Sun Pageant Day

Sun Pageant Day

January-March

It is not uncommon for towns in the northern part of Norway to observe Solday, or Sun Day, when the sun reappears at the end of January or in early February. In Narvik, Nordland County, for example, Sun Pageant Day is celebrated in early February.
The sun's reappearance is particularly welcome for the people of Rjukan, Telemark County, which is nestled so deeply in a narrow valley that the sun doesn't shine there from early October to mid-March.
Although the date of the Sun Pageant in Rjukan varies from year to year, it always entails weeks of preparation. The town square is decorated with tall ice columns topped by flaming torches. At one end there is a throne on a raised wooden platform for the "Prince of the Sun," who leads a procession of costumed figures into the square and officially begins the celebration. The eating, singing, folk dancing, and fireworks continue for most of the day and night.

CONTACTS:
Telemark Tourist Information Office
P.O. Box 3133
Handelstorget
Skien, N-3707 Norway
47-3590-0030; fax: 47-3590-0021

SOURCES:
AnnivHol-2000, p. 24
BkHolWrld-1986, Jan 31