L'Alfàs del Pi celebrates May 17th with over 50 years of Norwegian tradition

Every May 17th, Norway celebrates its National Day, marking the signing of its Constitution in 1814, which signified the beginning of its era as a sovereign nation after centuries under Danish rule. This festivity, focused on children, joy, and community, is especially vibrant in l'Alfàs del Pi, home to one of the largest Norwegian colonies outside the Scandinavian country.

For 55 years, the Alicante municipality has hosted a day filled with symbolic and cultural events that strengthen the ties between the Norwegian community and the local society. In 2025, the 55th anniversary of the first celebration of this date in the town will be marked.

Unlike other national holidays that opt for military pomp, in Norway, May 17th is a festive, popular, and family-oriented day. This same spirit is brought to l'Alfàs del Pi each year, where the streets are filled with music, colour, and Norwegian flags. Children, young people, and adults participate in parades that traverse the town centre, highlighting the cultural heritage of the Nordic country.

Although it is a deeply patriotic date for Norwegians, in l'Alfàs del Pi, the day is also an open and inclusive celebration, where neighbours of different nationalities share space, activities, and joy alongside Norwegian residents.

One of the most representative elements of May 17th is the use of the 'bunad', the traditional Norwegian costume proudly worn by both men and women. Despite the spring climate of the Costa Blanca, with temperatures that can reach around 30ºC, hundreds of people don their regional costumes each year, which vary in design, colours, and ornaments depending on the wearer's region of origin. Embroidery, brooches, and wool fabrics add identity and beauty to an attire that directly connects with the country's cultural roots.

Among the attendees of the celebration, it is also common to see teenagers dressed in brightly coloured overalls —red, blue, black, or green— identifying the final year secondary school students, known as 'russ'. For them, May 17th symbolically marks the end of one stage and the beginning of another. In Norway, it is customary for these young people to exchange personal cards called russekort, featuring their photograph and a joke or funny phrase.

This year, around 2,000 people are expected to participate in the Norwegian National Day events, organised by the May 17th Committee in coordination with the l'Alfàs del Pi Town Hall. The day will begin with the traditional flag-raising at the Norwegian institutions in the town and an outdoor mass in the main square.

Subsequently, the parade will travel through the town centre to the esplanade of the Casa de Cultura, where the institutional event will take place around 11:30 am. The celebration will continue at the municipal sports centre with activities designed for the youngest, highlighting the family-friendly and festive atmosphere that characterises this commemoration.

L'Alfàs del Pi hosts the second-largest Norwegian community in the world, only surpassed by London. Although there are just over 2,500 Norwegians officially registered, it is estimated that the actual number is around 8,000 residents. This strong presence has led to its own cultural and social infrastructure: two educational centres funded by Norway, a senior residence, a Lutheran church in l'Albir, a club with over 1,000 members, and even a volunteer centre —the only one the Norwegian government has established outside its country.

Since 1971, May 17th has been a red-letter day on the local calendar. A celebration that not only keeps Norwegian identity alive but has also become a tradition of the town, reinforcing the multicultural character of l'Alfàs del Pi.