparents' house for family dinner. There is also a traditional Father's Day.

Spring begins with Easter. This holiday in Norway is not as noisy as Christmas. Once again, decorations are being made in homes and public places. Yellow tones predominate. Bunnies, chickens, eggs are exhibited - everything that is associated with Easter in the concept of the Norwegians. At the same time, eggs are rarely painted, and Easter cakes are not baked. But the whole family goes to the grill. Often at this time there is still snow on the street. But this does not bother anyone. People en masse go to the track and massively "grill". Like, spring will come no matter what.

Perhaps the most important day for Norway is May 17, Constitution Day. For all its statehood, it has become quite national and family. It was on May 17 that Norway ceased to be part of the Swedish-Norwegian Union and became an independent state. On this day, it is customary to wear national costumes - bunads, which, by the way, cost (on average!) About 5 thousand dollars. However, most families have such costumes. The first bunad is usually worn for confirmation. This is another family tradition. Initially, confirmation (chrismation) is a confirmation of the choice of Christianity and the acceptance of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Now this is initiation into adulthood. It usually takes place at the age of 15. All relatives are required to attend. A holiday is being arranged. The main gift for confirmation is money. This is how young people begin to collect their first independent capital. So, the national costume purchased for confirmation is subsequently put on on the May 17 holiday without fail.

The Scandinavian countries, led by Norway, from year to year occupy leading positions in all kinds of ratings of living standards. Therefore, it is not surprising that they are becoming more and more popular for expatriates. Foreign girls are increasingly striving to marry a Norwegian - this is how they ensure stability, prosperity in all spheres of life and get a reliable companion who will not leave in difficult times. Are the Norwegians as good as it is commonly believed?

Norwegians in everyday life - what are they?

The short answer is yes, they are just as good as it is commonly believed. For the most part, Norwegian men are handsome, physically developed (thanks to the attentive approach to medicine and the development of sports in the country) and respectful towards women. Their character, as they say, is “calm, Nordic”. And it’s true - it’s very difficult to piss off a Norwegian. At the same time, they, like all Scandinavians, despite the stereotype, are not gloomy and harsh at all, but, on the contrary, are very emotional. It is generally not accepted in Europe to hide one's emotions; this is a distinctive feature of the countries of the post-Soviet space. So the Norwegians even surpassed many other Europeans in this: it is absolutely not shameful to demonstrate their feelings (even with tears) in public in Norway and no one tries to keep them in themselves.

On the farm, the Norwegians will also give odds to many nationalities. They are extremely unpretentious both to the environment and to food, they will never demand anything supernatural. Moreover, a Norwegian man will resignedly deal with chores around the house on an equal basis with a woman. In general, in Scandinavian society there is no division into exclusively male or female occupations or household chores. Every man is fully trained to lead his own life, and it is remarkably well established even among lonely Norwegians. For a family hearth, it may not be fully suitable, but, as we have already said, the Scandinavians are very unpretentious and are used to being content with little. Despite the fact that the capabilities of most of them allow you to have a lot.

Family Institute in Norway

Marriage plays an important role in the life of a Norwegian, and not only personal, but also social. To be married in Norway is an honor and a status; in some cases, a wife can even become a kind of pass to a previously closed event. But Norwegians, as a rule, are in no hurry to formalize relations officially - rare couples get married earlier than 26-27 years. In addition, the serious role of marriage requires a careful approach to choosing a life partner.

What is curious and deserves special mention is the status of people living in the so-called "civil marriage". In Norway, it is quite consistent with an ordinary registered marriage. For example, a marriage contract (with a detailed description of everything that each party brought into the relationship) is more than common even for such families. And in general, marriage contracts for Norway are a well-known practice, you should not take them as mistrust of a partner or something like that. As already mentioned, marriage in Norway is a very important event, therefore disciplined and law-abiding Scandinavians take it as seriously as possible.

Nevertheless, divorce is not an insurmountable tragedy for the inhabitants of this country. Thanks to all the same marriage contracts, the parties most often disperse calmly and peacefully. The most important thing is that the child (if he was) is never left without support. If he stays with his mother - the father pays alimony without question, if with the father (which happens, by the way, even more often) - then he will be more likely to be spoiled. Norwegians love children! Since there are a huge number of places in Norway where you can usefully go or go, such outings are organized regularly. For a walk in the forest, fishing, in the mountains - there are a lot of options. Great family time!

A married couple also take care of a newborn child together - the decree also applies to the husband. A woman can choose for herself how long she needs a decree. The minimum is seven months with full salary payment. Then - with a gradual decrease.

Features of life in Norway

Norway has been a leading country in terms of living standards for several years in a row. Competition takes place exclusively between other Scandinavian states - Sweden, Finland, Iceland. There is a minimum level of crime, inflation and unemployment. The last point is especially important for any potential Norwegian wife. But don't worry too much - finding a job in Norway is quite easy. As well as getting a local education. The working day in Norway is shorter than ours - you are supposed to work no more than 37 hours a week. Almost the entire population of the country speaks fluent English, but it is still desirable to learn Norwegian. Although even in Norway you will most likely meet many compatriots, girls from the countries of the former USSR regularly move to Scandinavia.

At first, visitors are very surprised by the lack of seemingly generally accepted rules of behavior among Norwegians: let them go to the door first, give a hand, bring a heavy bag, and so on. But these are also peculiarities of the mentality, no more - equal rights and time have led to the fact that Norwegians simply stopped taking these actions for granted and now it is considered something like a demonstration of a woman's weakness. But if you ask or explain your attitude to the issue, you will not be denied help.

Paperwork

It is extremely difficult to formalize the documents necessary for marriage in Norway. Each county (administrative unit of the kingdom, province) may differ in the rules governing how a Norwegian can marry a foreigner. It is advisable for the husband to find out in advance. Somewhere a girl may need a bride visa (you can wait for it for several months), but somewhere an ordinary tourist visa will be enough. In any case, you need an invitation. From documents, in addition to a passport, you will probably need a birth certificate and a certificate of permission for marriage. Translated and certified, of course.

Alternatively, the marriage can be registered at the church. In Norway, the church is not separated from the state and a marriage entered into here will have exactly the same legal force. The abbot will also certainly look at the documents, but the whole procedure can go faster and without minor quibbles about the intricacies.

Upon arrival in Norway, you will definitely need to go through the registration procedure with the local police. There you will be given a personal number to which all the services that are guaranteed and provided by the state are linked: insurance, training, medical services.

How and where to meet a Norwegian

If you are interested in a Scandinavian man and you, in particular, want to get married in Norway, then be sure that you have such an opportunity at any age. As we have already said, most Norwegians, like many Europeans, are in no hurry to look for a wife, preferring to get on their feet first. The opposite situation, when a Norwegian couple divorces after a long relationship is also not uncommon. As a result, Norwegians 35-45 years old are left alone with a very limited number of options for dating methods.

And the most popular of them is online dating. This method is beneficial for everyone, because it quickly enough allows you to weed out those who are not serious. But there are also nuances here. Unfortunately, most of the existing dating sites do not provide verification of the data that the user claims to be. You are encouraged to do it yourself. And this can lead to a waste of time and nerves.

Paradise Date agency and case from practice

So it turns out that the only way that is guaranteed to allow you to make a promising acquaintance with a representative of such a distant and exotic country for us as Norway is an international marriage agency. In Kharkiv, the largest such company is called Paradise Date and, among others, offers girls acquaintance with Norwegians. The most recent example is a girl named Natalya, who, only after 35, seriously approached the question of finding a spouse. She was not looking for a man of a specific nationality, she was not chasing a better life (fortunately, she herself earned enough), but, rejecting several candidates who, according to her, were too persistent, she made a choice in favor of the quiet and calm Norwegian Arne. The man charmed Natalia with stories about his family and travels together. When the time came for the man to return, Natalya did not hesitate to follow him. Now she is back, but only to prepare the documents for a full-fledged move to Trondheim.

Natalia's story is not unique. More than a hundred married couples have been formed in Paradise Date since 2008. Men from Europe, America, the Middle East leave their details with the agency, because the company's impeccable reputation speaks for itself. All data that clients leave about themselves is confidential, and only verified candidates get access to it. All services are fully paid by men, the girl is only required to fill out her profile.

Norway is one of the countries of the Scandinavian Peninsula, washed by the Arctic Ocean. However, in addition to the mainland, it includes 50,000 nearby islands.

Norway is a country of fabulous beauty, its nature seems to have preserved its original appearance. Mountains covered with dense forests, bays (fjords) and secluded coves attract thousands of tourists from all over the world.

Norway's weather is very variable. Despite the fact that according to statistics, winter is always harsh, and summer, on the contrary, is very hot, during the day, both in winter and in summer, the weather can change dramatically and more than once. The Norwegians even use a saying:

“Don't like our weather? Wait 15 minutes. "

Although often referred to as the “land of the Vikings,” Norway is today the safest and most peaceful country in the world.

1. Norway is the least populated European country. An average of 12 km² of land is calculated per inhabitant.
2. In Norway, it is customary to comply with the laws, so most Norwegians do not lock their houses with a key, and in supermarkets there are no video cameras and detector frames for checking customers, with rare exceptions.
3. The average working day in Norway is from 10:00 to 16:00, Monday to Friday.
4. A special wedding tradition is popular in Norway - to water the cows with beer during the celebration. It is customary among the Norwegians that at the wedding everyone, without exception, was drunk.

1. Norwegians are fluent in English and most of the programs on television are broadcast only in English, albeit with Norwegian subtitles.
2. Norway has very high electricity tariffs. A family of 4 pays on average € 1000 for electricity.
3. In Norway, which has forest resources, trees are not cut down at all.
4. Norwegians are true patriots. The flags of the country are hung on most of the houses; upon departure, the flag is removed, upon arrival, it returns to its place.

1. Murder and robbery in Norway is considered a national emergency, as such cases are rare. The most comfortable prison in the world is also located in the country, in the cell of which there is a shower and an LCD TV.
2. Despite the changeable weather conditions, the most popular form of transport in Norway remains the bicycle.

Indigenous traditions and customs

• Norway has a large number of customs and traditions that are still relevant today. Norwegians respect them and pass them on from generation to generation, instilling in children their culture of communication and rules of behavior.
• Norwegians do not hug when they meet. They either shake hands or just touch their fingers in greeting. When it comes time to leave, Norwegians traditionally pat each other on the back.
• The royal family of Norway enjoys undeniable authority, so it is not customary in the country to joke about them. Even harmless irony about monarchs is perceived as bad form.

• Family traditions in Norway are as follows: housework is not divided into women and men. Also, the father receives parental leave in the first month of his birth, so both parents devote all their time to the newborn during the first 4 weeks.
• Smoking is prohibited in public places in Norway. In hotels and hotels, exactly half of the rooms are specially prepared for non-smokers. In general, Norwegians are great adherents of a healthy lifestyle and environmental preservation in the country.
• In public transport in Norway, it is not customary to give up seats to the elderly; they would rather regard this as an insult than as a sign of attention.

• It is not customary in Norway to flaunt your income. Wealthy people do not build mansions or buy yachts; there are not many luxury cars on the roads. By dress and appearance, it is impossible to divide people by income level.
• Each city (district) in Norway honors its own "cultural characteristics" that distinguish it from neighboring cities. For example, these features include national costumes that are individual for each district. Norwegians use them at weddings, big parties and traditional ceremonies.

Family traditions of Norway

A man during a woman's pregnancy is not on the sidelines, but participates in the process of preparing for the birth of a child: the couple visits doctors together, the husband is present at childbirth. Also in Norway it is not customary to hide pregnancy, young people are even congratulated in advance, bringing with them a dowry for the baby. The hospital also has a special tradition of congratulating young parents after childbirth: candles and the flag of Norway are brought into the ward.

When raising children, there is no gender division. You can't find a toy "for boys" and "for girls" in stores. Traditional Russian phrases used for education are also absent. For example, there is no concept “Be a man!”, “Girls don't behave like that!”, “You're a boy, you can't cry!”. Such upbringing leaves an imprint on the choice of children as they grow up. A woman and a man have equal rights in choosing a profession or hobby.

The traditional role of grandparents in Russia is also different in Norway, and comes down to expensive gifts on holidays and infrequent visits. The position of the Norwegians is that young parents must learn to cope with responsibilities on their own, without shifting them onto their parents, who, by the way, work on average up to 70 years of age.

Norwegians are not superstitious. Their mentality lacks the traditional Russian concepts of “sitting on the path” or “knocking on wood”. The Norwegians have the same attitude towards gifts, which are not capable of evoking unpleasant associations in them.

Holiday customs in Norway

The most popular of the national holidays in Norway is Constitution Day. It falls on May 17. On this day, the Norwegians arrange a mass procession to the Royal Palace. The first column is schoolchildren in distinctive costumes, followed by local residents.

The most favorite holidays of the Norwegians are Christmas and Easter, St. Hans's Day is also popular.

Before Christmas, the feast of St. Lucia is held, for the role of which the inhabitants choose the most beautiful girl in the country. Preparations for Christmas are similar to many countries: gifts are bought, a Christmas tree is decorated, festive bread is baked. A baked pig is traditionally served on the table on a holiday.

On New Year's Eve, the custom of dressing up and then walking around the city in this form is still popular. At the head of the procession is a boy dressed as a stuffed straw.

Easter for Norwegians is a purely home holiday, to which it is customary to invite many guests. The celebration takes place in 2 days.

And the day of St. Hans is accompanied by interesting customs: girls wear wreaths of flowers on their heads, and in the evening, young people arrange a holiday with round dances and jumping over the fire.

Norway through the eyes of a Russian

The question of how comfortable the “Viking country” is for life and travel for a Russian person remains open. Below are the facts about Norway that will be of interest to a Russian, taking into account the difference in mentality:

• There are not many things to do in Norway that the average Russian is accustomed to. And the capital of Norway - Oslo - is calmer and more measured than most cities in Russia.
• In Norway, there is practically no "comfortable" vacation, which is characteristic of the Mediterranean.
• The sale of spirits is strictly controlled by the state.
• The traditional clothing style of the Norwegians is sporty. It is not customary to pay much attention to clothing and its neatness.

• Norwegian society today has a greater bias towards matriarchy than towards traditional Russian patriarchy.
• In Norway, children are so protected that parents can be deprived of parental rights for any manifestation of anger towards them if the incident is regarded as excessively rude.
• Recently, Norway has been inhabited by refugees, like most Western states, which leaves an imprint on its modern culture.
• Salaries in Norway are really big, € 5000-7000 per month. However, a third of the income goes to paying taxes and utilities.

Therefore, although Norway is leading in the list of the most favorable countries for life, not every Russian will feel comfortable in it when it comes to moving. But the stunning views of the virgin nature and the historical value of these places are worth visiting the "land of the Vikings" at least once in your life.

Norway is a small European state located in the west of the Scandinavian Peninsula. Most of its area is occupied by mountainous terrain, and from the side of the sea of ​​the same name, narrow, deep fjords cut into the land.

Picturesque landscapes alternate with uninhabited corners of wilderness. In this country, many of our compatriots celebrate their weddings solely for the sake of beautiful views with local flavor in the photographs. In winter, the climate is harsh only at night; the Gulf Stream does not allow it to be equated to the Siberian one.

However, for the rest of Europeans, Norway is a northern state with difficult living conditions. Perhaps it is for this reason that the population density, and the number of inhabitants relative to the size of the country, is small.

In view of this, Norway is a very attractive country for moving to permanent residence, and marriage is considered one of the best ways to simplify this task. Let us consider in more detail the features of the conclusion of marriage unions and the traditions associated with them.

Conditions and procedure for official marriage in Norway

For centuries cohabitation has been welcomed in Norway. Young people can live together for years and, only after checking the strength of their relationship, enter into a marriage union.

The Scandinavians' Puritan neighbors were outraged by such immoral behavior, but they had no leverage to put pressure on the descendants of the Vikings. The average age at marriage is about 25 for women and 28 for men.

In comparison with the domestic practice of concluding alliances even before the age of majority, this is a strongly "overexposed" option. The mentality dictates the Norwegians to first taste the delights of life, get on their feet, and only then start a family.

Persons can marry:

• over 18 years old;
• from 16 to 18 years old with parental consent or by special order of the governor;
• not married at the time of submission of documents;
• who are not close relatives;
• by voluntary consent. In the event of violence or pressure, the union is annulled, and the offender will be punished according to the law.

Contrary to the opinion of free Norwegian morals, closely related unions remained in the Middle Ages, and the so-called "Swedish families" have nothing to do with Sweden or its neighbors.

Civil marriage procedure

Marriage is registered in court or in church... Both types of procedures are valid. As for the date of the celebration, it is negotiated in advance.

Nobody sets a strict time frame for future spouses. They themselves determine the date of the wedding. If everything is scheduled for the selected day, then you will have to plan for another date.

Saturdays are in demand, so it is quite difficult to “squeeze in” your wedding on this day of the week. Few guests are invited, only the closest ones.

The ceremony takes place in an official business atmosphere, and the festivities are postponed until later.

Required documents

You need to contact the Volkregister (population register)... On the spot, future spouses fill out a questionnaire and provide their passports, divorce certificates or certificates that they were not previously married.

Here they are given official permission, with which they can go to court or church.

Citizens of other countries need to provide a document confirming their legal stay in the country.

There are no registry offices as such in Norway.

Organization of a wedding in a church

A church wedding takes place in the form of a divine service. In order to set a date for the ceremony, you must provide permission from the Volkregister.

Not so long ago, Norwegian deputies submitted for consideration a bill banning wedding ceremonies without the preliminary conclusion of an alliance in court.

However, there were more opponents of the innovation, and both procedures still remain equivalent. There are Orthodox and Catholic churches in the country, but Lutheranism is recognized as the main religion - one of the branches of Protestantism.

The Lutheran wedding ceremony is simple but beautiful. The groom and the pastor are waiting at the altar for the bride, who is being led by her father. Then the future spouses and guests sit down. After singing the psalms, the shepherd reads a sermon, asks the spouses to get up, and asks them standard questions.

After mutual consent, the couple exchange rings, they are blessed and given a wedding certificate. To the chants, they leave the church with the guests. Children often walk in front of the newlyweds, scattering flower petals.

Norwegian marriage traditions

There are cases when the bride and groom in the truest sense of the word know each other from childhood: one kindergarten, parallel classes, houses in the neighborhood, joint games, parties and visits to each other.

If in Russia the frequency of marriages between “acquaintances” does not go beyond 5%, then for Norway this is the norm. Perhaps the reason for this is the small population, where everyone knows each other not even through the fifth hands (as the theory of five handshakes says), but through the second.

This Scandinavian country has strict customs that have been followed from generation to generation. Traditions are carefully kept in every family, where they teach their children to honor the "memory of ancestors"... They may not change for centuries, which is typical for the harsh and uncompromising northern peoples with Nordic character traits.

Sentimentality is not one of the traits of the average Norwegian, so you will not find particularly touching or expressive rituals at a Norwegian wedding. In this country, brides are in great demand, as there is an "imbalance" between men and women, in contrast to ours "for ten girls, according to statistics, nine guys."

Many families try to find future wives for their sons at an early age. Engagement between minors in Norway is not uncommon, and it will be extremely difficult to break such an agreement.

The wedding is celebrated relatively modestly without midnight chants and drunken guests. When planning a budget, young people can only rely on themselves.

In this case, the Norwegians are of the opinion that since they are ready to create a family, it means that they will be able to celebrate the wedding on their own. The whole community sets out for matchmaking in long boats topped with bells. Matchmakers and retinue accompanying them dress in national costumes.

Previously, the bride's head was adorned with a heavy silver crown. It was rather difficult to sit through the whole ceremony with such decoration. This stage became a kind of test for the girl. As a tribute to the custom, many brides are ordered lightweight imitations of a headdress.

After the conclusion of the union, the newlyweds come to the house of their husband, where they are met by his family: with a path in front of the threshold and handfuls of grains, which they are showered with "for luck."

And after the meeting ritual, the young go to milk the cows. Guests put their gifts in special deep dishes.

Cutting a head of cheese with the subsequent distribution of pieces to the guests serves as a signal about the end of the feast.

How to register a marriage with a foreigner?

Before starting to organize a wedding, a foreigner must submit an application for a permit to stay in the country for six months.

This period is given for the preparation and conclusion of a marriage union. The application is forwarded in the country of permanent registration to the Norwegian consulate.

Make sure that all documents are translated into English and have a copyright on them.

You can get married in your home country, and then start collecting documents for family reunification, but Norwegian officials are sometimes very suspicious of other countries, so verification will take a long time.

Is Same-Sex Marriage Allowed?

Regarding same-sex unions, Norway, like its closest neighbors, has moved far from conservatism. At the end of the last century, a bill was passed here, legalizing the so-called "partnerships".

It was a loyal alternative to formal marriage. The partner parties were endowed with all the rights and obligations of citizens in a marriage union. Until 2002, same-sex families could not adopt and raise children.

Norway became the second country to take such a serious step, more like probing the moral boundaries of what is allowed in society. The latter change was tolerated, which prompted the official recognition of same-sex marriage in 2008.

Norway became the sixth state to give homosexuals a place in the family code.

Fictitious marriage for obtaining a residence permit and citizenship

Fictitious marriages are quite common. A Norwegian or Norwegian agrees to burden herself with such an alliance for a fee. Prices vary greatly depending on the "price list" of intermediaries.

In this case, a foreign citizen can count on family reunification, permanent residence and citizenship later. Not so long ago, a bill was passed, which stipulates the punishment for such actions, up to and including imprisonment.

It should be borne in mind that in the questionnaire for Volkregister, future spouses put their signatures and agree to be liable for providing false data or getting married for selfish purposes. In the best case, you will get off with a fine.

Divorce in Norway

in Norway it will take a long time. If we can count on three months in the absence of children and joint property, then here the wait will drag on for 2 years.

That is how long the spouses must live separately before they are divorced. A more expedited procedure is separation, that is, official separation.

Enough 1 year and the couple will be divorced. Both men and women can apply for separation or divorce. There are no restrictions in this case. Such terms are given to spouses to carefully consider the situation, seek its resolution and reunite.