Well, as most people may know, today is the anniversary of Norway, the day Norway became an independent country. So, to all of you who have a Norwegian family, or who are Norwegian for yourselves: Congratulations!

In Norway, we have a special way of celebrating the 17th of May. We walk in parades, first the children walk together with their school and their class in the so-called "Children train", or "Children Parade" ("barnetog" in Norwegian). Then the rest of the people join in, and last, but not least, the "russ" walks at the end of the parade (a russ is someone who has ended high school and celebrates it with walking around in either red, black or blue pants. They wear a cap in the same colour as their pants, and on that cap, there is a tread with a tassel at the end of the tread. If you do a "russeknute", then you get a thing knitted to that tread. A "russeknute" is something you do; for example standing still in a shop for fifteen minutes. The "russeknute" varies from year to year.)
Most of the people use a traditional costume on the 17th of May, called the "bunad". The bunad they wear depends on where they come from, or where their family come from. If you or your family come from Nordland, then you wear the Nordlandsbunad. If you  or your family come from Telemark, then you wear the Telemarksbunad, and so on. But the bunad is expensive, it can cost up to 60 000 kroner, which is about 10 000 dollars. I don't have a bunad, because I can't afford it. But still I have a nice dress for the 17th of May, because it is a very special day.
Anyway. After the parade is over, we eat icecream, hot dogs or hamburgers. I know, weird way of celebrating a special day with eating fast food, but still, it is a new tradition in Norway. After all this eating, we spend our time with our closest friends or family.

OH! We eat a LOOOOOOOT of candy on the 17th of May xD


(actually, we eat candy all day. But we're still not as fat as... errr.. Nevermind. Don't want to offend someone.)

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, NORWAY!! <3