Local traditions and culture in Amsterdam

MAY 5 - BEVRIJDINGSDAG
(Liberation Day)*

The Netherlands has its own way of commemorating the Second World War and sets aside two days in May to remember and celebrate the country's liberation from five years of occupation.

The first day - May 4th - is a day of solemn commemoration (rememberance). After a day of looking back at the past, the nation turns its hopes to the future.

The second day (today) - May 5th - is a day of public rejoicing with the young at the center of attention. On this day, the liberation from the German occupation is celebrated. Usually, there is a flea market and ongoing festivities throughout Amsterdam, but everything is on a MUCH smaller scale than Koninginnedag/Queen's Day).

I don't think May 4th or 5th is an official holiday in the Netherlands (perhaps fellow VT member Piet can help me out here). In fact, it's business as usual in Amsterdam, and many stores are open for regular business hours (but I do believe they close early on these days).

I was glad to be in Amsterdam on these two days, and got to observe first hand how the Dutch commemorate these events.

I snapped this picture after the ceremonies held in Dam Square, downtown Amsterdam.
I am wearing a poppy on my shirt, as the poppy is the Canadian symbol of war time remembrance.

HERDENKINGSDAG - MAY 4
(Commemoration/Remembrance Day)*

I was particularly glad to be in Amsterdam on this day and was very moved to see and observe how the Dutch pay homage and respect to the fallen heros and victims of WW II.

Herdenkingsdag (Commemoration Day) is the Dutch version of "Remembrance Day" (held every Nov 11th all across North America). Since the end of the Second World War, the Dutch have observed May 4th
as a day of reflection, a day to honour the victims of war - and I was fortunate enough to be in Amsterdam on this day to observe this poignant little ceremony held in Dam Square.

Herdenkingsdag (always observed on May 4th of every year) is not really an official holiday, but an official ceremony is held in Amsterdam with a memorial service in the historic Nieuwe Kerk, followed by a two-minute silence that is observed all over the country (at 8:00pm traffic will halt, cafes stop their music, etc.). It is at this time the country unites in commemorating the civilians and members of the armed forces who lost their lives in the Second World War.
And unlike most countries, Holland does not mark the occasion with large military parades.

It is a very simple, but moving ceremony.

People all over the country gather at war memorials in their own communities,
and at the stroke of eight the entire country observes a two-minute silence.

Then comes the laying of wreaths at the foot of the national war memorial in Dam Square by Queen Beatrix, members of the Dutch Parliament, and people from more than 100 organisations representing the different groups in society who were affected by the war.
The ceremony is broadcast live on national television so that millions of people all over the country can take part in the solemnities.

Canadians have a long-standing bond with the Dutch, as it was the Canadian army that liberated the Netherlands, and it was to Canada that Queen Juliana sent her two daughters for safety and exile during the war.

Thank God there are Amsterdammerkes (little Amsterdammers). Those little brown iron poles are a blessing for every pedestrian.

Amsterdammerkes are installed to keep a safe distance between motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. As long as you stay between the Amsterdammertjes and the houses, you are safe from being run over.

Every Amsterdammerke has the symbol of Amsterdam XXX marked on its pole.

Little by little these poles are disappearing. Where sidewalks are being elevated to mark the border between the road and sidewalk, the Amsterdammerkes are disappearing.

I notices many cafes and restaurants have pet cats. The fuzzy friends would welcome you as you walk in to have a meal. Most of them are sweet and let you pet them. Cats would barely ask you for food. they would rather warm under lamp or seat by window and watch Amsterdammers.

When walking around admiring the buildings you may see some unusual wall tablets.
This was how Amsterdam identified their houses before street numbers were introduced, usually they depicted something about the profession, origin or religion of the resident.

In the attached photo taken in the Jordaan district the inhabitant would once have been a writer of sorts.

A wall tablet displaying a mail wago at Singel 74 commemorates the start of the postal system in Amsterdam in 1660. Further down the street there is a tablet with Eve tempting Adam with the apple - this was when that part of the street operated as a fruit market.

Make sure you try a Pannekoeken, which is the Dutch version of a pancake. It's actually more like a French crepe, except that it's served flat on a large plate and sprinkled with either powdered or regular sugar, jam, jelly, syrups, fruits or maybe even a hot ginger sauce. Most places have an enormous selection of toppings so you can have it just the way you like it.

Kissing ¡V Three kisses starting on the right cheek & ending on the right cheek
I always get my right & my left confused ¡K.. No not on purpose :-)

If you are in a bakery, postoffice, deli etc make sure if there is a dispenser where you get a numbered ticket before joining a queue.

It is not the done thing to smoke dope in public so it is restricted to coffeeshops, same applies to drinking on the street this sort of behaviour is detested by the locals

The great Dutch painter Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, better known as Rembrandt, was born in Leiden, but moved to Amsterdam as a young man to study art. He is one of the most prolific painters in Western Art and his subject matter ranged from nudes to religious pieces.

There is a museum dedicated to the artist here in Amsterdam, (click here) as well as this impressive square, Rembrandtplein, complete with a small park, a statue of the artist and some of the best nightlife in the city.