But despite the joy, there are at least a few minor problems that risk dampening the festive mood somewhat in the neighboring country.

Bad weather
Norway has had summer heat for several days. But it looks like the weather will get worse on National Day.
– Thursday will be the coldest and worst day this week. We will have northerly winds and it will be cloudy weather, says Ídbjørg Moksnes at the Meteorological Institute to Aftenposten.

Bare flagpoles
The Norwegian flag was designed by Fredrik Meltzer almost 200 years ago. The colors – red, white and blue – are those of freedom. Like other countries, there are a number of rules attached to the Norwegian flag. It must never touch the ground, must be hoisted no earlier than 8 a.m. and must be lowered no later than 9 p.m. For fear of missing the times, many people leave the flagpole bare, believes flag expert Jan Oskar Engene.
– I want to urge people to take it a little easier. It's better to have the flag raised a few minutes too late, or to have it taken down a little too late. It's better than not raising the flag at all, he tells NRK.

Strike affects broadcasts
On Tuesday, 1,700 employees at the public service broadcaster NRK went on strike. TV, radio and online broadcasts – normally a red-white-blue orgy of celebration on May 17, could be significantly poorer.
– There is a risk that the May 17 broadcast will be seriously affected by this, said Olav Nyhus, director responsible for legal affairs and personnel at NRK, ahead of the National Day.

No balloons
In several places, Norwegians are forced to do without balloons. In Bergen, Stavanger, Haugesund and Tromsø, no helium balloons will be sold on municipal land, and in Fredrikstad there is a ban on all types of balloons. The reason is that the helium balloons that are dropped float away and pollute the sea, among other things. Those who advocate a balloon ban may be alarmed by the fact that it looks like Oslo is still continuing with the balloons.

Source: TT