Big Dutch Day Out expands
New Zealand’s first National Dutch Week is set to kick off in solidarity with the Covidstricken Netherlands and celebration of Dutch culture.
Foxton is home to the Oranjehof Dutch Connection Centre which has been holding the King’s Day Big Dutch Day Out festival at the de Molen windmill for 18 years.
The event blends together a celebration of Dutch culture, language, arts, food and heritage.
And now for the first time Dutch Week will be held at from the windmill from April 24 to May 2.
Oranjehof Dutch Connection Centre chair Arjan van der Boon said at least one in every 40 New Zealanders had some Dutch heritage, but when immigrants arrived, they gave up much of their culture to fit in.
‘‘The time has come for us to ... find a new way into the future and make ourselves relevant in modern society.’’
Priyanca Radhakrishnan, Minister for Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic Communities, and Dutch Ambassador Mira Woldberg, will open the festivities, unveiling a 40-metre mural designed by Amsterdam artist Jan van der Ploeg.
The mural’s design incorporates Dutch and Ma¯ori colours, as well as Kiwi black, van der Boon said. ‘‘The wave elements point to the local awa and the river landscape loved by Ma¯ori and Dutch alike, in the direction of the Tasman Sea – behind the sand dunes, only a few kilometres away.’’
During the week, major landmarks across Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland would also light up orange to show solidarity for the Covid-stricken Netherlands, Woldberg said.
‘‘This year, the national King’s Day celebrations on April 27 have been cancelled back home because of the impact of Covid-19.
‘‘Instead, the embassy wants to express our sympathy and strong connection to all those affected by the global pandemic.’’
Foxton’s Dutch Connection Centre tells the story of the Dutch in Aotearoa New Zealand, from the arrival of Abel Tasman in 1642 until today.
A lot of hard work went in to getting the Government on board for a national day, but van der Boon said it was worth it.
‘‘Foxton is the right place to kick off all the festivities.
‘‘Just like St Patrick’s Day is all green, we hope that in 10 years’ time King’s Day will all be orange.’’
Dutch delights would be part of Foxton’s celebration on Saturday, including an ice skating rink, traditional Dutch games and a kite, or vlieger, workshop.
‘‘There will be modern art on display, an 1880 Amsterdam street organ pumping its tunes, and lots of traditional games, plus an ice skating rink,’’ van der Boon said.