This weekend is the kick-off for two major highlights for the Russians: The annual Russian meeting “Tromsøtreffet” is being organised, and the Russian cars have their first official “rolling day”.
That’s why Russians from all over Northern Norway have gathered in Tromsø to party at Driv.
Russe president Ingrid Krefting says that there will be a lot of noise in the city this weekend, and wants to warn Tromsø people about this.
Rolling
The Russe weekend starts with the selection of this year’s Russe car on Friday evening, at Tromsø sport and event centre. There, a jury will award this year’s Russian cars, before the evening continues at Driv.
– So there is definitely someone who will be driving around tonight, says Krefting.
The Tromsø meeting is the region’s largest Russian meeting, and tickets are sold out. 1,000 tickets have been sold for the event.
– People often complain about loud noise from the Russians, but we are not looking to destroy others, says Krefting.
Hoping for understanding
Cancer and fellow drunks Oda Gamsten Johannessen realizes that there will be a lot of loud noise in connection with the Russian meeting. They understand that this can be difficult for people who live in the city centre. Friday can be the evening when the sound level is the highest. Then the nightclub Skins, one of Driv’s closest neighbours, also has entrance for 18-year-olds.
– We understand that the surrounding neighbors will probably be affected, and that it might be tiring.
They still hope the people of Tromsø don’t realize that the Russians want to celebrate and party.
– Now there is a Russian meeting this weekend, and we hope people understand that. We don’t have that many places we can go, says Johannessen.
MOST ARE NICE, BUT: Hanne Stamnes, known among young people as the “TikTok watchman”, says that the majority behaves, but sees a sad trend in illegal drugs among Russians.
Photo: Johannes Ytreberg Meløe
Worrying
Hanne Stamnes is a security guard at PSS Securitas, and a regular sight outside the city’s nightclubs. Wednesday was the “kick-off” in Tromsø, and she feels that the Russian has behaved well so far. But the watchman is worried about one thing: the use of illegal drugs.
– The vast majority of them are wonderfully nice young people with a good mood. But I am a bit worried after the experience we had on Wednesday, that we see that many people have a slightly lax attitude towards drugs.
She says that they have had to refuse entry several times in recent days. Large pupils, overactive jaws and guests with extremely dry mouths are just some of the symptoms she has seen.
– Then our experience says that illegal drugs are involved.
– Be aware
Stamnes finds that the majority of Russians she meets are nice people, but at the same time comes with an invitation.
– Think about it, and be aware of what you are doing. Make active choices in advance when it comes to illegal drugs, then it is easier to say no if you are offered it.
She believes many people end up trying drugs spontaneously.
– Some may be afraid of being left out. It is then important to understand that saying no to drugs does not make you unpopular.
She does not fear that things will go wrong.
– We have set up well for the meeting, and are looking forward to welcoming the Russians. It went very well last year, so we are positive and looking forward, Stamnes sums up.
PREPARED: Driv says they are used to large events, and are looking forward to welcoming 1,000 Russians at the weekend.
Photo: Helge Forest
Business as usual
Daniel Skog, security manager at Driv, says that they are ready for the pressure of 1,000 party-goers.
– We have a close dialogue with the organizer of the Tromsø meeting, and have had meetings like this for many years. We are starting to be well drilled, and know what to expect, he says.
Driv regularly has big hits, and Skog says they are used to receiving a large number of guests. They are also used to checking for narcotic substances.
– We have routines to check and control drugs every time we are open, so we have good control and an overview, he says.
