You are reading this magazine. Therefore, since you are likely a Chippewa Valley resident, you know someone who is Norwegian. Along with Packer fandom and Friday fish fries, Norwegian heritage is a trait all western Wisconsinites either embody or experience. And yet, what are the cultural holidays most celebrated by the denizens of the area? Oktoberfest – understandable with all the German blood around the region, plus beer – as well as St. Patrick’s Day and Cinco de Mayo.

All three have the advantage of being holidays where you go out, eat something supposedly or stereotypically ethnic, and – again – drink beer. And yet, we mostly ignored a recent holiday that has more than a trifle of meaning to many of us: Syttende Mai (the 17th of May).

“Our sense of community ... has roots in the mindset of those who saw the bluffs of the Mississippi River Valley in the 1800s and were reminded of the hills of home.”

The Luc Anthony household never misses a Syttende Mai, at least for the past decade or so since I learned what it was. Being half Norwegian, this day is most worthy of marking the occasion among the assorted societal happenings. Plus, an excuse to eat more lefse and break out the krumkake maker is always appreciated.

Since you are likely learning about this holiday while reading this column, some details are in order so you can properly join next year’s party, Norse or not. First, pronunciation: Purse your lips, say “SOO’N-duh My,” and you are close enough. Even those of us with an Upper Midwestern Scandinavian-based dialect do not really perfect the flow.

Second, what it is. The alternate name for the holiday is Norwegian Constitution Day, which commemorates Norway’s attempt to avoid a union with Sweden by declaring its own constitution in 1814. Ultimately, the two nations remained joined for nearly another century, but as far as declarations of independence go, that date counts as the singular moment when Norway stood up and said, “We’re Norway,” even if they were saying it to Sweden.

Third, what to do. The prime Norwegian smorgasbords usually pop up in Osseo restaurants and Cadott churches around October or December; these are the ones with lutefisk, Swedish meatballs (ironically), rutabagas, rømmegrøt, and sandbakkels. This is somewhat similar to food you would actually find in Norway; salmon, geitost (brown cheese), and boiled coffee are more in the way of true staples in the homeland. However, if you want to par-tay Viking-style ... well, that would quickly get out of control and perhaps borderline medieval, but if you can down some akvavit, you can loosen up in a way that rivals those non-Irish and non-Mexican wannabes in mid-March and early-May.

Most importantly, marking this day speaks to who we are as western Wisconsinites. The concept of “Minnesota Nice” – more aptly termed “Upper Midwestern Nice” – is sourced from Scandinavian settlers. Our sense of community and coming together in municipalities and governments for the common good has roots in the mindset of those who saw the bluffs of the Mississippi River Valley in the 1800s and were reminded of the hills of home. Additionally, how many regions around the nation have Norwegian-themed restaurants, the aforementioned mega-dinners featuring ethnic delicacies, summer celebrations, and even a Miss Syttende Mai competition like they have in Woodville? Our Chippewa Valley ancestors still drive much of the way we live our lives, and honoring them in a more profound way seems appropriate. And hey, you have another reason to hit Water Street.

A neighbor up the block from my southside Eau Claire house flies the Norwegian flag below the American one on his flagpole. A few years ago, he gave me and my mother a pair of locally made shirts which feature the country’s flag waving above the slogan “Syttende Mai Rules.” I wore that shirt on the 17th, and I’d like to believe I topped my workplace’s Cinco de Mayo margaritas by bringing in krumkake for nibbling. Sure, Eau Claire may have been founded by the French, and the Germans may have brought the suds to Chippewa Falls, but then without the Norwegians, we wouldn’t be so gosh darn pleasant. So join us Norwegians next May 17 – we’ll make enough flatbrød for everyone.