Queen's birthday celebrations - 30 April On 30 April we celebrate the Queen's birthday. This date used to be the birthday of the Queen Mother, the late Princess Juliana. After the inauguration of Queen Beatrix on 30 April 1980 she decided to continue 30 April to be Queen's Day. In The Netherlands a lot of festivities are organised on this date and most common are the flee markets.
In Rotterdam part of the city center will be closed of for traffic and festivities take place in the Coolsingel area (City Hall). More information on the Rotterdam program for 30 April will follow in March 2009.
Remembrance Day - 4 May
This day is a tribute to all Dutch victims of war. Special honour is paid to civilians and to members of the armed forces who fell in the Second World War, and to all Dutch nationals who have lost their lives since, in other wars or in peace operations. From 18.00 hours the National flags will be flied half mast. At 20.00 hours there will be 2 minutes of silence in respect of those lst their lives. We invite you to join in our remembrance ceremonies.
In Rotterdam, the main ceremonies take place at:
- War memorial De Boeg at Boompjes, 11.00 hrs (Erasmusbridge)
- War memorial at Stadhuisplein, opposite of City Hall, 18.30 hrs
At both ceremonies wreaths will be laid and the Dutch National Anthem will be played. The Major of Rotterdam will attend both ceremonies. A number of smaller ceremonies will be held all over the city.
Memorial to the Fallen 1940-1945
Liberation Day - 5 May
The Liberation Day festivities commemorate Germany's capitulation on 5 May 1945. All over the country events are organised including 13 liberation festivals in different regions of the country. Dutch as well as international artists perform at the festivals.
In Rotterdam the liberation festival will be take place at Parklaan (Scheepvaartkwartier area) - This festival is free of charge.
Public Transport: tram 7 from Rotterdam CS (or subway Leuvehaven & 10 minutes walk)
On 14 May 1940 Rotterdam city center was destroyed by a German bombardment. We do have the exact fictures but it is estimated that between 800 and 900 people were killded and some 70,000 people were made homeless. Almost 25.000 houses were destroyed in the attacks. Several ceremonies take place during this day. One of them will be at Ossip Zadkine's "The Devastated City" at Plein 1940 (Square 1940, next to the Maritime Museum). A wreath will be laid by the Major of Rotterdam.
