Sunday, April 29, 2007

I wish I was 18 again

Russ is a tradition and a cultural phenomenon in Norway. Students who graduate from high school are called russ and celebrate with the characteristic festivities (russefeiring) during the first few weeks of May.

My DD is now a russ and they started celebrating some days ago. Tradition is to wear red clothing, wear their red russ caps and a whistle. These weeks they are allowed to behave as small children again LOL, doing their russ knots, playing with theyr waterguns and make noice. If you want you can read more about russ on this link.


Lena preparing her watergun. Filling bottles of water as amunition.

She is also part of a russ van. Here's a photo of the van and four of the members of the car.

Thursday was the big opening party of this celebration.
I remember when I was a russ. All the fun we had. We did not have russ vans or clothes like they do now. But I remember I sewed a red skirt and crochet a red shawl to wear together with my red cuss cap. We were also partying and playing jokes on people. I remember we manage to carry one of the teachers cars in between some threes at the school so he got big trouble getting it out again. And one of the last days at school the girls came in pyjamas and the boys in nightdresses.
Now it's my DD time to celebrate her graduation. I wish her the best and hope she takes care during this time. I know I will be laying awake when she is out wondering if she is ok. But I trust her and know she is out together with good friends. And they all take care of eachoter. May 17th is the final day for this celebration. May 17th is our national day and the culmination of this russ celebration.
Saying for today:
Children have never been very good at listening to their elders,
but they have never failed to imitate them.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

And this is absolutely true ! (nice saying !)
Lots of fun to Lena, and congratulations !
(Wish I were 18, too.... but I'm only 15 !)

Big hugs !
NADINE

Rose Johnston said...

What a great time for ur daughter and her friends!!... i remember 18, vaguely lol.....love the pincushion, thnx for the tutorial!!

QuiltingFitzy said...

UGH! 3 weeks of worry!

You taught her well tho, so rest on that knowledge...and tell her no matter what time, no matter how far...you'll come to get her if she ever feels unsafe. Unless it's the police station, call someone else because Mother isn't home.

Quilter Kathy said...

What great fun the "Russ Celebrations" are ...a memorable community tradition. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Anita said...

Jammen May Britt da - du er jo "ung i sinnet" :-))) Det er det som teller.
Klem fra meg

meggie said...

Russ sounds like a lot of fun for the young ones! In New Zealand they have similar times, called Capping week. They get up to all sorts of tricks.
Lovely tutorial, thankyou!

Sweet P said...

Congratulations to Lena! Russ sounds like a wonderful tradition. Her sewing bag is adorable. Great job on it.

Anonymous said...

Oh, my, your daughter is beautiful!! I can see you have much to worry about!

Libby said...

Sounds like a fun tradition. It would be nice if you could repeat it when you are a little older - you probably appreciate it more with age *s* I bet she loves her new bag.

Hedgehog said...

Congratulations to your daughter!!

Jenni said...

That looks like a fun way to let off some steam.

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