Sunday 16 May 2010

May 17th (syttende mai) Norwegian National Day

Tomorrow is the Norwegian National Day. A national holiday for the nation and the day when they celebrate the signing of their constitution at Eidsvoll in 1814. All over the country people will be out with flags in their communities, processing in 'togs' (trains) through the town and generally having a ball. Lots of music, food and fun also mark the day, as I experienced in Kaupanger, Sogn some years ago with my friends Eivind and Astrid.

Norway must be one of the few countries where showing the flag by it's citizens with some pride is not accompanied by extreme or arrogant nationalism, but simply a love of their country and the ability to enjoy and share it.

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