“Young people have told us about episodes where things get completely out of hand,” Anita Håndstad Holtan, a school nurse in Ringerike outside Oslo, told newspaper Aftenposten as the russ‘ excessive partying was about to begin earlier this spring. “It can be about drug and alcohol abuse, sexual assaults or friends being excluded from what are supposed to be fun events.”
The exclusion issue has risen in line this year with the amounts of money many graduating teens spend during russ season. The buses they use to ride around in while partying are often outfitted with expensive sound systems and fancy interiors, with costs running well above a million kroner. Ticket prices for various gatherings (called russetreff) have soared, and now it’s not unusual for russ to fly off to Greek islands or elsewhere in Southern Europe to party abroad. Complaints about the russ have swirled for years, but now they’re rising. The russ season, it’s claimed, has become far too commercial, and big business for companies supplying the special clothing or organizing major events or trips.
Peer pressure to the extreme
Not only can all that be beyond the budgets of russ from less affluent familes, but the allegedly “coolest” russ often exclude “less cool” classmates from joining in. Friendships have been shattered and lots of teenagers wind up feeling hurt and lonely. Many of those taking part feel pressured to use drugs or are dared to defy all social boundaries.
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Norway’s russ season is extreme even in Scandinavian terms. There are no “cap and gown” ceremonies like in the US and Sollien pointed out that in Denmark, celebrations to mark the end of high school (videregåendeskole) are limited to just one night of being driven around to the homes of familiy and friends for drinks and snacks. In Sweden, high school graduates spend a day or two celebrating with a traditional white cap on their heads. The Norwegians’ tendency to party for weeks on end remains unique.
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Some changes are emerging, though, with some “urban cool” russ in Oslo now opting to sew their own overalls or other russ costumes, ride on the metro instead of in loud and fancy buses, and host parties in large locations where most everyone can afford to join in.
Pedersen also notes that the “russ bus phenomenon” is far more prevalent in Southern Norway than in Northern Norway and, within Oslo, much more common in the affluent west and suburban Bærum than in the more working-class eastern districts.
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Hoiby, Mette-Marit's maiden name.
