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KIDS UNITED
Syttende Mai is the most important day on Erik’s calendar. While America celebrates the signing of it’s Declaration of Independence on the 4th of July, Norway celebrates the establishment of their constitution on the 17th of May (Syttende Mai).
Until the 1300’s, Norway was an independent nation. Their Vikings established the world’s oldest surviving parliament in Iceland during the time of Erik the Red, in 930 AD. Norwegians were proud to govern themselves, and proud of the country they worked hard to build.
In the 1300 ’s, Norway’s King Haakon VI married the Crown Princess of Denmark, Margrete. After King Haakon died, Margrete became Queen of Norway, and decided to rule the country from her home of Denmark. Margrete established the Kalamar Union (a union between the three Scandinavian countries), uniting Norway, Sweden and Denmark under one rule.
Eventually Norway was given to Sweden. Tired of being controlled by other countries, the Norwegians drew up a constitution on May 17, 1814 declaring their independence as a nation. However, Sweden did not accept this constitution right away. After nearly 100 years of fighting, Sweden allowed Norway to vote in their independence.
In 1905 Norway was declared an independent nation.
Syttende Mai celebrates the drafting of Norway’s constitution, and is filled with parades and merriment.
This year, Erik and his family will travel from
their hometown of Bergen to Norway’s capital city of Oslo.
They will see
Radhuset (Oslo’s City Hall) and the Royal Palace. Erik and his sister, Ardis, will dress in the traditional Norwegian costume, a “bunad”. Bunader have designs specific to the regions of Norway that the wearer is from. Erik and Ardis will march in a children’s parade along Karl Johans Gate – the street that runs to the Royal Palace.
King Harald and Queen Sonja will stand on the balcony of the palace and wave at everyone in the parade. Erik can’t wait to see the King and Queen! Everyone will sing the Norwegian National Anthem “Ja, Vi Elsker Dette Landet” (“Yes, we love this land”), and wave the flag proudly.
Traditional Norwegian foods like cardamom buns and vafler (Norwegian waffles served with jam or powdered sugar) will be served, as well as hot dogs, ice cream and sodas.
Erik, Ardis and their parents will wave the Norwegian flag, guess where people are from based on the design of their bunader, play games and enjoy all the festivities that make Syttende Mai so special.
Erik hopes that Norwegians far and near enjoy a wonderful Syttende Mai!
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