Celebrating Constitution Day in Norway

It all starts with a bang.

Or, actually, 21 bangs. Constitution Day in Norway kicks off at 07:00 (7 am) in the morning with a gun salute. To salute means “to greet,” and this tradition pays tribute to the day. One of the words that first come to mind when I think of Norway’s Constitution Day is “early.” Everything starts early to make the most of the day: the salute, the (champagne) breakfast, and the music.

Day of Joy and Celebration

The Norwegian flag is raised on all flag poles nationwide; cars are decorated with flags, and sometimes children even decorate their bikes with flags and branches of birch. Formal wear is expected, and many wear our national costume, known as a “bunad.” If you’re outdoors in Norway on May 17—or simply “syttende mai” in Norwegian—you’ll be unable to miss that this is a day of joy and celebration.

Located in Norway, we at timeanddate.com join in the celebrations, and everyone in Norway gets a day off. For us Norwegians in the company, May 17 holds a special place in our hearts—but what do our international colleagues think of our National Day?

Handmade National Costumes

The national costume bunad is a big deal in Norway. It’s often the most expensive outfit that people own, and since there are many different variations, it tells the story of where in the country you originate from. These exquisite garments are often passed down through generations and handcrafted, each carrying a rich tapestry of history and geography.

Many Norwegians get this outfit for their confirmation, a ritual usually conducted at the age of 15, and they wear it for important and festive occasions like baptisms, weddings, and especially our Constitution Day.

Early Mornings for the Marching Band

As a former marching band musician, I remember getting up bright and early to practice and prepare for the parade. Now, I get up early to get the family ready and to put on my bunad—it can take some time to get everything on.

An hour after the salute, which means 08:00 (8 am), Norwegians all over the country gather to remember people who have contributed to our nation, including war veterans, politicians, and other influential personalities. Flowers and wreaths are ceremoniously placed at memorial sites to honor the men and women who laid down their lives during the Second World War, and to remind people that freedom and peace cannot be taken for granted.

Norway was occupied by the Nazis for five years during WWII, and during the occupation, all celebrations were forbidden, and democracy was set aside. This repression during the war is precisely why there was such a strong gathering around the national day in the post-war period, with the children’s parade at the center of the observance.

The Children’s Day

May 17 is often called Children’s Day in Norway. And boy, do my kids love this day. They look forward to it for months, and it’s almost as appreciated as their birthday.

While other countries celebrate their independence with military parades, Norway does not follow this tradition. It stems from a suggestion from the poet and Nobel Prize winner in literature, Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, in 1870. He suggested that Norway should parade its future, the children, on our National Day. To this day, school children and marching bands parade through the city center together, and the kids sing and wave their flags to the marching bands’ tunes.

The people not parading stand along the route, cheering and waving to the kids. Several songs are played in honor of the day, including the national anthem, “Ja, vi elsker dette landet” (Yes, we love this country)—the lyrics written by Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, mentioned above.

In Norway’s capital, Oslo, the children’s parade walks past the Royal Palace, where the Norwegian royal family waves to the kids from the palace balcony. Schools nationwide have games and entertainment for the kids after the parades. This day’s menu includes soda, hot dogs, and ice cream, and it’s an unwritten rule that the kids can eat as much ice cream as they want.

Celebrating Graduation

You may notice some tired-looking young adults in red or blue overalls among the people in national costumes and suits.

They are called “russ,” and this celebration is part of their high school graduation. The 18-year-olds have been celebrating all of May, sometimes longer, and it’s common to party the whole night between 16 and 17 May—something you can often tell by looking at them.

The russ are also known for playing pranks, which are added as trophies on the string of their graduation cap. Colleague Gustav remembers a prank they did after a long night of partying:

Doesn’t Feel Like a Holiday

After a long day of celebrating, taking off the bunad in the evening is amazing. Since it’s made of warm and heavy wool, putting it back on the hanger is often a relief, especially if it’s been a hot day.

Even though May 17 is a fun day, it’s also exhausting, especially for families with small children like I have. The whole family is worn out after walking around the whole day, some of us in high heels. The step tracker on my watch even applauds me for hitting a new record. All of us are stuffed on sausages and ice cream. This holiday doesn’t really feel like a holiday; it’s a lot of work!

So, after starting early, I’m also quitting early, rolling into bed with sore feet and many new memories from an eventful celebration.