Norwegian Holidays and Traditions
Norwegian HolidaysSyttendemai . Barnetog . Christmas
Barnetog or Children's Parade
The Syttendemaitog, or Independence Day Parade in Oslo, Norway takes place each year on May 17th.
Barnetog or Children's Parade
SyttendemaitogAfter enjoying a big frokost (breakfast), of eggs, herring, cheeses, coffee and whole wheat bread, Norwegians walk downtown toward Oslo's sentrum.
In somewhat less than a mile, Karl Johans Gate, the city's beautiful, tree-lined thoroughfare, links Slottet (the palace), with the Storting (Norwegian Parliament). Karl Johan plus several blocks along its length make up the heart of downtown Oslo.
Karl Johan passes to the north of the Storting, and takes on a new character when it becomes a pedestrian mall stretching to Oslo's Domkirke (cathedral) four city blocks later.
At 8:00 a.m., crowds are already gathering around the Storting to hear brief concerts by local school bands, and to watch spirited folk dancing by groups wearing bunad from all over Norway. The dancers are celebrating their heritage and having a joyous time.
Small groups in national costume, many including radiantly healthy children dressed in their bunad riding in strollers pushed by their parents, move slowly down Karl Johan toward the palace.
The Barnetog or Children's Parade on Independence Day in Oslo, Norway is a very special component of the Syttendemaitog or 17th of May Parade.
Barnetog or Children's Parade
Hours before the barnetog (children's parade), people start their own parades; groups laughing and talking walk slowly toward Slottet, being observed and appreciated by their countrymen standing patiently along the sidewalks.
High school seniors soon to face their comprehensive examinations prior to graduation are dressed in red "coveralls" with iron-on patches, numbers and slogans. They cavort among the crowds. Many of them toss their calling cards in the air to be caught or picked up by younger children following behind. The calling cards have humorous sayings and are eagerly sought by the younger children who collect them immediately where ever they have fallen.
A roll of drums and the clop of horses hooves on the cobblestones behind the Storting at precisely ten o'clock signal the start of the official parade.
The Oslo Police Department band leads off with mounted patrolmen maneuvering their horses close to the curbs. This encourages the crowds to move back onto the sidewalk--a subtle, but very effective way to create a clear line of march for the parade of bands to come.
The police band is followed by the first of what will be hundreds of bands and marching groups from schools throughout the greater Oslo region. Similar parades and celebrations are being held all over Norway in cities and towns large and small.
Most band members sport medals won in music competitions. The entire front of many a uniform is covered with medals won in music competitions.
Arriving At Slottet With a Lincolnesque flavor, Norway's Independence Day parade is a parade "of the children, by the children, and for the children." On they come, one band after another, group after group of marchers, child after child dressed in bunad, flags flying over all, proceeding down Karl Johan, and up the hill to Slottet.
[Note: the letters "et," at the end of the word slottet replace the English definite article "the." Thus, et slott, a castle. Slottet, the castle. Flere slott, several castles.]
Turning left as they enter the palace grounds, the seemingly endless parade of people and flags flows up the hill in a clockwise motion. Viewed from atop Karl Johan, the fluttering red, white, and blue flags move steadily through the cheering people creating in effect a colorful national artery. Of course, in a way, with the music rising and the surging procession, it may be just that: enthusiastic and patriotic young people marching toward the slottet are the life's blood of the nation, they are Norway's future.
On top of the hill, in front of the palace, each band pauses briefly, in order to give the group ahead of them enough time to pass in front of the palace. Then, leading off with a rattle of drums, they step out smartly to pass in review of the King's balcony.
King Harald, Queen Sonia and Prince Princess Märtha Louise salute the Norwegian people during the Barnetog, or Children's Parade portion of the Syttendemaitog, or Independence Day Parade in Oslo, Norway. The parades are a highlight of Norway's Independece Day celebrations each year on May 17th.
The Norwegian Royal Family
King Harald and Queen Sonja salute the flags dipped in their honor.
Behind the marching bands, the flag-waving students don't bother to "get in step." They are too busy cheering as Queen Sonja waves to them and King Harald doffs his black satin hat in a grand gesture.
As the bands complete their pass in review, the tired but happy marchers parade rapidly down the hill toward their dispersal point where buses will take them back to their neighborhoods, foot-weary, but triumphant. However, in many ways, syttendemai is just beginning.
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