What happens at Norway’s National Day? And how this 17th of May 2022 will be back to normal.

17mai, syttende mai, Nasjonaldagen or Grunnlovsdagen as they call it, is biggest day for the Norwegians. It’s the constitution day. I’ve never seen such a beautiful celebration that cherishes the country in a positive and embracing way. It’s so catchy I am glad to have become a part of it. Everybody is welcome. Check my Instagram for pictures, stories and more. Click here.

Now with the pandemic, Norway’s national day 2020 and 2021 have been very different as big gatherings and the traditional parades are forbidden. Here are the facts.

WHAT IS IT?
Norway’s constitution was signed on May 17th 1814 in the city of Eidsvoll.

DECORATION
Norwegian flags everywhere. People put small flags in their gardens, terraces, front yards. We see big Norwegian flags hanging from every single house or apartment. Inside, tables are decorated with small flags, laces, napkins and flowers (red, blue and white).

HOW
The population joins a parade called tog = “train”. There’s the children’s tog (in the morning) and the adults’ tog (in the afternoon). The tog is open for everyone but they should apply beforehand. In Stavanger, the adult’s tog is represented by all segments of the society: sports clubs, musicians, other countries’ representations too. I saw even a capoeira club (Brazilian dance/fight) parading. The parade takes hours. A lot of people stand along the way to watch the tog pass by. People hold flags and horns, flutes and whistles. There’s choreographies and different music as the groups pass by. Since the tv shows the celebration all over Norway, we see locals wearing national costume and waving flags from curious places like the top of a mountain, in the snow. It’s really catchy to see the engagement.

When I lived in Rio de Janeiro, a group of Norwegians used to parade on 17th of May. I joined them as I was dating my husband, who is a Norwegian. I didn’t get the point then, but I totally get it now.

I have made a playlist with the popular national songs kids sing at kindergarten and school. Check it here on my Spotify.

In Oslo, the capital, the royal family waves from the palace’s balcony as the children’s parade comes.

What to say

If you’re studying Norwegian, here’s the hint. Norwegians say: “Gratulerer med dagen” to each other. Also they say: “God 17.mai” the days that precede the big day.

FOOD
The typical 17th of May food for children is: hot dogs and as much ice cream as they wish. No limits. Adults eat, in addition, a porridge called rømmegrøt (sour cream porridge), spekemat (sausage, ham). The sweets: special cakes with berries no top, marsipan, and the famous kransekake (delicious and very sweet almond rings that make a tower). Supermarkets get shortage of strawberries so high is the demand.

Would you like to make rømmegrøt? Here’s the recipe in English.

THE NATIONAL COSTUME
The traditional Norwegian costume is called Bunad. They are fine embroided and each color and embroidery represents a region where that person came from. Silver accessories are specific to wear with bunad. I think both men and women look gorgeous wearing bunad. Check my post about bunad here.

What you can and should wear.
Don’t worry if you don’t have a Bunad. Many Norwegians don’t either. Wear some nice outfit, as it’s a formal occasion. Men usually wear suits and women wear nice dresses (even better if it’s red or blue). Children wear something elegant. Many girls have ribbon bows with the flag colors holding their ponytails or braids. Adults can buy a 17th of May ribbon and have it pined to your clothes near your chest and carry a small flag.

May 17th 2020 and 2021
Due to Corona virus pandemic, all official parades were cancelled. Once again, we are asked to be creative. Some suggestions: boat parades, small family parades around the block, family party with the restrict number of guests up to 5. The corps were playing and parading but the time and place were only known few minute before it started, in order to avoid big crowds. The tv channels TV2 and NRK were casting a special programs from 8:10 a.m.

This year, 2022, we are finally back to normal. The parades are on. Children’s and adults’. I’ll be joining the parade with my child and I feel happy and honored.

So get into the mood, decorate your house. Follow my Instagram for updates and pictures.

Click here and you’re in. 🙂

Have you been to a 17th of May celebration in Norway? What were your impressions? I’d love to know.