Saturday was the 200th anniversary of Norway’s constitution, so we had a very special 17th of May celebration. I borrowed a bunad (national costume) from my host family. All of the different communities in Norway have their own bunads. Ours comes from Lillehammer, a city in Southern Norway where the Jørstads orginally come from. Bunads are incredibly expensive, so I won’t be buying one for myself, but they’re very fun to wear. They’re hand embroidered and have real silver.
On May 17th we got up early to watch the military drills in Oslo and to watch a bit of the children’s parade in Oslo. All the schools walk past the palace and wave to the royal family. Vadsø had its own parade at 11 o’clock. We don’t have a palace, but it was still fun. People wore bunads and koftes (the Sami national costume) from all over Norway.
Walking in the 17th of May children’s parade. I went with my host-aunt’s class of fifth graders since most students in videregående (high school) don’t go in the parade anymore. They were the same class I worked with back in January for SA-week, so it was fun to all of them again.
Eating cake a café after the parade. Ice cream is also traditional for May 17th, even in snowy weather. We were lucky and got beautiful weather this year. My host aunt (third from the right) is wearing Finnmark’s bunad. It has a much simpler design, but it also has very pretty Sami jewelry.
On the steps of Vadsø’s church. Afterwards I went out with my host family for dinner at Indigo, an Indian restaurant. Bit of a strange choice for Norway’s national holiday, but the food was delicious.
This bunad also has a very practical little purse that latches onto the dress and is excellent for collecting russekort. (I should probably write a post explaining Russ, but I don’t even know where to begin. The sheer fact that Russ give those cards to children…)
And a full length picture of the bunad. After we ate at Indigo we went home and relaxed for the rest of the day. As far as national days go, May 17th is a bit fancier than the 4th of July. For instance, the average Independence Day outfit is a tank top and shorts, not an 18th century-style handmade dress. Norway’s Constitution Day is also much more quiet, no fireworks blasting off all night long. (Of course, 5:00am on May 17th is hardly quiet if the Russ come by your house.)
Vikings and Vadsø 
What a beautiful outfit and our granddaughter is beautiful, too! :+) Love & blessings, Gma Shirley