With light, lots of light: this is how Oslo lives Christmas
The lighting of the Christmas tree in the old University building on the first Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of the Festivities. As it is likely that in a few days of escape you will not integrate so much as to end up building chocolate houses in the living room of a family or dressed in black tie going to a Julebord (Christmas dinner), we will take you for a walk. We go through adorable market booths, try typical dishes of these dates and have fun on ice rinks and a Ferris wheel from which to contemplate how the city looks at your feet. All so you can say that about God Jul! (Merry Christmas!) .
The Christmas adventure for the little ones
YOUNGSTORGET MARKET
This market, located in the square of the same name, makes true the saying that the best perfumes come in small bottles. That it is collected, flirty and encompassable does not mean that it does not have everything we look for in a Christmas market. Namely: lights, sweets, tradition, decorations and an atmosphere of smiley faces that make you reconcile with the world.
Youngstorget is the place you have to go to discover the Kransekake, a typical Norwegian sweet made from almonds, sugar and egg whites . “The most characteristic presentation is to build a small pyramid with rounds of Kransekake. Since it takes longer this way, we sell it in the shape of a wafer,” explains Sara from the GRINI Hjemmebakeri pastry shop, which has a stall at the market. It is usually taken with coffee, although there are those who challenge tradition, and low temperatures, and dare with ice cream.
It's as rich as it looks
The artistic-handcraft expertise present in every self-respecting market is provided by Berits. This woman is the author of a Christmas wreaths that would make even the hardest looking door look charming. It is therefore not surprising that her stand, Berits Jul, constantly attracts potential buyers marveling at the result of a year of work that begins in January and only goes on sale during the Holidays. Gingerbread cookies, angels, hearts, pineapples... Everything comes from her imagination and she spends about seven or eight hours creating it. Prices range from 30 euros (no lights) to 55 euros (with lights) .
The original gift (for foodies, of course) is also sold at Youngstorget. It is about rolling pins sprinkled with engravings with which to get cookies and canapés in different shapes. “We sell them in Norway, but they are made in Poland from a type of wood that is very hard to find. That is why they are so special”, explains Sara in charge of the Nklt store booth. There are owls, snowflakes, reindeer, rabbits or cats. The most demanded? Given the dates, those with Christmas motifs.
How to make Christmas knock on your door
THE TREE
At the foot of the Cathedral, in Stortorvet square, flower stalls add to the Christmas traditions with a wide range of fir trees that Norwegians buy to later decorate at home. The small ones gain ground to the big ones. "Small ones are sold more among people who live in flats and don't have space for a big one" , count the dependents. "In addition, there are more and more who want a small one because after Christmas they take the opportunity to plant it."
When creativity comes to your kitchen
JUL I VINTERLAND MARKET
It would be the large version of Youngstorget's. Extends along Karl Johans street , between the Parliament and the National Theatre, right at the foot of the Grand Hotel, which contributes its bit to Christmas in Oslo with a façade intensely decorated with hundreds of light bulbs.
Jul i Vinterland is traversed with his hands full. In one of them, a cone of roasted almonds from the Handelskompagniet . They prepare them on the spot and on the go, in large iron pots, where they mix water, almonds, sugar and spices. Which? "Secrets" , say the chefs laughing. They tell us that they began to become popular in Norway about 30 years ago, that they are eaten at any time of the day and that they are bought mainly as gifts. In the other hand, a glass full of Gløgg, a typical drink from the country made from red fruits and which is drunk very hot. Some people choose to complement it with some alcohol: warming up is guaranteed. You can buy it for 30 noks (3 euros) and sit down to eat and drink quietly next to one of the bonfires scattered throughout the grounds.
These are the almonds you are about to eat
They complete the market, an ice rink and a Ferris wheel . The first leaves the visitor in awe, not only when discovering that skates on the frozen water of a large fountain, but because of the high level of those who launch themselves to slide on its blades . You, who felt proud to let go of the railing that surrounds the track of your town, are going to discover a new dimension. Access to the rink is free if you bring your own skates. In case you don't have them, you can rent them for 399 noks (44 euros)
It towers over Jul i Vinterland and many of the adjoining buildings. The Ferris wheel offers a different view of the city. The sunset (about 3:30 p.m.), especially if the sun has risen that day, is a good time to ride. For 59 noks (6.5 euros) you can do three laps.
From the Ferris wheel, Oslo at your feet
CHRISTMAS IS ALSO EATING
During the month of December, Oslo restaurants offer typical dishes of this time of year, prepared mainly with pork ribs. Strong and heavy to fill the stomach and combat the cold that awaits us outside. We entered the Cafe Christiania, next to the Parliament. With 25 years of history, this establishment is one of the most traditional places to eat in the Norwegian capital. We test your Christmas Plate with pork ribs, meatballs, Christmas sauce, beets, apples, raisins and potatoes (Price: 335 noks – 37 euros) .
The toast in Oslo tastes like Christmas beer, like the nogle , which can be taken at the Christiana. In Norway, the production of specific beers for Christmas is now commonplace. They are darker and fuller-bodied, according to the type of heavy food eaten during these days. Raise your glass and Skål! (Health!)
Christmas sandwich in Rorbua
If what you are looking for is something more informal (and cheaper), learn this name: Rorbua . Located in the trendy neighborhood of Aker Brygge, Christmas is served as a sandwich (Julesmørbrød) with pork ribs, beetroot, raisins and Waldorf salad. Wooden furniture, a bonfire in the center of the room and a musical thread that strings carols (don't worry, they are more than bearable) create the complete Christmas atmosphere. As we know that you will not be able to avoid it and you will end up eating during Spanish time, that is, around 3:00 p.m., try to get a table with a view of the fjord to watch the sun go down and the houses in the city begin to light up.
FOR THE LITTLE ONES
Marzipan, lots of marzipan. Yes, you may be thinking, we also have that here. Marzipan in Norway is eaten in bars of different flavors (the original, Irish coffee, orange liqueur, rum with raisins...) and sculpted in the shape of a pig. Yes, in the shape of a pig, to use as a gift for children. Tradition dictates that they eat rice pudding, the dish that Santa Claus eats, into which an almond will have been previously inserted. Whoever finds it will receive the little pig made of marzipan.
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Whoever finds the almond gets it as a gift