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To learn more about Sons of Norway Grieg Lodge activities or Norse Hall rentals, click on the appropriate button above or call the main office at 503-236-3401.
111 N.E. 11th, Portland, OR 97232
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SYTTENDE MAI CELEBRATION!
Norway’s Constitution Day

COME AND CELEBRATE WITH US! MAY 17

Norway’s most important national holiday – May 17 (Constitution Day) - is celebrated here in Portland in a community-wide event which has been sponsored by Grieg Lodge Sons of Norway for generations at
Portland’s Historic Norse Hall on May 17
(When May 17 falls on weekdays, doors open at 4pm, parade starts at 6pm.
Weekends, doors open at 1pm, parade is at 3pm)

National Dress Encouraged – Vi sees i Bunader og 17.Mai stas

Free Admission
Socialize in the Oslo Lounge. Enjoy Authentic Norwegian Food. Music and Dance Performances. Flags & Nordic Treasures on Sale. Enter to Win Great Prizes

– JOIN OUR GRAND FLAG PARADE – rain or shine!
Featuring traditional costumes, Norwegian fjord horses, vintage cars, Benson High School Marching Band

Program & Children’s Activities (after parade)
Special Grieg Lodge Centennial Program:
At 7 p.m. after the parade, Little Leikarringen performs, followed by a special “Lapskaus Cabaret,” a lively stew of Norwegian theater, music, comedy and dance. Performing in our cabaret will be local Norwegians with traditional and specially commissioned pieces, including: acclaimed choreographer Lane Hunter; award-winning playwright William S. Gregory; noted actor and former host of OPB’s radio morning newscast Gray Eubank; and choreographer and multi-disciplined performing artist Virginia Belt. We’ll conclude the evening with the installation of our “centennial time capsule.”

Centennial NorskArts Fair - Local artists/artisans of all things Norwegian & Nordic will have booths and demonstrations of both fine arts and traditional/contemporary crafts on May 16 & 17. One of the highlights of this 2-day arts and crafts fair will be “Bunad Village”, a display of materials used in the construction of bunads - everything from fabrics to jewelry - books and bunads on hangers and dress forms. Experts in the history and making of bunads and bunad elements will be on hand. This is an excellent opportunity to introduce your friends and neighbors to the richness of Norwegian culture.

EVERYONE MOST WELCOME!! Alle er hjertelig Velkommen!

The Story of 17th of May – Norway’s Constitution Day – Syttende Mai
At the beginning of 1814, Norway was a separate kingdom united with Denmark under King Frederik VI. Because he was involved in war on the side of Napoleon, the Allied Nations forced Frederik to cede Norway to Sweden by the Treaty of Kiel, January 14, 1814. Led by Crown Prince Christian Frederik, the Norwegians refused to be handed over to Sweden and her Crown Prince, Carl Johan. Declaring to be in independent country, a Constituent Assembly met at Eidsvoll from April10 until it completed a constitution signed on the 17th of May. Christian Frederik was elected king. Failing to get support from Britain, Norway engaged Sweden in a brief, but futile war, which ended on August 14, with the Convention of Moss.

Allowed to retain her Constitution, with some modifications, Norway joined Sweden in a personal union until 1905 when she became a fully independent nation with her own king, Haakon VII. His son, Olav V, reigned until January 1991, when the third monarch of modern Norway, King Harald V, ascended to the throne of a free and independent country.

When Norwegians emigrated, they brought with them their love for the Constitution and the traditions of May 17. Celebrated around the world, the day marks a commemoration of independence, freedom and the second oldest written constitution in the world.