PHOTO FEATURE: As school children marched all over Norway in Constitution Day parades on Friday, the youngest Norwegians got into the act as well, a day early. In line with tradition, pre-schoolers at what the Norwegians call barnehager (kindergartens, or day care centers) had their own parades the day before the 17th of May. Our photographer caught one in Ellingsrud, on Oslo’s northeast side.
The parade in the Ellingsrud and Karihaugen areas reflected the ethnic diversity of the neighbourhood, both among the children and the proud parents who joined in.
New research indicates that immigrants in Norway have embraced the 17th of May holiday and participate in its celebration. Norway had no military elite when its constitution was created in 1814, and the parades that eventually became a tradition featured children instead.
In addition to flag-waving, singing and shouting “hurra,” the celebrations also include brass bands and eating lots of sausages and ice cream as Norwegians celebrate their sovereignty after centuries of foreign domination. Next year’s 17th of May celebrations will be an historic occasion, as the country marks the bicentennial of its constitution.
PHOTOS: newsinenglish.no
Please support our news service. Readers in Norway can use our donor account. Our international readers can click on our “Donate” button:
