Gunvor Ørstavik
‘On National Day, we would always start out with a nice breakfast, although it’s more like an early brunch. We have all different sorts of food, but usually it’s just a lot of cold dishes, with plenty of smoked salmon and scrambled eggs of course. There would normally be some sparkling wine, too, and then there’s the gravlax. It’s rotten fish, I think, but I don’t question what I eat; it’s just really good with mustard sauce.
The breakfast is usually a family event, or if you’re not in the same town or city, then you’d just gather with friends. It’s not traditional, but ever since I was a kid I remember that on National Day our parents used to let us eat as much ice cream and hot dogs as we wanted. But that’s mostly for the kids.
Admittedly, there isn’t a lot of Norwegian produce in Abu Dhabi, only Norwegian salmon. I do go to IKEA to buy their knekkebrod, though – it’s a bit like hard bread. I remember a friend of mine who used to go to IKEA just to eat the Swedish meatballs. It’s a Scandinavian thing.
After the National Day breakfast we would normally head out into the city where lots of people and marching bands would be parading. In Oslo, everyone heads to the main street and up to the palace to wave to the king and queen. I never did, though. Obviously, in Abu Dhabi it’ll be different, but I’ve heard that there is a special breakfast at the Norwegian embassy, or we might just go up to Dubai to the Norwegian Seaman’s Centre.
At home, we would always dress up in our national costume. It’s quite unique – I don’t know if they even have it in Sweden or Denmark. It’s called ‘bunad’ and is usually made of heavy wool. We have different costumes depending on where you’re from in the country. It’s quite a sight, but usually it’s only the women that wear it, although it’s becoming more and more common that men do, too. It’s not really appropriate for Abu Dhabi, though – too hot.’
Frode Jorgensen
‘It’s been exactly two years and one month since I moved here. This has been my first experience of living abroad – prior to that I had stayed in Norway all my life. There is a small Norwegian community in Abu Dhabi. I found it when I first arrived. They meet up at Le Merdien every Thursday, but those guys have been here for a while and are generally older couples with families. But it’s a nice place to go to if you want to meet some fellow Norwegians.
On National Day, back home, we would normally dress up nicely and meet some friends in the morning for breakfast. This would usually consist of smoked salmon, scrambled eggs and plenty of sparkling wine or aquavit. Admittedly, here, you don’t get that same feeling. Maybe we’ll just go to the beach, get a Norwegian flag and plant it on Lulu Island!
I like it here a lot. The best tip I was given when I moved to Abu Dhabi was to visit the surrounding islands; they are amazing. In Norway, you can only really use a boat in the summertime – it’s too cold – but here you can sail all year round. One of the first things I did when I got here was to buy a jet-ski. I keep it moored in Al Bateen and I usually go to Bahraini Island where you meet all kinds of families and daytrippers. Somebody asked me once, ‘why don’t you come to Dubai and live there?’ But Dhabi is much nicer. Ok, the nightlife is much busier in Dubai, but here it is much more peaceful.’
National Day Breakfast
A breakfast will be held at the Residence of the Norwegian ambassador to celebrate National Day. If you’re a Norwegian national and would like to go, but haven’t yet received an invitation, contact the embassy on 02 621 1221.
The History
Also known as Constitutional Day (or Grunnlovsdagen), the Norwegian National Day takes place on May 17 and celebrates the day that Norway established its independence from Sweden, its then rulers. This was declared in 1814, but for many years the King of Sweden banned its celebration, and it was only from 1833 onwards that it was deemed safe to hold a public address on National Day. Today, it has as much to do with the Norwegian Royal family as the constitution and parades are held across the country both in celebration and as a mark of respect.
