How to Celebrate Your Country

Having lived in (and loved) 2 great countries is a pretty special thing. It really broadens your perspective on a lot of things.  I remember having an online discussion with someone who insisted that Americans are more patriotic than other nationalities. So not true. One thing I can say for sure is that both Canadians and Norwegians are very proud... fiercely proud...of their countries and are both patriotic in their own ways. And we have lots to be proud of.

One thing Norway can be VERY proud of is "Syttende Mai" which translates to "the seventeenth of May".  May 17th is to Norway as July 1st is to Canada, or July 4th to Americans. It's our national day. Norway has a very long (much longer than Canada obviously) and interesting history. But I think it was Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson who took the initiative in the late 1800's to make May 17th belong to the children. The Children's Day. Instead of military parades and firing of canons, May 17th is celebrated by children all over the country in long school parades and marching school bands. Everything is geared towards the children. And in true Norwegian style, the 17th of May is celebrated outside.

It's truly a special day that children look forward to almost as much as Christmas. Our 17th of May starts bright and early by the "reveljen". This is a long parade of tractors, cars and trailers, dirt bikes, decorated with birch branches and balloons and, of course, Norwegian flags. The purpose? To make as much noise as possible!! To wake the entire town! My girls love this! They stand up with their heads out the sunroof of the car with their flags and noise makers. This year, someone had an entire drum set on the back of their trailer! The parade goes slowly around the whole town. People come out to their verandas and windows with their coffee cups and morning robes with smiles on their faces.

The entire town then gathers in the school yard for the celebrations. The national anthem is sung of course, there's a few speeches, and then the main event. The thing we've been waiting for. The children's parade. The marching band goes first and then the 17th of May committee, followed by all the daycares and then the school children in their perspective classes from 1st to 7th grade. Everyone is dressed in traditional Norwegian dress or in their very finest.

And we march around the town. Each group has their own cheers they yell during the parade and of course, many "hipp hipp hurrahs!". The louder the better!

After the parade we stop at the memorial to commemorate our landsmen that died for our freedom. Then there's a church service. Then we all gather at the school again for FOOD. As much ice cream, hots dogs and cake you can squeeze in. The afternoon is spent in outdoor games and competitions like horseshoe throwing, 3 legged races, bag races, and milk bucket throwing. And the day is still not over. At the end is the "humoristisk opptog". Basically another humorous little parade where adults and children dress up crazy and have some kind of funny sign or political jest.

Then, all the prizes are given out for the winners of all the games during the day, plus the winner of the "opptog". We all go home then, completely exhausted after being out in the cold and wind all day. It's a terrific daylong celebration that's much anticipated by children all year long.

I think Canada could learn from Norway here. Canadians are very proud of our country every day. But how to really celebrate your country on your national day? Involve the children. And if the country doesn't belong to the children...who does it belong to?