May 17 is fast approaching. And with 17 May comes the children’s train, bow corps, ice cream and bunad. But for many, it is also the champagne breakfast and outside beer that are in focus on this day. In Bergen, the serving of beer and wine starts as early as 07.00. It is one hour earlier than usual in Bergen. – We think that is a complete short-circuit, says the first candidate in KrF in Bergen, Joel Ystebø. By comparison, the pouring on 17 May in Oslo begins five hours later, at 12.00. This has also been the case for 30 years. Joel Ystebø (KrF) will postpone the start of the bar in Bergen on National Day by five hours. Photo: Lotte Solheim Johannessen / news Fears pushing and shoving Now he wants Bergen to learn from last year’s celebration and follow the example of the capital. – We saw scenes last May 17 that we do not want to see again. Many people got drunk early in the day. There was a lot of pushing, and a lot of noise in the centre. We simply want to avoid this this year, says Ystebø. Therefore, KrF will put forward a proposal to the leader of the city council in Bergen on Wednesday to postpone the start of drinking on National Day until 12.00. It was BT who mentioned the proposal to KrF first. Ystebø says the party, regardless of the outcome today, will work to get this permanently included in Bergen municipality’s liquor regulations. – We all have to take greater responsibility City council leader in Bergen, Rune Bakervik, was aware of the events last year. – This was the first celebration of 17 May since 2 years of pandemic closure. This meant that some had over-ignition, which led to some unpleasant episodes which we do not want in our city, says Bakervik. Nevertheless, he believes that a reduction in the pouring time is not the solution. – It is not primarily at 07.00 that people go and sit down in the pub or at a restaurant. We must all take greater responsibility at the champagne breakfast, or at the May 17 breakfast – that we take a little less in the glass. The leader of the city council in Bergen believes that each individual must take greater responsibility for alcohol intake. Photo: Lotte Solheim Johannessen / news Bakervik has been in dialogue with the police, who have said that they will prepare for this year’s celebration. He believes this will have a positive effect. In addition, he chooses to put his trust in the restaurants in the city. – We have a very serious catering industry in Bergen, and I believe that reducing the serving time does not solve anything. An important Bergen tradition Bergens are often happy to stand out, and National Day is no exception. The early morning 17 May breakfast with something good in the glass is an important tradition for the people of Bergen. – You are taught that you have to get up early, put on your clothes and get dressed, and meet for breakfast. It would be a significant intervention in the Bergens’ ritual on 17 May if this were to be adopted. That’s what Kjetil Smørås, who is managing director of the hotel and restaurant group, De Bergenske, says. – The people of Bergen are world champions at celebrating 17 May. That is why it is adapted to the wishes and needs of our guests. We must be allowed to keep the way we celebrate, because it is unparalleled, he continues. Smørås says that several of his hotels and restaurants are already fully booked for 17 May. In addition, there are hundreds on the waiting list to get a table at breakfast times on National Day. Hotel owner Kjetil Smørås completely disagrees with KrF’s proposal to limit the serving time. Photo: Lotte Solheim Johannessen / news – For us in the catering industry, it will be a disaster in terms of income, quite simply. This will mean a loss of many millions in income. For the guests, it will be just as sad. After all, they have an expectation that this is how 17 May will be. He believes that restricting the serving time will only shift the problem to private homes and events. – The donation will probably happen anyway. It is unlikely to have any consequences for overall alcohol consumption, Smørås believes. Ystebø does not necessarily agree with that. The KrF politician believes that a later start of alcohol serving is important to protect the children on what is supposed to be Children’s Day. – We believe that this can have a good effect, and protect part of the public spaces where many people travel, especially many children and young people, concludes Ystebø.
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KrF will reduce the drinking hours in Bergen on 17 May – news Vestland
