MISS APRON CELEBRATING SYTTENDE MAI

Syttende Mai, May17th,is the day Norwegians are celebrating themselves, their identity as a free nation and "The Fathers On Eidsvoll", who signed the Norway's new constitution May 17th 1814.

When I say celebrated it is no exaggeration.
All Norwegians are participating, from the oldest to babies.First it's the morning parade, when the flags are put up all over town, by scouts mostly.Then the most important parade; the children's parade. Schools are parading under their own banner, Kindergarten kids and their parents come a last. That is, first and last,comes the Norwegian flag.The Children's parade was introduced while Norway was still under Danish, than Swedish regime. Two of our most famous poets, first Henrik Wergeland, later Bjornstjerne Bjorson where the ones who kept the children's parade alive. Later on the Folk's parade will take place, with people from any imaginable organization represented.Last it's the Russe- parade where the blue and red students fulfilling examen artium are having a show, clowning and mocking local people and situations. The brass bands are marching in all four parades. One can imagine what a phycical challenge that must be.In Oslo, our capital, the King, Queen, the Crown prince and Crown princess and their children are greeting school children for four- five hours from the Royal Castle's balcony. I guess that's one of the reasons every Norwegian love them so highly. Our Miss Apron has also dressed up, wearing a Syttende Mai needle.She's so looking forwards to celebrating our day in my home town, Sauda..



We were up about seven in the morning. It takes lot of dress properly, with all the silver in proper places. Gunnar drove us down to the home for elderly. It's tradition that the parade makes a stop there to play and sing some of the most treasured National anthems and hymns.Miss Apron is resting in my mother's lap.

Here comes the parade of this years confirmees. They usually get their first adult bunad for their confirmation earlier in May.


Standing in front of the home of the elderly.

The Kindergarten children and their parents. As you can see, the weather was rather gray, but Luckily no rain.I remember Serina 4 crying on a rainy May 17th in her new child bunad."Oh, mother, what about the flags, and the music sheets of the musicians." Luckily God had mercy and let the rain stop during the school parade then and now.

A primary school class mate of mine standing with her mother,while Miss Apron and I are keeping my mother company.


Lots of flags are also important.My friend Elisabeth, who celebrated May17th in the Norwegian Seamen's Church in New York this year, brought a flag with from home. In the background the primary school where my father and his siblings, ten of my 14 cousins, my brother and I went for seven years. I had such a good time there, and therefor I think the building is so beautiful too.


This was Gunnar's first time celebrating our National Day in Sauda. When he was a teacher, he always had to lead his class in the school parade in Haugesund.I think he had a good time, only three women to take care of.

A front picture of Flogstad skole (school) Built from 1926 till 1936.

Crossing the School Bridge on my way to church. Gunnar and my Mom went by car. My Dad's sister Elly used to balance on the rail on her way to school. She was challenged by her elder brother Kaare. Imagine grand mother Jenny, when she eventually found out what was happening.

Salem is the Pentecostal Church where my grandparents and all their children went, and all the cousins went to Sunday school.The North River is also passing our home 2 kilometers further up in the valley.

A recruit soldier home one leave. In Norway 12 months of military service is obligatory to all men. For women it's optional.Very few women volunteer as soldiers.The soldiers are in his Majesty, The King's Army. Therefore doing military service is called "Dress in the Kings Clothes". Execpt for the Royal Guardsmen in Oslo, there's no display of arms or military in any part of the country on May 17th. We are kind of proud of that.
The Ljung family in the Main Church the celebrate the Day. From left, Gunar, my mother, cousin Grete, aunt Gerd and Alf, Grete's husband...n


.Yours truly has replaced Gunnar with Miss Apron on my lap.

.My mother carrying Miss Apron on the roller to visit my Dad's grave before we're heading home for dinner.



Well home my mother prepared Norwegian dinner, meat cakes, green pea stew, brown sauce and potatoes and for dessert whipped cream with cloud berries, blackberries and strawberries. Wonderful. Alas I was too hungry to take more photos.One more perfect day of so many May17ths!
Oh, my Terry, you really knows how to put an elderly woman to work!Here's a link to my blog of May 26th 2007!