11 November in Polish, also in Norway. We celebrate close to one another
In Poland, white-and-red flags and a day off; in Norway, often an ordinary Wednesday: work, school, shopping on the way home. And yet 11 November can have its own special atmosphere here. Today marks the 108th anniversary of Poland regaining its independence. It is an opportunity to meet together in Oslo, recall a few important stories and enjoy a small celebration at home. Without elaborate preparations, but with the feeling that we share something in common.
White-and-red flags accompany Poles abroad as well. Illustrative photo.
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Today in Oslo: patriotism over a board game
Not every festive gathering needs a stage and speeches. Beatus Cras Oslo invites you today, Wednesday 11 November, at 5:30 p.m. for board games at Spilloteket, Kongens gate 7 in Oslo. It is a suggestion for an afternoon in Polish company, with conversations and games together.
Registration is required at beatuscrasoslo@gmail.com, with the subject line PLANSZÓWKI 11.11. Admission is free for members; for everyone else, it costs 70 NOK. Before heading out, it is worth confirming that space is available. Details were provided in the organiser's invitation posted yesterday.
It is quite a pleasant way to spend the evening: put the phone away, meet someone new and, for a while, talk about something other than work or electricity prices. Although the subject of bills will probably come up eventually during board games anyway.
Registration is required at beatuscrasoslo@gmail.com, with the subject line PLANSZÓWKI 11.11. Admission is free for members; for everyone else, it costs 70 NOK. Before heading out, it is worth confirming that space is available. Details were provided in the organiser's invitation posted yesterday.
It is quite a pleasant way to spend the evening: put the phone away, meet someone new and, for a while, talk about something other than work or electricity prices. Although the subject of bills will probably come up eventually during board games anyway.
Bergen celebrates on Saturday; Sola has already held its ceremony
Polish community celebrations also extend to the days before and after the holiday. The Polish School in Bergen has announced National Independence Day celebrations for Saturday, 14 November. They are expected to include the final of a youth competition inspired by Adam Mickiewicz's “Forefathers' Eve”. It is an opportunity to explore Polish history and culture through one's own creative work as well. Information was published in the school's news section. This is an announcement of a school event; participation details should be checked directly with the institution.
Meanwhile, at Sola Kulturhus, in the Stavanger region, an independence ceremony was already held last Saturday. In a public report published on 11 November, Ewa Kozikowska described the music, speeches and the presentation of the Crystal Heart award to Antoni Marian Czajkowski for his work for the Polish community in Norway. Such gatherings are also a reminder of the people who help the Polish community stay together all year round.
In Oslo, there was also an idea to celebrate in running shoes. The Polish Running Group had invited people to a training session for an independent Poland on 8 November at 11:00 a.m., meeting at Rådhusplassen. We wrote earlier about this initiative on Moja Norwegia. This date was last weekend, not an invitation to today's run.
Meanwhile, at Sola Kulturhus, in the Stavanger region, an independence ceremony was already held last Saturday. In a public report published on 11 November, Ewa Kozikowska described the music, speeches and the presentation of the Crystal Heart award to Antoni Marian Czajkowski for his work for the Polish community in Norway. Such gatherings are also a reminder of the people who help the Polish community stay together all year round.
In Oslo, there was also an idea to celebrate in running shoes. The Polish Running Group had invited people to a training session for an independent Poland on 8 November at 11:00 a.m., meeting at Rådhusplassen. We wrote earlier about this initiative on Moja Norwegia. This date was last weekend, not an invitation to today's run.
108 years ago: a brief history of a major change
In 1918, Poland regained its independence after 123 years since the third partition. On 11 November, Józef Piłsudski took over military authority from the Regency Council. On the same day, the armistice ending the fighting on the Western Front of World War I was signed. The date became a symbol of Poland's return to the map of Europe.
Rebuilding the state, however, was a process rather than an event completed in a single day. It required the work of people with different views and life stories. Alongside Piłsudski, it is worth remembering, among others, Roman Dmowski, Ignacy Jan Paderewski, Ignacy Daszyński, Wincenty Witos and Wojciech Korfanty. The Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Oslo recalls the shared goal of these different circles in its historical material about the holiday.
There is also an interesting fact that is easy to overlook: 11 November was established as a national holiday only in 1937. After the war, it was removed from the official calendar and restored in 1989. The Polish History Museum describes the history of the celebrations.
Rebuilding the state, however, was a process rather than an event completed in a single day. It required the work of people with different views and life stories. Alongside Piłsudski, it is worth remembering, among others, Roman Dmowski, Ignacy Jan Paderewski, Ignacy Daszyński, Wincenty Witos and Wojciech Korfanty. The Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Oslo recalls the shared goal of these different circles in its historical material about the holiday.
There is also an interesting fact that is easy to overlook: 11 November was established as a national holiday only in 1937. After the war, it was removed from the official calendar and restored in 1989. The Polish History Museum describes the history of the celebrations.
Poland is close, even if the address is Norwegian
In emigration, the word “homeland” can mean something very specific. It is the voice on the phone. The name of a town that Norwegian friends try to pronounce. A book read to a child in Polish. A joke that loses half its charm in translation.
11 November is a good excuse to talk about it. You can show children family photographs, tell them where their grandparents came from, find the family home region on a map, or sing the national anthem together. It is easier for a child to understand history when someone close appears alongside the great dates.
You can also invite a Norwegian friend to the table and explain why this day matters to us. Life in Norway and an attachment to Poland can easily fit within one family, one home and one calendar.
11 November is a good excuse to talk about it. You can show children family photographs, tell them where their grandparents came from, find the family home region on a map, or sing the national anthem together. It is easier for a child to understand history when someone close appears alongside the great dates.
You can also invite a Norwegian friend to the table and explain why this day matters to us. Life in Norway and an attachment to Poland can easily fit within one family, one home and one calendar.
And with coffee? Polish November has a sweet side
For residents of Poznań and Greater Poland, 11 November also means traditions associated with Saint Martin and St. Martin's croissants. Their distinctive filling of white poppy seeds and dried fruit is hard to mistake for anything else. This regional tradition has its own history, independent of the anniversary of regaining independence—although both fall on the same day. The Poznań Local Tourism Organisation writes more about it.
If there is no croissant at hand, homemade cake also goes perfectly with conversation. The most important thing is to find a moment for yourself and for others. A November afternoon in Norway truly benefits from a mug of something warm and a familiar voice.
If there is no croissant at hand, homemade cake also goes perfectly with conversation. The most important thing is to find a moment for yourself and for others. A November afternoon in Norway truly benefits from a mug of something warm and a familiar voice.
A holiday in Poland, an ordinary working day in Norway
11 November 2026 falls on a Wednesday. In Poland, it is a statutory public holiday; in Norway, it is not a national holiday. The Polish holiday in itself therefore does not mean a day off at a Norwegian company. Today, the Consular and Polish Diaspora Section of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Oslo is also closed, as confirmed by the mission's calendar.
Even if we spend most of the day at work, we can still do something our own way in the evening: meet fellow Poles, call loved ones, hang out a flag or tell a child a family story. One that, in a few years, they will want to pass on themselves.
And how do you celebrate 11 November in Norway? A gathering together, a Polish dinner, a white-and-red flag, or perhaps your own family tradition? Write in the comments.
We checked information about the events on the morning of 11 November 2026. The listed gatherings take place on different dates; this is not a complete calendar of celebrations in Norway.
Even if we spend most of the day at work, we can still do something our own way in the evening: meet fellow Poles, call loved ones, hang out a flag or tell a child a family story. One that, in a few years, they will want to pass on themselves.
And how do you celebrate 11 November in Norway? A gathering together, a Polish dinner, a white-and-red flag, or perhaps your own family tradition? Write in the comments.
We checked information about the events on the morning of 11 November 2026. The listed gatherings take place on different dates; this is not a complete calendar of celebrations in Norway.
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