Hi all,

It's been a while! I have spent a few weeks on work, some business traveling and on my daughter's confirmation celebration, so life's been busy. I hope you're all doing fine!

My mother has given me the most precious gift. Last year, she announced that I would receive a bunad, which is the national costume of Norway. I think the Swedes call theirs bunad, too. In fact, there are several hundred versions of these, and they are very varied in style, details and adornments. Each is rooted in a district and based upon local heritage, documented by old photographs, well kept textiles etc. Most of the bunads are based upon dress traditions from the late 18th century and upwards to late 19th century. This tradition is closely connected to the process of developing Norway into an independent country, because we had been ruled by the Danish for about 400 years, and then some years in union with Sweden. Every year on our national day, May 17th, millions of people wear their bunad with great pride. It is also commonly used in weddings, christenings and confirmations, and is considered the most formal and dressy one can wear, next to black tie/long gown. Our National Day celebration will be very special this year, because we are celebrating the 200th anniversary of our constitution, which was signed in 1814. It was strongly inspired by the French and the American constitution and their ideals of liberty, equality and brotherhood, and it has been the foundation for the development of the modern country Norway is today. To fully understand the respect and love for bunads in Norway, one must be somewhat familiar with our history, I think.

My girls all have strong connections with my home town because we lived there for many years when they were small, and two of them are born there. My bunad is from where I grew up, and all my daughters have received one from the same area as a confirmation present from us and their grandmothers on both sides. This is very common in Norway - both to have a bunad rooted in a district one descends from, and to receive it to the confirmation. I didn't get one back then, for several reasons, and I've always wanted one. However, they are really expensive and I've never really felt that I had that much to spare for a bunad for myself.

The bunads are handmade locally and are produced under strict rules. Local silver smiths produce the jewelry. One is not allowed to improvise or create one's own version, but there are several choices within the frames. In our family, we all have chosen different colors, embroidery and patterns, but the overall impression is still similar.

#1-3 shows my bunad and some details.
#4 shows my family: Me, my daughters (E next to me is 17, A in the middle is 20, I next to her father is 15, and my husband, who isn't interested in having a bunad for now, but very appreciative of ours).

I'm really looking forward to watching the parades and all the other celebrations this year, in my brand new bunad. I hope you can imagine how grateful I am to my mother for giving me such a precious gift. I will wear it and cherish it for the rest of my life.

Thank you for looking and reading! Please don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions.

ETA:

Here's what I will be wearing in the evening, to a dinner party.