4th of July in Amsterdam, is there any type of festival?
Mar 20th, 2005, 04:06 PM
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I know we asked some British friends once if they had 4th of July in their country and they said OF COURSE, it is on the calendar. However what is the 4th of July here, our day of independence so hardly would be celebrated in Europe the same way. I hadn't given it much thought until then. halfpint
Mar 20th, 2005, 04:53 PM
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There must be quite a few American expats living in Amsterdam. I'd be surprised if they don't do something. Check out: http://www.awca.nl/ If it were me, I'd e-mail them and ask if there are any events.
Mar 21st, 2005, 03:07 PM
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As others have noted, Europeans don't celebrate the 4th. It was the Netherlands who were one of the first countries to recognize the United States as an independent nation in 1781. They provided financial assistance at a critical time in the Revolutionary War. John Adams was the American minister to the Netherlands and I had a chance to see his home when I was in Amsterdam last Nov. I didn't get there until the early evening so I'm not sure if you can visit. They do have a plaque commerating his residence.
Mar 22nd, 2005, 12:10 AM
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The poster wasn't asking whether the Dutch celebrate American indpendence day - that would be too silly for words. The question relates to any celebrations that may accompany the birthday of Corneljus van der Dongle, the often overlooked breeder of the first black tulip. The answer is still "no".
Mar 23rd, 2005, 10:10 PM
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Hi donnae, your question reminded me of the time that we were staying for ten days on Capri.
The morning of July 4th when we went down to breakfast every table in the restaurant had small American flags on them. We were stunned. BTW, we were the only Americans staying at the Hotel Europa (it is now under a different name). After breakfast we went out by the pool which had a pool side restaurant and again every table had small American flags.
The hotel had somehow purchased these flags on the mainland of Italy in honor of our 4th of July! They wanted us to feel they were celebrating with us. The lunch and the wine that day were gratis. We were completely overwhelmed and so touched. Something I will never forget.
The morning of July 4th when we went down to breakfast every table in the restaurant had small American flags on them. We were stunned. BTW, we were the only Americans staying at the Hotel Europa (it is now under a different name). After breakfast we went out by the pool which had a pool side restaurant and again every table had small American flags.
The hotel had somehow purchased these flags on the mainland of Italy in honor of our 4th of July! They wanted us to feel they were celebrating with us. The lunch and the wine that day were gratis. We were completely overwhelmed and so touched. Something I will never forget.
Mar 23rd, 2005, 10:23 PM
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If you are expecting fireworks in Amsterdam on the 4th of July, you will be unhappy. The Dutch save their fireworks for New Years Eve. I have been in the Netherlands for two of these, and they are just incredible! Unlike our 4th, they wait until the stroke of midnight, and then set them all off at once.
One New Years we stood on a balcony in the heart of Amsterdam and watched as the entire street was filled with fire. I mean it was CRAZY, with young chaps with more courage than me racing up and down, litteraly engulfed in a waterfall of colored fire. The stone buildings and slate roofs take care of the fire problem, I suppose, but those young guys were certainly not fireproof.
A bit scary, but really fun.
One New Years we stood on a balcony in the heart of Amsterdam and watched as the entire street was filled with fire. I mean it was CRAZY, with young chaps with more courage than me racing up and down, litteraly engulfed in a waterfall of colored fire. The stone buildings and slate roofs take care of the fire problem, I suppose, but those young guys were certainly not fireproof.
A bit scary, but really fun.
