The 17th May is an important date in the calendar for all Norwegians whether at home or abroad. Here in Singapore about 900 people gathered to attend the event held in Fort Canning Park organised by this year's 17th May committee.
The celebrations started with a procession of the students from the Norwegian Supplementary School who marched up Fort Canning Park waving their flags. They were led by the band, Kirkebakken Janitsjar, playing traditional Norwegian marches. Tables had been set up under awnings equipped with fans to help everyone cool down after marching in the morning sun.
After the greetings from King Harald V were read out by Deputy Head of Mission Larissa Falkenberg Kosanovic, two of the 7th graders from the school, Jelena Høegh-Omdal and Maren Kalland Leknes, gave the 17th May address. We then heard the winners of a poem competition recite their poems. The winners were Andreas Olsen (5th grade), Sofie Hoff Lunke (7th grade) and Hanna Hoff Lunke (4th grade).
There was plenty of entertainment provided for the children with four bouncy castles, a balloon artist and a magician. In addition, there was a limitless supply of hotdogs, ice cream and candy floss. For adults there was a lovely buffet with open sandwiches and delicious chocolate muffins.
Thank you to this year's 17th May committee, and we look forward to next year's event!