Radiation, the heat given off by the ocean and lands, as well as the ice in the Artic determine the climate here. The winter in Troms is long. These are events which people have made into festivity days, based on local traditions. The sun is at its lowest point, now coming closer to the horizon each day, and this calls for a celebration, and the new year must be welcomed as well. At home, families and friends celebrate.
Young people fill the streets.
Everybody toasts everybody. On 21 January the sun again rises above the horizon. Towards noon everyone looks with anticipation to the south towards the mountains of the Malangen. At Midsummer, five months later, the sun is at its highest, and will begin descending again. Midsummer Eve is also celebrated.