Norwegian Holidays and Traditions
Norwegian HolidaysSyttendemai . Barnetog . Christmas
Constitution Day or syttendemai, the 17th of May
Syttendemaitog, Independence Day Parade
Norwegians especially enjoy two major holidays each year. One commemorates their struggle to regain independence as a nation, the other celebrates the Christmas season. Both are family-oriented, combining national festivities and warm, convivial times with their immediate and extended families.
On May 16th of each year, the pace in Oslo begins to quicken.
An international capital of nearly half a million people, Oslo bustles year round. However, on the 16th of May, the city begins to change.
At first the casual visitor might suppose it is due to the arrival of Spring. Winter is over, the trees are glowing with a fresh, brilliant green. Mornings are cool enough for vinter klærne (winter clothes), however, sweaters and windbreakers are off by midday when a few bare arms are seen.
Sunrise is at 6:30 a.m., but dawn occurred two hours earlier. Twilight lasts until 11 p.m. In a few weeks, it will be daylight almost 24 hours a day.
Suddenly, taxi cabs sprout Norwegian flags from their "For Hire" lights on top. Store displays--from hardware to clothing--are bedecked with red, white, and blue ribbons and rosettes.
On the streets, horns suddenly begin honking for no apparent reason. Their drivers don't seem to be upset, in fact, many are smiling.
Sidewalks are filled with shoppers chatting pleasantly and looking cheerful. They are filling their shopping bags with bread from the bakery, sweet delicacies from the konditori (the bakery specializing in confectioneries), and vegetables from the grønsakshandel (green grocer). From the size of their bags, a great deal of cooking--and eating--will go on tomorrow.
The city doesn't really settle down during that short night. A surprisingly large number of people are still strolling along the sidewalks when darkness falls at about 11 p.m. Open apartment windows convey frequent laughter and animated discussions in lilting, musical Norwegian. Finally, the city settles down only to begin waking again as dawn arrives at 4:30 a.m.
For much of its history, Norway's destiny was determined by either Denmark or Sweden.
One result of the Napoleonic Wars in 1813, was the transfer of Norway from Danish to Swedish control.
After Napoleon's defeat at Leipzig, King Carl Johan of Sweden declared war on Denmark, and eventually took Norway away from the Danes. However, the Swedish diplomats had not consulted the Norwegians about the arrangement. They did not want to be a part of Sweden.
Leaders from throughout Norway gathered at Eidsvoll, a small town about an hour's drive north of Oslo, and prepared their own Constitution. They even elected the Danish Prince Christian Fredrik as King of Norway.
A short war between Norway and Sweden delayed full independence for nearly a century, however the Swedish government did accept the Norwegian Constitution, which gave the Norwegians the right to have their own Storting (Parliament). The union with Sweden lasted until 1905.
On May 17, 1829, the Norwegians were celebrating what they had come to call Constitution Day. The Swedish authorities were upset. They considered May 17th to be a day of rebellion. In their view, November 4th, the day the union with Sweden was established, was a more appropriate national holiday.
The Swedish governor sent in troops to disperse holiday revelers in the square. Later, it was known as the Battle of Market Square. The "battle" had two important results. From then on, Norway's governors would be Norwegian. Also, May 17th was firmly established as Norway's national day of celebration--syttendemai--the 17th of May.
Barnetog
The Children's Parade
The Barnetog, or Children's Parade is a special feature of Norway's Independence Day celebration parade--the Syttendemaitog.
From arendalskaker, amerikanske kake, berlinerkranser, biskopskake, bløtkake, and bordstabel-bakkels to kongevifter, korintkake, kransekake, rømmegrøt, rosett-bakkels, rullekake, sandkaker, sjokoladekuler, sitronkake, skillingsboller, smørkranser, smørpletter, smør-krem, smultringer, sølvkake, sukkerbrødkake, sukkerbrød, tebrød, tosca kake, tyske skiver, and many more-over 130 cookies, cakes and other desserts. View full Recipe listing