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Fastelavn, Norway

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What is Fastelavn?

The Fastelavn is a tradition that takes place in northern Europe, particularly in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Iceland and Faroe Islands. The celebration varies by country and different regions within the country. Previously, the celebration involved adults, who performed different activities during the holiday season. Nowadays, however, it is the children who carry out the celebrations.

During the festivities, children walk the streets in costume and visit houses while singing a typical holiday tune. In addition, it is tradition to eat a traditional sweet known as “Fastelavnsbolle”, a kind of cream puff sprinkled with sugar. Previously, the parades counted with much more importance and participation, but nowadays it is celebrated more as a kind of “Sweet or trick“, an activity that usually takes place on Halloween..



Likewise, celebrations have taken on more familiar elements, taking place in the home with the family or small celebrations in communities or schools.

 

Fastelavn is a celebration that takes place in Norway and other Nordic countries where children are the main participants.

Fastelavn is a celebration that takes place in Norway and other Nordic countries where children are the main participants

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When is the Fastelavn

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Fastelavn festivities take place on the Saturday or Sunday before Ash Wednesday. TheFastelavn will take place on approximately February 14.

 

History of Fastelavn

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The celebration arrived in Norway in the middle of the 19th century, when a group of students began incorporating elements of the Parisian carnival festivities in the country. From 1863 celebrations in Norway included parades and dances were held in the various halls and communities. Also, the festivities began to be held in the variousfederations of artists, which resulted in the composition of songs that were played during the festivities.

Parades in ancient times were carried out by men and unmarried women, who would walk the streets in costume collecting food or money to celebrate Fastelavn. Nowadays the parades lost importance, so it is mainly celebrated among neighborhood children.



In addition, in some regions there was a tradition of placing a cat in a wooden barrel, which was beaten until it broke and the cat was released. This tradition was considered a ritual to chase away demons and bad luck. Nowadays, this type of celebration was replaced with a piñata because it is considered cruel.

 

Where is the Fastelavn

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Fastelavn festivities take place in Norway, in the various cities and villages, being celebrated in family homes, schools and communities. The holiday is also celebrated in parts of the Nordic countries such as Denmark, Sweden, Iceland and the Faroe Islands.

 

Children in communities and schools wear costumes during Fastelavn

Children in communities and schools wear costumes during Fastelavn

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How Fastelavn is celebrated

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Fastelavn has 3 essential components to its celebrations.

Fastelavnsris

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These are small decorations made with branches that children make in order to give small bumps to their parents on the morning of Fastelavn. These decorations can vary according to the region. However, it usually features tree branches, usually fruity, to which are attached glitter, feathers, eggshells and some other elements.

 

Fastelavnsbolle

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During the holidays these sweets which are similar to cream puffs or profiteroles are consumed. These sweets are filled with cream and sometimes with jam.

If you want to know more about tourism in this country, I recommend this guide:

 

Processions

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Nowadays children make small processions through the cities in order to ask for candy. This tradition functions as a sort of “trick-or-treating” of Halloween..

In addition, in some Nordic regions and countries, celebrations are held with pineapples filled with fruits and candy. Likewise, songs are also made for the holidays, which are employed when children go trick-or-treating.

 

Tips for going to Fastelavn

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If you want to come and see the Fastelavn festivities, we recommend planning your trip in advance, making a itinerary of activities and reserving your accommodation in advance.

Also, be sure to pack warm clothes, since the temperature on those dates is usually below 0 degrees Celsius.

 

 

Events in Fastelavn

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Celebrations usually occur very modestly and carried out with the family, schools or communities. In the morning, children wake parents with the tapping of the Fastelavnsris. In addition, during the day, the cream puffs known as Fastelavnsbolle are consumed. The parties are usually celebrated in family or groups of the same communities.

Thegroups of children fan out through the neighborhoods to beg for candy, to sing and play around in the company of other neighborhood children or their own parents. In addition, the schools also hold different events involving the traditional holiday activities..

In some regions, the use of piñatas, usually with the figure of a cat is employed. Cat piñatas represent the ancient traditions of the cat in the barrel.

 

Fastelavnsris are typical Fastelavn decorations

Fastelavnsris are typical Fastelavn decorations

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Fastelavn parades

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Parades are held by neighborhood children who take to the streets wearing different costumes. Some children dress up as cartoons, while others as some profession of their liking or ghost costumes. Likewise, some of the parents and representatives are also part of the processions or tours while the children are in charge of asking for candy..

 

 

Parade route

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Children beg for candy from neighbors and residents of their neighborhoods during the Fastelavn

Children beg for candy from neighbors and residents of their neighborhoods during the Fastelavn

 

Children generally go out through their neighborhood to the homes of neighbors or acquaintances to ask for candy. Also, different schools in the regions hold activities and convivencias held by the young children and primary schools.

 

Fastelavnsbolle are cream puffs they eat during the holidays

Fastelavnsbolle are cream puffs they eat during the holidays

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What to eat at Fastelavn

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During the holidays they eat Fastelavnsbolle, sweets similar to cream puffs or profiteroles, which are filled with cream and sprinkled with powdered sugar. The sweets undergo some modifications depending on the regions or countries where they are celebrated, they may even be called differently or include some other type of filling accompanied by fruits, jams or chocolate cream.

The panqueques or crepes are also part of the traditions, especially before and during Cinder Wednesday. Some people accompany them with fruit, powdered sugar or cream.

 

Pancakes or crepes are also part of the traditional meals during the dates

Pancakes or crepes are also part of the traditional meals during the dates

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Travel Insurance

 

From Carnavalesdelmundo.org we recommend to hire a good insurance to visit this carnival and to know the rest of the country. For being our readers we offer a 5% discount on all IATI insurances. Read more information about all insurance offers here:

 

 

What to see and do inside the Fastelavn

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Because the parties are held in a very family-oriented environment, where people spend time with theirloved ones, the number of activities is somewhat limited. Likewise, the parties are directed almost exclusively for children. Despite this, you can eat all the Fastelavnsbolle you want.

If you don’t want to complicate things, here you can book interesting excursions in Spanish in this city:.

Guided tours in Spanish around the world

 

What to see and do outside Fastelavn

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Festivals are held in the different cities, towns and regions of the country, so you can attend festivals anywhere you feel like it. Also, some of the most popular tourist attractions in Norway are Trolltunga, Geiranger Fjord and Preikestolen.

Also if you want to visit museums and important buildings in this city we recommend that you book your ticket in advance through Tiquets:.

Book tickets in the city you are visiting

 

Safety at the Fastelavn

 

 

Norway is one of the safest countries in the world. The crime rate in the territory is extremely low, even in the main cities of the country.

It is always a good idea to keep your personal belongings in a safe place, especially when you find yourself in places with a large number of people. Also, we recommend the following products to keep your belongings safe:

 

 

Weather in the Fastelavn

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During the Fastelavn celebration, daily temperatures generally range between -1 and 1 degrees Celsius, on very rare occasions they can be higher than 7 degrees or lower than -9 degrees Celsius.

We recommend packing thick coats. If possible, wear several pairs of socks and pants to keep your lower body warm. Also, don’t forget to wear a hat and gloves during these dates.

 

Sharing candy like the Fastelavnsbolle is a tradition that has lasted for years

Sharing candy like the Fastelavnsbolle is a tradition that has lasted for years

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How to get to Fastelavn

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How to get there by plane

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If you decide to travel to Norway, here is a list of the most used airports within its jurisdiction. The airports with the highest number of arrivals from different parts of the world are: Tromsø-Langnes in the city of Langnes, the Bodø Airport, Trondheim-Værnes located in the province of Stjørdal,  Ålesund-Vigra located in the city of Ålesund and Oslo-Gardermoen Airport located in Oslo, the country’s capital.

We recommend buying airline tickets through Kiwi.com or Skyscanner where they are usually cheaper. More information on this link to review Kiwi.com..

 

How to get there by boat

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Also, Norway offers you some options to arrive by sea. Among the main ports. Such as Oslo, Stavanger and Trondheim.

 

How to get around the country

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Trains

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Norway has an excellent train system. The main stations are located in the city of Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger and Trondheim. They also connect to other small towns.

 

Bus

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Buses are probably the most common way to get around towns and villages. Most bus stations make connections to large cities, small towns and villages and remote regions of the country.

 

Transit

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Large cities such as Oslo and Bergen have a streetcar system with which you can transport yourself around the various urban and suburban areas.

 

Car

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You can rent cars in any city in the country. However, due to the fact that the festivities take place during the winter, take into consideration that it can be a bit difficult to get through the roads. We recommend using a car if you are an expert behind the wheel.

 

Where to stay in Fastelavn

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Booking.com

 

The cities with the highest rate of visitors are Bergen, Flåm and Oslo. All of these have great hospitality service and excellent establishments for you to spend your vacation in the best way.

Some lodging options you can find in Oslo are:

 

Citybox Oslo

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3-star hotel 550 meters from the city center. Rooms have private bathrooms. Facilities offer restaurant, family rooms and free wifi.

 

Hotel Radisson Blu Plaza

4 star hotel 1 km from the center of Oslo. Rooms offer desk, panoramic views, tea/coffee set, private bathroom and TV. Parking and free Wi-Fi are available at the hotel.

 

Hotell Bondeheimen

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3-star hotel 200 meters from the city center. The room offers private bathroom and ironing set. The hotel offers gym, restaurant, bar, parking and free wifi.

We recommend using Booking.com to book hotels at a good price, check more information here:

 


Booking.com

 

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