This year's May 17th controversy

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Which flags should we use? The Norwegian flag has a long history and is another very important symbol of the independent Norwegian nation and of May 17th. Unlike many other European countries, the Norwegian flag is used a lot - many have a flag pole in their garden at home or at the cabin, on the balcony or on the boat. Forbidden during the second world war, it became a symbol of unity among Norwegians fighting the Nazi regime and was naturally brought out even more when the war was over. To some the custom of waving the flag too often may seem a little nationalistic, but it has simply become tradition.

Due to the increasing share of Norwegians with a minority background, there is talk about which flags should be used every year. This year it began when the Norwegian Immigrant's Forum said we should allow minorities to use their own nations' flags in the children's parade on May 17th (more than 35% of the pupils in Oslo schools have a minority background), because the Sami people have the opportunity to use their own flag. This was, however, turned down quickly by the leader of the Oslo May 17th committee, who would only allow Norwegian, Sami and UN flags (strangely enough named leader has, along with half of the committee, a minority background). Not surprisingly, conservative politicians spoke against the proposal as well with various reasons. Protest sites on Facebook and Internet popped up, and it was all over the news. A poll conducted for the newspaper VG showed only 29% of the participants supported the immigrant's forum proposal.

Then another member of the Oslo May 17th committee (who happens to be the chairman of the Oslo county council and son of one of Norway's most beloved film and theatre actresses) totally overruns the committee leader's response to this and says all flags will be accepted. The committee leader does not agree and speaks against the chairman and then decides to leave the committee, as he means there is no point in having one if the chairman just overrides their decisions anyway.

You have to agree a little with both sides. It is the Norwegian national day, celebrating the making of our constitution and start of the journey towards an independent nation, but still, a growing part of the population has a minority background and might not feel comfortable waving the Norwegian flag around. We'll see what happens, but I suspect it will be mostly Norwegian flags.