May 17th

Norwegian Constitution Day

What’s May 17th?

The Norwegian Constitution was signed on Eidsvoll on May 17 in the year 1814.

Every year on this date we celebrate our independence from Denmark.

The Eidsvoll building

On this site you can see the Norwegian nationalcostume, on Norwegian called ”Bunad”. Every county has their own costume. On May 17th it’s a tradition to use this suit.

”Bunad”

”Russ”On May 17th the graduated student’s celebrate, that they have finished thirhteen years of school. We call the last-year students ”Russ”. From May 1th, the ”Russ” dress up in red, blue or black trousers and hats. The colours describe wich kind of courses they have taken. Many of the students also decorate an old bus with different themes. They drive around in the bus, and party all night long and meet other ”Russ”. Norway is the only country in the world that has this tradition. It started as a celebration of our independencce from Sweden in 1905. The ”Russ” also have their own personal card with a picture of themselves and funny sayings. The card is very popular to collect by children

Here are some pictures of ”Russ” from 2007

Russ

In two years time!!!

May 17th”The childrens day.”

Early in the morning at May 17th everybody dresses up and meets at their local school. There they meet their friends. All the children walk in a big parade where they sing traditional Norwegian songs and shout ”Hurra!”

After the parade you meet your friends and family and eat hotdogs and icecream.

Made by:

Janne, Marte Helene, Marie

Thea, Hanne Marthe