After being under Danish rule for some 400 years Norway had her own
revolution in 1814. A very peaceful revolution consisted of calling a
constitutional convention which declared that Norway is a free kingdom.
The constitution of the Kingdom of Norway proclaimed by the Constituent
Assembly at Eidsvold on the 17th of May 1814.
The Constitution day is still the most celebrated in the nation. But it
is not celebrated - as independence day in other nations - with large
military parades with arms and weapons.
Norway's birthday is celebrated with party-clothed children and adults
who walk in a parade singing.
Songs, Banners & Parades
Children march down the streets singing national songs. On the morning
of May 17th children meet at the school early in the morning and march
down to a specific place. While they march, they sing the national songs.
They also make banners which are called faner in Norwegian.
Graduating Students Celebrate
The "Russ" are students who are just about to graduate from secondary
school, so they are about 17/18 years old. The "Russ" stay up all night
and wear funny hats and red and blue outfits. They drive around in a red
or blue bus, which they have bought themselves. Unfortunately there's a
lot of drinking during this celebration. The "Russ" also make something
called "Russekort". "Russekort" are cards on which there is a picture of
them, and they have written something like a joke, their biggest
accomplishment or something they want to achieve. Some print thousands of
cards which they pass out to children or anyone who wants them. |