russ

We’ve got 7 weeks left in school now, our exams starts in the middle of May. In the last year of high school we have something called russefeiring. Between 1 th and 17 th (17 th of May is our national day) of May we celebrate that we have finished high school. Despite we haven’t had our exam yet, we’ve already started the celebration. Russefeiring is two weeks of pranks, partying

Russ is a tradition and cultural phenomenon in Norway. Students graduating from upper secondary school celebrate with characteristic festivities starting on May 1. and culminating on the Constitution day on May 17. During this time, the graduates are called russ.

Russ are easily recognized by their distinctive overalls, which tradition dictates that they wear from the 1st to the 17th of May without interruption (except when sleeping), and without washing it. They also have cars, vans or buses, which are painted the same colour as their overalls, and often sport large sound systems or lighting rigs.

Russ cards (russekort) are mock business cards that the russ will hand out to anyone that asks for them. They contain a picture, contact details, and a slogan. Usually the picture is either a funny picture of the graduate him or herself, or a drawing, picture of a celebrity, or other funny picture. The name and contact details are usually spoofs, and the slogan is a joke.