Syttende Mai

Sons of Norway Showcases Scandinavian Dance

Event organizers say the whole concept came about due to a desire to use antique bunads the Sons had in storage.

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – The Sons of Norway in Fargo are always focused on maintaining traditions from their Scandinavian heritage. This weekend, they held an event for one particular Norwegian activity: dance. The “Keeping Culture Alive! Nordic Dance and Supper” took place on April 11. First, there was an all-ages dance workshop hosted by the Gasper School of Dance, where…

Happy Syttende Mai!

The holiday serves as a cultural touchstone for Norwegians throughout the world.

FARGO, N.D. – Those of Norwegian heritage had plenty of locations in the F-M area in which to celebrate on Saturday. That’s because it was what they refer to as Syttende mai, or the Seventeenth of May. In English, you’d call it Constitution Day. It’s the historical celebration of the Norwegian Constitution being signed back in 1814. Many of the…

Norwegian patriotism on display during Syttende Mai

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – Grab some lutefisk and lefse as it’s Syttende Mai. It’s celebrated for the signing of Norway’s constitution on May 17th, 1814. It made the country an independent kingdom to try and avoid being ceded to Sweden after Denmark-Norway’s defeat in the Napoleonic Wars. Fargo’s Sons of Norway celebrated Constitution Day with a feast including aquavit flights,…