Celebrating the Norwegian Constitution Day
Norwegian Constitution Day is the National Day of Norway and is an official national holiday observed on 17 May each year. Among Norwegians, the day is referred to simply as Syttandemai (meaning May Seventeenth). In addition to flags, people typically wear red, white and blue ribbons. Although a long-standing tradition, it has lately become more popular for men, women, and children to wear local traditional outfits, called bunad. The children also make a lot of noise shouting; «Hurra!», singing, blowing whistles and shaking rattles.
We wish you welcome to join us in celebrating this occasion – a day of joy, colors and happiness!
9.30 – 11.00 17. Mai frokost
17 May breakfast at Pilestredet 35.
The celebration will start with a traditional Syttandemai-frokost – this is some samples of sweet taster of traditional Norwegian food.
We recommend you to eat a full breakfast at your hotel in the early morning first.
Please, wear your own national costume , if you have any.
Professor Dr. Astrid Sjerven will lecture about Vernacular traditions in Norwegian jewelry design
Assistant Professor Steen Ory Bendtzen will give the 17 Mai-speech, as a Danish immigrant to Norway.
Please, sign up when you register.
Afterwards we walk together to watch the Children’s parades through Slottsparken (The Royal Garden) by the Royal Castle.
All schools have their own brass band with pupils, playing traditional marches and more contemporary swinging music, fronted by a banner with the schools name and symbols.
On the way we might get to see Leikarringen BUL, with traditional Norwegian dancing from Egertorget to the Royal Castle.
Afterwards, there is a lot to join all over the city.
Please, note that the prices for food and drinks are higher 17 May.
- The Open-Air Museum, Bygdøy: Traditional local celebration. Entrance free. Exhibits closed. The grounds are open.
- Youngstorget: RUSSEN – the graduating class from the Norwegian equivalent of high school – known as russ – has its own celebration on 17 May, staying up all night and making the rounds through the community. The russ will usually parade through the street with their special decorated cars carrying signs and pickets.
- Vigelandsparken – Frognerparken is open 17 May. Cafe and bakery inside the park. Free entrance, open 24h.
An inclusive holiday
The 17 May is an inclusive holiday that the day has increasingly become a celebration of Norway’s growing ethnic diversity. Several factors have probably contributed to the inclusive nature of the celebration:
- The central position of the children’s parade, including all lower level school children, and therefore also their parents in the celebration.
- The celebration is focused around local schools and their children’s parade.
- The children’s parade reaches outwards, trying to cover as many roads as possible in the local community.