Constitution Day
– the major spring event
Shots from the schools' procession in Trondheim 17 May 2004 and 2013.
In 2004 the day was somewhat chilly, but in 2013 it was unusually warm.
On Constitution Day there are always procession, starting with the schools' procession. And there are always Norwegian flags, big ones and innumerable small ones. (2013)
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A Danish flag on top of the building housing the Danish consulate. Back in 1814 several things happend: We left the union with Denmark after 434 years. Norwegian delegates agreed to the new Constitution in Eidsvoll, that's what we're celebrating here today. And we joined Sweden in a new union (which lasted till 1905). (2013)
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A procession needs music. Some schools have their own brass bands and a couple of "oldboys" bands also participated. (2013)
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Our future. Celebrating Constitution Day is a serious matter, but this is of course also an unofficial Children's Day. (2004)
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Our future. First grade, a little guidance is sometimes needed. (2004)
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Our future. Also first grade and enthusiastic. (2004)
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Somewhat older pupils, and the girls are the most enthusiastic ones. (2013)
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College students traditionally celebrate the end of school (before going to the university etc.), wearing the characteristic red caps. This celebration culminates on the 17th of May. (2004)
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National costumes, called "bunad" are used only on special occasions. They have been designed mainly during the last hundred years, using much older costumes as guidance. Since 1947 there has been a Government council approving new costumes, and there are now about 450 approved national costumes for smaller and larger districts. Trondheim is the biggest town in Trøndelag, so naturally there are many girls with Trøndelag "bunad" to be seen. Unique to this type, it comes in four color variants: blue, red and green as represented here, and now also black. There are also three (lesser) variations of the apron. (2013)
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A "bunad", including the silver, may cost US$ 5,000, or probably up to twice as much for some types, but still three fourth of adult Norwegian women now owns one. This picture shows more girls wearing Trøndelag "bunad", the dark-skinned one wears the black variant. As for the other ones, don't ask me. (2013)
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In addition to the red Trøndelag "bunad" this picture shows three (green) ones from Nordland, the county immediately north of Trøndelag. (2004)
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More Trøndelag girls, but to the left there are two men also wearing national costumes. Few men wear "bunad", therefore I happily show mostly girls on this page. (2013)
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To point out that a "bunad" is made of woolen fabrics. It's sometimes a bit uncomfortable wearing it on those warm and sunny days that we all want for the great celebrations. (2013)
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Some, particularly children, wear similar, but simpler and unapproved costumes. In this picture I can spot two small girls wearing the true Trøndelag "bunad". (2013)
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On the seventeenth of May we all greet each other, and when we meet we say "Gratulerer med dagen", the equivalent of "Happy birthday". It's the nation's birthday and thus our shared birthday. (2013)
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Hereabout people says that the Norwegian flag is the world's most beautiful one. As I'm disqualified I can't comment on that. (2013)
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Asking a child what he likes best about the Constitution Day, he would most likely say: "Ice cream!" Sorry, no picture of ice cream spilled on a beautiful costume. Happy birthday!
... and there are two more processions later this day
You may also wish to see my Trondheim page
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updated 2009-04-29