The Netherlands more or less shuts down for partying, which begins on the eve, and the streets become promenades and impromptu flea-markets. The largest crowds are fittingly, in Amsterdam, and this country which in my photographs appears empty of people becomes packed; Leiden felt like Chennai's Ranganathan Street or Churchgate at rush hour without the rush. I should add, orange is the colour of the day in honour of the Orange (Oranje) dynasty.
Glimpses of the Queen's visit to the two towns from the NOS Channel 2 live coverage:
We took a walk around Leiden. While we have seen busy days in the market streets, Queen's Day was something else. It appeared as though every human in the vicinity of Leiden city (and some dogs) were out on the streets to celebrate.
Postscript: A Queen's Day celebration concert.
For many Dutch, the rituals and ceremonies undertaken by the small towns are embarrassing--they are in costumes, organize tableaux and pageants, play party games, dance and one couple this time even got married in the presence of the royal family. Coming from South Asia, where the interface between political leaders and the public they ostensibly represent is mediated by the presence of armed security commandos, it is a sight for sore eyes to see how easily the royal family mingles with the public. They visit as a family, they interact informally, they play games, they eat what they are offered. Our reaction is typically South Asian: kisi ki nazar na lage (let no one cast an evil eye). The world needs one last bastion of such simplicity.
Final word: This blog had an orange background for a week to share in this celebration. We are now back to beige!
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