Norway's National Day (Constitution day)

Hmmm... with all this country music commotion, I forgot to write about the 17th of May.

Just like our Independence Day, Norway celebrates the day they got their constitution in 1814 on May 17th. It's a day when they celebrate the children, those who will carry on the traditions and become the future of the country. The children gather and they have parades, much like we have at home in the States, but no fireworks at night. The people dress in traditional costume: "bunad" which is a costume that represents the part of the land you came from, or "festdrakt" which is more general traditional dress. People gatherat the square or their local gathering area, and they have speeches, and music. Then people gather at family and friends for barbequeing, much like we do. The night before is traditionally a night for parties. Below you can see some pictures from May 17th in our neighborhood.

Here you can see people in their bunads, at the outside service at Værnes Church, the 1000 year old church up the street from our house.



Here you can see some of the children in their bunads, in the children's parade that leads back to our area's local, where there will be cake and coffee, hot dogs, and games for the kids.