Here, 1,000 Russians are stuck at the county’s expense

– It’s just been good fun. People are enjoying themselves.

In April, USF Verftet received NOK 1.5 million from Vestland County Council. There have been two bus-free events for this year’s Russ.

The first of the two events started at 8pm on Wednesday evening.

Well before the concert with Kjartan Lauritzen, there was a rush at Verftet, but it didn’t start to flow until it was close to the start of the concert at 9.30pm.

Many brought bottles with unknown contents, but those bottles got no further than the guards at the entrance to the arena.

– It is very calm, there has been nothing for us so far, says one of the police officers at the scene just before 10pm.

House manager at USF, Olav Tjensvoll, estimates that around 1,000 russ are in place at 10 p.m.

– It has gone very well, no major incidents, it has just been good fun. It seems like people are enjoying themselves a lot, says Tjensvoll.

In addition to the shipyard’s own watchmen, there are also police, night owls, the Swedish Road Administration and the Red Cross, both on land and at sea, in place.

– It was an incredibly, incredibly fun concert, says Kjartan Lauritzen to BT after the concert.

Only for drunks

Only Russians are welcome at Verftet tonight.

The county council has previously made it clear that people traveling by bus are welcome, but that the buses must be parked somewhere else.

– We are going to stop any buses in Nøstegaten, was the clear message from the organizer earlier on Wednesday.

Tour buses have taken soot from Voss, Stord, Fusa and Kvinnherad, according to training director Bjørn Lyngedal in the county council.

– One of the big challenges with Russian time is that some people stay at home, while others get to join in. We want this to be inclusive, and for everyone who comes to be safe, he says.

The next event will be held on 16 May.