Norway's National Day - 17th May

Hiya, in case you had not realised tomorrow is a very important day in Norway. It is Norway's National Day or Constitution Day.

Technically, Norway did not become fully independent from Sweden until 1905, however from 17th May 1814 Norway had its own constitution, it just wasn't allowed to pass its own laws or have its own foreign policy. Every decision regarding trade, foreign policy, laws etc. had to be agreed by the Swedes.

So tomorrow is a national holiday here, with all the celebrations cantering around the children. There will be school processions, school bands playing, fairground stalls and games in the larger towns and everyone will have a good time. Everyone will be either wearing or waving the Norwegian flag and the air will ring with the greeting 'Gratulerer!' or 'Congratulations!

A lot of people will dress in the Norwegian traditional costume, the Bunad. Actually the word Bunad is a twentieth century creation, and the costumes themselves, which vary from area to area are an innovation of nineteenth century romanticists and secessionists who wanted to mark Norway as being different from its larger brothers, Sweden and Denmark.

The Bunads for the girls consist of white cotton shirts and heavy wool skirts and waistcoats, heavily embroidered with flowers and other motifs, the guys are plainer with white shirts, waistcoats with some embroidery and knickerbockers. Guys wear jackets and girls wear capes. The colour, fabric and type of embroidery motif used show which area in the country the wearer comes from. The small kids look really cute in them!

Apparently, there has been a renaissance in Bunad wearing, and many new designs are being created, which is not entirely appreciated by some. Bunads are traditional items they say, and so the thought is they should remain as they are and not be tampered with. However, since they are the creation of the romantic movement, and have never been thought of as part of the Norwegian story until about a hundred and fifty years ago, that does seem pedantic!

Still my husband and I both have our 17th May uniform ready - suitcase and plane ticket to London. Well with no children of our own here in Norway we thought we would make the most of a long weekend and fly south!

Maybe we could take a leaf out of their book and start a child friendly celebration of St. George’s Day each year on the 23rd April. Or if we should be fully inclusive of all those resident in our Great British Isles maybe we should celebrate June 15th instead as our National Day. Why? That was when King John signed the Magna Carta, which historians consider to be the beginning of constitutional government in the United Kingdom! A little piece of history – slightly older than the Norwegians one!

Wonder what our national costume should be though! Any thoughts?

P.S. As usual rain is forecast tomorrow here in Bergen - hopefully it holds off until the main processions have ended!