By Sofia Haan

May 17 (Syttende Mai) is Norway’s national day. The day marks the signing of the Norwegian Constitution in 1814, making Norway an independent country. As you prepare for the holiday, check out the May issue of Viking magazine to test your knowledge with our fun and festive quiz. Here are some bonus questions.

1. The Syttende Mai children’s parade (barnetog) has always allowed both boys and girls to participate.

a. True
b. False

2. It’s common to wear a Norwegian folk costume (bunad) to Syttende Mai celebrations. What is the primary function of a person’s bunad? 

a. To look nice
b. To pay homage to your hometown
c. To show the world you are Norwegian
d. There’s no real purpose to the bunad

3. For over 140 years, participants in the Syttende Mai children’s parade have sung the national anthem, “Ja, vi elsker dette landet,” as they walk. What does this translate to in English? 

a. “Yes, we are a nation”
b. “Yeah, today is a celebration”
c. “Yes, we love this country”
d. “Yes, see our beautiful land”

4. There were several years in the 1820s where the King banned the celebration of Syttende Mai. What was the name of the king who briefly prohibited the holiday?

a. King Karl Johan
b. King Harald Halfdansson
c. King Harald Haakon
d. King Olav Tryggvason

5. Food and drink are at the heart of Syttende Mai, and Norwegians often raise a cocktail made with aquavit in celebration. Aquavit is a signature Scandinavian spice-infused spirit distilled from what produce?

a. Barley and wheat
b. Cane sugar and fruit
c. Rye and corn
d. Potatoes and grains

Answers

1. False. When the first children’s parades began in Oslo in 1869, only boys were allowed to participate. It wasn’t until 1899 that girls were allowed to join in the parade festivities. Today, thousands of children join local Norwegian parades to celebrate “The Children’s Day.”

2. B. While it’s true that the bunad is a symbol of Norwegian pride and heritage, bunad designs vary massively between regions. It’s customary to wear an outfit from an area to which you have a genetic or residential connection because a bunad’s designs and the colors should be a representation of your hometown or family’s region of Norway. It’s also a great way to connect with others from similar regions.

3. C. The National anthem (nasjonalsangen) is officially called Ja, vi elsker dette landet, but is often referred to simply as Ja vi elsker. The song has long been a Norwegian anthem of nationalism and protest and was performed in public for the first time on the 50th anniversary of Syttende Mai in 1864. Despite this history and deep connection to the country, the song wasn’t adopted as the official national anthem until December 2019.

4. A. At the time, Norway was in a union with Sweden and King Karl Johan was hesitant to allow celebrations. His banning of the holiday sparked public anger and even led to the Battle of the Square in 1829, where Norwegian demonstrators fought against forces from the United Kingdoms of Sweden and Norway. Eventually, King Charles XIV John lifted the ban on Syttende Mai celebrations, and the holiday became what it is today by 1864.

5. D. A drink similar to vodka or gin, aquavit is a distilled spirit that comes almost exclusively from Scandinavian countries. To be designated as “Norwegian aquavit,” the drink must be made with potato spirits distilled in Norway from a minimum 95% Norwegian potatoes, aged in oak barrels for at least six months and must contain caraway or dill seeds. Other Scandi countries also have their own specific spice flavoring and barreling traditions. The drink is intended to be shared with others as a social activity and cultural celebration so be sure to say “skål” (cheers) before drinking!