Über
A unique feature in Bergen is the city's many traditional and special "Buekorps" - the traditional drummer brigades.
In addition to the Norwegian flags, people typically wear red, white and blue ribbons. Norwegians wear traditional outfits, called bunad.
The graduating class from the Norwegian equivalent of high school - known as russ - has its own celebration on May 17, staying up all night and making the rounds through the community. In the parade, russ will parade through the street with their russcars carrying signs and pickets.
Tentative program for 17 May 2021:
07.00 Festive ringing from the church bells in the Cathedral, the Cross Church and St. Mary's Church
07.00 Gun salute from Skansen
07.30 Wreath laying
08.00 Flag raising from Bergenhus
09.00 Bell ringing from Johanneskirken
10.30 Processions spread throughout the city (lasts until 13.00)
11.00 Festive service in the Cathedral in new Norwegian
11.00 Boat parade on Byfjorden
13.00 Joint salute and singing of the national anthem throughout Norway
13.00 Cultural pop-ups in the center (lasts until 17.00)
23.00 Cairn lighting at Byfjellene
23.15 Fireworks.
This is how 17 May is celebrated when there is no pandemic:
The Morning parade: Starts at Dreggen 7am
The first parade takes place already at 7:00 from Mariakirken (St. Mary's Church), with a salute, our national anthem and of course the Bergen song. The Morning parade ends with a speech at the Festival Square.
The main parade: Departure from Koengen at 10:15am
As the name says, the main parade is one of the biggest events on 17th of May. It involves the city's "associations, corporations and government agencies." The parade ends at the Festival Square.
The Flag parade: Starts at the Festival Square 10:45am
The Flag parade starts from different schools and march to the gathering at Festival Square. The route goes through the center and pass the main parade and ends at Torgalmenningen. The Flag parade is the children's parade!
Fireworks round off the day at Festplassen at approx. 11.15pm
This is how 17 May is celebrated in Bergen:
06.55 Opening at Dreggen by Maria Church
07.00 Gun salute from Skansen
07.00 Festive ringing of the bells in Bergen Cathedral, Korskirken, and St. Mary’s Church
07.00 Morning Procession from Dreggen by Maria Church accompanied by Krohnengen Brass band and Lungegaardens Musikkorps
07.40 The Morning Procession ends at Festplassen with speeches by the chair person for Studentersamfundet ved Høgskolen i Bergen (Bergen University College Student Society) and a representative for the “russ”
08.00 Wreath laying by the statue of Chr. Michelsen
08.15 Memorial ceremony at Solheim memorial cemetery and Nonneseter memorial hall
09.00 Church service at Bergen Cathedral accompanied by choir
10.15 The Main Procession is ready to march from Koengen
10.30 The Main Procession starts their route from Koengen after “Leve Eidsvollsmennenes mine” and the gun salute from Skansen
10.40 The Flag Procession starts their route from Festplassen
12.45 The Main Procession ends at Festplassen and speeches are given
12.30 Procession for rowing boat races from Kaigaten 12.30 accompanied by Alvøens musikkforening
13.00 Rowing boat races in Vågen.
13.00 Concert in Bergen Courthouse by Studentersangforeningen (Bergen Academic Male Voice Choir)
13.00 Matinee at Den Nationale Scene (The National Stage)
13.00 Student orchestras and choirs perform at Den blå stein by Hotel Norge, Musikkpaviljongen (the Byparken pavilion), at Sjømannsmonumentet (the sailors’ monument) etc.
13.30 Parachute jumps over Smålungeren (Lille Lungegårdsvannet) by Festplassen
13.30 Climbing starts at Festplassen
13.30 Dragefjellets Musikkorps performs at Musikkpaviljongen
14.00 Dinghy races in Smålungeren (Lille Lungegårdsvannet) by Festplassen
14.30 Direksjonsmusikken (marchin band) Plays at the Ole Bull-fontain
17.30 Manger Musikklag performs at Torgalmenningen
18.30 Folk music and folk dance at Festplassen (the Viking Ship). Bergen ungdomslag Ervingen/Spelemannslaget Fjellbekken.
19.00 Entertainment at Festplassen (the Viking Ship)
Ends around 22:45
19.00 Choir concert in Korskirken. Free entry.
20.00 Gospel night with Gospel Bergen in St. John’s Church
22.30 Torchlight Procession from Bergenhus to Festplassen via Torgallmenningen and Nordahl Bruns gate. Meet up by Håkonshallen at 22:15 at the latest
23.00 Festplassen (the Viking Ship): Awarding of prizes for best procession contributions, and the winners of the rowing boat races
23.00 Lighting of Beacons on the mountains surrounding the city
23.15 We end the Day with fireworks at Festplassen
