What is 17th of May?
17th of May Committee
2011 Committee*
2010 Committee
2009 Committee
2008 Committee
2007 Committee
1896 Committee
The Seattle 17th of May Committee is a non-profit organization comprised of volunteers who represent various Norwegian organization in the greater Seattle area and Pacific Northwest. The Seattle committee has met consecutively since 1889 to promote and sustain our love of heritage.
What is the 17th of May?
Norwegian Constitution Day is the official National Day of Norway, celebrated on the 17th of May. Among Norwegians, the day is referred to simply as "Syttende Mai" (17th of May) or Grunnlovsdagen (The Constitution Day).
The Constitution of Norway was signed at Eidsvoll, Norway on May 17, 1814. The constitution declared Norway as an independent nation. The celebration of this day began spontaneously among students and other people in early years. At that time, Norway was under Swedish rule, and for many years the King of Sweden was reluctant to allow such celebrations. For a few years in the 1820s, King Carl Johan forbade the celebrations.
It was not until 1836 that anyone ventured to hold a public address on behalf of the day. That year, official celebration was initiated by the monument of the late politician Christian Krogh, known to have stopped the king from gaining too much personal power. In 1905, Norway separated from Sweden peacefully and became a truly independent country.
By historical coincidence, World War II ended when the occupying German forces surrendered in Norway on May 8, 1945, just nine days before that year's Constitution Day. Even if the Liberation Day is an official flag day in Norway, the day is not broadly celebrated. Instead, a new and broader meaning had been added to the celebration of Norwegian Constitution Day on May 17.
A noteworthy aspect of Norwegian Constitution Day is its very non-military nature. All over Norway, children parade with an abundance of flags. Each elementary school district arranges its own parade with marching bands between schools. The parade takes the children through the community, often making stops at homes of senior citizens, war memorials, etc. The longest parade is in Oslo, where some 100,000 people travel to participate in the festivities. The Oslo parade includes close to 100 schools, marching bands, and passes by the Royal Palace, where the Royal Family greets the people from the main balcony.
Outside of Norway, Norwegians all over the world celebrate the 17th of May with parades, speeches, and more. Since 1889, The Norwegian-American community of Seattle has celebrated the 17th of May, and now the festivities in Seattle is touted as the third largest 17th of May celebration in the world, behind Oslo and Bergen. Join us this year as we celebrate Norwegian Constitution Day with a Norwegian-American flair!
Source: Royal Norwegian Embassy/Norway.org
Norwegian Bunad
The bunad is a traditional Norwegian costume worn by both men and women at various celebrations such as folkdances, weddings, and especially the 17th of May Celebration.
It can either come from established rural traditions or have a more modern design inspired by historical patterns and cuts. Traditionally bunads represent the family home area and are modeled after the old folk attire of the region that developed over the centuries. The designs are typically elaborate, with embroidery, scarves, shawls, and hand-made silver or gold jewelry. There are bunads for both men and women, although women's bunads are more diverse and popular.
You will see a variety of these beautiful bunads at the Seattle 17th of May celebration. There are a number of websites that showcase the Norwegian Bunad.
Husfliden
Artistry of a Bunad
Bunads from around Norway