Norway Direct Visit Norway
USA Deutch Round Trip in Norway Cabin of the Week Car Hire
Cabin Holidays Fjord Cruises Hotels in Norway Norwegian Flag Norwegian Flag
Contact us today to find out how we can help plan your holiday in Norway

May 17th - Constitution Day

(Also see Public Holidays)

Norwegians certainly know how to celebrate! Come the 17th May, thousands come out of their homes and businesses and parade through the streets of towns and cities to the sound of brass bands and celebration, blowing whistles, waving flags, singing songs, eating ice-cream and generally behaving like there was no tomorrow. A confused foreigner once said it was the weirdest thing he had ever witnessed, "like a cross between the carnival in Rio and a military parade in Moscow". So don't think you know what to expect!

All through the country there are barnetog, parades composed of school children, and other parades of all kinds. It is an occasion for the shy Norwegian to come out of his cave and dress up in his finest apparel, and everywhere you turn you are bound to catch glimpses of the beautiful national costumes or bunad from the various regions of the country, brought out of the cupboard where they are kept for most of the year. If the weather is good and the sun is shining there are often outdoor games, competitions and shows of various kinds in select venues.

The History

In the 14th century Norway, Sweden, and Denmark were members of the Union of Kalmar. In 1459, Sweden broke away from the Union and as a result Norway became closely linked to Denmark.

 

 
During the 18th century, Danish control over Norway relaxed and at the end of the Napoleonic Wars, the Treaty of Kiel transferred Norway to Sweden. Norwegians refused to accept the change, as they wanted independence.

The Swedish army invaded Norway, but thankfully an agreement was reached. On the 17th May 1814, the Norwegian constitution was written at Eidsvold, Norway. Norwegians were allowed to retain their constitution on condition that the Swedish king was to remain king of Norway.

In 1905 the union with Sweden peacefully dissolved, and the Danish prince Carl (Haakon VII) was invited by the Norwegian people to become king. of Norway.

A few years after 1814, people started private celebrations on 17th May. Some wanted it to be an official holiday. Henrik Wergeland, a famous Norwegian poet
organised the day as a holiday in several places in Norway. Later, Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson continued Wergeland's work. In 1870 he organized the first children's parade, which remains the most important event on 17th May.

On the morning of May 17th, Norwegian flags are hoisted all over the country. Outside some public buildings, large flags are hoisted whilst a band plays the national anthem. Everyone dresses up their best clothes. Those who have one, often wear a bunad, a Norwegian national costume. Women especially wear these costumes, but some men wear them as well.

The morning parade is called Barnetoget, and this is where all the school children
of Oslo parade through the city. The schools' band play, and the children sing national songs. In Oslo the children greet the Royal Family at the Palace Balcony. This is one of the favorite traditions of the May 17th celebrations in capital.