17th of May and Norwegian National Day or Constitution day as it is. This year it is very special as we celebrate 200 years of our own Constitution. For all Norwegians this is a very special day and we dress up in our national costume, walk in parades and say congratulations on your day ( that is the equivalent of happy birthday).
The preparations for this day is also something special for many people. We, who don't have any kids we have to take to school for all the arrangements, have a breakfast together with family or friends. I must admit that I had to put a lot of effort into this as I can not bake, at all, and we need a cake for 17th of May (we actually walk around calling it the 17th of May).
The 17th of May is especially for the children. There is kind of an unwritten rule that you are allowed to eat as many hot dogs and ice creams as you possible can and when all the parades are finished you go back to you school for games and fun. Every year there is huge parades all over the country and this year it will be extra special for the schools that are located in the Eidsvoll area. Eidsvoll and the Eidsvoll Building is where we got our Constitution on the 17th of May 1814.
From the left, HRH Mette-Marit Crownprincess, HM Queen Sonja and HM King Harald |
HRH Crowbn Prince Håkon and HRH Crown Princess Mette-Marit
In Norway we also have something called Russ, and that is for the seniors in High School who celebrate the finishing of 13 years of education. Basically what they do is dress up in specially made suits, colour depending on what you studied for the last three years, drive around (designated driver) and party for almost a month. It is so much fun, believe me. When you are russ you are 18 and 19 years old and just so we are clear, the legal drinking age for beer and wine in Norway is 18. 17th of May is the final day of celebration and they have their own parade as well.
Photo Cato Edvardsen |
Photo Sesse |
Our celebration this year was very relaxed and we finished of the day with a barbecue in our place. i think almost everybody have a bbq on this day, especially with the nice weather we had this year.
That sounds like such a great day! Kind of like 4th of July for Americans!
SvarSlettyes it is kind of like 4th of July :)
Slett17. mai er virkelig noe helt spesielt! Jeg er glad for at vi har en slik fin dag vi kan feire sammen her i landet :) For en flott bunad du har!
SvarSlettDet er absolutt noe helt spesielt. Jeg er veldig glad i den flotte bunaden min! Jeg er født i Bodø så det er derfor jeg har den :) :) :)
Slett