Conference turris::scandia

542.0. "Soldag in Troms�" by TLE::SAVAGE () Wed Feb 05 1997 14:08

    January 29th is Soldag or Sun Day in the village of Tromso on the
    Arctic coast of Norway. The sun set there last November. On this day,
    the sun reappears.

    Statistics show more mental illness, physical sickness, domestic
    strife, arrests for fighting, and suicides during the dark time. 
    Liquor sales go up.  Children's grades go down.   One resident was
    quoted as saying that the darkness brings out the worst in people:  ".
    . . envy, jealousy, suspicion.  People. . . talk about the light
    constantly and long for the sun to come back."

    And today it does.  As in ancient times, it's a day of celebration in
    Tromso.  Everyone hopes for a clear day so they can see the sun -- not
    just sense it behind clouds.

    The sun comes up shortly after 11 a.m. in Tromso.  Just before that
    time, people begin looking toward the south.   Many head for higher
    ground to get a better view.  The sky brightens as it does before any
    ordinary dawn.  And then the sun appears.  It pokes its head between
    the same two hills every year.