Celebrating 17 May

Personnel woke up on that day to a flag-raising ceremony, with eggnog and non-alcoholic champagne on the helideck. If the weather prevented an open-air assembly, it was held in the helicopter hangar. Speeches were made before people went to change clothes – the best costume was what mattered in the 17 May procession. This wound around the complex with a special Frigg flag in front and the flags and banners of the various groups behind.

Good food, which many people considered the essential feature of Frigg, was also very significant on Constitution Day. After the procession, marzipan-coated sponge cakes were served and nothing was spared for the festive dinner.

In the evening, everyone gathered in the day room for a traditional menu of hot dogs, ice cream and cured meats. Prizes were awarded for the best costumes in the processes. Entertainment was either provided by the workforce or by performers flown out for the occasion.

Major Scottish and French festivals were also celebrated during the early years, but these events were eventually dropped as Norwegians became more dominant on Frigg.