Photos of the Culture of Norway

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The Culture of Norway

The culture of Norway is closely linked to the country’s history and geography. Traditional folk costumes (called Bunad) may be worn in folk dancing, like Springar dances from the Valdres, a traditional district in central, southern Norway. The women working in open-air museums showcasing traditional buildings, like in Lillehammer, also will showcase traditional costumes.

Valdres dance group
 
Valdres dance group
 
Valdres dance group
 
Valdres dance group
 
Valdres dance group
 
Sculpture, Vigeland Park
 
Women in Maihaugen
 
Drovegrubben Troll
 
Fountain statue, Levanger
 
Miniature Sami cradle
 
Sculpture group
 
Two trolls, Bryggen
 

There is a great tradition of sculpture and statues can be seen in most towns. Most impressive is the Vigeland Park in Oslo, a sculpture park with more than 200 nude sculptures by Gustav Vigeland (1869–1943) in bronze, granite and cast iron. Statues of a different kind are those of trolls, mythical beings in Scandinavian folklore, including Norse mythology.

The Sami, the indigenous people of the northern parts of Norway, have a rich culture, with their colourful “gákti” traditional clothing and handicrafts made of reindeer skin. They also have a unique form of vocal music, called “joik” (yolk).