The most appreciated Dutch holiday is without doubt the 30th of April – Queens day! It’s their national holiday and the queen’s birthday. Well, it’s celebrated in the 30th of April since 1949, because it was the Birthday of Queen Juliana, the present queen was born in the 31st of January but she officially celebrates on the 30th of April.
The actual celebrations of Queen's day start the day before, on that afternoon there was a crazy agitation in the centre of town and there was a huge music box! I like them!
The night before the 30th of April is called "Koninginnenacht" (queen's night) and is also famous. We went out for some drinks, and we found immediately a very nice guy that we know from capoeira. We spent all night drinking beer and meeting more people, it was really nice. As we were coming more close to midnight it seemed that people wearing orange clothing or accessories was largely increasing! The amount of people in the streets is outstanding and the accessories used are very original, it's a pity I don't have photos. The most popular ones seemed to be a little orange crown used as a sort of hat.
The tradition is to wear orange clothing, disguising and go to the free markets. On this day, everybody can sell their used stuff, old toys, clothing or whatever. Usually they sell it at very low price, it seems that they just what to make some free space in the garage or attic.
We went to check the free market, there were several families almost camping in the park selling their stuff, kids playing instrument and collecting some small change. But there were also many people selling stuff that they made at home and some stalls with remote controlled toys – trucks, backhoes and of course – boats!
The actual celebrations of Queen's day start the day before, on that afternoon there was a crazy agitation in the centre of town and there was a huge music box! I like them!
The night before the 30th of April is called "Koninginnenacht" (queen's night) and is also famous. We went out for some drinks, and we found immediately a very nice guy that we know from capoeira. We spent all night drinking beer and meeting more people, it was really nice. As we were coming more close to midnight it seemed that people wearing orange clothing or accessories was largely increasing! The amount of people in the streets is outstanding and the accessories used are very original, it's a pity I don't have photos. The most popular ones seemed to be a little orange crown used as a sort of hat.
The tradition is to wear orange clothing, disguising and go to the free markets. On this day, everybody can sell their used stuff, old toys, clothing or whatever. Usually they sell it at very low price, it seems that they just what to make some free space in the garage or attic.
We went to check the free market, there were several families almost camping in the park selling their stuff, kids playing instrument and collecting some small change. But there were also many people selling stuff that they made at home and some stalls with remote controlled toys – trucks, backhoes and of course – boats!
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