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Syttende Mai is Norway's Constitution Day, the national holiday observed annually on May 17, amongst people of Norwegian descent, primarily in Norway, but also in many other locations throughout the world, including Stoughton and Madison, Wisconsin; Decorah, Iowa; and Spring Grove, Minnesota.
The Norwegian constitution was signed at Eidsvoll, Norway on May 17, 1814, and was initially celebrated only by students. Norway was then under Swedish sovereignty and forbade adults to celebrate the holiday for fear it would cause a revolt.
Today the schools in each district arrange a procession of mostly elementary children, with marching bands separating the school units. Older children carry full-sized school and national flags, with the smaller children toting hand-sized flags.
The children wear traditional costumes or red, white and blue ribbons, shouting "Hurrah!" and singing and blowing whistles as they go. Parents and bystanders, with flags in hand, join in the procession as they pass by. Citizen parades for the public are also organized, usually led by marching bands and local Boy Scouts and Girl Guides, but scheduled so as not to interrupt the children's parades.
The parade winds through the communities, stopping at the homes of senior citizens, nursing homes, war memorials, etc. to pay their respect. The Oslo parade is the largest, with over 100 schools represented. It traditionally stops near the royal palace where the crown prince greets the procession from the balcony.
All parades begin and end with speeches delivered by individuals from all age groups. Then the children celebrate with games, ice cream, candy and hotdogs. What fun!!!! |
