At least one flag was already flying early on the morning of the 17th of May, as a large cruiseship slowly backed into a berth in Stavanger. Thousands more flags would join it as Norway celebrates its constitution, freedom and democracy nationwide.
It’s the most festive day of the year in Norway, and this year NewsinEnglish.no will be reporting from Stavanger. Today it’s the capital of Norway’s oil industry, but the small city on Norway’s scenic west coast has gone through highs and lows for centuries. It’s evolved from a past based on fishing, canneries and Christian fundamentalism into an international base for the offshore industry, finance, oil, gas and tourism with extremely lively bars and restaurants.
That may be why festivities begin a bit later in the morning than they do in, for example, Bergen and Haugesund farther up the coast. Three different parades were due to begin at 10am, 1pm and 4pm, and we’ll be back with more photos and coverage as the day rolls on.
As the Norwegians will be saying all day long: Gratulerer med dagen! (Congratulations with the day!)
NewsinEnglish.no staff
