«To all children and parents at Maura school. The municipality, the school, FAU and the 17 May committee have due. The covid-19 situation decided that it would unfortunately not be possible to hold a May 17 event in 2021 at the school. “
This is how an SMS sent to all parents at Maura school in Nannestad municipality begins. It was FAU leader at the school, Christian Bendz, who wrote the message.
– We have hoped for a long time that we could arrange May 17, but to be sure we contacted FAU with the municipal chief, who sent signals that it would probably not be possible to implement May 17 this year, Bendz says to Eidsvoll Ullensaker Blad, who first mentioned the case.
– Very sad
Bendz tells Dagbladet that it is very sad to have to cancel the celebration for the second year in a row.
– It is never fun to have to be involved in telling parents this. We know that there are many children who had been looking forward to a slightly brighter spring, and then May 17 is a great opportunity to mark it, says Bendz.
– The background is that the event is so extensive that we will not start costs, time and resources if there is a danger that it must be canceled, he says.
Nannestad mayor Hans Thue (Labor Party) tells Dagbladet that he understands the decision, and that it is up to each individual school in the municipality to decide how their May 17 celebration will be.
– It is demanding work. If it turns out that it is possible to arrange something more comprehensive for the individual schools and in the municipality, then we will be able to turn around quickly in pure joy, he says.
The other May 17 celebrations, which are arranged under the auspices of the municipality, will not be canceled for the time being. The municipality is working on an alternative solution, says Thue.
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Smaller events
In Norway’s second largest city, the May 17 committee has made plans for an alternative solution since November. The leader of the committee in Bergen, Cecilie Lycke, tells Dagbladet that everything that contributes to large gatherings is canceled.
Both the flag train and the main procession will thus end in 2021. It is still planned for smaller events in the districts and a boat parade on the fjord.
However, the committee is prepared to make changes to the plans if the infection situation so requires.
– We make plans and then we rather adjust to the infection situation, she says.
– It would have been sadder if we had not planned something, and then there will be opportunities for events. We have to make that adjustment in recent weeks in collaboration with the municipality and the infection control service, says Lycke.
She notes that they have more experience this year than last year, and that people are used to adhering to the infection control rules.
– If there is something we deserve, it is the celebration of a big day, she says.
Warns of new crisis after 121 days
Follows infection
Sissel Trønsdal, chair of the May 17 committee in Trondheim, tells Dagbladet that they are opening for a larger celebration this year than last year, but that the traditional celebration is being abolished. However, the committee plans trains in the districts, corps and wreath-laying.
– We hope that we can stick to the plan that we have laid out, but to have a full opening we consider impossible, regardless of how the infection numbers move, she says.
The committee is prepared to change its plans if smaller events are also excluded.
Ann Sesilie Tekfeldt, chair of the May 17 committee in Stavanger, also says that they monitor the infection figures daily.
– We follow the recommendations from the authorities, but with that as our infection pressure is now, we hope that we can plan for 17 May, she says.
– As of now, we have a desire to arrange city-wide trains. There will probably not be public trains and children’s trains as traditional due to the crowd, says Tekfeldt.
Fredrikstad: – Think carefully about
– Everything is uncertain
Eva Lockertsen Stenvold, chair of the May 17 committee in Tromsø, emphasizes that the planning is in an early phase, but that they are planning for smaller events in the districts.
– The big school trains and public trains will not be anything, says Stenvold.
She also emphasizes the uncertainty surrounding the infection situation in Tromsø. The background is increased infection by mutated virus in the municipality.
– You have suddenly found yourself in a situation where you do not know, so it all depends on whether we get vaccines or not. Basically, we are planning a scout train. It is a train with only scouts, so there is not much crowd, she says.
– If there is a vaccination and you can open more, you must make an assessment. You are in a situation where everything is uncertain, but at the same time you just have to plan.
Think the children’s train will be canceled
– Neppe normal 17. mai
Minister of Culture Abid Raja (V) has previously told Dagbladet that it is completely impossible to say how the celebration will be now several months before 17 May.
– The infection situation has changed significantly after the detected mutated virus in January, at the same time there are many bright spots with an ever-increasing degree of vaccination of vulnerable groups, he told Dagbladet.
Raja stated that the health authorities had not yet made their recommendations.
– We in the government will try to come up with guidelines for this year’s celebration as well in advance as we can. I think we will know more about the infection situation immediately after Easter and will be able to provide better guidelines, Raja said.
However, the Minister of Culture was not very optimistic as it looks now:
– I really hope we get some elements of children’s trains, but as the situation is as of today, we will hardly get to the large crowd that we associate with a normal May 17. So a normal May 17, I think unfortunately will not be, said Raja and added:
– May 17 is first and foremost the children’s day, and we will do what we can to make the best possible arrangements so that the children can have the best possible day. I hope we get both flag hoists around the country and the sound of corps. And that we also in 2021 get a good unifying national feeling as I think we managed in 2020, he said.
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