Syttande Mai
May 17, 2006
Syttande Mai (Seventeenth of May) is the biggest celebration in Norway. It is our Constitution Day. The new constitution was signed at Eidsvoll the 17.05.1814 by representatives from all over Norway. We had been in union with Denmark for about 400 years. Denmark was on the loosing side of a war in Europe and as a punishment had to give Norway to Sweden. Just in between we made our own constitution and Syttande May became a day of great joy, celebration and thankfulness to God. The constitution was used to fight the Swedish king and eventually he gave up ruling Norway. We got our freedom and independence in 1905.
All over Norway we celebrate Syttande Mai with great parades and brass bands. We have no military display on this day of joyful freedom, but the school children parade with their classes. Syttande Mai can't be described it must be experienced!
