27th April is the King's Day in the Netherlands. Celebrations typically begin on the 26th evening and it isn't uncommon for the party to go full-volume until 27th evening.
It's my 2nd King's Day in the Netherlands. I made a post about it last year. See here.
This year I did not spend too much time outside. After work I immediately went on to creating feedback banks and creating productive pipelines for the panel I'm part of (see here).
Did I miss much?
Maybe.
Probably.
Not really.
Not sure.
In typical Dutch fashion, almost everything (and everyone) was in orange - the royal color. I noticed a lot of places had also hoisted the national flag.
I had originally planned to spend the rest of the day in Zwolle, but as soon as I got off my shift and started working on the project for Ukrainians I quickly realized there is so much work to be done with the refugee situation....and there will be many more King's Days to celebrate.
Recently, I learned the "King's Day" is a very unique festival. For many years before it was queen's day. And it will again be queen's day once the king's daughters are in power.
The "free market" is a huge part of the Kings Day celebration. Think of it as a very simple and entry-level free-zone market. People sell there personal items or flip items in a designated zone called the "Vrijmarkt".
I tried to find a few things that I could put up on my group for Ukrainians. Unfortunately, I was too late to the market. I did get a steamer which I gaveaway to an elderly couple. Useful things don't usually need to wait long. Plenty of people are still in need of many things.
I spent some time at the Grotemarkt where most of the people had assimilated. There was a very humble stage and I enjoyed an upbeat Dutch song. There were plenty of food stalls and lots of beer. The last time I saw this place so packed was during the world cup.
Sadly, this gathering reminded me of Park Gorkava in Kahrkov, Ukraine. Every weekend the park would get crowded by the time the sun went down. The foutain would stop and a DJ would show up. Every weekend was an open party in the park. I wonder how the park is now. And how the people are.
I heard from others that the celebrations in Amsterdam and Rotterdam were on a different level. I hope to enjoy the next year's King's Day - hopefully having done a lot more positive work for the people.
