The Storting celebrated 17 May 2017 with a speech, flowers and singing at Eidsvoll Square. True to tradition, the President of the Storting also greeted Oslo’s children’s parade. Photo: Storting.
Storting celebrates Norway’s national day
“The 17th of May is our biggest national celebration. It’s the day everyone is invited to celebrate the values embodied by the Constitution – values that cut across age, gender, background and place of residence. They are the glue of Norwegian society,” said Olemic Thommessen, the President of the Storting.
See pictures from 17 May at the Storting.
This year as last, the Storting welcomed all to the 17th of May ceremony at Eidsvoll Square at 9 a.m. The President of the Storting held a speech and placed flowers at the statue of Christian Frederik. The statue was the Government’s gift to the Storting to mark the 200th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution, in 2014. The third grade class of Klemetsrud school in Oslo and a women’s chorus, the Kvindelige Studenters Sangforening, sang for the event.
Children’s day
“The 17th of May is primarily a day for children. It is the children who will take over and develop our democracy in the future,” Mr Thommessen said.
At 10 a.m. the President of the Storting greeted the children’s parade from the balcony, a tradition stretching back to the 1950s. The balcony is mounted under the three large windows facing Karl Johans gate. The fixed balcony is a fairly recent addition to the façade; until 1991 a provisional one was erected for each 17 May celebration.
In addition to marking the occasion at Eidsvoll Square and greeting the children’s parade, the Storting President laid down a wreath at the national monument at Akershus Fortress and at the statue of King Haakon VII, in 7 June Square.
Last updated: 18.05.2017 15:07