200th Anniversary Celebration of Norway's Constitution

200th
Anniversary Celebration of Norway's Constitution

Set for Farmington Hills with a parade, music, games, and food

The Detroit
Norwegian community invites the public to join in a May 17th
celebration of the Bicentennial of Norway’s 1814 Constitution.  The free event is sponsored by Nordkap Lodge of
the Sons of Norway. 

The
celebration—an indoor/outdoor Norwegian festival—is open to people of all ages,
but includes many activities for young people and families with small children.
Featured events will include: 

·  Wearing of the colorful hand-embroidered bunad, the national dress

·  A
parade with Norwegian flags around the Swedish Club grounds, led by
Scandinavian folk musicians (starts at 11:30 a.m.)

·  Gathering
around the Memorial Tree, planted in honor of the victims of the 2011 massacre
in Norway

·  Greetings
from Norway by Norway’s honorary consul to Michigan, Dennis Flessland of
Huntington Woods

·  Special
games for the children

·  The
signature “cod toss” in which competitors toss frozen fish for
distance and prizes

·   Sale
of imported Norwegian products and foods, such as cheese, herring, soups, lefse
(potato flatbread), and Norwegian candy and chocolate bars   

·   Picnic-style
foods and Norwegian waffles available for purchase

·   Traditional
desserts

 The Constitution Day national holiday, called Syttende
Mai (17th of May) in Norway, commemorates the day in 1814 when the new
Norwegian Constitution was signed. The constitution established Norway as a
sovereign state and constitutional monarchy ruled by the principles of liberty
and democracy.  It was the most liberal
constitution in Europe at that time, clearly inspired by the ideals of the
revolutionary American and French constitutions.  When a subsequent union with Sweden was
dissolved in 1905, the 1814 constitution became the foundation of modern
Norway, which today has one of the highest standards of living in the
world. 

 Membership in the Sons of Norway is open to
all who are interested in the preservation of Norwegian culture and
heritage.  For more information, call 248-224-3369.