The Constitution of Norway was signed at Eidsvoll on May 17th in 1814 and by that declared Norway an independent nation. The celebration of this day began spontaneously among students and others from early on. After 1864, the day became more established, and the first children’s promenade was launched. This initiative was taken by our most famous writer; Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, although Henrik Wergeland made the first known children’s promenade at Eidsvoll around 1820.
A noteworthy aspect of the Norwegian Constitution Day is its very non-military nature. All over Norway, children’s parades with an abundance of flags form the central elements of the celebration. The highlight is the children’s processions, made up of school classes marching through the local community, led by the school band. Most of the children have their own small Norwegian flag to wave, and the route is lined with enthusiastic onlookers. After the procession there are games, entertainments and plenty of hot dogs and ice cream.
To the left: the youngest one dressed in Bunad, watching the parade.
In the afternoon, after a dinner break, there are new parades which various in style from each community. In ours we have The Flower Parade (Blomstertoget):


It’s a “different” parade in which almost all who are interested are allowed to participate! They are from the associations, sports teams, businesses and private individuals. Some represent activities and measures, other causes they burn for, or you can join to compete for the award for best performances. Those who participate in the parade have a positive and fun experience, and many feel that they have viewed their actions or association on a different and fun way.

The main topic of the parade is, of course, flowers and one of the highlights is this year’s Flower Princess. The parade comity ensures that everyone who dresses up and participates in the parade gets some flowers for their performance and they are handed out to the audience too!
This year’s edition focuses on the “Environment“. Some of the costumes were about recycling milk cartons, alternative vehicles, bicycling, saving the forest, and Noah’s Ark (protecting endangered species). Here you see a collection:
Like I said in my last post about the anticipation for this day: The proper greetings – ‘Happy 17th of May’ in Norwegian is: Ha en god Syttende Mai! We had, although a bit wet and cold, but that would never hold back a Norwegian for celebrating a day like this :-)
Oh I just love the children in their Bunad! They are precious!!! It looks like a wonderful day and a great success for all who attended the parade!
Happy 17th of May, Renny!!!
RennyBA
Yea, they are adorable!!
A great success yes; Maybe 17th of May will be a good day for you and your husband to visit us? :)
Oh what a lovely post, and a lovely trip to the parade we had!! Thank you for sharing it with me :-)
RennyBA
Experience it with you, double the fun you know :-)
Thanks also for plugging me and for the lovely 17th of May Cake you made for tonight!
Looks like a fun celebration!
RennyBA
Yea, fun for children all ages!
I missed this one out but oh well I can always celebrate this next year and finally being home again in Norway. Also it is nice that your site is up again meaning the server glitch was being fixed.
RennyBA
See you next year Charles and you might know: Bergen even had the loveliest sunny weather this year!
Yea: My Terella is back on the stage – thanks for being willing to help!
Blog back online? Yeah, I know everything… ;-)
I absolutely love the idea of a non-military national day. Canada is less military oriented than France (mostly people on Parliament Hill, the General governor speech…) but I don’t really enjoy seeing French army marching down the Champs Elysée. I know it’s tradition but… can’t we change a bit???
RennyBA
Yea and I know you have a special radar for this – thanks for never given up and for always commenting!
I do agree: some traditions could be changed – a bit :-)
It looks lovely and I hope you had a wonderful day despite the sun not cooperating yesterday. The system kept me away for some reason…
RennyBA
The weather could never keep a Norwegian away from the parades and celebrations on Syttende Mai you know!
Thanks to you too for coming back after the brake down and commenting!
wow the children look adoorable all dressed up !!!
hot dogs …ice cream …Diane’s cake …yum !!!
thanks for posting about this historical day Renny :)
RennyBA
Thinking of you; it would have been lovely to see you painting one of this children!!
– Your welcome – I love to share our culture and traditions you know :)
Cool ! u had a great fun :) when we have the independence parade there are just millitary guys doing random stuffs and some cultural dances but its great too see its not the same in other countries !
great post as always sir :)
p.s – i have been busy with studies so sorry for late comments and all :[
RennyBA
Glad you liked it too Rahul and thanks for the compliments :)
Great photos! It looks like you had fun despite the less than perfect weather. Wishing you an even better day next year!
RennyBA
The weather is no barrier for Norwegians you know, but of course some sunshine could be nice next year!
oh, Renny! i love the idea of an environment-friendly parade! it looks like a lot of fun, too.
RennyBA
Its an important matter nowadays you know and fits in with a National Day quite well I think.
Very nice to see that you have warmer weather up there too and everybody looks happy in the parade! Nice post, as always, Renny!
Thanks to share your Norwegian culture with us. :-)
RennyBA
Well it was mostly closer to freezing and raining, but spring has been quite nice and warm up until now.
Your welcome Sue – you know I love to share and appreciate your compliments :-)
What beautiful flowers! You truly know how to have a celebration in Norway! :-) I hope you and Diane had a wonderful weekend.
RennyBA
I know you would love the flower parade Lisa – would you come over next year and join?
We had a great one and Diane took some time to prepare for her exam too.
Well, it does look like you had some moments without rain luckily enough. Phew! What a weather you seem to have had lately! Worse than ours. This is ridiculous with such cold temperatures in the middle of May….
Great fun, the blomstertog. Love the fun objects in there. We visited something similar last weekend, the students from Royal Technical high school (Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan – KTH) had their yearly one with some great creations!
RennyBA
Yea it stopped raining just before the parade, but other than that: the coldest and wettest Syttende Mai I can remember for years.
Why don’t you come over to celebrate with us, Tor and Anne next year and we could have a Blogger’s section in the parade!
sorry i am late in getting here but nonetheless allow me to wish you a happy may 17th! I always enjoy seeing the pictures of the parade and what a lovely theme.
Ha en god Syttende Mai!
RennyBA
Don’t be sorry Lime. Everyone is busy once in a while and I know you are one of my most trustful reader and commenter.
Glad you liked it and thanks for your Norwegian greetings!
Wow! What a great parade. It looks like you had allot of fun too. We have parades in the U.S. like that where anyone can enter and I just love them. People are so creative and come up with some amazine entries for the parade. Thanks for sharing this.
Love and Blessings,
AngelBaby
RennyBA
Glad you liked it too – is your similar parade at the 4th of July then?
Hugs back to you!
Wow! what an interesting and fun parade! It’s so different from the parades we have in Singapore.
And it’s so lovely to watch it with your darling. :)
RennyBA
I might be a bit patriotic, but to my knowledge its quite different from most other National Celebrations :-)
Its always great to have Diane by my side you know ;-)
It has come and gone so quickly, Renny, but because of you, it will be remembered! Thank you.
RennyBA
I just love to refresh your memory about Norway you know – sad we don’t met last time you where here in May – I hope you’ll come back one day!
I bet I could learn about all of Europe’s holidays, little by little, if I followed one great blog per country. Yours is definitely my choice for Norway – – and one of my summer projects is to find that one blog per country. I’m sure your blog and all of its links will be a great starting point.
RennyBA
Blogsphere is the best way to explore the world you know!
Thanks for your compliments – I’m flattered and its an encouragement to keep on.
Keep us posted about your summer projects!
How fun. What a wonderful holiday. Thanks for sharing your history and culture. Have a great day. :)
RennyBA
I knew you would love it Sandee and of course I gladly share an important part of Norwegians :)
That is quite an elaborate Parade, Renny. I love seeing all the costumes and the kids all dressed up….Very Very Festive! I haven’t been to any kind of Parade in years and years and years! There is nothing like a Great Celebration, is there?
I love your post Renny! And really the slide show gives an idea of this lovely day and about the atmosphere in Norway! How cute the costumed children are!
And nice to see how people are sensible about the environment!
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Have a great day. :)
Finding your website really made my afternoon. You have no idea.