Christmas is coming!

The lights ar going up in town! Nothing goes up until the last week of November, just prior to the first Sunday of Advent, which this year falls on December 2nd - have you got your Advent candles ready yet?

I must admit I like the Christmas lights in Norway (and Scandinavia in general). Why? Because they always look so simple and clean. Here you rarely see tacky, flashing Santa's with Rudolph's sleigh. or multi coloured strings of lights (never say never, as there is always someone who thinks they are  a good thing!). No, it is all very pared back. The lack of colour sort of matches the cold weather!

Bergens Storsenter Christmas Baubles

Putting up the stars on Strandgaten

I would hazard a guess that white lights dominate here as it is a nod back to the days when out in the country a lamp would be placed at the main window of the house, to light the way for any traveller. That tradition exists to this day with the stepped 'candle' lights that you see in many windows from now through to January. It was a sign of welcome and safety.

Let's hope the weather holds, as this Advent Sunday the mayor will, as usual, host a large Christmas Party in town with carols and gingerbread and the official lighting up of the town's Christmas Tree. The ceremony will be followed by a massive fireworks display. Last year it was marred a bit by dense fog and rain, but they held it anyway. Nothing stops a fireworks display here in this city - as the Norwegians say there is no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes!

I am not sure though why the lamp posts on Bryggen have been given 'socks'. Are they so delicate they need to be kep warm. Does the fact that Bryggen is sinking have anything to do with it?  Have the Norwegians gone soft? Will they be putting bobble hats on their lamp posts soon? 



Just another art installation?

I'd love to know what is going on. If anyone has any idea about it please let me know!