ORKNEY has celebrated the islands' strong historic links on Norway's national Constitution Day.
May 17 is celebrated across Norway and beyond, marking the day the constitution of Norway was signed in 1814.
Orkney Norway Friendship Association host events each year in recognition of the islands’ links with similar celebrations taking place in neighbouring Shetland.
READ MORE: Public Order Bill: Labour REFUSE to back SNP bid to repeal law
This year, Norwegian visitors followed their ancestors across the North Sea and attended a Remembrance Ceremony at St Olaf’s Cemetery for fallen World War II soldiers.
A parade was held in Kirkwall, led by Kirkwall City Pipe Band, with the national anthem of Norway played alongside flag bearers for both Norway and Scotland.
Lovely remembrance service for Constitution Day with a good gathering of Norwegian visitors many of whom followed their ancestors in sailing across the North Sea#syttendemai #ConstitutionDay #NorwayInUK #OrkneyNorway pic.twitter.com/Wes9qzUWRe
— Norway Consul Orkney (@RNOCOrkney) May 17, 2023
Speeches were made by councillor Graham Bevan, Erik Bugge and Eva Charlotte Nilsen from Vesteralen.
This was followed by a concert in St Magnus Cathedral by Stromness Academy Pupils, and the evening dinner sold out.
READ MORE: Mhairi Black slams Tory defence of Brexit amid Vauxhall warning
The constitution signed in 1814 declared Norway to be an independent kingdom in an attempt to avoid being ceded to Sweden, after Denmark–Norway's devastating defeat in the Napoleonic Wars.
In Norway’s capital city Oslo, a parade is hosted which includes over 100 schools with children acting as marching bands and flag bearers. The parade is broadcast on national television.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel