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Education

Celebrating the Queen’s Birthday in Den Haag

It may not be a special date for us foreigners, but for the Dutch, this weekend is party time, time to don the ‘oranje’ shirts, hats, shoes…and celebrate their Queen’s birthday.

Koninginnedag, or the ‘Queen’s Birthday’, is a traditional Dutch national holiday. The holiday is based on the birthday of the late Queen Mother, Queen Juliana. However, when Queen Beatrix took over the monarchial reins in 1980, she chose to keep the tradition going. For this reason, April 30 is still celebrated as the Queen’s Birthday (despite the fact that it’s not actually the date of Beatrix’s birth). There’s something special about this year, though; it’s been 25 years since Queen Beatrix succeeded to the Dutch throne, and thus this year it’s also her silver jubilee celebration.

The celebrations start on April 29th. Over the past 16 years, Den Haag has hosted Koninginnenach, a major music event that attracts more than 200,000 visitors to the city. And no wonder…it’s all free of charge. Bands perform live on stages located throughout the heart of the city. This year, ‘Di-Rect’, ‘Gabriel Rios’ and other acts will be performing at the Casema Stage on the Spuiplein, while ‘Vertigo’, ‘Splendid’, ‘Tacker’ and ‘Mala Vita’ perform at the Hommerson Casino stage (near the Grote Kerk).

If you’re into dance, head for the HI Stage (at the Wijnhaven), where you can groove to the music of ‘Soulvation’, ‘Mocky’, ‘Firefly’ and the ‘Platinum Pied Pipers’. Catering to those who are into blues, the InHolland Stage at De Plaats, presents ‘Julian Sas’ and ‘Melvin Taylor’. Elsewhere, sound stations on the Grote Markstraat will play jazz and funk late into the night.

If you prefer something a bit more low-key, check out the ‘Binnennach: Singers and Songs’, at the Theater at Spui, where famous bands and singer-songwriters will perform. Not only are their songs beautiful and crystal clear, their sounds are enhanced in this acoustic setting. Artists include ‘Luka Bloom’, ‘Chris Whitley’, ‘Daniel Lohues (Skik)’, ‘Delise’, ‘Hacienda Brothers’, ‘Smutfish’ and ‘Templo Diez’.

If you still have some energy left after a night of musical celebrations, join the crowds heading for Scheveningen on Saturday April 30th, the day each year when the Queen traditionally visits this seaside town. Between 10:30 and 11:30 on Saturday morning, the Queen will attend a gathering at the Ridderzaal, where the Haagse Choirs and Haagse schoolchildren will sing to her at the Binnenhof. The Dutch Royal Family will then visit Scheveningen between 14:00 and 15:00.

A specially created sand sculpture for the celebration of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee will also be erected on Scheveningen beach. Entitled ‘Ode to the Queen’, the sculpture has been specially created by six sand sculptors. Of course, the Queen’s Birthday must end in a traditionally spectacular way. At 21:30, you can enjoy a grand fireworks display at the Scheveningen Pier or from the beach.

For those of you who don’t want to wander too far from Delft, you can also check out the activities in Delft center, where there will be plenty of fun and games, including revelers, outdoor markets and live bands. There’s also an ‘Oranje Sun Festival’ on the Agathaplein. Events in Delft will be held between 12:00 and 19:00.

www.delft.nl.

www.denhaag.nl

Koninginnedag, or the ‘Queen’s Birthday’, is a traditional Dutch national holiday. The holiday is based on the birthday of the late Queen Mother, Queen Juliana. However, when Queen Beatrix took over the monarchial reins in 1980, she chose to keep the tradition going. For this reason, April 30 is still celebrated as the Queen’s Birthday (despite the fact that it’s not actually the date of Beatrix’s birth). There’s something special about this year, though; it’s been 25 years since Queen Beatrix succeeded to the Dutch throne, and thus this year it’s also her silver jubilee celebration.

The celebrations start on April 29th. Over the past 16 years, Den Haag has hosted Koninginnenach, a major music event that attracts more than 200,000 visitors to the city. And no wonder…it’s all free of charge. Bands perform live on stages located throughout the heart of the city. This year, ‘Di-Rect’, ‘Gabriel Rios’ and other acts will be performing at the Casema Stage on the Spuiplein, while ‘Vertigo’, ‘Splendid’, ‘Tacker’ and ‘Mala Vita’ perform at the Hommerson Casino stage (near the Grote Kerk).

If you’re into dance, head for the HI Stage (at the Wijnhaven), where you can groove to the music of ‘Soulvation’, ‘Mocky’, ‘Firefly’ and the ‘Platinum Pied Pipers’. Catering to those who are into blues, the InHolland Stage at De Plaats, presents ‘Julian Sas’ and ‘Melvin Taylor’. Elsewhere, sound stations on the Grote Markstraat will play jazz and funk late into the night.

If you prefer something a bit more low-key, check out the ‘Binnennach: Singers and Songs’, at the Theater at Spui, where famous bands and singer-songwriters will perform. Not only are their songs beautiful and crystal clear, their sounds are enhanced in this acoustic setting. Artists include ‘Luka Bloom’, ‘Chris Whitley’, ‘Daniel Lohues (Skik)’, ‘Delise’, ‘Hacienda Brothers’, ‘Smutfish’ and ‘Templo Diez’.

If you still have some energy left after a night of musical celebrations, join the crowds heading for Scheveningen on Saturday April 30th, the day each year when the Queen traditionally visits this seaside town. Between 10:30 and 11:30 on Saturday morning, the Queen will attend a gathering at the Ridderzaal, where the Haagse Choirs and Haagse schoolchildren will sing to her at the Binnenhof. The Dutch Royal Family will then visit Scheveningen between 14:00 and 15:00.

A specially created sand sculpture for the celebration of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee will also be erected on Scheveningen beach. Entitled ‘Ode to the Queen’, the sculpture has been specially created by six sand sculptors. Of course, the Queen’s Birthday must end in a traditionally spectacular way. At 21:30, you can enjoy a grand fireworks display at the Scheveningen Pier or from the beach.

For those of you who don’t want to wander too far from Delft, you can also check out the activities in Delft center, where there will be plenty of fun and games, including revelers, outdoor markets and live bands. There’s also an ‘Oranje Sun Festival’ on the Agathaplein. Events in Delft will be held between 12:00 and 19:00.

www.delft.nl.

www.denhaag.nl

Editor Redactie

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