Russ; the Norwegian graduation

Russ is a tradition and cultural phenomenon in Norway. In Norway, students who graduate from high school are called russ and celebrate with the characteristic festivities (russefeiring) during the first few weeks of May. It is a way of ending childhood and of entering into adulthood, but it also marks accomplishing high school and the end of 13 years of school. The festivities officially start on May 1, and last until May 17, which is Norway’s National Day. That day, they commonly celebrate with their own parades.

There are several different types of russ; differing in color of their caps and traditional uniforms which most students carry during the entire russ period: RED = general studies (mathematics, physics, biology, history, literature, English etc); media and communication, art, music, dance and drama; and athletics. This is by far the most common color. BLUE = general studies with economics. BLACK = Vocational courses (like electronics or carpentry). Since Norwegian vocational studies consist of 2 years of schooling and 1 or 2 years of apprenticeship, black russ can choose to celebrate a year earlier than the others or to celebrate in multiple years. GREEN = Agricultural courses. WHITE = sober Christians might use this color, but in most regions they wear the same colors as their classmates. Christian russ might form their own groups to have fun together without peer pressure towards alcohol, sex and drugs.

The russ wear uniforms with their respective colors. Attached to the cap is a tassel at the end of a string, in which they tie knots, often around various items that are rewards for completing assignments listed on the russ knot list. This cap is seldom used before the "russ baptism", which is usually held during the night to May 1. The knot itself often consists of an item representing the accomplishment. For instance kissing a person of the same sex earns you a pink feather. These knots are then knitted and strung along the line extending from the hat. In total, there are about 101 different tasks that can be performed to receive knots. Other examples: Having sex in a roundabout, going swimming in an industrial river, putting a for sale sign on a police car, spending the night at a teacher's house and making him/her breakfast in the morning, all without being noticed, having sex in school, showering a junior with yogurt, going through an entire school day with a sock puppet on the hand. All communication must happen through the sock puppet.

It’s common for several friends to join together to buy a russ car or a bus, painted in their respective russ color. In the russ vehicle, modern tradition requires an expensive stereo inside the vehicle, and on buses, also on the roof. The largest systems allowed can have forty speakers which can generate over sixty thousand watts and is among the best sound systems in the world. Other, more optional accessories, include bus sweaters, bus lighters/key strings, bus caps and a bus song. It is also common to have some sort of theme for the interior and name/concept. Such buses are a large financial burden; a contribution of up to $10,000 per member has occurred. Though, the average is $3-5,000 per member. Including sponsors, the budget on buses can reach over $400,000.

Most russ have personalized calling cards featuring their name, their photograph and a short slogan. These cards are swapped with other russ and handed out to children or family members; for many children, collecting huge amounts of russ cards is an important activity during May.

During these 3 weeks there are a couple of events going on. For instance Tryvann. With over 40 000 people distributed on 5 days, Tryvann is Norway’s biggest russe assembly and people come from all over the country to take part in this. On every event people select winners in different categories like best sound, best lighting, best concept/idea and so on.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russ