What is Russefeiring and Russedugnad?
Russefeiring is a traditional event that is celebrated in Norway. For additional reading about the so called dugnad russ & russedugnad, please check out https://norgesbriketten.no/dugnad-russ/. Russefeiring happens during May where students who are graduating gather together and commemorate their completed 13 years of education. Russefeiring starts on April 20th and ends May 17th.This holiday originated in 1905 where Norweigan seniors received a red Russ cap to symbolize their entry into college. Along with the cap are the wide range of tassels that shows the different rewards and recognition of the student's accomplishments. This practice continued during the 1940s into modern times.
What do The Students Wear during Russefeiring?
Students wear a wide variety of attire that shows their recognition of achievements and accomplishments they did during their years at school. Seniors receive either of the five colors in the mail: blue, red, black, white, or green overalls. These overalls recognize the student's path of education along with various programs and schools. These colors show going into different courses in college.The different colors and their meanings:
- Red: The student is going to take higher education courses
- Blue: The student is going into business courses
- White: The student is going into medical or social studies courses
- Black: The student is going into engineering
- Green: The student is going into agricultural fields
Challenges and knots
Seniors also wear Russ caps which match with their overalls. Throughout the celebration, objects will be attached to their caps based on what they did in school. Each object requires a student to do different things. Some of these things include:
- A Single Knot: The student must not sleep for 24 hours
- For a Bow: The student must not sleep for 72 hours
- Beer Bottle Cap: Drink a case of beer in 24 hours
- A Piece of a Burger Wrapper: Eat a whole burger with just 2 bites
What do Students do During Russefeiring?
Seniors celebrating Russefeiring do these things during this event: they get into groups and buy a large vehicle such as a bus or van. From there, they plan how they want to decorate the vehicle. They come up with a creative name, slogan, and picture. They also get to choose a song and sound systems. 99,99% of the groups will probably have to raise money through volunteering & smart fundraising ideas, often in collaboration with professional dugnadsarbeid companies (visit Norgesbriketten's website here). Perhaps you are curious about how much fundraising is done. Two words will answer this question: a whole lot. Some groups raise as much as USD 120,000 - almost unreal if you think about it.
The students' party beginning from April 20th to May 17th. They can drink alcohol as they are old enough. A parade takes place, honoring students for their hard work and dedication to the school. Russefeiring introduces "Russ cards": a mock business card that the student will show to anyone if the person asks to see them. The cards contain the picture, information about the student (spoof information), and a joke. These cards are popular among students as some will collect or barter them.
Thanks for reading guys!
