Beer, old cars and a full party. On Maundy Thursday, hundreds of Norwegians occupy Strömstad.
– Maundy Thursday is holy, it’s like the start of the year, says Mathias Johansen to NTB.
He has made the trip to the border town from Sarpsborg with his Chevrolet Impala Parkwood 1959 model, which he owns with three others.
– The newspapers write that it is a robbery. It is not. There is a big difference between robbers and raggers, robbers drive new cars, while raggers drive old cars from the 50s and 60s, explains Johansen.
Photo: Terje Bendiksby / NTB Photo: Terje Bendiksby / NTB Photo: Terje Bendiksby / NTB Photo: Terje Bendiksby / NTB
Follows from the air
In Norway, the police helicopter has been deployed to monitor the traffic on the main roads in Follo and Østfold during the Easter procession.
On the Swedish side of Svinesund, the police have manned up to ensure that the party goes as orderly as possible.
– We are going to work preventively against too much congestion in the city. If you don’t behave, you will be arrested for drunkenness, says task leader Martin Johansson.
The police in Strömstad are ready to welcome Norwegians on Maundy Thursday.
Photo: Even Bjøringsøy Johnsen / NRK
– Must tolerate a bit of noise
When the party is over in Strömstad, everything is ready for the nachspiel in the fortress town of Halden.
Halden Car Meets has set up a party there, unlike last year. Large parts of the city center were then cordoned off to prevent the robbers from congregating.
– We have to put up with a bit of noise one day a year. This tradition means so much, to so many, said mayor Fredrik Holm (H) to NRK on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, the set-up for the after-party at Høvleriet in Halden started.
Photo: Even Bjøringsøy Johnsen / NRK
Long tradition
For years, Norwegians have made the pilgrimage to the Swedish border town on Maundy Thursday.
While the shops are closed in Norway, the Thursday of Easter week is a normal weekday in Sweden.
After the war, the goal was to stockpile cheap pork and sugar. Now it’s mostly about a good atmosphere, drunkenness and robbery.
– It is a tradition that most people in Strömstad find pleasant, says Strömstad mayor Kent Hansson The online newspaper.
Published 28.03.2024, at 12.31 Updated 28.03.2024, at 13.34