DUTCH HOLIDAYS WHEN LIVING IN THE NETHERLANDS, IT IS GOOD TO BE AWARE OF IMPORTANT DUTCH HOLIDAYS. THIS WAY YOU WILL NOT MISS OUT ON SEEING ALL DUTCHIES WEARING ORANGE OR CHILDREN WALKING AROUND WITH LAMPIONS! THIS GUIDE GIVES YOU AN OVERVIEW OF THESE SPECIAL DAYS AND CORESSPONDING TRADITIONS. 21ST OF SEPTEMBER - PRINSJESDAG Prinsjesdag marks the official start of the new parliamentary year. The king gives a speech about the policy for the coming year in the Grote Kerk in the Hague. Fun fact: Many women who are present during the ceremony wear an accessory on their head, such as a fancy hat. 11TH OF NOVEMBER - SINT MAARTEN On the 11th of November, children make or buy a lampion and bring it along with them while they go from door to door singing Sint Maarten songs, getting sweets as a reward. A typical Sint Maarten song: Sint Maarten, Sint Maarten de koeien hebben staarten de meisjes hebben rokjes aan daar komt Sinte Maarten aan. Translation: Sint Maarten, Sint Maarten The cows have tails The girls are wearing skirts Sint Maarten is coming 5TH OF DECEMBER - SINTERKLAAS The old man, Sinterklaas, comes with his helpers to give presents to children. In the weeks before this day, children sing songs and put a carrot in their shoe in the evening prior. Once they have woken up, they might find something else in their shoe like a little present or candy. Adults often play ‘Secret Santa’. As a part of the tradition, they buy a present for someone else and write a poem for them. Sometimes they will also make an artwork for the person they have drawn. Snacks that are common to eat during Sinterklaas are chocolate letters, pepernoten and chocolate coins. 31ST OF DECEMBER - NEW YEAR'S EVE PAGE 23
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