CONTENTS

  • The Origin of Norwegian Constitution Day
  • Key Cultural Events and Traditions
  • Norwegian Trolls: Folklore in Constitution Day Festivities
    • Stories of Norwegian Trolls
  • The Cultural Connection Between Norway and Iceland

Key findings about Norwegian Constitution Day, Norwegian trolls and Norwegian culture:

  • Norwegian Constitution Day, also called Syttende Mai, marks the signing of the Norwegian Constitution in 1814 and is celebrated every year on May 17th.
  • It's a colorful event filled with parades, traditional Norwegian clothes, and festivities built around Norway’s cultural identity.
  • Celebrations for Norwegian Constitution Day place a special emphasis on children and parades.
  • A standout feature of Syttende Mai is the bunad (elaborate, hand-embroidered outfits considered a hallmark of Norwegian heritage).
  • Norwegian traditional clothes include Norwegian sweaters, too, which are a mainstay of Scandinavian craftsmanship. 
  • During Syttende Mai, all elements of Norwegian folklore—trolls included—can be seen in festival decorations and storytelling events.
  • Norway and Iceland share a bond that started in the Viking Age, starting when Iceland was settled by Norsemen in the 9th century.
  • One of today’s tangible remaining connections between Norway and Iceland is the shared history of wool craftsmanship.

Celebrated on May 17th, Norwegian Constitution Day is a vibrant and symbolic holiday in Norway. It marks the signing of the Norwegian Constitution in 1814, the event establishing Norway as an independent nation. The holiday, also called Syttende Mai (“17th of May” in Norwegian), is a colorful event filled with parades, traditional Norwegian clothes, and festivities built around Norway’s cultural identity.

The Origin of Norwegian Constitution Day

On May 17, 1814, Norway took a significant step toward independence from Sweden. Leaders of the Nordic nation drafted a constitution at Eidsvoll, establishing a new government rooted in democracy. Though Norway remained in union with Sweden after that and full independence wasn’t achieved until 1905, Syttende Mai is a powerful reminder of Norway’s ideals and national pride.

The first celebrations of Constitution Day were met with a little skepticism from Swedish authorities, who viewed it as a challenge to what rule they retained. By the late 19th century, however, the holiday had become widely embraced and recognized.

Today, Norwegians of all ages spend Constitution Day participating in barnetog (children’s parades), concerts, and speeches.

Key Cultural Events and Traditions

Celebrations for Norwegian Constitution Day place a special emphasis on children. School-aged kids join in parades across the country, all waving Norwegian flags while marching through streets lined with spectators. In Oslo, the largest parade is held in front of the Royal Palace, where the Norwegian royal family waves to the crowd from the balcony.

Food also plays a central role in the celebrations. Traditional Norwegian dishes like pølser (hot dogs), rømmegrøt (sour cream porridge), and ice cream are served all over. Families and friends gather, some dressed in their finest bunad(traditional Norwegian clothing representing different regions of the country and even specific family lines).

Norwegian Clothing and Its Role in Constitution Day

A standout feature of Syttende Mai is the bunad, Norway’s national costume. These elaborate, hand-embroidered outfits are a hallmark of Norwegian heritage. Women’s bunads feature intricate embroidery, silver jewelry, and flowing skirts, while men’s versions include embroidered vests, Norwegian wool trousers, and knee-length socks.

Norwegian traditional clothes include Norwegian sweaters, too, which are a mainstay of Scandinavian craftsmanship. With distinctive Scandinavian knitting patterns like the selburose, Norwegian traditional sweaters are a symbol of cultural continuity. They’re often worn during Syttende Mai, particularly in colder regions, serving as a connection to Scandinavian pattern fabric heritage.

Norwegian Trolls: Folklore in Constitution Day Festivities

A look at Norwegian culture requires a look at Norwegian trolls. These mythical creatures are embedded in Scandinavian folklore and have played a central role in shaping Norway’s national identity. Depicted as mischievous or fearsome creatures lurking in the mountains and forests, trolls are a common motif in Norwegian storytelling, art, and clothing.

During Syttende Mai, all elements of Norwegian folklore—trolls included—can be seen in festival decorations and storytelling events. They’re also found in patterns on traditional Norwegian sweaters. Many Scandinavian knitting patterns are inspired by Norwegian landscapes, rural life, and legendary tales. The presence of these motifs serves as a reminder of the nation’s folklore and the importance of storytelling to preserve cultural heritage.

Modern interpretations by Norwegian sweater brands like Icewear continue to honor tradition while adapting to today’s sustainability standards and the demands of the winter sports community.

Stories of Norwegian Trolls

Norwegian culture is steeped in folklore. Mythical creatures like Norwegian trolls play a prominent role, and some folklore elements are depicted in traditional Norwegian clothing, with designs and patterns telling tales of bravery and enchantment.

For instance, Norwegian folklore includes:

  • Norwegian trolls portrayed as large, slow-witted, and dwelling in mountains or forests. Sometimes they’re fearsome and other times they’re comically foolish.
  • Many folktales feature courageous protagonists overcoming great odds, battling monsters, and solving riddles to claim their destiny.
  • Spells, curses, and enchanted objects appear in folktales as well, with magical beings guiding or testing human characters.
  • Tales frequently include wise or magical talking animals, like bears, foxes, or birds, that aid heroes on their journeys.
  • Supernatural beings said to live in the mountains and hills also appear in Norwegian folklore. They’re generally invisible but sometimes become visible in times of need or mischief.

The Cultural Connection Between Norway and Iceland

Norway and Iceland share a bond that started in the Viking Age. Iceland was settled by Norsemen in the 9th century, and the two nations were forever linked through Norwegian traditions and cultural exchange. 

For centuries, Iceland remained under Norwegian rule. When Norway entered the Kalmar Union with Denmark and Sweden in 1397, Iceland passed to Danish control, where it remained for 500 years. The original Norse settlers in Iceland, however, were already rooted in the culture of the Artic island.

Centuries after both nations’ independence, one of today’s tangible remaining connections between Norway and Iceland is the shared history of wool craftsmanship. Norwegian wool is renowned for its warmth and water-resistance, and Icelandic wool also holds a special place in the world of Nordic textiles. Brands like Icewear produce both Norwegian and Icelandic sweaters that blend historical motifs with modern designs. Between the two Nordic nations, there are hundreds of traditional wool knitting patterns. 

Today, when celebrations of Syttende Mai begin in Norway, Icelanders also recognize the historical significance with their own national celebrations. In Iceland they celebrate their own Independence Day on 17 June, more about that festive day here.

Constitution Day serves as a living tapestry of Norwegian heritage. Whether celebrated in Norway, Iceland, or beyond, that means embracing the spirit of freedom, storytelling, and the traditions that have defined the Norwegian people for centuries.