Norwegian National Day
Saturday 17th May
Forget donning your chainmail and slaying a giant dragon, or drinking your body weight in Guinness (again).
It's now time to do it the Scandinavian way...
We at Itchy have been doing our research and here's a few things we have discovered:
(editors note: this is mainly internet spiel – we don't want an axe wielding imitation Nordic Viking at our door thanks!)
Interesting 'facts':
• It's apparently a well known fact that Norwegians love their hotdogs, eating around 100 hotdogs per person each year.
• Norway is actually more similar to Japan than you may think... eating much more fish that meat.
• The national bread in Norway is lefse, a flat bread which doesn't actually require an oven.
• Norwegians are particularly fond of black liquorice and chewy sweets... hey, there's your present sorted at least.
Places to spend Saturday 17th
Southwark Park
Head here if you're looking for a day's worth of serious celebratory activities. Events start at 9am with the raising of the flag. Organised by a committee Norwegian business men and women, there will be speeches, music, reading sessions for children and parades. Click here for more
Nordic Bar
The first Scandinavian bar and restaurant to hit London, with some interestingly titled drinks. We're not too sure how authentic the Dyslexic Scandinavian Devil worshipper is (Danzka Cranberry vodka, Absolut Vanilla, pear liquer), but it sounds tasty.
A range of Nordic artic bread flats are also available, as well some deep fried Norwegian Jarlsberg. If fried cheese is only to be eaten once a year then surely today is the day. www.nordicbar.com
Scandinavian Kitchen
Offers the best of Scandinavian food from open sandwiches to hotdogs and cakes. Home shopping from a selection of 600 Scandinavian delicacies is an option for the home sick. Stock up on Nordic goodies such as Kalles caviar and meatballs. www.scandikitchen.co.uk
Punch and Judy, Covent Garden
If this is all too much and you'd just like to have a few good old fashioned drinks with the locals than head here. It's the local haunt of nearly every Norwegian in London, and although the menu is typically British (pies and curry) the clientele are Viking at heart and with the facts above you're sure to make a friend for life.
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