posted on 27th November 2009 under Culture, Food, Habits, Tradition
In Europe, including Norway, Thanksgiving in various traditional forms has long roots and can not be seen as an American tradition, we try to copy. Actually “Thanksgiving” has been celebrated at all times throughout the world. Even the ancient Greeks had their “Thanksgiving”, where they celebrated the fertility goddess Demeter. The Romans celebrated the corn crop and the goddess Ceres. In Norway in the old days was Michaelmas (29 September) – which was both a harvest festival and celebration of the Archangel Michael – a very important festival in our country. Because it falls near the equinox, it is associated in the northern hemisphere with the beginning of autumn and the shortening of days. Michael is the greatest of all the archangels and is honoured for his defeat of Lucifer in the battle for the heavens in the Bible.
Nowadays Thanksgiving is rarely celebrated in Norway or elsewhere in Scandinavia. However, I’m fortunate to be married to an American, so today we had our turkey:
This has given me the chance to get a better insight of what Thanksgiving is all about and how important it is to North Americans. I love to learn about other countries culture and traditions and of course, since it’s also related to European and Norway’s history from the 1800s I’ve been digging into the history and found this:
In the US:
In relation to Norway which is a country with a small number of immigrants, North America is where European immigrants flocked to. The Thanksgiving story is mainly based on the English pilgrims, the Mayflower ship, which sailed from England in the early 1600s, in search of the Promised Land. When they finally arrived at Plymouth Rock, located in the USA’s east coast in the state of Massachusetts, the trip had taken much longer than planned. The late arrival meant that they had not cultivated the earth, as the ensuing winter resulted in many who died of starvation. When spring came, they were aided by local Indians to plant the earth and set up simple houses. Then in late November 1621, the English settlers and American Indians celebrated the harvest which would mean food and shelter for the coming winter.
In Canada:
I’m fully aware of the history of Thanksgiving Day in Canada too (the second Monday in October) and that it goes back to an explorer, Martin Frobisher, who had been trying to find a northern passage to the Pacific Ocean. However Frobisher’s Thanksgiving was not for harvest but homecoming. He had safely returned from a search for the Northwest Passage, avoiding the later fate of Henry Hudson and Sir John Franklin. In the year 1578, he held a formal ceremony, in what is now the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, to give thanks for surviving the long journey. The feast was one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations by Europeans in North America. Frobisher was later knighted and had an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean in northern Canada named after him — Frobisher Bay.
So to all friends and family over there – and I know a lot of you have anchors in Norway or other places in Scandinavia too:
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!
You’re welcome to read DianeCA,
my wife’s post from today and what she is thankful for!
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posted on 23rd November 2009 under OsloBG, Travel Abroad
Brussels, the capital of Belgium, is a cosmopolitan city where many different cultures live together and where different languages can be heard on each street. As headquarters of many European institutions, it’s a capital for the European Union. Being at the crossroads it’s playing an important role in Europe and fits the definition of the archetypal “melting pot”, but still retains its own unique character.
Representing The Norwegian Computer Society, I quite often go to Brussels e.g. in CEPIS meetings; Council of European Professional Informatics Societies, representing over 300,000 informatics professionals in 33 countries. As a network evangelist, it’s a thrill talking with and making friends with people from all over Europe – a great way to get new insight in the diversity and similarity of our cultures, traditions and habits. Further more, when I have the chance, I love to explore the same variety and contrast in the different architectural styles that can be found in the city; the former capital of the medieval Duchy of Brabant. Last week, I had some extra hours and walked around with my Nikon camera and you’re welcome to join me. Let’s start with a waterhole where they serve my favourite Belgium beer: Stella Artois:
Grand’Place or Grote Market:
Just around the corner, you’ll find the heart of Brussels and the place to start getting to know the city. This historic market square with its splendid guild houses and the impressive Gothic beauty of the Town Hall, is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful town squares in Europe:
The Town Hall and the square starts to get decorated for Christmas.
Once there, you know it from the size of the square, the breath taking architecture and because there are tourists with world wide languages taking pictures and posing:
The square attracts special occasions or celebrations too. When I was there the 20th of November, Students of l’Université libre de Bruxelles were honouring The Free University of Brussels. Founded in 1834, it was a reaction against the catholic domination in higher education. Its name refers to the complete freedom of inquiry which is the founding principle of the university, and to the freedom of domination by either state or religious authorities. Like almost every institution in the bilingual Belgium, the Brussels University has been split up into French and a Dutch-speaking part:
Manneken Pis:
Just a short walk from the Grand Place Market is the
Manneken Pis, a small bronze statue thought to represent the “irreverent spirit” of Brussels:
Another popular place to pose as a tourist 
This statue of a child performing one of Nature’s most basic functions is believed to have been inspired by a child who, while in a tree, found a special way to drive away invading troops. Belgians have created hundreds of outfits for this statue and this day of course it was Students of l’Université libre de Bruxelles
Windows shopping:
Brussels and Belgium is famous for a lot – let’s explore through window shopping and I’ll let the photos speaks for themselves:
Left above: Chocolates – Right above: Sweets, biscuits and more yummy
Left below: Beer – Right below: Belgium lace
The Fish Market:
Just to the north of Grand Place. Brussels’ restaurant gauntlet can be found in Rue des Bouchers – Beenhouwerstraat, and side streets. You find all kinds of Belgian cuisine of course, but as a Norwegian I look for seafood and find a lot – that’s why I call it a
Fish Market (read
my post from a previous for more details):
Left: Seafood stand – Right: The narrow and cosy restaurant street.
This again shows one reason why I love my hobby, blogging. It adds a new dimension to my love of travelling. In my travels I am always thinking of my blog, and its contents which I like to be informative. In this way I pay more attention and learn more about the places I visit so I can share it with my favourite readers. That’s one reason why I would like to invite others to have the same experience in
Oslo, and I would love to show you around you know. Click to see the constant improving program of
The Oslo Blog Gathering 2010!
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posted on 19th November 2009 under Culture, Habits
Jesus Christ Superstar on the Norwegian scene is of little doubt a successful mix of rock music, religion and opera. It’s a breath taking modern rock opera, with Hans-Erik Dyvik Husby or ‘Hank von Helvete’ (eng: Helvete = Hell) as Jesus. The Bible story is reinterpreted into modern Oslo in 2009, with junkies, gangsters and prostitutes in the cityscape and Jesus as a rather ordinary man with tattoos and a fur coat.
I had the pleasure of enjoying this sparkling show with my wife some weeks ago and gladly share it with you. I shot some photos with my Nokia mobile N82 – not the best lightening, so bare with me on the quality (click all pick to bigify & enjoy!):
Jesus has resurrected for the second time – this time at The Norwegian Theatre in Hank von Helvete’s figure, accompanied by intense rock music, contemporary references and tight leather pants. It can not be anything but magical, religious and a bit controversial when the biblical story is re-enacted on stage this fall.
We meet people in the city’s abyss; addicts, beggars, criminals, prostitutes and the lepers, are all in Jesus’ inner circle. We follow Jesus, Mary Magdalene and a small but talented voice of Judah through the last week in the life of Jesus:
From the arrival in Jerusalem until his crucifixion:
In Israel, where palm leaves are replaced with demonstration posters:
Peter deniers is a wannabe gangster in a jogging suit and King Herod reminds suspiciously of Hugh Hefner as he splashes in a swimming pool full of blonde bimbo-luscious lady friends. Both Jesus himself and his gang have gone through a grand reform of 2009:
A modern rock prophet:
I have of course seen the movie in the 70s. However here we saw Jesus as a modern rock prophet – it was actually much paradoxical behind Hank von Helvete’s performance in the Jesus figure. But that is precisely what makes the performance so believable and explosive. Jesus appears no longer as a poor guy in sandals, but rather a rebellious rocker in Baris with tattoos, leather pants and bling bling. He is fearless, rock and tough. We love him, and cheer for him!
Judas – a repentant sinner:
Also, Judas Iscariot, the traitor, has gone through various extreme transformations in this version. He appears bearing a striking reference in appearance and posture of musician and nark addict Pete Doherty. As a repentant sinner Judas receives champagne and a tremendous check as he betrays Jesus to the Pharisees. In contrast to the biblical story, Judas here shows clear signs of remorse and guilt, in light of the fact that his actions are morally unjustified, and in his own best intentions. A small man with an amazingly powerful voice, he is the real star in this musical according to many critics.
A successful mix:
There is little doubt that rock music, religion and the opera is a successful mixture on the Norwegian scene. I guess most of you know the musical was first written in 1970 by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, and it has been presented several places in Norway since 1990. For sure it was about time to bring it back to the Norwegian stage and just to enjoy an amazing performance where old meets new, conservative meetings controversies, and political disagreements and ideologies are put on the agenda again, in the light of day.
Actually it was my wife DianeCA’s second time seeing this show and she made a post about it too, saying: “I don’t think Jesus Christ Superstar will ever be presented in this way anyplace else in the world at any time…it was really a once in a lifetime experience. Unless of course I drag along Renny and see it one more time before it closes!!” – She did and now I suggest you hop over and
read her report (including a press video from the show!).
Comments (26)
posted on 14th November 2009 under Habits, OsloBG
Blogging about Norway and the Nordic countries, our culture, traditions, habits and a bit of food for four years has been an adventure. My regular readers might recall it all started after I gave a lecture at the Norwegian School of Management for Master’s grad students in marketing. The subject was ‘Technology, Business and the Society’ and I lectured about web 2.0, Wikipedia and Blogging. It has been a fantastic and interesting experience, now more like a habit – yes, you might even say I’m addicted:
I will use this opportunity to recap some of my sayings:
A Givers Gain:
Never have I learned so much from others as from sharing about my daily life. This is my post #417 with a total of 27,020 comments which are my encouragement and my Gain: From that I have learned a lot and most of all; made friends from all over the world. I will thank you all for taking your time to read and share your reactions, views and opinions – it really enriches the subject in my posts.
Make Blogs not Wars:
As Blogsphere brings people together; it breaks down cultural, religious and other barriers. Fears come from uncertainty while facts and knowledge build trust and confidence. I would say: Blogging empowering people – what do you think?
Blogging connecting People:
I’ve meet so many wonderful people out there (also in real life!), learned and gotten closer to them as well as made new and wonderful friends. The world to me has become smaller and respect and acceptance for the charm in the differences has increased. The very best example this year was our blog meeting at Claudie and Pierre’s in Provence together with TorAa & Anna and Mrs. & Mr. Lifecruiser.
Oslo Blog Gathering 2010:
When you Gain a lot, one wants to Give. My contribution to everyone in Blogsphere is to invite you all to Oslo in August 2010. I’ve been working hard to make a program so that the participants can explore and experience what they like of all I’ve been posting about for the past four years. In making this a once in a lifetime adventure, I’ve had great help from visitOslo and some wonderful expat bloggers in Norway: The Gathering Assistants.
An Anniversary calls for special gifts. My contribution on this occasion would be some link love. Below you’ll find a scroll box listing my blogroll. Pick out at least one you don’t know, pay a visit and make a comment saying you’re from Renny to say hi:
The Queer Chef -My blog designer!
A fish blog.com -Magnus Tangen in Norway
An American Expat in Deutschland -Christina
An American In Oslo -Kristie from LA, US
A Changing Life -A in Europe
Aramis’ Blogg -A friend in Norwegian
Backpacking Philippines Travel Guide -Tutubi Flight Chronicles
Blog -Blond -Kuanyin from Maui Hawaii, US
Blogging Sueblimely -English ex-pat, Australian webdesigner and blogging aficionado
Bloggin’ Outloud
Brykmantra -Mark in US
Sandee (Comedy +) -in California, Us
Correr Es Mi Destino -Zhu, French/Canadian teacher in Ottawa
Confessions of an Expat’s Wife
Dackel Princess -Maribeth in US
Dagboek -Thess; Her writings during stolen moments…
DianeCA’s Metamorphoses -My beloved wife!
Diane’s Place in US
The Digital Society – Francis D’Silva, a planning consultant in Norway
Do It Myself Blog -Glenda’s inspiring autobiography
EastcoastLife -a lively girl in Singapore
eGuiden-Backstage -Gunnar in Norway
eirikso.com -Media.HTPC.Mobile.Food.Travel
Euroangle Graffiti -A Filipina in Germany
Excorcise my Devils -ShadowFalcon in Australia
ExpatTravels -From Switzerland to Canada
Espreson -Sarbarth, Expressing with words
Fleur de Lisa -From Indiana, US
Frena -A Filipino living in Chicago, US
Fruity from Fruit Spices
Gentle & Compassionate -Ghee in Japan + Ally And Allies
Genre Cookshop -Nancy Bea Miller in Philadelphia, US
Himalman’s Weblog -An Everest climber
Hope is Bright -Mary Ann in Tennessee, US
House of Lime -Michelle in Pennsylvania, US
Here in the Hills -Naomi: OldOldLadyOfTheHills in LA, US
Humanyms -Pearl in Canada
In Soul -Ginnie in Georgia, US and Amsterdam
In Nederland -Thess from the Philippines
Insanity Prevails -Melli in US
Interesting observations -Pearl with various aspects of blogging
Iternational Blog of Food -I’m a Team blogger her!
Fresh Mess -Mark from the Philippines living in Oslo
Italian’s Insight to Travel Italy
It’s all about luck -Morten Lund from Denmark
It’s all about me -Teena in Toronto, Canada
It’s my party -RIA in the Philippines
Kladdeboka by Paal (Norwegian)
Ladybug’s Leaf
Laza83 -Claudie in France
Letters to the Universe
Life in the fast lane -Deborah Petersen in Alberta, Canada
Lifecruiser -in Sweden
Life, Humour and Recipes -Colin in UK
LikeTress -Kim, an award winning portrait artist
maremagnum -A Chilean expat in Barcelona, Spain
Max Coutinho -In Portugal
Miss Cellania -A funny single mom in Kentucky, US
Moderatlely Confused Pinay in Deutschland
Motivated Motion -Lynn Tucker in Canada
Much of a muchness -Diane, live in deepest, darkest Dorset
My life is murphy’s law -Ev Nucci in US
My Sarisari Store
mökkikunta -A blog friend from Finland
Nomadic Matt Travel Site -A twenty-something vagabond
-Nothern Natterings
-Return to Norway
BeaverBoosh -A Canadian in Norway
-An American in Norway
-An Alien in Copenhagen
Olga, the Traveling Bra -A Globetrotter
Photojournalism, Travel and Nature Photography -JH a Globetrotter
Random thoughts on Norway -Kenneth from Norway in Prague
Return to Norway – Caroline back home
Speedcat Hollydale Page -Eric “Speedcat Hollydale” in Minnesota, US
Spilling Out -Mother of Invention in Canada
Sue’s Daily Photography
Susies The Boss in US
Tin-tin: What Makes My Life Pretty?
The Painted Veil -Shinade in Oklahoma, US
~*~Tinkerbell~*~ -The magical journal of a Dutch
Through JoAnn’s Digital Eyes’-NL
TorAa Mirror -in Norway
Travel Wonders of the world -Mark H in Sydney, Australia
Tricia’s Musings -A nurse, A wife living the Fun fun social life
Trails -Gisle in Norway
Traveler’s Tales -Traveller, Foodie and Gearhead
Travel Guide Travel information portal.
Tulsa Gentleman -Bill Miller, Tulsa, OK in US
Two Go Round-The-World -Kathryn and Daniel
Visual Norway – my way -RuneE in Norway
Wanderlust Sha -Wanderlust in Greece
Will Pate – Hugs not thugs
Wish I was there -Hexe in Florida
Word Strumpet -Charlotte Rains Dixon in Portland, US
Yours-Truly.net -Caledonia in Scotland
Comments (37)
posted on 9th November 2009 under OsloBG, Travel Norway
Oslo Blog Gathering in August 2010 is going to be a blast! The response from all over the world is overwhelming and slowly bits and pieces in the program are beginning to take form. Even more: Expats bloggers in Norway have started to volunteer for improving the program and assisting at the gathering. I met five of them in Oslo some days ago – yea, even a couple are from a different city! Like I’ve told you before: Blogging Connecting People and I’m proud to introduce The Oslo Gathering’s Assistants:
The Oslo Blog Gathering Plan & Assistant Group
These guys are amazingly enthusiastic about the gathering idea – you should click and visit each and one of them:
Corinne at “Northern Natterings”
Caroline at “Return to Norway”
BeaverBoosh at “A Canadian in Norway”
Tressa at “American in Norway” and
Cecilia at “An Alien in Copenhagen – One year in Norway“
Program improvement – local guides:
We all agreed that the program should be build around the
Oslo Pass (included in the Program Fee: provides free travel on all public transport, free admission to museums and sights). That means that every participant can choose for themselves what they’d like to explore in Oslo. However, no one needs to walk alone: These expats (+ TorAa and DianeCA) will pick their different spot of the day and those who wish to be guided by a local may follow them. I hereby announce them as
The Oslo Gathering Assistants. All this will be announced at the
Official Program Site in due time.
Enjoying the long summer nights:
In Oslo, the sun doesn’t go down before 9:30PM in August, so there are good reasons to be outdoors – in the Norwegian spirit We will therefore arrange gatherings in the evening at places like Vigeland Sculpture Park where we can meet up and share our adventures of the day – and even discuss what to explore the next day in an informal social atmosphere.
Event at Facebook:
To promote the Oslo Blog Gathering, I have created an event at Facebook. To get an idea of how many would like to or at least consider joining us; this is the place to indicate your position. Go check it out and please invite all your blogger FB friends. You’re also welcome to write on the wall and share your expectations and suggestions, as well as what you are looking forward to explore in Oslo. It’s a great place to get in the spirit for a fun filled trip to Oslo in 2010.
Join Oslo Blog Gathering 2010!
Shear this with your readers – copy and paste the following code to your blog or website.
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