🚩 7 June in Norway: how to fly the flag correctly on the day of the dissolution of the union 🎆
7 June in Norway is a day like no other! Today, we celebrate a monumental moment in our history: the Storting's groundbreaking decision in 1905 to break free from Sweden and embark on a journey towards complete independence. So, it's official: today is flag day! Flags are flying above government buildings and many people are joining in the fun by flying their own flags too. This article is a must-read for anyone wanting to know about the exact times for raising and lowering the flag in summer, who is required to fly the flag, how to correctly combine the Norwegian flag with others (Sami, municipal, foreign), and what this means for travellers: city regulations, ceremonies, and basic etiquette.
Why is 7 June the official flag day?
On 7 June 1905, the Storting (Norway's parliament) announced that it was breaking away from Sweden. This marked the start of an independent Norway. The date has been chosen as the official flag day and is celebrated every year, but it is not a public holiday. The Storting and other reference books confirm the historical context. On this day, the parliament announced the end of the union. Later, on 7 June 1945, King Haakon VII returned to the country from exile.
Is it a public holiday? What about the city's schedule for tourists?
7 June is not a public holiday. Shops, museums and public transport all run on their normal weekday schedules. There may be small official ceremonies at memorable places, but there are usually no "mass" closures, as on 17 May. If you want to visit the parliament or municipal squares, check the local announcements. They will tell you if there will be a ceremony in your city. (You can also read the Storting's historical note on the date.)
What time should the flag be raised and lowered on 7 June?
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' summer rule: from 8am to 8pm in the summer, the flag is raised at 8am and lowered at sunset, but no later than 9pm, even if it is still light outside. This also applies to the "white nights". The deadline for lowering the flag is not cancelled by the polar day. Different rules apply in winter, but the summer rules are relevant for 7 June.
The further north you go in Norway, the brighter the white nights are. Are there any exceptions for the north?
There is a different time system for the northern regions of Nordland, Troms and Finnmark. In winter, clocks are set back one hour at 10:00 and you can only fly kites between 10:00 and 15:00. In summer, it's the same as everywhere else in the country: clocks are set forward one hour at 08:00, and kites can only be flown before sunset. The latest you can fly kites is 21:00. Polar day is not a reason to keep the flag flying at night. The rules are published by UD.
Who has to fly the flag on 7 June?
Government agencies must fly the flag on official flag days. This is written in the regulations to the "flag" law and explained by the government. Local governments don't have to follow this rule, so they can choose their own practices. But most of them use the national calendar. You don't have to fly the flag if you don't want to. It's just a suggestion.
I live in a private house. How can I make sure I meet all the deadlines?
The best way to do this is to follow the UD "summer" memo: raise the flag at 8am and lower it before sunset, but no later than 9pm. Keep the flag clean and in good condition. Make sure it doesn't touch the ground and that it's not left on the flagpole overnight. These basic rules are good practice for private flagging, even if there is no legal obligation.
Can the Sami flag be flown with the Norwegian flag on 7 June?
Yes. When they fly flags together, the Norwegian flag is the most important and is placed in the "best spot", followed by the Sami flag (on two flagpoles, this is to the "right" of the Norwegian flag as seen by the viewer). Municipal and regional flags are placed further away. The Ministry of Local Government Affairs has given instructions to local councils and counties, and this is what is meant.
What about foreign flags (e.g. when a delegation visits)?
You can fly foreign flags on city buildings as a way of showing respect to other countries, but you have to keep the Norwegian flag in the best place and use a different flagpole. You can find detailed guidelines for this practice in KDD materials and government explanations of flag regulations.
Can the flag be left up at night if it is very light?
No, the rules are clear: from March to October, the flag is lowered at sunset, but not later than 9 p.m., even during the white nights. This is one of the most common problems in tourist areas during the summer. It is very important to comply with the time.
Is it safe to fly a flag on the balcony of an apartment?
As long as your mount and flagpole are installed correctly and are not dangerous to passers-by or neighbours, then yes. Make sure the flag doesn't touch the buildings or fly onto the road in strong winds. If you are not sure, just use a small wall flag inside. The homeowners' association or management company will tell you about any city-wide restrictions on fastenings and facades.
Are there any ceremonies on 7 June and where can I find the programme?
In big cities, there may be short ceremonies at monuments or near town halls, but these are not mass parades. Look on your local council's website or check the city billboards for the addresses and times. To learn more about this, check out the Storting's resources on the "flag on 7 June" — a great way to understand the significance of the date before joining in the flag-waving.
What will Flag Day mean for my plans to go for a walk or go shopping?
Usually, 7 June is a normal working day. If you are a tourist, you can visit museums, cafés and shops whenever you like. Just be aware of local ceremonies (if there are any) – there may be crowds around memorials for a short time.
How can I find out quickly if my local council has to fly the flag?
There is no single "mandatory" rule for municipalities: each one establishes its own practice. If you're interested, check out the latest explanations from KDD. They clearly say that the requirement for mandatory flagging is for state institutions, not municipalities. Decisions made by local councils are theirs to make.
Where can I find the "official" list of flag days so I don't get confused?
The government and UD publish a list of flag days and general rules. To know the date of 7 June and what it means, it is useful to look at information from the Storting and trusted encyclopaedias. This will help you avoid outdated or informal information from random sources.
7 June is an important day in the Norwegian calendar. There are no parades or public holidays, but people do something special to show respect for history. They raise the flag at sunrise and lower it at sunset. If you are in Norway on this date, look at the details of the city. You will see flags on buildings, small ceremonies at monuments, and summer light that makes you want to stay longer. If you do this the right way, you will feel the "quietest" ritual of national memory.
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