Parade for Norwegian Constitution Day
Adam Guest
Norwegian Constitution Day was celebrated in Lerwick this morning with the sound of drums, singing and cheers.
The 50-strong parade left the esplanade at 11am with plenty of Norwegians flying the Norwegian flag through Commercial Street and continuing through Lerwick.
The red blue and white of the Norwegian flags was on display in King Harald Street with a flag flying at Islesburgh Youth Hostel and another hoisted high above the town hall.
Derick Herning former chairman of the now disbanded Shetland Norwegian Friendship Society, said the parade had been running for the last three or four years.
He said it was very important to mark the big day and celebrate the friendship between Shetland and Norway.
“There’s always a parade on the 17th of May whether it’s large or small so why not in Shetland?,” he said.
Jon Pederson from Oslo is the Deputy First Minister of finance in Norway.
He said it was good to be part of the parade and “it was most impressive” to see the Norwegian flags on show.
“Shetland is obviously a very prosperous community at the moment so you notice the Norwegian links than perhaps better for many, many decades,” he said.
Mons Tingelstad travelled from Norway to Shetland last year and has been staying with locals Brian Nicholson and Fiona Adamson.
He said Norwegian Constitution Day was a major event in Norway and back home they visit church in the morning, followed by a visit to school, a meal together and singing the national anthem.
There was certainly a great deal of singing in the parade and the Norwegian visitors gave the national anthem plenty of gusto.
“I feel Shetlanders are a bit Norwegian in their mentality and their way of behaving,” added Mons.
David Spence
If only we were part of Norway/Denmark, as it should have been, if Scotland was honest enough to transfer back what it did not rightly own or possess. Stolen Islands, is a good description for the present circumstance.
Mind you, Shetlander’s are weak minded and probably would do nothing even if the evidence of Scotland’s illegal hold on the islands was staring them in the face………’ We don’t like to rock the boat ‘…..would be the usual, feeble excuse they would use for doing nothing.
joe johnson
David Spence that is a horrible thing to say “Shetlanders are weak minded”. Everyone has the right to their views including stuart hill even if folk don’t agree with him. but making nasty comments like that is out of order. Just say if stuart hill is right, IF, he is right, Shetland has been part of Scotland centuries now. Do Shetlanders really want to separate from Scotland? I don’t see any big support for it. If that’s the case then Stuart Hill should just give up and let things be.
David Spence
ok Joe, I apologize for my previous comments about Shetlander’s. However, you say Shetland has been part of Scotland for a long time……..but this do not give it the right to rule……especially if the initial agreement (although not documented) was the islands of Shetland and Orkney were only loaned to Scotland.
If you hire a car, to use a similar analogy, it does not give you the right of ownership, even although you may be using it for getting around. Yes, you are driving the car, filling it up with petrol/diesel and doing everything which would indicate ownership, but it is still not yours regardless of the usage.
It is, moreorless, the exact same scenario in regards to the legitimate sovereignty of the islands of Shetland and Orkney.
My comments in regards to whether or not Shetlander’s had the tenacity and strength to question the legitimate right as to who had sovereign rights to these islands would fail on the basis ‘ Shetlander’s would not want to rock the boat, create waves etc etc ‘ Shetlander’s in essence, like the ‘ easy life ‘. Even if they knew the situation regarding sovereignty of the islands was wrong. It is a shame that the people of Shetland do not have the will to question and put right who exactly has ownership of the islands.
This question was put to the people of the Falklands, and a resounding 95% were for staying within the sovereignty of the UK.
It would be interesting if such a poll or opportunity was given to the people of Shetland and Orkney. I doubt this would ever happen or be the case, given Shetland’s and Orkney’s vast economic importance to Scotland/UK. In others words, economics taking greater priority.
joe johnson
You’ve made some good points David Spence. If Stuart Hill is right, I would have no problem if there was a referendum on weather Shetland wanted to remain part of Scotland/U.K That would be interesting to see what the result would be. But as you say it’s very unlikely that would happen.
Sandy McDonald
Surely the statute of limitations has long and truly expired on this one David! Would it not be like you being chucked off your land because it turned out your great great great great….. grandfather had cheated at cards when he won it off some bloke in a pub? I think 800 odd years is probably long enough to establish a countries claim on an island.
Robin Stevenson
While I believe that Shetland and Orkney should remain a part of Scotland, I certainly think that Scotland should be a part of the “Nordic Council” sharing our navy, able to come and go, or study anywhere within Scandinavia, free movement/work across borders without passports.
sadly, they were quite happy to accept Scotland into their fold, but NOT the rUK 🙁
Robert Duncan
We can already study anywhere in Scandinavia. Denmark and Sweden are members of the EU and Norway affords free tuition to all, even international students.
Robin Stevenson
So, are you saying then Robert, that the EU is a good idea then?
John Oakes Manchester England
Interesting Robert. About the Scandinavian route. Has there been any greater push in Shetland to go down that method of closer links than scotland. I suspect trade and more education in traditional language in the same way the welsh currently have is an option. Most of us in England wouldn’t have clue where Shetland Isles are unless pointed on a weather map. Maybe a local survey within the media outlets could ask the questions needed and then put to councils development department.
Robert Duncan
Yes, Robin, as I said elsewhere I am largely in favour of integration. That does not mean uncaveated support of the European Union, but I would certainly consider at a “good idea” in principle.
Haydn Gear
John maybe it’s something to do with the ways in which geography is taught or perhaps computer games grab greater time and attention. Not so long ago ,a “much travelled” American wanted to know which part of England Wales was in.!! He got a frosty reaction. As for Shetland, the mind would probably boggle.,