Mar 17
I had another cultural adventure in Oslo last Saturday. To mark the feast-day of the Patron Saint of Ireland; The Oslo St Patrick’s Day Association arranged the yearly parade. I was armed to my teeth with the Nokia N82 and Nikon S2 cam to be able to share with you:
As much as I love to share, I like to take these kind of events to learn something too – especially when it matches the theme of my blog about Norway; our culture, traditions and habits. Like I told you in my post about this parade last year; In 852, Olaf the White, the Ainhlabh of the Irish chronicles, descended from the same family as Harold Hårfagre (the Fair-Haired), the first King of Norway, conquered Dublin (Dubh Linn; “Black Pool”), with the adjacent territory, and founded this, the most renowned, most powerful and most lasting Norwegian kingdom in Ireland. This corresponded to most of present-day County Dublin. Norse Rulers of Dublin were often co-kings, and occasionally also Kings of Jorvik in what is now England. The region was known to the Vikings as Dyflin, pronounced “dyoov-lin” (in either Old Norse or Modern Norwegian). The English later took Old Irish “Dubh Linn” and collapsed it to the modern “Dublin” and some still use “Divlyn”.
It was a wonderful parade down Oslo’s walking street; Karl Johan, up towards the castle and I can only give you a sample and hope you get the idea of it. Let’s start with something very Irish, to get you in the right mode:
Oslo Caledonian Pipe Band
I took a lot of pics too of course and to make it short as pics says more than a thousand words:
Blogging Connecting People:
You know my saying and let me use it in a detailed way this time: Some weeks ago, I got a nice comment on one of my pics at Flickr from last years parade. I loved that and traced the commenter, got in touch and she invited me to this year’s parade. It turned out, she was very sweet and pretty young lady (but of course, she is born in Norway but are very Irish!) and involved in Irish activities here. She is a dancer in several dance troupes: Taranis Oslo Irish performance troupe as well as Sound-Irish Dance Company and Sound-Irish Dance Factory. Catherine (holding the banner) and some of the dancers formed a group in the parade and when ended at Oslo University square, she arranged so I could take this picture (click to bigify and enjoy!):
Maybe some of you recognise on person in the middle of this picture?
There was hundreds participants in the parade and even more spectators along the parade route. Everyone supporting and feeling a bit ‘Irish’ (also wearing something green) that day. They showed a warm hearted patriotism, just the way I like it: not to demonstrate power or superiority … but pure happiness and passion for the country and culture they love and care for. I got the 17th of May (Norwegian National Day) feeling and of course I’ll get back to that in two months.
March 17th, 2009 at 12:50 am
How fun. I so love St. Patrick’s day. Glad you had a great time.
Have a terrific day. Big hug to you and Diane.
RennyBA
Yea; We all feel a bit Irish this day, don’t we
Wishing you the same!
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March 17th, 2009 at 2:34 am
I love that you met up with the girls in the parade. Looks like such a great cultural event and again why I think I miss out so much here in North America.. OR maybe it’s also the fact that if you try to go to an event here, it’s too crowded 90% of the time to even call it enjoyable..
Great pics!
RennyBA
I believe in networking you know and yes; it was a great parade.
Well, with a capital in Norway with 500 000 inhabitants, there is plenty of space you know. The only event that could give you the same crowded feeling, would be 17th of May
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March 17th, 2009 at 3:19 am
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Will you be drinking any green beer?
RennyBA
You too.
No beer at all actually, but of course if; it should be green
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March 17th, 2009 at 8:57 am
Great photos! I can spot my daughter and myself in one of them
Happy St Patrick’s Day today.
RennyBA
Thanks for stopping by – always great to see new readers.
Good to know you recognised ;.)
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March 17th, 2009 at 9:06 am
Happy St Patrick’s day to you, too, Renny. I love the St P’s parades and usually go every year. This year I missed out as I am unable to stand for too long at the moment.
Glad you have the fun of the Parade in Oslo, too.
RennyBA
Thanks and I’m sure its a big event in Australia too.
Hope you’ll feel better soon and get another chance next year.
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March 17th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
[...] Happy St. Patricks Day Parade in Oslo Norway [...]
March 17th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
Hi, and thanks for the link to your page…always nice to see oneself on Youtube……
We had a nice day too, even if it was cold as h*** to play the pipes….
RennyBA
Hi, and thanks for the great Irish music and also for stopping by and comment
I can imagine it was cold to play – hope you did not catch a cold….
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March 17th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
that was really interesting. i knew there had been a lot of norse invaders to ireland but learning the history of the name “dublin” was new and fun to learn. thanks for sharing once more. it looks like it was a great time.
RennyBA
How flattering; to have readers learning is one aim of my blog you know!
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March 17th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Good that I sit ! I didn’t know that you too celebrate St. Patrick’s day ! I thought they only do it in Ireland !
RennyBA
It’s celebrated all over the world where there is Irish people I guess.
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March 17th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
It’s interesting to see how another country celebrates this day. I’ve got corned beef and cabbage cooking up with carrots and potatoes!
RennyBA
I think it is too and hope you had a good one as well.
Sounds delicious and a perfect traditional dish for the day!
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March 18th, 2009 at 10:31 am
I didn’t even know about this! Did you get a four-leaf clover?
RennyBA
You should go and see next year! I did not got a clover, but there was a lot of ‘Kiss me, I’m Irish’ there
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March 18th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
thanks for the history lesson…you know i’m also a “hysterical” person
RennyBA
Your welcome – the aim of my blog to have readers learn something you know.
… I didn’t know
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March 18th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
thanks for sharing this year again St Patrick’s Day in Oslo with us! Watching the diaporama I imagine how nice the parade was! St Patrick looks very nice!
I know this man on the picture and more I think I will see him in a few months with a band of vikings!!!!
RennyBA
You’re welcome and as a regular, I know you saw my post from last year too.
So you recognised me!! yea, we’ll see you in a few month – invading France!!!!
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March 18th, 2009 at 7:51 pm
Great pics! I missed the parade in London, but took some nice pictures at the festival, some of which have made it onto my blog.
RennyBA
Thanks! I think your post from the festival was great. From what they wear, I can tell it was a bit warmer there
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March 18th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
Amazing! I wouldn’t have thought there would be so much St. Patrick’s Day celebration in Norway!
RennyBA
There are a lot of Irish in Norway you know – kind of returning the favour of being invaded
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March 18th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
This is fun! I’m part of the band, actually I’m one of the tenor drummers (the one you walked in front of while filming). I didn’t know it was you though, as we’ve only met online earlier.
Nice to “meet” you!
Lothiane
from Oslo Daily Photo
RennyBA
I do agree; It’s fun and goes with my saying: Blogging connecting People! Its about time we
“meet“, don’t you think!?!Btw: Thanks for your nice words and link love on your own post!
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March 18th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
what a fantastic parade! Looks like a bunch of fun! we don’t have parades here in Cali for St. Patty’s but maybe we should.
RennyBA
It was a bunch of fun – you really should do it next year!
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March 19th, 2009 at 12:20 am
Looks like a lot of fun. Is there a significant Irish community in Oslo? Or just a bunch of locals having a fun day?
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March 19th, 2009 at 6:35 am
That looks enjoyable! You know I love cultural stuff too.
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March 19th, 2009 at 9:56 am
i never imagined st. patty’s would be this fun! now i wish i can join in all the fun,too, but we don’t have the parades and green stuff in asia. hehe. thanks for sharing renny! you took good pics.
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March 19th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Wheeee! lots of pictures!!
Looks like St Patty’s Day is celebrated all over the world! Awesome!
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March 19th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
All of you seem to have more fun than our locals.
I should think of a reason to have a fun celebration in my neighbourhood community.
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March 19th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
Hey Renny,
Belated Happy St. Patrick’s Day (I know your wife also celebrates it)
!
I remember reading last year’s post, right here in your blog, and I must say that I prefer this year’s: it seems to have more colour: it is gorgeous!
I recognised you in the photo (how could we miss you?): it is so sweet, with the kids [loved their outfits]!
I learned something new here “Dublin (Black Pool)”, so thank you!
I love Ireland, and I haven’t been there in a long time, but it is an amazing place to go to! Great steak beef!
Thanks for this colourful post; I loved it!
Cheers
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March 20th, 2009 at 8:09 am
What a celebration and I see the full force out celebrating St. Patrick’s Day
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March 20th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Hi my frriend,
for reasons you know, I was not able to watch the St Patrick festivitaes in Oslo this year.
But, you solved the problem with this unique report.
btw. my stortå is feeling a little better and we are off for Essen this weekend.
Have an unique weekend in beautiful Spring Weather.
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March 20th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Still celebrating St Patrick’s Day? hehe….
have a happy weekend!
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March 20th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
Well, Renny, I’m glad to see you actually celebrate St. Paddy’s Day. I found out that the Dutch don’t, which surprised me. It’s such a fun day of national pride when we all pretend we have a bit of Irish in us.
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March 21st, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Glad to see Mr. Truls Hanevold as Grand Marshal, remembered with affection in Ireland. (looks like you could all have done with a good “Irish Coffee”)
Slan.
John
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March 21st, 2009 at 4:26 pm
yeah,sure!we do recognize the “cool” guy in the middle of the last pic!LOL!
i enjoyed viewing the slideshow,Renny!Thanx for sharing us one of your cultures,as usual!
regarding to your reply to my comment the last time–
sure,i will see to it that you will be mentioned in the postcard if ever I had done it.
and no,I wasnt offended at all by your comment.we all have a sense of humour,havent we?haha
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March 21st, 2009 at 10:23 pm
Hei Renny,
…. saw him of some photos from me *LOL*
thanks for sharing your pics. I was there too. Yeah, can´t believe it.
Want to share my pics too. And the cool guy in the middle of your last photo
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=64339&id=832814266&l=4dd055e0cc
Take care – be good
Greetings from Vestby
Tanya
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March 22nd, 2009 at 2:30 pm
Amazing… looks like you have a huge Irish ex-pat community there…
Great pictures and it looks like fun !
Did you end the day in an Irish pub?
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March 22nd, 2009 at 10:23 pm
Wow, looks like you had a great time. St. Patrick’s day is so much fun, one of my favorites. I loved all of the pictures, you are real good with photography. I think you have missed your calling to be a photographer.
Love and Blessings,
AngelBaby
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March 23rd, 2009 at 1:45 pm
The green is fun, though I’m surprised that you celebrate it at all over there. I haven’t heard of anyone doing it here, but it might have been without my knowledge of course
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March 26th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
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April 1st, 2009 at 12:13 pm
EVERYone is Irish on St. Paddy’s Day! One of my favorite celebrations!
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April 10th, 2009 at 3:59 am
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Betty
http://laptopprocessor.info
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March 3rd, 2010 at 12:55 pm
Nice article and photos. For your information though, “Dyflin” was pronounced “Dublin” in Old Norse (and modern Icelandic) as the letter “f” when followed by “l” was pronounced as “b”. For comparison, the international airport in Iceland, Keflavík, is pronounced “Keblaveek”. When is the parade this year? I’ll be coming over from Iceland next week and am wondering if it’s worth sticking around for.
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