For some Dutch nationals, King’s Day is as grand as Dutch New Year and Independence Day combined. Celebrated on the birthday of the current monarch, the holiday represents a chance to fete the symbolic head of the nation — and the values royal family represents.
Eduard Hoeks, the Netherlands’ ambassador to Ukraine, explained why the royal family is so popular in the Netherlands. “They typify Dutch values of openness, democracy, of reaching out to inclusiveness and also diversity,” Hoeks told the Kyiv Post.
“To have the royal family symbolizing the unity of this diversity is what we’re celebrating this day.”
Under the current ruler, King Willem-Alexander, the holiday is celebrated on April 27. The king has ruled since 2013.
Traditions
King’s Day is celebrated in the Netherlands with giant flea markets all over the country. Citizens dress in orange clothes, a traditional nod to the House of Orange Nassau, a crucial dynasty of Dutch monarchs.
And, on every King’s Day, the royal family chooses a city in Holland to visit, where they participate in the local festivities. This year, the king, along with his wife and daughters, will visit Groningen, a city in the northern part of the Netherlands.
Carolien Spaans, agriculture advisor at the Netherlands Embassy to Ukraine, believes that not a single event in the world can compare to Dutch King’s Day.
“Even though on this day we celebrate the birthday of the King, this is not a formal event,” she said.
“Usually, Dutch people are very down to earth, very normal people, but on this day, they just go all out.”
King’s Day in Kyiv
As a country with little history of ruling monarchs, Ukraine’s residents don’t immediately relate to King’s Day. Those who celebrate the Dutch holiday in Ukraine put in a lot of effort.
Liora Kats, 17, who was born and raised in the Netherlands, decided to spend this year’s King’s Day in Kyiv, and to share the festive atmosphere with her Ukrainian peers.
Her family emigrated from Ukraine to the Netherlands 20 years ago. They now live in the city of Almere, about 30 kilometers from Amsterdam.
“This year I’m spending King’s Day with my friends in Kyiv because I want them to experience the true spirit of King’s Day. We will dress up in orange, go bar hopping and sing Dutch songs along the way. It will be a night to remember,” she said, adding that someone will dress up as the king or queen.
Those Dutch people in Ukraine who also want to have fun could try going to a reception dedicated to the holiday. The Dutch Embassy in Kyiv had a celebratory event on April 26 with government officials, prominent Ukrainians, and Dutch people from all over Ukraine participating.
And on April 27, there will be a concert devoted to the event at the National House of Organ and Chamber Music of Ukraine.
George Lubarski, 28, former Amsterdam resident who has been living in Ukraine for almost 10 years, says “it’s a real shame that King’s Day isn’t popular here.”
“I think the biggest reason nobody cares that it’s not popular is that no city in the world can match the atmosphere, excitement and craziness that can be found in Amsterdam,” he said.
Dutch King’s Day concert. National House of Organ and Chamber Music. (77 Velyka Vasylkivska St.) April 27. 7 p. m. Hr 50–300.
