Today in the Netherlands is Koninginnedag (Queen's Day).
The former Queen's (the mother of our current queen) birthday is April 30- and early spring when the tulips are in bloom is a fabulous time for a Dutch Queen's birthday, don't you think? However Queen Beatrix's birthday is January 31, when it is freezing cold and everything is covered in snow and ice. She decided it would be much better to celebrate her special day in the spring and chose to keep April 30 as the celebratory day. Instead of the Queen's Birthday, it's just called Queen's Day, but it certainly isn't celebrated with any less enthusiasm.
It is traditionally celebrated by everyone wearing the official color of the Netherlands: orange! One or two selected cities are visited by the royal family, and I admit even I watched the live footage of the royal family leaving the bus and shaking hands with the town's people.
There are special cream cakes made, decorated in orange of course. It is also the official free market day. There is no charge or tax for selling things from a market stall in the city centers. In former times this was a boost to small farms and salesmen, but in our current society the practice has been adopted by individuals. Anyone and everyone who wants to participate brings a blanket and selects a piece of ground for themselves in and around the town centers creating a nation-wide annual flea market. Most items are sold for around a euro, and even kids are allowed to sell "on their own" and are given special and prime locations to sell things.
So, if you aren't over here with us, be sure to celebrate the day "in spirit" by wearing something orange!
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