On the 17th of May we celebrate Norway's National Day in Norway and in Norwegian communities around the world, and for the third time I had the opportunity to celebrate the day at the Norwegian Embassy in Hiroo. This day also marked 200 years since the Norwegian Constitution was written in Eidsvoll. The Norwegian Constitution was actually written in May 1814, which makes it the oldest European constitution that is still in use. It is also the second oldest constitution in the world after that of the United States, which it was inspired by. In 1814 the Norwegian Constitution was a groundbreaking document that ensured a strong focus on human rights, freedom of speech, gender and equality. 17. May marks a day that laid the foundation for the modern Norway and Norwegian democracy.
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| The Ombudsman for Children Anne Lindboe (left) holding a speech at the Embassy |
世界中のノルウェー人は毎年5月１７日にノルウェーの憲法記念日をお祝いします。私も在日ノルウェー人として東京にあるノルウェー大使館でのパーティーに参加しました。ちょうど良い機会なのでブログに憲法記念日について少し書くことにしました。
２００年の歴史のあるノルウェー憲法は1814年に制定され、現在はヨーロッパの最も古い憲法です。世界ではアメリカが第一の、ノルウェー憲法が二番目に古い憲法です。当時前歴のないノルウェー憲法は特徴として人権、言論の自由、平等権などを中心にしました。5月17日は現代ノルウェーとノルウェーの民主主義の基礎の日であります。
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| Norwegian style buffet |
The Norwegian Constitution Day is in a way also Norway's largest festival. It is a day for delicious food, great company, children's parades, music and fun. Although people have different traditions depending on for instance place and family background there are some things like salmon, sausages and waffles with the Norwegian brown cheese "brunost" that is a must for most Norwegians on this day.
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| Norwegian Salmon |
実はノルウェーの憲法記念日はノルウェー最大のお祭りの日でもあります。この日は家族や仲の良い友達と一緒においしい料理、音楽やパレードを楽しみます。地域によって多少伝統が異なりますが、この日にサーモン、ソーセージ、ノルウェーの茶色いチースbrunostを食べるのが人気を集めています。
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| Celebration by the Embassy pool |
The Constitution Day is also known as a Children's Day, as the day is filled with games and activities for children. Children's parades is a common sight throughout the country, and Norwegian communities abroad also make their own small parades. Tokyo is not an exemption, although we unfortunately didn't have live music like in the parades back in Norway.
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| Norwegian parade in Tokyo |
この日に行う子供のゲームも多くあるノルウェーの憲法記念日は子供の日としても知られています。子供のパレードは国の各地に見ることができ、外国に住んでいるノルウェー人でもよくこの日にパレードに行きます。東京でのパレードでは残念ながらノルウェーのようにライブ音楽はありませんでしたけどw。
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| My bf and me outside the Embassy |
Another thing that is special about the Norwegian Constitution Day is that it is a great opportunity to have a look at the Norwegian traditional costumes called bunad. Every area in Norway has its own unique bunad, and you can even tell a person's hometown by looking at their bunad. My bunad comes from the city Bergen on the west coast of Norway where I partly grew up, and where all my relatives live. If you look at the picture above you can see the traditional houses from Bryggen on the belt.
ノルウェーの憲法記念日の他の特徴は伝統的な民族衣装「ブーナッド」を見るのに最もよい日です。ノルウェーには日本の名物のように各地域独特のブーナッドがあります。従って他の人が着ているブーナッドを見ることによってその人の出身地が分かります。私の場合は地元ベルゲンのブーナッドを持ってます。是非上の写真をご覧になってください。ベルトを見るとベルゲンの伝統的なブリッゲンの家が見えるでしょう。
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| Some safety guards watching our parade with great interest |
Although the Embassy only can open its doors to a limited number of people there are alternative places such as the Norwegian Cafe Fuglen where one can participate in fun celebrations regardless of nationality and background. In our case, after the celebration was over at the Embassy we continued to Bar Acqua Z in Shinjuku where we met up with friends to celebrate more with drinks and Norwegian waffles.! What a great day!
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| Norwegian party at Bar Acquaz |
ノルウェー大使館のお祝いには関係者しか参加することができませんが、他にも憲法記念日をお祝いすることができる場所は幾つかあります。その代表として渋谷のオシャレな「カフェ・フグレン」がありますが、私たちの場合は今年は新宿のBAR ACQUA Z で友達とパーテェーをすることにしました。
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| Waffles with brunost! So yummy.. |
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| Thanks for a great celebration! |
超楽しい一日でした。すでに来年の憲法記念日を楽しみにしてます〜☆
About Anette
Anette came to Japan as an exchange student in 2010, met the love of her life and got stuck. From her base in Tokyo she writes about her experiences as a full-time worker in Tokyo and about her travels in Japan and abroad. She's a free-spirited adventurer who enjoys both the great outdoors and her urban lifestyle.
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