Yesterday ,April the 30th, was the official birthday of Queen Beatrix of Holland. And as in every year, the whole city was a car-free-steeped -in -"orange madness"- huge-beer-drinking party!!
We planned our third trip to Amsterdam-in 2006- just for the celebratory day-and night-long fair :)
The "Dutch Queen's birthday" has a rather interesting story.It was decreed as a national holiday in 1890 by Queen Wilhelmina,whose birthday was-very conveniently- on August 31st. It was warm and everyone could be outdoors celebrating.
Next on the throne was Queen Juliana,born on April 30th. Ok, so April is not ideal for outdoors in Holland,but it served well.
It was with the next-and present-queen that there was a problem.
Queen Beatrix was born ON JANUARY!! :((
It was with the next-and present-queen that there was a problem.
Queen Beatrix was born ON JANUARY!! :((
Bad idea to have an al-fresco party on January... But the Dutch are so practical minded,cool people and they did not let tradition stop the fun.
Can't have the party on January? No problem,we keep the former queens birthday:)
On April 30th there are all kinds of bands in the streets of Amsterdam ,puppet theatre and clowns for the children, while barges go up and down the canals laden with people dressed in orange-for the House of Orange,the ruling family of Holland.
What makes it so much more fun,is the "free-market". It is the only day of the year every Dutch has a right to sell second hand items.
All the city is a giant garage sale!!!!!
It doesn't get any better!!!!!
Wait!!! It does. Dozens of people cooking in their homes and offering or selling sweets and hot dogs and fried potatoes with Ketchup and all kinds of punch/sangria/wine/beer.
Wait!!! It does. Dozens of people cooking in their homes and offering or selling sweets and hot dogs and fried potatoes with Ketchup and all kinds of punch/sangria/wine/beer.
We had a wonderful time and if you plan a visit to Amsterdam,plan it to coincide with the Queens birthday!!!!
