Bijlmerpark
http://www.kwakoe.nl
The Kwaku Summer Festival is the biggest multicultural festival in the Netherlands and is held every Saturday and Sunday in the months July and August. It takes place in the Bijlmerpark in Amsterdam Southeast. For six weekends long, the organization offers a very extensive program containing (live) music, movies, sports, food, dancing, information and meetings. The Festival has a different theme every year which is noticeable in the music, performances, art, literature and several elections.
Traditionally, the Festival functions as a platform for ethnic-cultural societies from all over the Netherlands. Thus the Kwaku Festival contributes in a special way to the (multicultural) society; a society in which acceptation and harmony between different communities and individuals is of essential importance.
Queen’s Day is a celebration in the Netherlands, the Netherlands Antilles, and Aruba on April 30 (or April 29th if the 30th is a Sunday). Originally a celebration of the queen’s birthday, it is now mainly known for the ‘vrijmarkt’ (literally ‘freemarket’), the one day in the year that anyone is allowed to sell anything in the streets and ‘koninginnenacht’ (Queen’s Night) on the preceding night. It is also a Dutch holiday.
It started as a celebration of the birthday of Queen Wilhelmina (1880-1962), on August 31. After 1948 Koninginnedag moved to April 30 (the birthday of Queen Juliana). When Queen Beatrix succeeded Juliana on April 30, 1980, she decided to keep the holiday on April 30th as a tribute to her mother. Furthermore, the weather on her own birthday (January 31st) tends to prohibit the traditional outdoor festivities. April 30th, however, is renowned for having very pleasant weather.
During the reign of Queen Juliana, and the Queen would welcome people who came to the Soestdijk Palace. The Queen and her family would stand on a dais, and a long line of citizens would walk past, congratulating her and presenting her gifts. These days, Queen Beatrix visits one or two towns where she is shown traditional Dutch dances and demonstrations of old crafts.
This is a typical occasion for oranjegekte (orange craze), when the colour orange is a ubiquitous sight, referring to the name of the Dutch royal family, the House of Orange. There are orange banners, orange colored foods and drinks, and extreme amounts of orange clothing and creative accessories are worn as well. Sometimes even the water in fountains is dyed orange. It is not uncommon for people to impersonate the queen, not always in a flattering manner.
Freemarket
The so-called ‘vrijmarkt’ (’freemarket’) is similar to a nationwide car boot sale or Flea market. Owing to a holiday dispensation from the Dutch government, people do not need to pay taxes on their sales. Many people set up stalls or blankets in parks, on sidewalks and even on the roads themselves (cars are banned in some streets). The items sold are traditionally old rubbish, but for commercial traders this is also an extremely profitable day. ING bank has estimated the size of the trade in 2007 at about 200 million euros, with the appreoximately 1.8 million sellers making 111 euros on average. The freemarket in Amsterdam attracts the most visitors.
Typically, many children sell their cast-off toys and clothes while entrepreneurs sell food, beverages and almost anything else imaginable. Prices tend to be very negotiable and drop as the day progresses. By the end of the festivities, much of the unsold merchandise is left on the streets to be picked through until it’s hauled off by local municipalities shortly after. In Amsterdam, the main streets in the city centre are increasingly being taken over by commercial traders, pushing the intended car boot sale out towards smaller streets and the outer ring of the centre. There are, however, some areas where the original style is preserved. One of these is the Jordaan, a working class neighborhood, where prices are very low because the sale is just an excuse to have a nice day and a friendly chat with complete strangers. Sections of the Jordaan can become so full of pedestrians that they become completely gridlocked, despite the absence of cars. Another is the Vondelpark, which has activities more suitable for younger children. You’ll find face-painting, games, theatrical performances and plenty of food vendors to tempt tiny taste buds also at Vondelpark, children are proud to show off their lemonade stands, homemade puppet theaters or musical performances, and it’s truly endearing to see them smile at the clinking sound of a euro!.
Party
In recent years, Koninginnedag has become more and more of an open-air party, with many concerts and special events in public spaces, particularly in Amsterdam, which attracts anywhere from 500,000 to 800,000 visitors. Many Dutch people living abroad try to make the pilgrimage home (with many ‘clued-up’ tourists) to experience this holiday each year. Booking accommodations in Amsterdam and elsewhere for Queen’s Day is notoriously difficult, requiring booking 6 months or more ahead.
During the preceding ‘koninginnenacht’ (Queen’s Night) many bars and clubs throughout the Netherlands (particularly in Amsterdam and The Hague) hold special events catering to revelers that last all night long. This tradition started in the early nineties when pre-Koninginnedag riots were an increasing problem in The Hague. The idea of convincing the rioters that a celebration is a much better way to spend ‘Koninginnenach’ (without the ‘t’, as it’s pronounced locally), proved successful. The event draws tens of thousands of visitors every year.
Plantage Kerklaan 61a
1018 CX Amsterdam
Tel: (020) 330 94 69
info@restaurantplancius.nl
http://www.restaurantplancius.nl
Eclectic, funky interior-including leather wall-which only serves to enhance your enjoyment of the excellent food. Great selection of sandwiches at lunchtime and dishes such as veal and asparagus ravioli in the evening.
A varied international menu with gorgeous desserts.
Restaurant Plancius is situated next to Artis Zoo, a perfect location for a nice lunch or dinner.
Veemarkt 50
1019 DD Amsterdam
Tel: 020 to 691 34 78
info@karos.nl
http://www.koetstaxi.nl/
While the historic city center of Amsterdam since the Golden Age in its full glory assists are the carriages and horses long disappeared from the cityscape. Karos Citytours since 1991, however, specializes in transporting customers per horse & carriage through Amsterdam.
Discover the many hidden treasures of Amsterdam through diverse itineraries from our position at the Royal Dam.
Would you choose your destination? No problem! Karos also provides Carriage taxi journeys that you have the ability to be transported in style to any landmark or event in the city.
Also, it is also possible for coaches to hire for every imaginable event. To this end they have several carriages which vary in size.
Departure and arrival daily from 11:00 to 18:00 hours from the Dam Square.
Prices per trip per carriage for up to 4 people.
Prices
Old City Tour 20 minuten € 35
Canal Tour 30 minuten € 45
Red Light Tour 20 minuten € 35
Jordaan Tour 45 minuten € 65
Big Amsterdam Tour 60 minuten € 85
Spuistraat 294-302
1012 VX Amsterdam
Tel: (31) - 20 - 530 40 60
E-mail: vijffvlieghen@nh-hotels.com
http://www.d-vijffvlieghen.com
Throughout the centuries, the Dutch have wandered around the world. The exotic recipes, vegetables, herbs and spices they brought back to their country have influenced their national cookery and Restaurant d’Vijff Vlieghen shows that.
The head-chef devised a menu from this rich culinary heritage, giving it a contemporary interpretation. Thus the New Dutch Cuisine was born, using only fresh Dutch products.
The kitchen of d’Vijff Vlieghen prefers to work with organically grown vegetables as much as possible.
Restaurant d’Vijff Vlieghen has nine interconnected dining rooms, each with its own distinctive style. All of’ them recreate the rich atmosphere of the Golden Age.
The Rembrandt Room is particularly remarkable for its four original etchings made by the great Dutch master. In the Knights’ Hall, displays of helmets and armour recall the Eighty Years War with Spain.
The Glass Room contains a collection of rare handmade glassware dating from the 17th century, whilst the 18th century panelling of the Bridal Room creates an intimate atmosphere.
Restaurant d’Vijff Vlieghen can accommodate 300 guests.
