Ever wonder how Americans living abroad celebrate the Fourth of July? If you were in Oslo today, you might have celebrated in Frogner Park with entertainment, dancing, games and, of course, American food. The annual American Independence Day celebration, now in its 26th year, was hosted by the American Coordinating Council of Norway (ACCN) and attracts about 20,000 event goers.
The ACCN is an umbrella organization for nearly 20 American non-profits based in Norway, including the American Embassy, Sons of Norway's Christiania 8-4, and Nordmanns-Forbundet. "One of our goals is to work together as American organizations to show the Norwegian people that we enjoy having fun, and we enjoy working together," said Bruce Allen, Sons of Norway member and event founder, in a recent interview with Viking. Allen added that ACCN gives profits from the event to charities and grants in Norway.
Want to learn more about Oslo's Fourth of July celebration? You can read the rest of Allen's interview in the July issue of Viking.
The staff of Viking wishes Americans living on both side of the pond a happy Fourth of July!
Amy Boxrud is editor of Viking magazine. She lives with her family in Northfield, Minn., where she’s a member of Nordmarka 1-58.
Photo illustration by Doug Bratland from an original image by Flickr user Marionzetta.