Easter in Norway isn't exactly what I grew up with.
New pattent leather shoes, baked ham with scalloped potatoes, and a visit from the Easter bunny aren't the norm here. Ski trips, paper back murder mysteries, and empty church pews are. Not to say that I'm a regular Sally Churchgoer, but I do find it a little ironic that this country, the same one with a state church and one of the longest Easter vacations in the world, busies itself with chocolate bars and coffee cups instead of a communion bread and hymns. Grocery stores have even been closed for four of the past five days so that everyone has time to sit at home next to a candle and refelct on Jesus' crucification and ressurection. But I wasn't aiming at making this a purely judgmental post, so we'll just leave it at that.
Here a few pics from our generous Påske vacation, courtesy of the Norwegian Lutheran State church.
Maybe if I get a chance to restock the fridge with some groceries after the stores re-open tomorrow, I'll be able to post a new recipe!
Look at you with your foxy red tights on! Woo hoo!
Do not get me started on how long the shops have been closed for!! I will be leaving the country next Easter, without a doubt!
(Looks like you had a lovely Påske though!)
Posted by: lisakjellerød | April 25, 2011 at 10:54 PM
I'd venture a guess that being in church with communion and services in Sunday doesn't guarantee you thoughtful or reflective Easter services either. Being stateside, where vacations or official vacation days are few and far between - I'd take the reflective solace of vacation days over words in church on Sunday any day! :0)
Posted by: mamaraby | April 26, 2011 at 02:42 AM
Lisa- I remember hating Easter as a kid because I had to wear tights that would always get twisted up and drive me nuts. Now I live it up with brightly colored tights as often as possible. Luckily, the in-laws stocked their panty and fridge quite well so that we didn't miss the stores being closed for so long.
Mamaraby- I couldn't agree more. I wasn't trying to say that those who didn't end up in church on Sunday were heathens and those of us who did go are thoughtful and reflective. I just find it odd that a country that places such a strong emphasis on a Christian upbringing (baptism and confirmation are a REALLY big deal here) kind of forgets about Easter day services. You're quite right- vacation days and time spent out in nature are equally important for being reflective (if not more!)
Posted by: siri | April 26, 2011 at 12:31 PM
And I get the impression that Norwegians aren't big on going to church on regular Sundays, either. Yet still the emphasis on the baptism and confirmation. . . (Not that we've been in church on Sundays to check it out, either)
Posted by: Emily | April 26, 2011 at 03:05 PM
Siri - No worries, my comment was more an observation on the American church than the Norwegian one. In America we get lots of church attendance as well as plenty of people who are devout believers, but don't ask them about feeding the hungry or housing the homeless, or providing health care to the sick. They're so focused on worship and heaven that it excuses them from life here and now. It's either ironic or sickening or both at the same time.
And I'm still jealous of your vacation days. Apparently you can't have something like that here or the world will end (or Karl Marx will be resurrected? I can't remember which one it is that we're supposed to be most afraid of.).
Sorry...it's just been one heck of a year.
Posted by: mamaraby | April 26, 2011 at 04:38 PM
Yeah, for sure. Did I mention that I am also of Norwegian heritage? Don't remember. But...yes, baptism and confirmation are super important to the Norskis here in the states and then later as young adults most of us Lutherans kind of "fall by the wayside." I remember enduring TWO whole years of confirmation classes every Saturday, EVERY Saturday! It was a really big deal to my parents when I was confirmed. Then, with each subsequent child (I am the oldest of eight) it became less and less required by my folks. That's not fair, I used to say and they just laughed at me, as did my brothers and sisters.
Oh well, what can one do?
Posted by: Caterina B | April 27, 2011 at 04:30 AM
Mamaraby- here, here! I think it's the world ending with Marxists in power that you're supposed to fear?
Caterina- I sort of assumed that you had Norwegian heritage by the looks of the little red cabbin :) One of eight?! I'm sure #8 got a pretty relaxed upbringing! I too had two years of weekly confirmation classes, but our were on Wednesday nights, so Saturdays were luckily free.
Posted by: siri | April 27, 2011 at 06:41 PM
-det er kvardagslykke.
å finne bloggen din!
God torsdagkveld til deg.
Elisabeth
Posted by: elisabeth | May 19, 2011 at 08:12 PM