The Norwegian constitution of 17th of May 1814 is the oldest European constitutions that is still in use and the second oldest in the world, after the American.
“We are very glad to welcome Murmansk Governor Marina Kovtun to our celebration here in Vadsø,” says Finnmark Governor Gunnar Kjønnøy to BarentsObserver. Vadsø is the location of the country administration in Finnmark on the top of Norway.
Kjønnøy says Kovtun will take part both in official ceremonies marking the 1814-anniversary and in a private program made by the Governor’s office.
Also Kaisa Ainasoja, Director General Regional State Administrative Agency of Lapland, Finland’s northernmost region will be present in Vadsø on May 17th.
In late March, Marina Kovtun cancelled a long-planned visit to Oslo as head of a Murmansk business delegation, allegedly due to the colder atmosphere between Norway and Russia over the Ukrainian crisis.
The Norwegian Constitution occupies a special place in Norwegian history. Not only did it lay the foundations for democratic development, it was also instrumental in providing Norway with status as an independent country.