Speech at 17 May celebration

I am pleased to see that so many of you have come to celebrate Norway’s Constitution Day here in Carderock Park. A family picnic with music and games is a wonderfully sociable and inclusive framework for the festivities. I would like to thank the Norwegian Church Committee, the Sons of Norway’s Washington lodge, the Norwegian Society and our own embassy for organising this event.

Today is the day all Norwegians look forward to every year. May 17 has become a magic date, a day for parades, music and ice cream. Throughout the length and breadth of Norway we come together – people of all ages, from all walks of life – to celebrate our national unity, our democracy and our traditions.

The first children’s parade in honour of May 17 was organised in Oslo in 1870 by Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, the writer and Nobel laureate. Thanks to him, May 17 has become the children’s day.

Together with the generation that will carry the nation forward, we salute the flag. We recognise and commemorate those who fought to defend our freedom. And we honour the open-minded and forward-looking authors of the Norwegian Constitution of 1814.

As you will know, our “founding fathers” at Eidsvoll were profoundly inspired by the revolutionary principles of the American Declaration of Independence, which had been adopted on this side of the Atlantic a generation earlier. The focus on equality, inalienable rights and freedom represented a revolt against autocracy and privilege. At that time there were few other nations with a similar political platform.

Our two countries have since been linked by strong and deep-rooted bonds. These are reinforced by the numerous family ties between Norwegians and Americans of Norwegian descent. Over the years, hundreds of thousands of Norwegians have come here in search of new opportunities for willing hands. Today, the United States is Norway’s single most important ally.

I am confident that the bonds of trust and friendship between our two peoples will only be further strengthened in the years to come.

Friends of Norway,

Norwegians and Americans alike are fortunate to live in countries that have so much to offer. We are privileged citizens of privileged nations. For that we must be thankful. On a day like today, we should take time to reflect on our achievements.

During the past fifty years, Norway has been transformed from a relatively poor and war-torn country to one of the most affluent nations in the world. Under the Marshall Plan the United States gave us financial assistance that served as a catalyst in the early stages of this transformation process. Fifty years ago this year, George C. Marshall received the Nobel Peace Prize for his visionary efforts.

But there are also other factors that have helped Norway’s transformation. Hard work, an open economy and the development of viable industries in a number of sectors, including services, laid the grounds for success.

Naturally, striking oil in the late 1960s was no drawback to our economic development. Today Norway is one of the world’s top three exporters of crude oil.

The revenues from our export of oil and natural gas allow us to set aside money in a fund for future generations, which is constantly growing.

This wealth has also given us the opportunity to share with less fortunate nations. Few countries spend a larger share of their GNI on development assistance, and we are aiming still higher.

A government’s role is not primarily to earn money. Its role is to make sure that the country’s wealth is distributed and invested in a way that benefits the entire population. In this respect, I firmly believe we are on the right track in Norway.

This belief is supported by an encouraging survey by the United Nations. This ranks Norway as the best country in the world to live in, based on factors such as health services, education and life expectancy.

I am very aware that Norway is facing a number of challenges in the domestic arena. Still, we are a fortunate nation, compared to many others. I think it is important that we do not take our good fortune for granted.

Friends of Norway,

Today we celebrate the birthday of our nation. Most of us have a strong national identity. We are proud to be Norwegians. We are proud of our country’s achievements.

This should not be seen as exaggerated nationalism. For nationalism has two faces. One is positive: an inclusive attitude based on a sense of community and solidarity among a group of people. The other is negative: it breeds a false sense of superiority and excludes others.

Norway is becoming more and more of a multicultural society. I am delighted to see that all kinds of people, with many different ethnic and cultural backgrounds, are celebrating May 17. Together we are celebrating ideas and ideals rather than ethnic origin.

We must take care not to encourage negative nationalism . Nobody has a right to privileges at other people’s expense.

But we do have the right to cultivate pride in our national identity.

Everyone needs to feel that they belong somewhere, that they are part of a community. We are attached to our family, to our friends, to our colleagues, to our profession, maybe to a political party or a religion, or to a geographical area such as a nation. Most of us feel attachment to a combination of these groups.

This is a legitimate need. When we feel that we belong somewhere, the quality of our lives improves.

Let us remind ourselves today about the right to be proud – and about the dangers of self-righteousness.

Celebrating Norway’s Constitution Day in the United States is a reason to be grateful for all the Norwegians who over the years have been welcomed in this country. The accommodating and inclusive attitude that many Norwegians met in the US gave them a new life, a new future. All of you whose forefathers came from Norway are a living symbol of the ties between our two countries. I would like to take this opportunity of thanking you for your continued interest in Norway. I am very impressed by the range of activities connected with both Norwegian traditions and modern-day Norway.

Thank you for giving me this opportunity to celebrate syttende mai with you!

Gratulerer med dagen!