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Norwegians took a patriotic break

May 18, 2012  

PHOTO FEATURE: Norway has had more than its share of tragic news during the past year, so Norwegians seemed clearly ready to shake off some gloom and instead celebrate their cherished 17th of May Constitution Day holiday when it rolled around on Thursday. They faced chilly temperatures and rain in many parts of the country, also in Oslo, but then the sun came out and the party really began.
(Hover your mouse over the following photos of celebrations in the capital to see captions. ALL PHOTOS: Views and News)

  1. SINGING IN THE RAIN: This student choir from Rødtvedt School braved a cold rain to lead off traditional early morning memorials at the graves of Norwegian heroes in Oslo\'s \"Vår Frelsers\" national cemetery. Here they were honouring literary legend Henrik Wergeland.
  2. AND SPEAKING IN THE RAIN: Speakers and spectators also had to put up with the cold rain, including women\'s rights advocate Torild Skard. She hailed a pioneer in securing voting rights for women in Norway, Anna Rogstad.
  3. Also among the graves decorated on the 17th of May: Norwegian literary hero Henrik Ibsen.
  4. By the end of the day, there were many wreaths like this one placed around Norway.
  5. 17th of May bouquets in the colors of the Norwegian flag were widely available for more ordinary citizens, like these which sold for NOK 99, about USD 17.
  6. Also among those hailed on the 17th of May was the late folksong-writer Alf Prøysen. Here are some of his fans gathered at his grave, including his daughter Elin on the guitar, performing his classic optimistic song written in dialect \"Du ska få en dag i mårå.\"
  7. The early morning tributes continued, with author Edvard Hoem hailing Ivar Aasen, who developed the dialect-based form of Norwegian known as \"nynorsk.\"
  8. LET THE FLAG-WAVING BEGIN:A few blocks away, the president of the Norwegian Parliament, Dag Terje Andersen, officially greeted the annual parade of Oslo school children as it passed by on its way up to the Royal Palace. The rain let up and by mid-morning, the 17th of May celebrations were colourfully underway.
  9. As usual on the 17th of May, Oslo\'s so-called \"parade boulevard,\" Karl Johans Gate, was lined with flags and celebrating Norwegians. At right, the Grand Hotel, just across the street from the parliament building.
  10. Oslo\'s Grand Hotel, where the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize always stays, was draped with flags and banners as guests watched the parade.
  11. Norway\'s parades on the country\'s national day feature school children and music, as opposed to the military and defense forces hailed in other countries. The three-hour-long parade in Oslo is shown here passing by the Parliament.
  12. The children cheer and sing as they head for the Royal Palace, like this little boy in his classic Norwegian ski sweater called a \"Marius-genser.\"
  13. Oslo\'s emerging ethnic diversity was showcased as the school children paraded through the city. Tolerance, freedom and democracy were major themes of this year\'s 17th of May celebrations following last summer\'s terrorist attacks by a Norwegian opposed to immigration.
  14. Also part of the parades: The hard-partying graduating students known as \"Russ.\"
  15. This little girl found a way to get a better view amidst all the flags.
  16. The parade attracted all kinds of Norwegians in ethnic dress.
  17. The elaborate decorations of a traditional Norwegian folk costume, the \"bunad.\"
  18. No parade is complete without marching bands and baton twirlers, like these from Tveita School on Oslo\'s east side.
  19. Children parade all over Norway, not just in Oslo.
  20. The traditional Norwegian dress known as the \"bunad\" comes in many styles and sizes.
  21. The sun finally came out just before noon, prompting those who had them to put on sunglasses.
  22. ROYAL DESTINATION:The 17th of May parade in Oslo ends at the Royal Palace, with members of the royal family waving from the balcony. This year the palace was in the process of getting a new roof, which explains the unusual scaffolding.
  23. Hunger sets in after hours of marching and parade-watching, allowing entrepreneurial vendors to do some good business. Ice cream and sausages known as \"pølse\" are the most popular items.
  24. Thousands gathered on the plaza in front of City Hall after the parade before heading off to restaurants and parties.




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