17 May 2009 – Hurra for syttende mai

Painting by Norwegian painter Christian Krogh (1852–1925)

Congratulations to Norway for winning the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest. What a wonderful 17May for this Fairy Tale song and country… just love the illusions and ideas of fairy tales, please do not wake me from this LaLa land 🙂

The Constitution of Norway was signed at Eidsvoll on 17 May 1814 which declared Norway to be an independent nation but was still under Swedish rule. After much debate between 1814-1905, 17 May was agreed to be the National Day for Norway. A noteworthy aspect of the Norwegian Constitution Day is its very non-military nature. All over Norway, children’s parades with an abundance of flags form the central elements of the celebration.

During the parade a marching band will play and the children will sing lyrics about the celebration of the National Day. The parade concludes with the stationary singing of the national anthem ‘Ja vi elsker dette landet’=Yes we love this country. People typically wear red, white and blue ribbons. Although a long-standing tradition, it has lately become more popular to wear bunad= traditional outfits (very expensive!). 

Happy 86th Bday to 10th auntie LAM Poh Chee

Oslo 17 May 1981: Linn & May HALD

Fairy tales can come true, it can happen to you when you are young at heart… –