Scandinavian Club of Manawatu Inc.
Norwegian Constitution Day in NZ
"Syttende Mai"
Caccia Birch House in Norwegian-mode on 14 May 2000
Norwegian Constitution Day is celebrated in Manawatu with a formal afternoon meal at Caccia Birch House, in Palmerston North. As New Zealand does not grant public holidays in acknowledgement of the major celebrations of other countries (because we'd probably be permanently on holiday!), we traditionally celebrate the event on the closest weekend.
The Manawatu event is run by Norwegian expatriates on behalf of Norwegian expatriates and consular staff, their families and friends, from around the lower North Island. Nowadays it is also planned in conjunction with the Scandinavian Club of Manawatu, due to the cross-over of memberships. Previously the event was held in Wellington, but the Palmerston North venue, Caccia Birch House, which has Norwegian ties in its own right, has proved a popular alternative.
The event has typically been timed to allow any particularly enthusiastic participants the chance to first attend the Constitution Day celebrations at Norsewood, and then rush to Palmerston North for the mid-day meal - a journey of about 75 minutes. However, from 2005 the Palmerston North event will take place on a Saturday, while Norsewood's remains on a Sunday. This should mean that both events can be fully supported without potentially lining the pockets of the traffic police.
The Lord Plunket Room at Caccia Birch House was a little crowded for the 2000 Syttende Mai celebrations, but a good time was had by all. This is the usual venue for the club's AGMs, and the photo on the wall on the right - a Scandinavian bullocky, his bullock team and their timber wagon - is on loan from the club to the Caccia Birch Trust, which administers the building.
An elegant fire surround in a side room at Caccia Birch House, provides an unusual backdrop to the Kransekake, during the Year 2000 Syttende Mai celebrations.