St Olav's Day

when:	Jul 2011 (annual)
where:	Norway

St Olav is the patron saint of Norway, held in high esteem by every Norwegian who has made it through the fourth grade in primary school. Olsok is the day Norwegians celebrate his life, with special regional events taking place throughout Norway.

In the olden days, huge bonfires were traditionally lit at night on hills and other high places, the so-called Olsokfires. People would dress up and eat "Olsok-porridge". The day was seen as crucial to the harvest, as bad weather meant that there would be bad weather for months to come and the crops would be spoiled. Lately, these traditions have mostly fallen into disuse, but there are still occasional bonfires to be spotted around the country and historical plays and celebrations along the lines of the ones at Stiklestad and Maridalen. Check with local tourist offices to see what's happening in your area.

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Country Information:	Norway
Full Name:
	Bounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and Sweden to the east, Norway stretches from the Arctic Circle down to the more temperate reaches of its capital, Oslo. It is a land of beautiful extremes, where every season reveals new and amazing sights, sounds and things to do. Scenic being its best-used adjective, Norway offers mountains, fjords and glaciers with associated wilderness hiking, year-round skiing and some of the most memorable ferry, bus and train rides you'll ever experience. Obvious highlights include Oslo and all its cultural offerings, Risør - one of the country's most picturesque villages, and Tromsø, the "Gateway to the Arctic", with more pubs per head than anywhere else in the country. Sometimes known as the "Land of the Midnight Sun", the summer days go on and on. Adventurous types make the most in the northern Svalbard archipelago, where seals, walruses and polar bears sun themselves on ice floes. Others just take the opportunity to party through the night.