A Field Trip to Norway Trivia Quiz

Answer: Harald Fairhair

Around 872, Harald Fairhair, also known as Harald the Fairheaded, led a Viking faction against another in the Battle of Hafrsfjord. This was a naval battle fought around the modern city of Stavanger. Due to his strong, sometimes harsh rule, many Norwegians under him migrated to other countries, including Iceland, Greenland, and parts of Great Britain.

Answer: Sweden

Sweden, the home of Swedish meatballs and ABBA, was united with Norway following the Napoleonic Wars, in 1814. Although Norway stayed relatively independent, it shared a monarch with Sweden. Prior to World War I, however, Norway and Sweden had a peaceful separation, and Norway set about looking for a monarch, since the public preferred that to a republic.

Answer: Viking jewelry

Saga was a line of jewelry from the Norwegian jewelry firm of David Andersen. Based on Viking jewelry found in archaeological digs, this line of jewelry was launched in the 1960s. Most of the pieces were made of silver, but some rarer gold pieces exist. David Andersen was formed in Oslo in 1876.

Answer: May 17

May 17 is the day! This is because the constitution of Noway was adopted on that day in 1814. Based on the constitutions of the United States of America and Revolutionary France, the constitution established Norway as a constitutional monarchy. In Norway, this holiday is called "Syttende Mai", which literally means the 17th of May.

A major feature of this day are the children's parades which take place across the country, usually organized by schools, in which children parade with Norwegian flags. Because Nazi occupation of Norway during World War II forbade the 17 May celebrations and clothing in the colors of Norway's flag, 17 May also celebrates Norway's liberation in 1945.

Answer: Bunad

"Bunad" refers to two different types of dress. It can apply to both the traditional costumes worn in Norway in the past, and the costumes worn today at many special occasions that are modeled on these. For women, this is usually a blouse and long skirt with a colorful, embroidered vest or apron. Hats vary from kerchiefs to large, very ornate headdresses. For men, bunad costumes are usually dark pants and boots with white shirts and ornate vests; a felt hat is usually worn, too.

Bunad costumes can be expensive to make, as well. Norwegian children often wear a bunad for their confirmation.

Answer: Yes, We Love this Country

"Ja, vi elsker dette landet" was only officially adopted as the country's national anthem in 2019. Written by Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson and Rikard Nordraak sometime before 1864, the song was regarded as an unofficial anthem since then. There are a total of eight verses to it, although only three are usually sung.

Answer: It is Norway's longest and deepest fjord

Also known as Sognefjorden, this fjord has garnered the name King of the Fjords thanks to its impressive size. It is approximately 205 kilometers or 127 miles long, and about 1,308 meters (4,291 feet) deep. Tourism is important to the area, so you aren't alone in wanting to visit!

Answer: Denmark

When Norway became independent from Sweden, the population voted in favor of a monarchy rather than a republic. The Norwegian government sought a monarch who was related to Norway's last independent monarchs, back in the Middle Ages. Unfortunately, all of the Norwegian nobles at the time could not trace their ancestry back that far...but Prince Carl of Denmark could!

He was voted in as Norway's first independent king in over 500 years in 1905, and his wife, Princess Maud, a daughter of Queen Victoria of England, became Queen.

Answer: Liquor

"Aquavit" is the anglicized spelling; in Norwegian, you will see it as "akevitt". It is popular throughout Scandinavia. It is usually distilled from potatoes or some sort of grain. The principle flavorings are dill and caraway seed, although a mixture of other spices can be used in addition to those. It usually has a 40% alcohol by volume.

In Norway, it is usually served chilled. Enjoy it slowly--it's strong!

Answer: Ace of Base's "The Sign"

Edvard Grieg was a Norwegian classical music composer, a leader of the Romantic movement of the late 19th century, composing music such as "In the Hall of the Mountain King", a piece from the play "Peer Gynt" by Henrik Ibsen. When he died in 1907, as many as 40,000 people attended his funeral.

A-ha is perhaps Norway's best-known rock/pop act, emerging in 1985 with their song "Take On Me", which, along with the accompanying music video, became a hit world wide. Some of their other famous songs include "The Sun Always Shines on T.V." (1985), "The Living Daylights" (1987), "Summer Moved On" (2000), and "True North" (2022). In 1991, they set a new Guinness World Record for the largest ever pop concert.

Comedy/pop duo Ylvis' song "The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)" was a hit in 2013, accompanied by a popular video. Intended to be a comedic song, it became viral on YouTube that same year.

Ace of Base, however, is not a Norwegian group; hailing from Sweden, Ace of Base's many hit songs include "The Sign" and "All That She Wants" (1990).