Stalls selling hot dogs, ice cream, soft drinks and sweets have long been an important part of Bergen’s 17 May celebrations.
Stalls selling hot dogs, ice cream, soft drinks and sweets have long been an important part of Bergen’s 17 May celebrations. As early as the nineteenth century, newspapers described shops closing for Constitution Day while market women were allowed to sell sweets to the celebrating townspeople. Over time, stalls at Festplassen and in Byparken were reserved for clubs and organisations, giving them a welcome opportunity to raise money by selling simple goods to large crowds.
The stalls have often changed with the times. During the Constitution’s 150th anniversary in 1964, sales were particularly good, including many popular sun hats “made in Italy”. These became the year’s unofficial 17 May hats. The stalls reflected changing fashions and outside influences while keeping traditional favourites.
Major changes followed in the early 1990s. Interest among voluntary clubs and organisations declined, and immigrants took over many stalls, bringing new food traditions with them. Hot dogs, ice cream and soft drinks no longer stood alone on the menu. Around Festplassen, Vietnamese spring rolls, Chilean empanadas and Tamil dishes became popular additions. They gave Constitution Day a more international flavour and quickly became a natural part of Bergen’s modern 17 May experience.
The history of the stalls reflects the city’s increasingly diverse population. From simple sales by market women to today’s international range of food and goods, it tells a story of both continuity and change in Bergen’s 17 May traditions.
