25 years ago, on april
30 1980, our Princess Beatrix became our Queen.
Reason for us to
have this year many celebrations between april 29 and
december.
Already we have seen an interview of Her Majesty as part
of a long TV programma about these 25 years. (On thursday april
28.)
The national jubilee programme started on friday 29st of
april. The Queen unveiled a special glas-stained window (by Marc
Mulders) in the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam, the place were she was installed
25 years ago. And she was the first person to receive a booklet about
the window, written by Lien Heyting.
At 21.30 hours a concert
started at The Dam. It was a gift to Her Majesty by the inhabitants of
Amsterdam and like the first part of the programme was broadcasted live on
national television. Our famous Dutch choreographer Hans van Manen made
a special choreography for our Queen, who loves ballet. The ballet was
danced in the palace and the Queen and others were able to see it on a
large screen. The young famous Dutch Janine Jansen gave a wonderful
performance on her violin and the well-known soprano Angela Gheorghiu sang
many songs. At the background we were able to see the 350 year old
Palace, Paleis op de Dam.
When the concert was finished, the Queen
walked between the people on the Dam and spoke with the artists before she
went back to her palace between the cheering crowd.
Like all
years the night will be a bussy one for many people. Some will prepare
themselves for one of the markets that are held on Queens Day (april 30),
and others will start with celebrating Queens Day right after 24.00
hours. In Emmeloord there's an attempt to sing our national anthem,"Het
Wilhelmus" with the largest choir ever.
The Queen herself will
start her official day by attending a special meeting at what is called De
Staten Generaal (assembled government) at the Ridderzaal in The
Hague. The programme consists of speeches and music.
This
special assembly is followed by a lungeon.
After that she'll be
presented a special jubilee postage stamp.
At the Binnenhof, where
the government resides, she will be given an aubade by many people.
Including a lot of schoolchildren. The repertoire consists of traditional
Dutch songs.
On Queens Day the Queen always visits two cities. The
second city will be Scheveningen. The programme consists of a ride
followed by a walk through the towncenter, where all sorts of people have
prepared games, presentations and more. There will also be an attempt
to break the world record koekhappen, one of the traditional Dutch Queens
Day games.
Our princes are wellknown for their spontaneous
participation in events and ofcourse we'll have special attention for
their children in case they accompany the family.
During the
evening there will be a special event on the malieveld at The Hague.
Artists, sportsmen and others will look back on the past 25 years, and
lots of memories will be revived.
All this is broadcasted on TV, so
all Dutch people can witness the celebrations.
Apart from this
National Celebration, there are Queens Day acitvities all over the
country, Children will sell their toys on socalled "free markets",
there will be concerts, games, fireworks etc etc.
Dutch people
abroad will also celebrate the silver jubilee of the Queen, either on
Queens day on freedom day (May 5) or in between. Nederlandse
Antillen en Aruba Australia, Sydney Dutch Radio in
Australia Chili Dubai Ireland Griekenland Mexico Portugal Venezuela: Asociación Neerlandesa de
Venezuela, email: anv1952@yahoo.com or tel. +58 212 263 36 22, number
207) Benidorm: Stichting ‘Nederlands Oranjefeest Benidorm’: tel. +34 96
5887191 Athens, may 2 Minneapolis, Minnesota, may 3, Minneapolis Institute of
Arts, 18.30 - 22.00 uur. E-mail: consul@minnesotaconsul.nl Russia, may 22 The Russian
celebration is much later, because of the chance of better weather.
