Norwegian school-leavers, known as "russ," have a colorful tradition of celebrating their graduation with wild parties leading up to the national day on May 17. However, this fun has taken a turn, with many starting festivities weeks early, raising alarms among parents and officials.
Selma Jenvin-Steinsvag, 18, captures the rush of excitement with her classmate Aksel as they sprint for the metro dressed in their iconic red overalls. But the revelry comes with worries: the "russebuss," or party bus, has become a venue for all-night celebrations filled with heavy drinking and peer pressure, sometimes leading to excessive fun at the expense of students' well-being and grades.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre acknowledges that the party culture has spiraled out of control, leading to declining academic performance and increasing social exclusion. The Norwegian Minister of Education, Kari Nessa Nordtun, highlights the intertwining of celebrations with the exam period, urging a shift towards a safer, post-exam celebration framework.
The bus festivities, once a school-wide event, are now exclusive and expensive, with budgets soaring up to 220,000 pounds. Young party-goers like Edvard Aanestad and Henrik Wathne express frustration with proposed changes to restrict bus seating, fearing it won't solve inclusivity issues.
Norway’s government wants a safer environment for school leavers, but as debates heat up, many students believe reforms may do the opposite by limiting their celebratory culture.
Would you prioritize fun or well-being during graduation?
