National Day Oslo in Norway

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Music band in Oslo

National Day in Oslo Norway

On May 17, Norwegians celebrate the existence of their state with Constitution Day. We are in Oslo, Norway's capital, for the 200th anniversary of National Day. We are very fortunate to be able to see part of the celebrations. However, since our time in Oslo is limited and we also want to see a bit of the city and its surroundings, we don't spend this day at Castle Square, where for example Gerhard Liebenberger from Andersreisen.net also sees the royal familywaving to their people. Instead, we mingle with the people on the town hall square.

 

National costumes predominate on National Day at the Town Hall Square in Oslo
National costumes predominate on National Day in Oslo

 

Celebratory mood on National Day in Oslo

That's interesting: already at 8:00 in the morning, while we were still having breakfast in our hotel, the Park Inn by Radisson in the city center * sitting, we see more and more people walking past the hotel in national costume or elegant festive attire in the direction of the port. This is where some of the groups participating in the parade meet. This will pass the royal palace from 10:00 a.m. Some carry heavy musical instruments under their arms, others have their entire families in tow, with even the smallest ones out and about in fine twine or pretty national costumes.

 

The whole city is on its way to the parade
The whole city is on its way to the National Day Parade in Oslo

 

The National Day Parade in Oslo: children in the spotlight

While such National Day parades in other countries often serve to showcase the country's military, for Norwegians it's the children who play the leading role. They are the ones who - accompanied by numerous music bands - roam the streets of Oslo for hours to celebrate the existence of their country. And they do it with admirable persistence and fervor. A very likeable way of celebrating the existence of a country.

 

The children's parade - this is how the national holiday is celebrated in Norway
The children's parade – this is how Norway celebrates the national day in Oslo

 

A colorful parade: children from all regions of the world

We noticed that the children seem to come from all regions of the world. In addition to Scandinavian blonde boys and girls, we saw a striking number of children who obviously come from other countries. All of them carried the Norwegian flag around town with beaming smiles, and their proud parents either led them by the hand in the parade or accompanied them on the sidelines with equal pride. It is just as natural that blind or disabled children take part in this parade. They, too, enthusiastically wave the national flag of their country.

 

Blind and disabled children also participate in the parade in Oslo
Blind and disabled children also take part in the National Day parade in Oslo

 

An open and friendly people: Norway celebrates its future

Experiencing the National Day parade in Oslo shows us a very open, tolerant and friendly people who proudly celebrate the existence of their country, themselves and above all the future that lies in their children. What a perfect way to see a country for the first time. Norway and Oslo took us by storm. We will definitely come back to learn more about its people, their way of life and customs.

Also, discover how other travel bloggers experienced National Day in Oslo:

You can find more tips for Oslo here, for example:


Park inn by radisson
Ovre Slotsgate 2C, Sentrum
0157 Oslo
Norway
Information, availability query and online booking*

Other hotels in Oslo * is for example here.


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Source National Day Oslo: Research on site with invitation from DFDS and Visit Oslo. However, our opinion remains our own.

Text National Day Oslo: © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline
Photos: © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline

National Day Oslo in Norway

Monika Fuchs

Monika Fuchs and Petar Fuchs are the authors and publishers of the Food and Slow Travel blog  TravelWorldOnline. They have been publishing this blog since 2005. TravelWorldOnline has been online since 2001. Their topics are trips to Savor, wine tourism worldwide and slow travel. During her studies Monika Fuchs spent some time in North America, where she - partly together with Petar Fuchs - traveled to the USA and Canada and spent a research year in British Columbia. This intensified her thirst for knowledge, which she satisfied for 6 years as an adventure guide for Rotel Tours and then for 11 years as a tour guide for Studiosus Reisen around the world. She was constantly expanding her travel regions, but curiosity still gnawed at her: "What's beyond the horizon? What else is there to discover in this city? Which people are interesting here? What do they eat in this region?" As a freelance travel journalist (her articles have appeared in DIE ZEIT, 360° Canada, 360° USA, etc.), she is now looking for answers to these questions as a travel writer and travel blogger in many countries around the world. Petar Fuchs produces the videos on this blog as well as on YouTube. Monika Fuchs from TravelWorldOnline is among Germany's top 50 bloggers in 2021. Find more Information about Monika and Petar Fuchs here.