Norwegian culture should be understood in the context of Norwegian history as well as Norwegian geography. The unique Norwegian farm culture resulted not only from scarce resources and a harsh climate, but also from Norway's ancient property laws, which sustained a unique character still visible in Norway today. This unique character resulted in a strong romantic nationalistic movement in the 18th century which is visible to this day in the Norwegian language and media. // Etymology According to traditional Icelandic sagas, the Nor in Norway is from king Nor Thorrasson (See Orkneyinga saga. ... Norway is located in Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea in southwest, the North Atlantic Ocean in the west and the Barents Sea to the northeast, and Sweden to the east. ... Norwegian Farm Culture or bondekultur was a rural civilization which assumed a form in Viking Age Norway retained with little change into the age of firearms, and in many respects even to the early 20th Century. ... Two Norwegian property laws, so ancient that the time of their enactment is lost, govern Norwegian property. ... A Norwegian movement between 1840 and 1867 in art, literature, and popular culture that emphasized the aesthetics of Norwegian nature and the uniqueness of the Norwegian national identity. ... Norwegian is a Germanic language spoken in Norway. ...

Norwegian culture is very egalitarian, and this has both positive and negative effects. See the Jante Law. The Jante Law (Janteloven) is a concept created by the Danish/Norwegian author Aksel Sandemose in his novel En flygtning krysser sitt spor (A refugee crosses his tracks) (1933), where he portrays his native town Nykøbing Mors as it was in the beginning of the 20th century. ...

Cultural traditions

Celebrations

Norwegians celebrate their national day on May 17, Constitution Day. Many people wear bunad (traditional costumes) and most participate in or watch the May 17th parade, consisting mostly of children, through the cities and towns. The national romanticist author Henrik Wergeland was the founder of the 17th May parade. May 17 is the 137th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (138th in leap years). ... The Constitution of Norway was first adopted on May 16, 1814 by the Norwegian Constituent Assembly at Eidsvoll (a small town north of the countrys capital, Christiania), then signed and dated May 17. ... Mens bunad from Nord Gudbrandsdalen and womens bunad from Oppdal A bunad is a traditional Norwegian costume, typically of rural origin. ... The Norwegian Constitution Day is the National Day of Norway and is an official national holiday each year. ... A Norwegian movement between 1840 and 1867 in art, literature, and popular culture that emphasized the aesthetics of Norwegian nature and the uniqueness of the Norwegian national identity. ... Henrik Wergeland Henrik Arnold Wergeland (June 17, 1808–July 12, 1845) was a Norwegian poet and prose writer, born in Kristiansand. ...

Jonsok (St. John's Passing), or St. Hans (St. John's Day), i.e. 24 June, is also a commonly revered holiday. It marks midsummer and the beginning of summer vacation, and is often celebrated by lighting bonfires the evening before. This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... June 24 is the 175th day of the year (176th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 190 days remaining. ... Midsummer celebration, Ã…mmeberg, Sweden Midsummer, or Litha as it was known by the ancient Germanic peoples, refers the period of time centered upon the summer solstice and the religious celebrations that accompany it. ... A bonfire or balefire is a large controlled outdoor fire made from bales of straw or wood. ...

Common Christian holidays are also celebrated, the most important being Jul (Christmas Eve, 24 December) and Påske (Easter). The neutrality and factual accuracy of this section are disputed. ... Yule was the winter solstice celebration of the Germanic pagans still celebrated by Ásatrúar. ... The Christmas Eve (1904-05), watercolor painting by the Swedish painter Carl Larsson (1853-1919) Christmas Eve, December 24, the day before Christmas Day, is treated to a greater or a lesser extent in most Christian societies as part of the Christmas festivities. ... December 24 is the 358th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (359th in leap years). ... This article is about the Christian festival. ...

In Literature

This cultural tradition is captured in Norwegian literature as represented by works like those by playwright/novelists Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, Knut Hamsun and Sigrid Undset, winners of the 1903, 1920 and 1928 Nobel Prize in Literature as well as playwright Henrik Ibsen. Expressionist painter Edvard Munch is the most famous Norwegian artist in a long artistic tradition that includes modernists such as Gunnar S. Gundersen and romantic-period painters such as Adolph Tidemand, Hans Gude, and J.C. Dahl. Norwegian Literature // Early Influences Around 1030, Christianity came to Norway, bringing with it the Latin alphabet, which supplanted the runic alphabet. ... Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson Bjørnstjerne Martinus Bjørnson (December 8, 1832–April 26, 1910) was a Norwegian author and Nobel Prize in Literature winner in 1903. ... Knut Hamsun (31 years old) in 1890 Knut Hamsun (August 4, 1859 – February 19, 1952) was a leading Norwegian author and recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature for 1920. ... Sigrid Undset as photographed by Carl Van Vechten in 1927. ... 1903 (MCMIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... 1920 (MCMXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar) // Events January January 7 - Forces of Russian White admiral Kolchak surrender in Krasnoyarsk. ... 1928 (MCMXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... The Nobel Prize in Literature is awarded annually to an author from any country who has, in the words of Alfred Nobel, produced the most outstanding work of an idealistic tendency. The work in this case generally refers to an authors work as a whole, not to any individual... Henrik Johan Ibsen (March 20, 1828 – May 23, 1906) was an extremely influential Norwegian playwright who was largely responsible for the rise of the modern realistic drama (dubbed the father of modern drama). It is said that Ibsen is the most frequently performed dramatist in the world after Shakespeare. ... The Scream by Edvard Munch (1893) which inspired 20th century Expressionists Portrait of Eduard Kosmack by Egon Schiele Rehe im Walde by Franz Marc On White II by Wassily Kandinsky, 1923. ... Self Portrait with Skeleton Arm, 1895 Edvard Munch (December 12, 1863 – January 23, 1944) was a Norwegian expressionist painter and printmaker. ... Modernism is a cultural movement that generally includes the progressive art and architecture, music, literature and design which emerged in the decades before 1914. ... Gunnar S. Gundersen (1921-1983) or Gunnar S. (as he liked to be called) was a Norwegian modernist painter. ... Adolph Tidemand (1814-1876) was a Norwegian painter who was born in Mandal in 1814. ... Hans Fredrik Gude Hans Fredrik Gude (1825 – 1903) was a Norwegian romanticist painter. ... I.C. Dahl, Outbreak of the Vesuvius (1826), Städelsches Kunstinstitut, Frankfurt am Main. ...

And these traditions are continued in today's Norwegian films, festivals, and museums. Along with the classical music of romantic composer Grieg and the modern music of Nordheim, Norwegian black metal has become something of an export article in recent years. Folk music from Norway is usually in minor or modal, making a sober and haunting sound, though major key dance music forms also exist. ... Romanticism was a secular and intellectual movement in the history of ideas that originated in late 18th century Western Europe. ... A composer is a person who writes music. ... Edvard Grieg Edvard Hagerup Grieg (June 15, 1843 – September 4, 1907) was a Norwegian composer and pianist who composed in the romantic period. ... Arne Nordheim (born 20 June 1931) is a Norwegian composer, since 1982 living in the Norwegian States honorary residence, Grotten, next to the Royal Palace in Oslo. ... Black metal is a musical genre, related to styles of heavy metal, such as death metal. ...

Leisure

Physical culture is also important in one of the most prosperous nations in the world. In terms of the opportunities for enjoying leisure, few countries compare with Norway. With great forests and wide mountain plateaus for winter pleasure and extensive coastal areas and rivers for summer recreation, Norway provides a natural environment which encourages outdoor sports. Virtually every Norwegian owns at least one pair of skis, and the Norwegian Mountain Touring Association stands strong. Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, Norway Although sensitive to global business cycles, the economy of Norway has shown robust growth since the start of the industrial era. ... Early summer in mountain range between Valdres and Hallingdal. ... A twin-tip shaped downhill ski. ... The Norwegian Mountain Touring Association (In Norwegian, Den Norske Turistforening – DNT) is a Norwegian association which maintains mountain trails and cabins in Norway. ...

In the Kitchen

Norway's culinary traditions show the influence of long seafaring and farming traditions with salmon (fresh and cured), herring (pickled or marinated), trout, codfish and other seafood balanced by cheeses, dairy products and excellent breads (predominantly dark/darker). For renowned Norwegian dishes, see Lutefisk and Smalahove. The Chinook or King Salmon is the largest salmon in North America and can grow up to 58 long and 125 pounds. ... Species Clupea alba Clupea bentincki Clupea caspiopontica Clupea chrysotaenia Clupea elongata Clupea halec Clupea harengus Clupea inermis Clupea leachii Clupea lineolata Clupea minima Clupea mirabilis Clupea pallasii Clupea sardinacaroli Clupea sulcata Herrings are small oily fish of the genus Clupea found in the temperate, shallow waters of the North Atlantic... Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Biwa trout (Oncorhynchus masou subsp) Trout is the common name given to a number of species of freshwater fish belonging to the salmon family, Salmonidae. ... Species Gadus morhua Gadus macrocephalus Gadus ogac Cod surfacing This article is about codfish; for other meanings, see COD. Cod is the common name for the genus Gadus of fish, belonging to the family Gadidae, and is also used in the common name of a variety of other fishes. ... Lutefisk (on the upper left side of the plate) as served in a Norwegian restaurant, with potatoes, mashed peas, and bacon. ... Smalahove (or smalehovud) is a Norwegian traditional dish, usually eaten around and before Christmas time, made from a sheeps head. ...