Learn all about King's Day
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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 5 - King’s Day. In Dutch, this is [Koningsdag] |
| On King’s Day, Dutch people pray for a sunny day, as traditionally this is a day for going outside in crowds! Friends make plans to enjoy a drink together at a sidewalk cafe, or [terras], and rummage around a few flea markets. |
| In this lesson we’ll discuss how Dutch people celebrate King’s Day, and why on this day they take to the streets dressed completely in orange, or [oranje]. |
| Now, before we get into more detail, do you know the answer to this question? |
| Do you know what other colors are suitable to wear on King’s Day, besides orange? |
| If you don't already know, you’ll find out a bit later. Keep listening. |
| King’s Day is a nationally recognized holiday that is all about celebrating and having fun. The excitement starts on the eve of King’s Day, when everyone goes to town dressed in orange. King’s Day is called that because it marks the birthday of King, or [koning], Willem-Alexander, on April 27th. |
| Just like the Queens and Kings before him, the current King, King Willem-Alexander, also celebrates King’s Day on his birthday. Though it is traditional for King’s Day to be moved to fit the birthday of the current ruler, there is precedent for it to fall on different days as well. For example, Queen Beatrix did not celebrated King’s Day on her birthday, because her birthday fell in January, and she felt January was too cold for festivities. Instead, she celebrated it on her mother’s birthday, in April. |
| Along with the media, the royal family participates in several parades and other festivities, such as the street market in [Maastricht] or the annual festival at Museum Square, or [Museumplein]. These visits can be viewed by the Dutch people at home on TV. |
| Every year there’s a gigantic festival at Museum Square in Amsterdam that attracts thousands of participants. The Museum square is also known as Orange Square and this makes it the ultimate place to celebrate King’s Day. |
| But why does everyone wear orange on this day? It’s very simple, really. The name of the Dutch Royal House is [Oranje-Nassau]. This is also why the Dutch national color is orange, and causes a great many Dutch to wear orange on this day to show their national pride. |
| Now it's time to answer our quiz question- |
| Do you know what other colors are suitable to wear on King’s Day, besides orange? |
| In addition to the color orange, the colors Red, in Dutch [rood], White, or [wit], and Blue, or [blauw] are also acceptable to wear in celebration of the King’s birthday. This is because these are the colors of the national flag and match with the colors of the Royal Family. |
| How did you like this lesson? Did you learn something interesting? |
| Does your country celebrate a royal monarchy as well? |
| Leave us your comments on DutchPod101.com, and we'll see you in the next lesson. |
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