Russ
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- This article is about Russ, the Scandinavian cultural phenomenon. For other meanings, see Russ (disambiguation).
Russ_passing_by_the_Royal_Castle_in_Oslo,_May_17th_2002.jpeg
Russ (Norwegian) or rus (Danish) is a cultural phenomenon and tradition in the Scandinavian 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.
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History
The word rus comes from Latin, Cornua Depositurus, to put aside one's horns; in Norwegian, an extra s was added. 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 economics.
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.
Russ today in Norway
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.)
Types of russ
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)
- Allmennfag (maths, physics, biology, history, literature, English etc); music, dance and drama; and athletics. This is by far the most common color.
- Blue (blåruss)
- Allmenfag with economics
- 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.
In addition, sometimes children in the last year of kindergarten call themselves "pink russ". In some places, children in the last year of ungdomsskolen (roughly comparable to junior high school) become "orange russ". 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.
Russ buses (Russebil)
Sometimes several people join together to buy a russ car, or more commonly a bus, painted in their respective russ colour. (This practice is more common in the more densely populated areas, such as larger cities and suburbs.) In the russ vehicle, modern tradition requires an expensive stereo, bus sweaters, bus lighters, bus caps and a bus song, and also some sort of theme for the interior. Such buses are a large financial burden; a contribution of up to $20.000 per member has occurred.
Russ cards (Russekort)
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.
Russ papers
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 paper, 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.
Cheating russ
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.
External links
- An article about russ from Aftenposten English (http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article759667.ece)
- Another article about russ from Aftenposten English (http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article1037207.ece)
- Russ.no (in Norwegian) (http://www.russ.no/)no:Russ