Bonfire

Here in the North, the winter nights are long and the summer nights bright. Perhaps that’s the reason why we love bonfires? One thing is certain: sitting around a bonfire and staring into the flames on a bright summer night has a very special place in our hearts. Young people from different parts of Ålesund used to compete in building the largest and finest bonfire on Midsummer Night. You wouldn’t believe how much energy, cunning and youthful fervour they were able to muster in the battle to win. Today, bonfires are banned in the city centre, and their youthful passion is now instead devoted to building this remarkable engineering structure. Every year, a group of young people build a huge bonfire on an islet by the large boathouse. They spend months on their edifice, climbing and stacking pallets while safely secured with modern climbing gear. On Midsummer Night, the 23rd of June , they light the bonfire. In 2016, a new world record was set by a more than 47 metres tall bonfire. However, the bonfire is always an extraordinary experience, even when no new records are set.