Vesterheim invites everyone to celebrate Syttende Mai, Norway’s Constitution Day!
Vesterheim’s celebration includes family events and free admission all day. Check back for details and schedule as the celebration gets closer.
Syttende Mai is the day Norway ratified its constitution in 1814 at Eidsvoll and Norwegians celebrate with excited crowds—especially children—marching through the streets, waving flags, and singing songs.
Syttende Mai has been made possible for the last 24 years by generous gifts to the Vesterheim Annual Fund from Jeff and Marilyn Roverud.
In this video from 2021, Norwegian storyteller Anne Elisebeth Skogen told the story, Schoolgirl and My Very First May 17th Parade in 1962. Anne Elisebeth grew up in the little town of Egersund, Norway, south of Stavanger. With an education in drama and storytelling, Anne Elisebeth runs her own storytelling business, telling stories for schools, organizations, festivals, and companies.
Watch the video until the end to see Decorah musicians Beth and Jon Rotto (playing fiddle and rhythm guitar, respectively) playing Norwegian and Norwegian-American tunes from the Bethania Church in Vesterheim’s Heritage Park last year. Beth and Jon are founding members of the dance band Foot-Notes, who have been playing for old-time dances in the Decorah area for over three decades.
In this video from 2022, Anne Elisebeth tells the story My Last 17 Mai in My Hometown, Now as a Red Russ, her memories of russefeiring, a long-standing tradition for high school graduates in Norway.
Learn how to greet people on Syttende Mai! Take this short Norwegian language lesson from Maren Johnson, Assistant Professor of Nordic Studies at Luther College.
Click here for activities that families can do at home together. Be sure to make your own Norwegian flag for your Syttende Mai celebration!
Plus, watch the video instruction on the right for how to make your own waving streamer with things you can find around the house! Thanks to Jennifer Kovarik, Vesterheim’s Youth Educator, for sharing her expertise from home.
Every party needs food and this bløtkake recipe is perfect for Syttende Mai! This version is from Vesterheim Folk Art School instructor Darlene Fossum-Martin, Vesterheim, Vol. 6, No. 1, 2008 – Food for Thought.
Darlene starts with a basic sponge cake that can be adapted for any version of bløtkake and then continues with her special variation of rosemary, pears, raspberries, and kiwi filling. Find the recipe here and enjoy!
