LOGAN SQUARE — One of the neighborhood's most recognizable churches, Norwegian Lutheran Memorial, is hosting a free concert Wednesday evening to celebrate Norway's Constitution Day, Syttende Mai.
The show will kick off at 7:30 p.m. at the church, commonly referred to as Minnekirken, 2614 N. Kedzie Ave. Refreshments will follow.
The holiday — celebrated on May 17 each year — marks the day Norway ratified its constitution in 1814 and declared independence.
For many years, Chicago's Norwegian community would gather for a parade to mark the holiday, but the parade is now held in suburban Park Ridge.
Minnekirken used to be one of many Norwegian churches in Logan Square during the early 1900s when the neighborhood was a strong Scandinavian and Norwegian enclave.
Today, it's one of just two churches in America where Norwegian is the primary language spoken and is one of the oldest ethnic churches in Logan Square.
For more events celebrating Syttende Mai across the Chicago area, visit the church's event page.
