https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Norway in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed On May 8th, Norway celebrates its release from occupation during World War II. The day is called Liberation Day (Frigjøringsdagen), and it also doubles as the country's Veterans Day. https://www.thelocal.no/20230508/what-you-need-to-know-about-norways-liberation-day Mon, 08 May 2023 10:53:17 +0200 what-you-need-to-know-about-norways-liberation-day Norwegians love flea markets, both the ones that are a regular fixture on the calendar and the ones that pop up to raise money for schools every autumn and spring. https://www.thelocal.no/20230424/loppemarked-an-introduction-to-norways-seasonal-flea-market-culture Mon, 24 Apr 2023 11:02:54 +0200 loppemarked-an-introduction-to-norways-seasonal-flea-market-culture On Sunday morning, April 26th, a 3.6 magnitude earthquake struck Eastern Norway. While the tremors were minor and there were no injuries, the event has sparked new debates about how prone to earthquakes Norway is. https://www.thelocal.no/20260428/explained-why-oslo-experiences-earthquakes-and-what-the-risk-is Tue, 28 Apr 2026 15:05:44 +0200 explained-why-oslo-experiences-earthquakes-and-what-the-risk-is Each year Norway introduces a general fire ban during the late spring and summer months. Here's what you need to know about the rules and the exceptions, if you want to light a BBQ or campfire. https://www.thelocal.no/20220505/what-are-the-rules-for-fires-and-bbqs-in-norway Thu, 05 May 2022 12:58:11 +0200 what-are-the-rules-for-fires-and-bbqs-in-norway How do you keep in touch with friends, neighbors, or colleagues in Norway? You might need to change your approach and try out some apps you never used before (or stopped using a while ago). https://www.thelocal.no/20260407/explained-why-dont-norwegians-use-whatsapp Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:55:11 +0200 explained-why-dont-norwegians-use-whatsapp You never know when the unexpected, such as a power cut, could happen. The Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection (DSB) keeps guidelines of what residents should keep in their homes for emergencies. https://www.thelocal.no/20230221/the-things-everyone-in-norway-should-have-at-home-in-case-of-a-emergency Tue, 21 Feb 2023 13:10:50 +0100 the-things-everyone-in-norway-should-have-at-home-in-case-of-a-emergency Making friends in Norway is essential for surviving and fitting in. Yet foreign residents often discover that navigating the unspoken social rules feels more daunting than the country’s harsh winters. https://www.thelocal.no/20260207/how-to-make-your-friendship-with-a-norwegian-more-than-a-one-night-stand Sat, 07 Feb 2026 14:05:12 +0100 how-to-make-your-friendship-with-a-norwegian-more-than-a-one-night-stand Sun and sangria are out. Snow and cabins are in. For the first time in years, Norway is now the top winter holiday destination for Norwegians, ahead of Spain. What's happened? https://www.thelocal.no/20260123/why-are-norwegians-snubbing-spain-to-stay-in-norway-this-winter Fri, 23 Jan 2026 11:06:36 +0100 why-are-norwegians-snubbing-spain-to-stay-in-norway-this-winter Thinking about a trip home or a cabin getaway? Here are all the official public holidays in Norway, plus some tips to help you make the most of your time off. https://www.thelocal.no/20260106/get-planning-all-the-important-holiday-dates-in-norway-in-2026 Tue, 06 Jan 2026 18:15:10 +0100 get-planning-all-the-important-holiday-dates-in-norway-in-2026 Norway has a colour-coded alert system for when extreme weather events hit the country, but how does the system work and what do you actually need to do when warnings are issued? https://www.thelocal.no/20220808/explained-what-you-need-to-know-about-norways-weather-warning-system Mon, 08 Aug 2022 15:16:09 +0200 explained-what-you-need-to-know-about-norways-weather-warning-system Volunteering is a big deal in Norway, and new arrivals are often told to get involved to learn the language, meet new friends and improve their odds of getting a job. https://www.thelocal.no/20250123/explained-norways-proud-tradition-of-volunteering Thu, 23 Jan 2025 12:46:54 +0100 explained-norways-proud-tradition-of-volunteering For newcomers to Norway, navigating the world of parental benefits can be complex, especially if you're a freelancer. https://www.thelocal.no/20240618/what-parental-benefits-are-you-entitled-to-as-a-freelancer-in-norway Tue, 18 Jun 2024 17:22:06 +0200 what-parental-benefits-are-you-entitled-to-as-a-freelancer-in-norway At first glance, the absence of the word "please" in the Norwegian language can surprise newcomers to the country. But does that mean the locals are impolite? https://www.thelocal.no/20230425/why-never-saying-please-doesnt-make-norwegians-rude Tue, 25 Apr 2023 14:27:17 +0200 why-never-saying-please-doesnt-make-norwegians-rude Norway has a reputation for being an extremely pricey country. However, you can find some essential services and goods for free or with a small contribution. https://www.thelocal.no/20240521/seven-things-that-are-cheaper-in-norway-than-in-other-countries Tue, 21 May 2024 15:04:45 +0200 seven-things-that-are-cheaper-in-norway-than-in-other-countries Volunteering is a pathway to personal growth and integration in Norway, and nearly two-thirds of the population dedicate their time to various causes each year. Here's where to find a volunteering opportunity that works for you. https://www.thelocal.no/20240207/how-can-i-find-volunteer-work-in-norway Wed, 07 Feb 2024 11:31:27 +0100 how-can-i-find-volunteer-work-in-norway Renting a property in Norway can be a daunting process, especially if you're not familiar with Norwegian real estate terminology. To help you navigate the rental market effectively, we've compiled a list of essential vocabulary you'll encounter in rental ads. https://www.thelocal.no/20231031/renting-in-norway-the-key-vocab-you-need-to-understand-for-rental-ads Tue, 31 Oct 2023 13:13:17 +0100 renting-in-norway-the-key-vocab-you-need-to-understand-for-rental-ads Failing to pay a bill in Norway can lead to a series of consequences, although these are generally designed to help you rather than punish people straight away. https://www.thelocal.no/20230926/what-happens-if-you-dont-pay-a-bill-in-norway Tue, 26 Sep 2023 19:07:45 +0200 what-happens-if-you-dont-pay-a-bill-in-norway While Norwegian traits of indirect communication and politeness generally make for pleasant social interactions, they can also give rise to passive-aggressive behaviour. https://www.thelocal.no/20231212/five-norwegian-passive-aggressive-habits-and-how-to-handle-them Tue, 12 Dec 2023 12:53:54 +0100 five-norwegian-passive-aggressive-habits-and-how-to-handle-them For many, Norwegian winter feels endless — stepping out of home with heavy boots and a jacket on, dark mornings, and snow everywhere on the streets. But how harsh is it really? The numbers tell the story. https://www.thelocal.no/20251009/in-numbers-just-how-bad-is-a-norwegian-winter Thu, 09 Oct 2025 15:48:39 +0200 in-numbers-just-how-bad-is-a-norwegian-winter From not worshipping at the temples of frozen pizza and cross-country skiing to littering on hikes and talking smack about Norwegian food, these actions – even when unintentional – are likely to annoy a lot of Norwegians. https://www.thelocal.no/20230214/18-sure-fire-ways-to-offend-a-norwegian Tue, 14 Feb 2023 12:40:29 +0100 18-sure-fire-ways-to-offend-a-norwegian