Utrecht Queen's Day (3) The Disaster

Already eight hours after the festive start of the festivities the mayor was interviewed by the local television.

The mood on this afternoon was quite different than the mood on this morning.

The interview was held in connection with the tragdy in Apeldoorn where the Queen celebrated her birthday.

A man tried to attack the open coach with the Royal Family. Seven people were killed and 10 injured. The day ended in a drama.

Utrecht Queen's Day (2) Town Hall

As in many cities and villages, also in Utrecht the celebrations of Queen's Day take place.

In Utrecht at 09:00 the mayor, now Aleid Wolfsen, enters with a small group of (V)IP’s into the town hall.

At 09:30 the chairman of the Society Queeen’s Day Utrecht (vereniging Koninginnedag Utrecht) Mr. Thomas Dres starts the aubade with a small speech especially for the many children who came by bicycle, walking or…. by one of the three sightseeing boats.

Then the major speeches and hoist the flag together with the chairman of UOC, Mr. Floris De Gelder, chairman of the Utrecht Oranje Association.

All the children have received an, of course orange, balloon and after a common count down the children let the balloons go in the hope that they will arrive in a far country.

There are always balloons that don''t come further than the first tree in front of the town hall.

After these ceremonies all present people are invited into the town hall for a toast to the Queen with an ”Oranjebitter” (orange liqueur) or orange juice.

On the picture mayor Aleid Wolfsen together with Gilbert Isabella, chairman of the Utrecht PvdA (socialist) fraction, with an Oranjebitter.

It’s always a very informal and enjoyable gathering.

Utrecht Queen's Day (1)

Today is Queens Day, the day that Queen Beatrix is celebrating her birthday.

It is not really her birthday for that event is on January 31.

Her passed mother Juliana however had on this day her real birthday and it was celebrated all over the country.

When Beatrix became a queen she ordered to keep April 30 as the official Queens Day in honour of her mother.

In practice the knowledge that the weather in April is more comfortable is a not unratable factor.

The shop Catch has decorated the window shop in the atmosphere of Queens Day with the in 1995 official portrait of queen Beatrix made by Carla Rodenberg.

Utrecht Vrijmarkt - Free Market

On April 29 at 18:00, the evening before Queeen’s Day starts with a “Vrijmarkt” (Free Market).

It is a free market because the non-professional inhabitants don't need a permit.

It’s a market in the north part of the centre between the canels and “singel”.

Adults sell all kind of furnishings and children used toys.

But children also show their talents in making music, dancing, funny games.

Most of the people wear clothes which are entirely or partly coloured orange for the family name of the Royal Family is called “van Oranje”.

It started in 1982 and was a local neighbourhood party.

Now it is a national well known event that attracks people from all cities in the environment of Utrecht.

Since it needs a good cooperation with police, fire brigade, etc. the organisation is taken over by the the local government.

On the 3rd picture is Elisee from Ruanda playing the National Hymne "Wilhelmus" on her saxophone.

About 400 police(wo)men leaded 300.00 visitors in good channels.

Utrecht Observatory / Sterrenwacht

(from weblog http://www.cyclingpeace.org/journey72.html
I got up this morning at 03:00. This in time, to get to the observatory (Sterren-wacht) by 06:30 (for the 'Venus Transit' at 07:11 I thought).
I actually arrived at 06:20, the first one on the scene.

I walked around this 'fortress' on the 'hill' (probably the highest ground in Utrecht) to discover it's been in continual use as an observatory for 437 years, one of the oldest (1552 - 1989).
On their 'rounded' corner stone it says in Latin:

ARX SOLIS DICOR FLAGRANS FVLCORE CORVSCO DVRA SILEX HOSTI TVTA MEI STATIO. I wish I knew what that meant