(Norwegian) or '''rus''' (Danish) is a cultural phenomenon and tradition in the Scandinavia n countries Norway and Denmark . In Norway, students who graduate from High School are called ''russ'' and celebrate with festivities (''russefeiring'') during the first few weeks of May. In Denmark, Freshman college students are called ''rus''. This article focuses on the Norwegian celebration.
The word ''rus'' may come from Latin , ''Cornua Depositurus'', to ''put aside one's horns'' needed ; in Norwegian , an extra ''s'' was added.
Red hair is a strong feature among scandinavian peoples, and rus is a phoneme in many words for 'red' and 'head' in many different languages. For example, Rose , Rust in English . [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenician_languages Many of the caps themselves are red.
The tradition goes back to the 1700s , at a time when no Universities existed in Norway, and Norwegians would attend the University Of Copenhagen to study alongside Danish students. To be enrolled at the university, students had to pass the ''Examen Artium''. After completing their examinations, horns were placed on their foreheads and they were ridiculed by older students. When the results from the exams were ready, the students would participate in a ceremony called ''Examen Depositiones'', in which they were called up to the examinator: if they had passed the test, their horns would be removed, as a sign of wisdom and subjugation of the wild animal within. From then on, the young persons had the right to call themselves students.
The modern Norwegian ''russ'' tradition dates back to 1905 , when the red ''russ'' caps were introduced. The caps were initially only used by boys, and were inspired by German students, who in 1904 wore red caps when they visited Norway. In 1916 , blue caps were introduced at the ''Oslo Handelsgymnasium'', a high school specializing in Economic s.
The tradition of celebrating enrollment at a university is today continued in Denmark, but the former rituals or ceremonies are no longer practiced. Danish college students during their first week have ''rus'' festivities (''rusuge''), which in recent years mostly consist of a few parties where new students can get to know each other.
In Norway the tradition has been, for about a century, to celebrate the end of 13 years of school. The ''russ'' festivities (''russefeiring'') in Norway, which can last several weeks, are today a much more important event than the ''rusuge'' for new students in Denmark.
Starting officially on 1 May (but for many, much earlier), the ''russ'' festivities last until May 17 , Constitution Day , which is the Norwegian National Day ; the final exams are actually placed after May 17, however. Those who fail might even become ''russ'' again the year after. (In earlier years, exams were held ahead of May 17, but they were moved in an attempt to reduce the extensive ''russ'' celebrations, with little luck.)
There are several different types of ''russ''; however, they differ only in color of their traditional overalls (which most students carry during the entire ''russ'' period).
;Red (rødruss)
;Blue (blåruss)
;Black (svartruss)
:Vocational courses (like third year electronics)
;Green (grønnruss)
:Agricultural courses, but is also used by some as an alternative to orange ''russ''
;White (hvitruss)
:Christians who like to emphasize their religious beliefs. This typically also includes additional rules, such as no drinking throughout the entire ''russ'' period. Some may wear overalls that are half white and, for example, half red, to show that they are Christian red ''russ''. Also many students in healthcare courses wear white or white and red coveralls, but they usually identify themselves as Red-russ on their cards. |
Only the red and blue russ are considered "real russ" – at least in the eyes of the red and blue russ themselves.
In addition, sometimes children in the last year of Kindergarten call themselves "pink ''russ''" (rosaruss). In some places, children in the last year of ''ungdomsskolen'' (roughly comparable to junior high school) become "orange ''russ''" (oransjruss). None of these have any real relation to the ''russ'' celebrations, though.
The ''russ'' wear uniforms with their respective colours. 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 a few days before May 17.) This list was first introduced in the 1940s. The Russ Knot List is sometimes criticized because it often includes illegal acts, such as public nudity, and possibly hazardous acts, such as consuming large amounts of alcohol in a short amount of time. Other, more benign tasks exist, such as putting a ''for sale'' sign on a police car, or spending the night at a teacher's house and making him/her breakfast in the morning, all without being noticed.
In the older days russ often travelled around in an open lorry, either used as-is or with a do-it-yourself hut added to the cargo area. Today it is common for several friends to join together to buy a ''russ'' car (mostly small cities and densely populated areas), or a bus (mostly in Oslo and the surrounding areas), painted in their respective ''russ'' colour.
In the ''russ'' vehicle, modern tradition requires an expensive stereo both on the roof and inside the vehicle (the largest systems allowed can have forty speakers which can generate over sixty thousand watts), 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 $5,000 per member has occurred ( Legenden 2002 ). Though, the average is $1-3,000 per member. Including sponsors the budget on buses can reach over $150,000.
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 on May 17.
In order to finance some of the administrative costs and/or other causes, many high schools create ''russ'' newspapers that contain fake news, a few words from the ''russ'' president, the official knot rules for the specific high school, etc. The most important feature of a ''russ'' newspaper, however, is a section that presents every class and every student with a photograph and a personalized biography, typically written by one or more friends, and always in a jocular and satirical style. The class typically also writes a similar entry on their main teacher; the teacher, in turn, writes about their class.
While the ''russ'' tradition is exclusive to graduating students, ''russ'' impersonation has in recent years become a problem as non-students, or students who are otherwise ineligible, wish to participate in the festivities. It is a testament to the popularity and allure of the tradition that some ''russ'' attempt to partake several years in a row.
Each year, as a new year of russ hits the streets of Norway with the intention to celebrate longer, better and louder than the russ of the previous year, the debate over "how out of control the russ of this year is, compared to the good old days" resurfaces with them.
In these discussions, the following negative side-effects of the celebration are often put forward:
- Binge drinking among people barely of drinking age.
- Young people, often student drivers, driving around in old cars or buses which may not even be roadworthy.
- Neglecting schoolwork in the important final months of a thirteen-year-long education, just prior to final exams.
- The physiological ease of breaking moral and civil law when russ are together in larger groups, with an “everyone else is doing it” attitude.
- Loud music at all hours coming from buses used as mobile party areas, keeping the rest of the population awake.
- The financial burden the celebration puts on youth, that may have little income in the first place, and where after school work may impact school work.
