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May 21, 2012

Photos: Syttende Mai, Norway's Constitution Day

Photos by Nikki Tundel
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The Norwegian culture was on display across the Twin Cities on May 20, as churches and communities celebrated Syttende Mai, Norway's Constitution Day. ("Syttende Mai" translated means May 17 in Norwegian.) In Minnesota, the holiday is often commemorated on the Sunday closest to that date. Each year, one of the biggest celebrations takes place at Mindekirken, the Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church in Minneapolis.

Jens-Henrik Selin

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Minneapolis, MN, USA — Jens-Henrik Selin and his son Thomas Albert make their way to a Syttende Mai celebration at Mindekirken, the Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church in Minneapolis, Minn., on May 20, 2012. (MPR News Photo / Nikki Tundel) link to this photo

Entering the Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church

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Minneapolis, MN, USA — Families make their way through the rain to get to a Syttende Mai service at the Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church in Minneapolis, Minn., on May 20, 2012. (MPR News Photo / Nikki Tundel) link to this photo

The Mindekirken

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Minneapolis, MN, USA — Nearly 600 people packed into Mindekirken for the celebration of Norway's Constitution Day. (MPR News Photo / Nikki Tundel) link to this photo

Non-traditional hair

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Minneapolis, MN, USA — Most churchgoers donned traditional Norwegian dress. One attendee chose to celebrate Syttende Mai by dying her hair. (MPR News Photo / Nikki Tundel) link to this photo

Nora and Erik Tearle

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Minneapolis, MN, USA — As chruchgoers listen to the day's sermon, Nora Tearle whispers to her brother Erik at the back of the decorated Norwegian church. (MPR News Photo / Nikki Tundel) link to this photo

Traditional painting and crafts

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Minneapolis, MN, USA — Traditional Norwegian painting is on display at Mindekirken, the Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church in Minneapolis, Minn. Churchgoers gathered here, in the church basement, for hot dogs after a Syttende Mai service on May 20, 2012. (MPR News Photo / Nikki Tundel) link to this photo

Attendees of all ages

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Minneapolis, MN, USA — Attendees of all ages give traditional Norwegian dancing a try at a Syttende Mai celebration at the Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church in Minneapolis, Minn., on May 20, 2012. (MPR News Photo / Nikki Tundel) link to this photo

Parade

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Minneapolis, MN, USA — Members of Mindekirken lead a Syttende Mai parade through the streets of Minneapolis, Minn., in honor of Norway's Constitution Day. (MPR News Photo / Nikki Tundel) link to this photo

Watching the parade

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Minneapolis, MN, USA — A neighborhood resident watches as the Syttende Mai parade makes its way down the street on May 20, 2012. (MPR News Photo / Nikki Tundel) link to this photo

Removing flags

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Minneapolis, MN, USA — As the Syttende Mai celebration winds down, Norwegian and American flags are removed from the pews at the Lutheran Memorial Church in Minneapolis, Minn., to be stored for next year. (MPR News Photo / Nikki Tundel) link to this photo

Childrenhead home

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Minneapolis, MN, USA — Aurora Simon, 3, and her sister head home after the Syttende Mai celebration at Mindekirken, the Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church in Minneapolis, Minn., on May 20, 2012. (MPR News Photo / Nikki Tundel) link to this photo

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