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| Wednesday, 19 May 2004 |
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From Ravindra Seneviratne in Norway May 17th, is Norway's National Day. It is celebrated all over the nation, from the largest community to the smallest, with parades, bands, flags, national costumes, festival services and festivities with everyone taking part, marking the day in 1814, when Norway adopted its new constitution. In Oslo, the children's parade is the main attraction, with all the city schools represented, 110 in all, each headed by the school's banner and brass band. This unique parade has become a world attraction, and each year thousands of visitors from all over the world come to watch. A few were fortunate to obtain special seats set up in front of the Royal Palace, mainly reserved for diplomats and special guests. The long parade marched up Oslo's Main Street, Karl Johans Gate, to the Royal Palace, where they were received by the Royal Family standing on the front balcony, waving to the crowd. King Harald and Queen Sonja were this year joined by Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit, and little Princes Ingrid Alexandra also spent a few minutes looking out on the cheering crowd. The school children of the municipality of Asker just outside Oslo however, are particularly favoured on May 17th. Early in the morning, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit greeted the youngsters as they paraded past the Royal Family's country home at Skaugum. The couple received flowers from two of the children. This has been a tradition for many years. After several years of celebrating the Constitution Day attending a festive performance at the National Theatre in Oslo, the King and the Queen have the last couple of years changed this tradition by visiting other parts of the capital and nearby communities. This year, 2004, Queen Sonja and Crown Prince Haakon will visit the Oslo ward of Torshov, where they among other things will attend a performance of the Puppet Theatre. With all of the important outdoor festivities, the weather is very important on this day, and the whole nation watches the weather forcastes days in advance, with joy or dismay as the case may be. This year large parts of the nation faced a rather gray day, with most of the sunshine reserved for regions of the south east and the far north. Norwegians abroad on this day are also sure to gather and celebrate Norway's birthday, be it at an embassy, a mission station or not to forget the 32 Norwegian Seamen's churches around the world. Here there will also be parades, festival services, speeches and activities for the children, as well as coffee with the beloved waffles. |
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