John Mowat Secretary of the Orkney Norway Friendship Association explains the reasons for Norway’s Constitution day and Orkney’s celebration of it.
Norway had been governed by Denmark from the 1300s until the end of the Napoleonic Wars, in 1814. The leading countries of Europe signed a peace treaty in 1814 and 1815, following the conflict.
Norway was taken from defeated Denmark, and given to Sweden, on the allied and winning side. Norway had its future determined without any consultation. This situation hit a raw nerve, in Norway, whose people were eager to rejoin mainstream Europe again, after hundreds of years. Thereafter, Norway experienced a rapid flowering of its musical, artistic, cultural, political, educational and social life. Students started to hold open protests at this complete lack of consultation.
The Norwegians , who met, in Eidsvoll, drew up a highly democratic, and for its time, a highly advanced Constitution, still used today and regularly updated. The Swedes conceded considerable devolution of Government, to Norway, which proceeded to build the government institutions, from scratch. From the mid 1800s, male school pupils took part in processions or Togs, on 17 th May, to celebrate Constitution Day. Girls joined the Parades from 1894, as political awareness grew.
The Norwegian union with Sweden, was dissolved, in 1905, with overwhelming popular support, making Norway, an Independent Country, on the world stage, again. A Danish Prince was appointed as head of State, with symbolic rather than political power. He took the name King Haakon the 7 th.
17 th May became a National holiday as the Parades grew in size.
Norway was occupied by Germany from April 1940, until V E day, in Europe, in early May 1945.
The parades of 1945 took on added significance.
A number of yacht crews, from Rogaland have regularly visited Orkney for 17 th May celebrations, for over 30 years.
Each Year, ONFA organises a full day of activities to celebrate 17 th May, starting with a remembrance Ceremony beside the Norwegian World War 2 graves at St Olaf’s Cemetery.
Outside the Cathedral, Orkney Island Council Convener welcomes visiting Norwegians and a Norwegian special guest replies.
The Twinning of Hordaland and Orkney Islands Councils is a friendship , cultural and social link between the people of Hordaland and Orkney. The links have gone from strength to strength, since 1983, celebrating over 1000 years of history and shared interests.
A lunchtime concert then takes place, in St Magnus Cathedral. This year pupils from St Andrews Primary and Kirkwall Grammar Schools provided an excellent programme of music for almost one hour.
A lunchtime reception organised by Orkney Islands Council welcomes Norwegian visitors along with ONFA Members and Friends.
A buffet dinner and dance is held, in the evening, this year at the Commodore, in Holm.
17 th May Norwegian Constitution Day Celebrations, in Orkney, are done differently from those in Norway.
The event has become a highly colourful one day mini festival. Large numbers of visitors and local people line Bridge, Albert and Broad Streets, to see the Annual Tog. The events are the result of careful team work and planning by ONFA Committee Members, Orkney Islands Council Members & Officials, the participating school pupils and teachers involved.
Colourful 17 th May Constitution Day Parades also take place in both Edinburgh and Glasgow, where there are many Norwegian students.
Related story: Sun Shines on Kirkwall for Norwegian Independence Day