Colors of Apeldoorn - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Apeldoorn is located in the Gelderland province, one of the largest provinces of the country. The name comes from the German town of Geldern that is located not far away. It the past, the town was famous for the dragon legend. That said, first mentions of the Gelderland province date back to the Roman Empire. The current Gelderland province occupies almost three quarters of the ancient Duchy of Guelders. In the 16th century, it was a part of the Seventeen Provinces. This region suffered damage in the WWII during the battle of Arnhem. Despite its size, it is one of the least populated parts of the Netherlands that is, however, rich in natural reserves and forests. It’s a true paradise for everyone who loves nature and outdoor activities.

Local people have a number of traditional holidays that they like to celebrate. Sinterklaas is one of these unusual and authentic celebrations. Approximately three weeks before December 5, Sinterklaas leaves Spain in a steamboat together with his crew. They reach the Netherlands and next three weeks Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet (the crew helpers) visit schools across the country, tell children whether they have been good or bad and give presents to them. The Dutch media always pays much attention to this tradition and always broadcasts the arrival (intocht) of Sinterklaas to the Netherlands.

If you happen to visit Apeldoorn closer to the New Year’s Eve, follow a good old tradition of eating oliebollen. This traditional dish is popular in the Netherlands and Belgium, and is widely known under such names as “Dutch doughnuts” or “Dutchies”. Fragrant and fresh doughnuts are usually covered with powder sugar. This pasty is always present on the festive table on New Year’s Evening. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

In summer, locals have another exciting tradition, eating herring. This tradition started yet in the 14th century together with one more national holiday – Vlaggetjesdag or the day of little flags. It is the time when the herring fleets return home, and local restaurants and cafes start offering the "Hollandse Nieuwe". Fresh herring is mouthwatering and tastes absolutely stunning. The start of the season falls to June.

Local people love their royal family and even have a special celebration dedicated to it. Named The Queen’s Day, the holiday is celebrated on April 3rd. This is the birthday of Juliana, the mother of Queen Beatrix. The latter succeeded her mother in 1980, but Queen Beatrix decided to keep the celebration day unchanged. It’s a large public holiday across the country that has become famous for its large markets. On the Queen’s Day, citizens of all Dutch cities sell goods on the streets. It looks like the whole city is a giant flea market. By the way, the new king, Willem-Alexander, renamed the celebration to Koningsdag (King’s Day) and shifted the holiday day 3 days closer to his birthday, which falls on April 27th.

Carnivals are traditionally the most sought after events that both locals and tourists love to attend. It’s the time when festive parades more on main streets of the city, people in beautifully decorated costumes dance and have fun. Music never stops in the city center, and everyone enjoys beer and delicious treats. Initially, the tradition of festive carnivals appeared in the southern part of the Netherlands, but people liked it so much that the carnival has spread northwards. In Apeldoorn, the carnival is held in February, the day can vary slightly in different years.

The Dutch people may look too formal at a glance, but they are not cold and very friendly if you know them better. Quite private, they do not like to ask and answer personal questions. At the same time, the Dutch are very hospitable. If they invite you to their home, you can be sure that you will be very welcome and respected. They feel comfortable when dealing with foreigners because the Netherlands has always been an active player in the international trade. Finally, the Dutch care about the environment and like all kinds of sports.