Koningsdag 2014

Today, April 26th, was Koningsdag (Kings Day) here in the Netherlands. Even though I am living in Belgium, Hans is Dutch and I lived in the Netherlands the first few years I was here in Europe. So the Netherlands is also close to my heart.

Up until last year, Koninginnedag (Queens Day) was celebrated on April 30th each year, in honour of Queen Beatrix. In 2013, Queen Beatrix abdicated the throne. Her son, Willem-Alexander, is now king of the Netherlands. His birthday falls on April 27th which is officially Koningsdag. However, if the 27th falls on a Sunday, as with this year, then the holiday is celebrated on April 26th. Koningsdag is also celebrated in Aruba, Caracao, and Sint Maarten, constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Among the festivities is the nationwide flea market. Koningsdag is the only day of the year that people are permitted by the Dutch Government, to sell their things on the streets without a permit and without paying extra taxes. There is also numerous celebrations, concerts, parties, and special events. The Dutch dress in orange and even paint their hair orange. Orange is the colour of the day, no matter which way you turn.

We did not go out and celebrate. But maybe you went orange today?