Dear everyone,

Happy 17^th of May!

It’s wonderful to see you all standing here in your freshly ironed finery. I’ve no doubt that some of you will be in brand new outfits, while others are wearing the treasures that have been handed down from generation to generation – bunads and national costumes that go way back in the family.

New or old, what matters now is that we’re going to create fresh memories on this most traditional of days!

I’d like to start by thanking Oslo University’s Women’s Choral Society and the Lilleborg School Band for their superb songs and music.

And an extra warm welcome to those of you from Svarttjern School, who will be leading today’s 17^th May parade. This is a day you’ll never forget!

17^th May is Norway’s National Day. It’s the day when we celebrate that which is most important to us ­­– that which binds us together, no matter where our roots are.

Today we are celebrating our Constitution and our democracy. For many years, it’s been one of our bedrocks, and yet it has also given us the space to grow.

The Norwegian Constitution was written over two centuries ago, and now resides in the parliamentary archives. Yet the Constitution is infinitely more than a piece of old paper.

Our Constitution lives and breathes.

Just two days ago, the Storting debated several draft amendments to the Constitution. We do this regularly because we know that the document which formed the basis of the society we live in today must continue to help us mark out the course for the society we want to live in in the future.

Neither Norway nor the world is the same as it was in 1814, 1905 or 1989. Which is why we have to tweak the Constitution from time to time. To ensure that it is as relevant for our democracy today as it was for the men who gathered at Eidsvoll all those years ago.

Dear friends,

We are gathered here at the statue of Christian Fredrik, the Danish crown prince who played such a key role during the drama of 1814 to make sure that Norway got its Constitution at Eidsvoll.

Historians have failed to agree about whether Norway was handed its freedom in 1814, or whether freedom was the result of a long battle. What’s beyond question, however, is that we’ve fought for our liberty and democracy several times since then. Democracy has given the individual freedom, and served our country well. We’ve not been willing to give it away for free. On the contrary.

And we must do our utmost to make sure that we never give it away.

In the final verse of our national anthem, Ja vi elsker, we sing the words “At the call we too will aid her, armed to guard her peace.” It’s a reminder to us all that sometimes we must fight for what we love.

Today is a day of celebration. As we queue up to buy our hotdogs and ice creams, it’s worth reminding each other about this very point.

Because at this very minute, while we stand here and celebrate our own peace and liberty, not so far away, people are putting their lives on the line to fight for what we have.

Here today, we have a guest who – along with his people – is fighting for the chance to choose his nation’s own path: Chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament, Mr Ruslan Stefanchuk.

Dear colleague, dear friend,

I am truly honoured to have you with us on this important and symbolic day. The 17^th of May is our Constitution Day; today we celebrate freedom and democracy. I hope that very soon, you and your people will be able to celebrate the same. Let me assure you, dear friend, that we all support your heroic fight for democracy, freedom, and peace.

When President Zelensky spoke to the Members of Parliament and the Government last year, he told us that he wanted us to show the refugees from Ukraine what we celebrate on 17^th May. He also asked us to take good care of Ukraine’s future – the Ukrainian children who are here with us today throughout Norway instead of being at home in the war.

It saddens me to say that these words are as relevant today as they were last year.

I am immensely proud to be able to host our Ukrainian friends on this special day. I hope you will join me in wanting to show the Ukrainian children and adults what values we stand for, and that we stand united with them in their struggle.

Dear everyone,

In many places around the world, national days are marked by large displays of military might. We celebrate ours with a children’s parade, music, and flags. It’s a celebration worthy of a democracy; one to warm the heart.

I would like to wish you all a wonderful National Day. May it leave you with fond memories. And may you all, whatever your age or background, go to bed tonight replete with the sensation of marching bands, fun and laughter. Grateful for the country we live in, but in the knowledge that we must never take our ideals of freedom for granted, and in solidarity for those who dream about the same as us.

Many happy returns, dear Norway!

I will now lay flowers at the statue of Christian Frederik. And then it’s a great honour for me to give the floor to my colleague and dear friend, Chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament, Mr Ruslan Stefanchuk.