The event that brings the people of Trondheim together
Photo: Elise Gull Askim
On the first Sunday of Advent, the locals of Trondheim gather in the town square. This has been a tradition in Trondheim for 104 years, hosted by the Salvation army.
This has been a tradition in Trondheim for 104 years, hosted by the Salvation army. The Julegrantenning is a festive evening in Trondheim, with speeches (from the mayor amongst others), an orchestra playing festive music and the cherry on top: The lighting of the Christmas tree (The Julegrantenning). This marks the beginning of the Christmas season, and here in Norway, one might argue that Advent (The four weeks leading to December 24th) is just as magical and special, as Christmas itself.
Sissel Piene for TRDevents explains that the event is targeted towards everyone.
According to Trondheim bydrift this year's tree is from a private garden in Veimester Kroghs gate in Trondheim. To get the tree from A to B they need an arborist, a crane and a huge truck. It’s quite the process.
Bydrift writes that the mild weather on the day of the transport, made the tree less brittle, reducing the risk of branches breaking. A count of the growth rings revealed that this year's tree is between 45 and 48 years old.
Bringing people together since 1919
Leader of the band and the church from the Salvation Army in Trondheim, Elin Kyseth explains that the feedback they get are exclusively positive.
- There is a great engagement from the people of Trondheim about the town square and our beautiful Christmas tree. People particularly appreciate the peace messages delivered by Redd barna* and Småbispan*.
Photo: Elise Gull Askim
Indoor Christmas trees had been a tradition in Norway since 1600. In 1919 the chief of socials from the Salvation Army, Othilie Tonning, started the tradition of having outdoor Christmas trees in Norway. She recognized the need for everyone to celebrate Christmas with a Christmas tree. As a result, the Salvation Army set up Christmas trees in town squares across the country so that everyone, regardless of whether they could decorate at home, had a shared public space where the Christmas tree brought people together.
The Trondheim event is an extension of the event at the University Square in Oslo. Tonning would host fundraisers for the poorest in the city and would use pots to collect the money. Today she’s known as the mother of the Christmas pots. The pots are still used to this day.
Kyseths favorite part of the event is the community.
- I really love that we come together as a community and the excellent collaboration between the participants. I especially enjoy the Småbispan and seeing everyone join hands as they sing along to O Jul med din glede*. This year it was special to hear Lily’s message of peace. It’s something I will carry with me into the Christmas season, she says.
A lifelong tradition
Mother and daughter, Beate (45) and Vilde (20) Tiller are back for their annual tradition. They are here with their entire family, Vilde’s grandparents, uncle, aunt and cousins.
Photo: Elise Gull Askim
Is it a tradition for you to come here?
- Yes, definitively. I’ve been here every year since I was a little girl. Basically as long as I can remember, Vilde explains.
Name your most important Christmas tradition
- For us it’s the Christmas market, Vilde states. While her mother agrees, she also adds that buying Christmas gifts and food is also a valued tradition for the family.
How do you evoke the Christmas spirit?
- We go to the city center (Midtbyen) and we decorate our house.
Any hidden gems or personal traditions?
Vilde explains that they have an annual tradition of going out to eat Christmas food at Royal garden.
- And then of course we come here, to see the Christmas tree, Beate says.
Do you have a Christmas “hack”?
- Buy all your presents before December. That way you can just relax and enjoy, they both agree.
The student couple’s first advent in Trondheim
First year students and couple Nora Jacobsen (19) and Einar Hodneland Dae (20) are here for the first time. Growing up in Kragerø and Austerheim, this will be their first advent away from home.
Photo: Elise Gull Askim
What’s your most important Christmas tradition?
- Pinnekjøtt* at grandma's house is the most important one, Einar says. Nora agrees, grandma is the most important at Christmas for them both.
How to evoke the Christmas spirit?
- I listen to Christmas music, and go to see the lights on the Christmas trees get turned on while drinking gløgg* Nora explains. For Einar, hot cocoa is his prefered beverage.
Any hidden gems or personal traditions?
Einar explains that in his hometown of Austerheim, they have a torch parade which he enjoys. Nora tells us about how her hometown decorates the streets niceley and has different quaint Christmas markets she likes to go to.
Do you have a Christmas «hack»?
- Buy Christmas cookies on sale, Einar says, being quite excited.
Started a new tradition after becoming a mother
Silje Syrstad (28) is attending with her father Vidar and daughter Inger (2). She used to visit her local Christmas tree event at the suburb Flatåsen, then she moved away from Trondheim to study. She’s been having this event as a tradition since the birth of her first daughter.
Photo: Elise Gull Askim
What is your most important tradition in Trondheim?
- To eat Christmas porridge with my family on “Little Christmas Eve” (the 23.), she explains.
What do you do to evoke the Christmas spirit?
- I bring out the Christmas decorations, bake gingerbread cookies and listen to Christmas music.
Any hidden gems or personal traditions?
- We go to Christmas at Sverresborg. It’s mainly an event for children, and it’s very lovely, she says.
Do you have a Christmas “hack”?
- Yes! Going to dinner parties, that way you get dinner served, she says laughing. Silje is a mom of two, one of them a newborn, so getting your dinner made for you is a special thing.
Start Christmas early and go all in
Natalie Bakke (37) and her son Viktor (1,5) are eagerly waiting for the Christmas tree to start shining. They are also accompanied by her two slightly older sons and their dad. Viktor recently learned how to walk and isn’t very interested in standing still for an interview.
- This is an important tradition for us, we either go here or to Kvilhaugen farm if the weather is good, she explains.
Photo: Elise Gull Askim
Name your most important Christmas tradition in Trondheim
- To decorate and do cosy things at home. Our focus is on our sons and to do activities that will give them that Christmas magic and core memories.
What do you do to evoke the Christmas spirit?
- I like to listen to Christmas music already early in November.
Any hidden gems or personal traditions?
- Kvilhaugen farm is really cosy. Their Christmas tree lights event is less crowded than this one.
Do you have a Christmas “hack”?
- Start your Christmas as early as possible. Embrace it, go all in. It will be amazing and magical for the kids.
Drink “gløgg” and relax
Frode Oksaas (54) and Kristin Oksaas (50) are trying to get their share of Christmas spirit by visiting the town square. They don’t have the event as a set tradition, but go if they feel like it.
Photo: Elise Gull Askim
What is your most important Christmas tradition in Trondheim?
- The DDE Christmas concert, they both agree.
What do you do to evoke the Christmas spirit?
- We drink gløgg and bake gingerbread cookies.
Any hidden gems/ Christmas hacks?
Frode explains that flat bread making in their garage is an important event that gathers friends and family.
Do you have a Christmas “hack”?
- Light some candles, drink some gløgg and relax, Kristin states.
Elise Gull Askim
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