Learn all about Floriade
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| Hello, and welcome to the Culture Class- Holidays in the Netherlands Series at DutchPod101.com. In this series, we’re exploring the traditions behind Dutch holidays and observances. I’m Eric, and you're listening to Season 1, Lesson 23, Floriade. In Dutch, it's called [Floriade]. |
| The “Floriade” or “The World Horticultural Expo” has been hosted decennially since 1960 in a Dutch city. The Netherlands is famous worldwide for its beautiful flowers, or [bloemen], which are celebrated once every ten years through this festival. |
| In this lesson, you’ll learn more about the Dutch Floriade! |
| Now, before we get into more detail, do you know the answer to this question? |
| What is the Dutch idiom related to flowers that means “to party hardy”? |
| If you don't already know, you’ll find out a bit later. Keep listening. |
| “Floriade” is the name used for the World Horticultural Expo held in the Netherlands, and thereby is also part of other famous flower exhibitions held worldwide. In 2012, the Floriade was held in the town of Venlo. Previous Floriades were also held in Rotterdam, Amsterdam, and The Hague, or [Den Haag]. Each year it is held, the Floriade leaves a piece of itself behind. |
| The Garden of Europe, or [De tuin van Europa], is often regarded the most beautiful spring garden in the Netherlands. This 32-acre area boasts seven million tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths, all abundant with fragrance and color. The different pavilions rotate between thirty flower and plant shows regularly. In addition to these pavilions, there are also seven inspirational gardens for the creative souls among us. Many works of art, or [kunst], are known to be inspired by these gardens, and are now showcased alongside the flowers in the Garden of Europe. |
| A flower parade, or [bloemencorso], is a typical Dutch phenomenon. Roughly twenty different flower parades are held in the Netherlands, the biggest of which is held on the first Sunday of September in Zundert. Zundert’s flower parade was the first Dutch tradition to be listed in the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Though there is a clear link between the Garden of Europe and the corporate flower and bulb cultivation industry, this isn’t the case for the Zundert flower parade, which is purely organized for the purpose of entertainment. |
| The next Floriade is set to occur in 2022, and the planning for this Floriade is already in motion. The region of Boskoop, together with seven municipalities and the province of South Holland, or [Zuid-Holland], has suggested organizing the next Floriade in the heart of Holland. In this area, horticulture is booming and is still the driving force behind the region’s economy. |
| Now it's time to answer our quiz question- |
| What is the Dutch idiom related to flowers that means “to party hardy”? |
| That’s [de bloemetjes buitenzetten], which literally means “putting out the flowers”. It refers to decorating a city or town for a major festive event. The idiom has come to mean “to party” in a very grand style. It's a fitting saying for the flower parades! |
| What did you think of this lesson? Did you learn anything interesting? |
| What’s your favorite flower? |
| Leave us your comments on DutchPod101.com, and we'll see you in the next lesson. |
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