Syttende Mai in Sydney

Today, from 12:30pm, a large group of Norwegians and their friends and families gathered in Hyde Park, Sydney, to celebrate Norwegian Constitution Day. A man who sat next to me on the garden bed wall told me that the numbers were really down this year. Usually they get between 800 and 1000. Today I would estimate there were several hundred.

I bet you didn’t know that Norwegian flags on sticks make excellent swords. This group of young boys were exercising their fencing skills. 😉

My first experience of kransekake (almond biscuits) fingers – it won’t be my last!

While not many were dressed in their folk costumes, some were, and it was delightful to see them so proudly wearing their bunads. Many featured beautiful embroidery on the shirts, waistcoats and skirts.

Many of the children were dressed in traditional clothes, and they looked wonderful.

I didn’t get to see the actual parade, as I had to head home, but I enjoyed a little bit of Norwegian-ness in Sydney. It was a simply gorgeous day – perfect for a celebratory picnic in the park.