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«To all the children and parents of the Maura school. The municipality, the school, the FAU and the May 17 committee have had. The covid-19 situation decided that, unfortunately, it would not be possible to hold an event on May 17 in 2021 at the school. “
Thus begins an SMS sent to all the parents of the Maura school in the municipality of Nannestad. It was the FAU leader at the school, Christian Bendz, who wrote the message.
– For a long time we expected to be able to organize on 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 on May 17 this year, Bendz tells 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 participate in telling this to parents. We know there are a lot of kids who were looking forward to a slightly brighter spring, and then May 17 is a great opportunity to celebrate, Bendz says.
– 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 should be canceled, he says.
Nannestad Mayor Hans Thue (Labor Party) tells Dagbladet that he understands the decision and that it is up to each school in the municipality to decide what the May 17 celebration will look like.
– It’s a demanding job. If it turns out that it is possible to organize something more comprehensive for individual schools and in the municipality, then we can quickly turn around out of sheer joy, he says.
The other celebrations on May 17, which are organized under the auspices of the municipality, will not be canceled at the moment. The municipality is working on an alternative solution, says Thue.
Smaller events
In Norway’s second-largest city, the May 17 committee has been making plans for an alternative solution since November. The committee leader in Bergen, Cecilie Lycke, tells Dagbladet that anything that contributes to the big meetings is off.
Both the flag train and the main procession will end like this in 2021. It is still planned for smaller events in the districts and a parade of boats in the fjord.
However, the committee is prepared to make changes to the plans if the infection situation requires it.
– We make plans and then adapt to the infection situation, he says.
– It would have been sadder if we hadn’t planned something, and then there will be event opportunities. We have to make that adjustment in recent weeks in collaboration with the municipality and the infection control service, says Lycke.
She points out that they have more experience this year than last year and that people are used to complying with infection control rules.
– If there is something we deserve, it is the celebration of a great day, he says.
Warns of a new crisis after 121 days
Follow the infection
Sissel Trønsdal, chairman 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 trainings in the districts, corps, and wreath laying.
– We hope we can stick to the plan we have outlined, but we consider it impossible to have a complete opening, regardless of how the infection figures move, he says.
The committee is prepared to change its plans if smaller events are also excluded.
Ann Sesilie Tekfeldt, chair of the Stavanger May 17 committee, also says they monitor infection numbers on a daily basis.
– We follow the recommendations of the authorities, but with that as our infection pressure now, we hope to be able to plan for May 17, he says.
– From now on, we have the desire to organize trains for the entire city. There probably won’t be public trains and children’s trains like traditional ones because of the crowds, Tekfeldt says.
Fredrikstad: – Think carefully
– Everything is uncertain
Eva Lockertsen Stenvold, chair of the May 17 committee in Tromsø, emphasizes that planning is at an early stage, but they are planning smaller events in the districts.
– Big school trains and public trains will be nothing, says Stenvold.
It also highlights the uncertainty surrounding the infection situation in Tromsø. The antecedent is an increase in mutated virus infection in the municipality.
– Suddenly you’ve found yourself in a situation where you don’t know, so it all depends on whether we get vaccinated or not. Basically, we are planning a scout train. It’s a train with just explorers, so there aren’t many people around, he says.
– If there is a vaccine 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.
I think the children’s train will be canceled
– Neppe normal 17. mai
Culture Minister Abid Raja (V) had previously told Dagbladet that it is completely impossible to say what the celebration will look like now several months before May 17.
– The infection situation has changed significantly after the mutated virus detected in January, at the same time there are many bright spots with an 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 draw up guidelines for the celebration of this year as far in advance as possible. I think we will know more about the infection situation immediately after Easter and we will be able to provide better guidance, Raja said.
However, the Minister of Culture was not very optimistic as he seems now:
– I really hope we get some kiddie train items, but as the situation is today, we will hardly reach the large crowd we associate with a normal May 17th. So a normal May 17th, I think sadly it won’t be like that, Raja said adding:
– May 17th is first and foremost Children’s Day, and we will do what we can to make the best possible arrangements so that children have the best day possible. I hope we can raise flags throughout the country and the sound of the bodies. And that also in 2021 we have a good unifying national sentiment, as I think we did in 2020, he said.
