NORWAY

WHAT DO SPANISH PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT NORWAY? WE THINK OF … snow glaciers fiords Vikings polar bears pink salmon reindeer spectacular nature ecology oil Nobel Peace Prize sleigh

What do Norwegians seem to be like for Spaniards? The good side and the bad side... Norwegians are very kind people. The Global peace index rates Norway as most peaceful nation in the world. Also, Norway is ranked first in the world in life expectancy, literacy, education and standard of living. Norway's income from oil and natural gas are high and because of this it is supposed to be rich country, but everything is super-expensive.

Peace Nobel Prize is awarded by a committee of five people chosen by the Norwegian Parliament. According to Nobel's will, the Peace Prize shall be awarded to the person who "shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.

What about the landscape? Nature in Norway is extraordinary and so is its impact on Norwegians. Norwegians have always lived close to, and in harmony with the nature surrounding them. Hiking is a common Sunday activity and many Norwegian families have a cottage, and some have two – one in the mountains and the other by the ocean.

Forest, coloured wood made houses, lakes, fiords more and more water and mysterious sky and light because the nights in summer have a nice light.

The national saying is ‘There’s no bad weather, just bad clothes’.

As regards the health, the Norwegians are sport addicts. You cannot imagine a Norwegian without a snowboard or skies in winter and without run in park when it is warm.

They are also people with a big ecology conscience, that is why Norway is probably one of the cleanest countries in the world.

We think that Norwegians eat a lot of fish. (Spanish too) Norwegian salmon and cod are very popular and well known in Spain, especially smoked salmon and salted cod, they are really good!

NORWEGIAN TRADITIONAL DISHES Norwegian traditional cuisine is based on the raw materials available in Norway’s forests and coast with a stronger focus on game and fish. It differs in many respects from Spanish cuisine. There are a large number of popular dishes: Fenalår, Pinnekjøtt, Multekrem, Fårikål,Tørrfisk, Lutefisk, Rømmegrøt, Pølse i lompe, Kjøttkaker, Geitost, Gravlaks, Laks og eggerøre, Reker, Freia, Melkesjokolade...

But there is one that calls our attention especially: Smalahove, a traditional dish made from a sheep's head, originally eaten in Autumn and Christmas. It seems very complicated to be cooked but is totally typical.

What is the Spanish opinion of Norway as a country, politically, and the Norwegian people in general? Spaniards feel sympathy for your country. We think you are kind people, committed to tolerance and fairness. Your constitution is similar to our country's (constitutional monarchy). We are also a kingdom. Your name’s king is Harald V, ours Juan Carlos I. We think they get on well.

Takk skal du ha veldig mye og minner fra Salamanca, Spania.