Festivities on a rainy Sunday

The 17th of May is the National Day of Norway because it was the day the Constitution of Norway was signed in Eidsvoll 1814.

The constitution declared Norway to be an independent nation and free from Sweden. However, for some years, the King of Sweden and Norway was reluctant to allow the celebrations. It wasn't until 1833 that the Norwegians started to celebrate the 17th of May in public, and in 1864 they had their first parade on the day.

The parade has become a very big tradition in Norway. Because of the 17th of May isn't a public holiday in Australia, the Norwegians in Melbourne have their parade in the Swedish Church every year on the Sunday before the 17th of May. However, this year it was raining and the Australian orchestra that was hired was obviously afraid of water and refused to march in the rain, so the parade had to be cancelled.

We had a nice day anyway in and around the Swedish Church.