Norwegians always feel like there is not enough time in the day. People have just had lunch, and it’s already dark outside. That is why the mayor of the city of Vadsø, Wenche Pedersen, made a very special request to the European Commission — to establish not 24, but 26 hours a day in the region, as Politico reports.
It should be noted that the city of Vadso is located in the very north of Norway, beyond the Arctic Circle, where the length of daylight hours differs significantly from what we are used to seeing. The late sunrise and early sunset create a constant feeling of lack of time among residents. Pedersen believes such changes will enhance traditional values, increase time spent with family, and attract new residents who value spending more time with loved ones.
The city lacks the bustle that can be found in big cities. No one is in a hurry to catch trains and buses, because the commute to work does not take that much time.
However, the European Commission responded to this statement by pointing out that time zones are an internal matter for each country, and, likely, the creative mayor will not be able to carry out his unusual request. It is important to note that Norway, although not a member of the European Union, is part of the European Economic Area.