Colors of Lillehammer - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Lillehammer began attracting tourists relatively recently, after the Winter Olympics that was held here in 1994. Today, most tourists primarily associate it exclusively with winter entertainment and sports competitions. Along with that, Lillehammer is a very distinctive and charming city with its own unique cultural traditions and a very eventful life. Local people are distinguished by a very friendly and hospitable attitude towards tourists, they are always happy to meet new people and ready to keep up a conversation on neutral topics.

When talking to strangers, they may seem careful and behave quite reserved. As soon as they get to know the interlocutor a little better, the restraint goes away. The townspeople have a great sense of humor, understanding and following many trends of modern culture. Anyone can make sure of it while walking along the streets where you can meet a lot of hipsters and non-mainstream young people. Representatives of youth subcultures have become common for the city, so don't worry about too bright or unusual outfits.

Despite such a vivid manifestation of the inner world, young people have great respect for representatives of the older generation. Lillehammer inhabitants may seem rather slow to many foreigners. Don't be surprised if the service in a store or a restaurant is a bit slower than usual. Such behavior is not at all a sign of hostility or neglect but a reflection of one of the national character traits. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Locals are known for their calm temperament, so it is not customary to raise voice here. Even a heated argument between two old friends may look like a peaceful conversation to others. The majority of tourists visiting Lillehammer note the courtesy of its residents, which manifests itself literally in everything. Not a single request for help will remain unanswered here. Foreigners will be helped to find all the attractions and entertainment centers of interest. At the entrance to small shops and restaurants, be sure to greet everyone present. A friendly smile on the faces of local residents is one of the most noticeable attributes of their unique character.

It is also worth noting that townspeople are big fans of nature and outdoor activities. They care about the cleanliness of their streets and nature parks. For any violation of the rules established here, serious fines are provided. Since the city is characterized by a rather harsh climate, most of its inhabitants are interested in winter sports. Cross-country skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, and sledding - these are all their favorite entertainments. Special attention should be paid to the cultural traditions of the city, which hosts many interesting holidays throughout the year.

Lillehammer became a permanent venue for one of the country's largest literary festivals - the Norwegian Festival of Literature. Both famous and novice literary figures take part in the event. As part of the festival, visitors enjoy meet-and-greets, presentations of new works, and literary evenings. The Festival of Literature is aimed at a wide range of people so both children and elderly are welcome. In recent years, it is visited by over 25,000 people, literary figures from around the world are eager to take part in the popular event.

Music fans would be interested in visiting the famous sports city in the autumn when the traditional jazz festival DølaJazz is held here. It brings together artists and music lovers from various countries. Originally, the main goal of the music event was to attract attention to novice performers, and now the bulk of its participants are musicians who are just starting to develop their talents in jazz. Nevertheless, big-named performers are necessarily invited. Several large concert venues are set up for the festival.

In the run-up to the winter season, such a beautiful holiday has long become a good tradition for Lillehammer. Famous for its well-developed sports infrastructure, the modern Norwegian city is now a favorite vacation spot among many fans of active entertainment. Its guests will always have the opportunity to diversify a rich entertainment program by exploring the unique traditions of its people.