Post by Grubb.
May 17th is Constitution Day in Norway. It goes back to 1814. After being defeated in the Napoleonic wars, there was a student movement in Norway protesting being in part of a union with Sweden. This grew into a tradition of celebrating Norway’s independence, although that wasn’t finally achieved until 1905.
19th century romantic movements added traditional peasant costumes—bundags—as formal wear for the festivity. Also, children’s parades were made a central part of the day.
It’s interesting wandering through holiday crowds where an entire culture has a dress code. (If you don’t have a bundag costume—costing anywhere from two-to-ten thousand dollars—you’re encouraged to wear ‘formal attire.) Since most Norwegian women get their first bundag dress when they are confirmed, there is a religious component dressing up. Everyone looks like they just got out of church.
Besides being surrounded by thousands of people donning expensive traditional clothing, it’s even more interesting celebrating an Independence Day where there are no fireworks. Since there are no battles to commemorate, the military element is absent. And centering the day’s parade around children reinforces how unwelcome the idea of warfare is to the holiday.
So it’s formal, family oriented, and festive. The streets around us were packed. The parade we had a difficult time crossing, seemed to go forever. It was as if every school in Norway had a marching band and a children’s brigade.
I noticed many of the photos featured young people in costume… looking at their cell phones.
They were probably trying to connect with friends lost in the crowd. “Meet me by the fountain, I’ll be wearing the same dress as everyone else!”
We enjoyed Grubb in Moroccan costume. Is it too much to hope for a bundag rig?
Send me the kroner and your wish is granted. And make sure have enough to cover one of those back, hats with the downturned brims!
Er, make that a “black” hat, sort of like what Kierkegaard would have worn.