If you didn’t know, l’ve been writing these blog posts from across the pond, in Maastricht, Netherlands, where I am fulfilling my GO Program requirement this semester. In my time here l’ve experienced some interesting cultural differences, especially when it comes to the holidays and Dutch celebrations. Tomorrow, the whole country celebrates Koningsdag, or King’s Day, a national holiday that celebrates the birthday of the reigning monarch. Its origins go back to 1885, when it was first celebrated as Prinsessedag (Princess’s Day) in honor of Princess Wilhelmina’s fifth birthday. The celebration was introduced to promote national unity and pride at a time when the Dutch monarchy was still solidifying its modern identity. When Wilhelmina became queen, the holiday was renamed Koninginnedag (Queen’s Day) and continued to grow in popularity.
Under Queen Wilhelmina, the holiday was observed on August 31, her birthday. Her daughter, Queen Juliana, moved the celebration to April 30, her own birthday, when she assumed the throne in 1948. When Queen Beatrix became monarch in 1980, she decided to keep April 30 as the official date of Queen’s Day to honor her mother-also conveniently avoiding her own January birthday, when outdoor festivities would be less enjoyable due to the cold weather. The holiday became Koningsdag in 2014 following the abdication of Queen Beatrix and the ascension of her son, King Willem-Alexander, to the throne. The date was moved to April 27, the king’s birthday. If April 27 falls on a Sunday, the celebration is held a day earlier, on April 26, out of respect for traditional Sunday observances.
Koningsdag is marked by vibrant traditions across the country. One of the most famous is the vrijmarkt (free market), where people of all ages set up stalls and blankets to sell secondhand goods, turning cities and neighborhoods into massive street markets. Everyone wears orange, the national color, to honor the royal family-the House of Orange-Nassau-and streets are filled with orange clothing, decorations, food, and even dyed beverages. Major cities like Amsterdam host outdoor concerts, boat parties on the canals, and large-scale celebrations that attract both locals and tourists. The holiday has a strong focus on community and family, with local parks and public spaces hosting games and activities for children. It’s a time when Dutch values of togetherness, tradition, and fun come to ife in a uniquely grassroots way, despite its royal roots.
I have fallen in love with the Netherlands and am sad that leave in a little more than a month. I have had such wonderful experiences in nm time here and am excited to see what Koningsdag has to offer! To celebrate this holiday, and the Netherlands in general, I have gathered a couple of books that celebrate Dutch culture.
Firstly, let’s get a historical understanding of the Netherlands with E.H. Kossmann and J. Kossmann-Putto’s “The Low Countries, History of the Northern and Southern Netherlands.” This scholarly work provides a comprehensive overview of the history of the Low Countries, now known as the Netherlands and Belgium. It covers the political, religious, and cultural divisions that developed between the northern Protestant and southern Catholic regions. The authors trace the influence of the Burgundian and Habsburg dynasties on regional governance. The Dutch Revolt and the subsequent independence of the Dutch Republic are central to the narrative. The book delves into how geography, trade, and international politics shaped the region’s development. It also highlights the contrasting political systems and cultural identities of the two areas over time. Ultimately, it presents the Low Countries as a shared yet deeply divided historical space.
In my time here, I have been asked a few times about the Pennsylvania Dutch, and I guess I never really saw much connection until then. “Sunbonnets and Shoofly Pies” by John Joseph Stout explores the culture and traditions of the Pennsylvania Dutch, descendants of German-speaking immigrants who settled in America. Stout provides insights into their domestic life, folk art, religious beliefs, and culinary practices. The title references iconic elements of Pennsylvania Dutch identity-sunbonnets worn by women and the beloved dessert, shoofly pie. Through storytelling and historical context, Stout paints a portrait of a community balancing Old-World heritage with New World life. He pays particular attention to their craftsmanship and visual culture. The work is both an ethnographic account and a tribute to the resilience of this cultural group. It offers a warm and vivid lens into an enduring American subculture.
One of the most amazing things about the Netherlands is its rich and beautiful art. “Dutch Art and Architecture” by Jakob Rosenburg, Seymour Slive, and Engelbert Kuile presents an in-depth look at Dutch visual culture from the Middle Ages to the 18th century. It covers major artistic movements, including Gothic church design and the flourishing of the Dutch Golden Age. Key figures such as Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Frans Hals are analyzed within historical and stylistic contexts. The book also explores civic architecture and how it reflected the values of a prosperous merchant society. Attention is given to religious and secular art, as well as the evolving tastes of patrons. It offers a cohesive narrative linking painting, sculpture, and building practices. The authors demonstrate how Dutch art became a symbol of national pride and identity.
Similarly, I have discovered many famous Dutch music composers. “Composters of the Low Countries” by Willem Elders charts the development of music in the Low Countries, especially during the Renaissance. The book emphasizes the international influence of Franco-Flemish composers like Josquin des Prez and Orlande de Lassus. Elders explores how these composers helped shape sacred and secular music traditions across Europe. He contextualizes their work within the religious, political, and artistic currents of the time. The text highlights the region’s rich musical institutions and training systems. Elders also examines stylistic developments, including polyphony and modal experimentation. This book illustrates how the Low Countries became a hub of musical innovation during the 15th and 16th centuries.
An author I’ve talked about recently, Gregory Maguire also showed up in my search for Dutch books in the library with the reimagining of the Cinderella fairy tale, this novel is set in 17th-century Holland during the Dutch Golden Age, “Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister.” The story follows Iris, a plain and thoughtful girl who becomes entangled in the lives of a wealthy painter and his beautiful muse, Clara. Maguire explores themes of beauty, ambition, and art through a gritty, realistic lens. The story reframes the traditional tale from the perspective of the “ugly” stepsister, offering nuance and sympathy. Dutch society, with its class divisions and artistic ambitions, is richly rendered. The novel blurs the lines between villain and victim, challenging conventional morality. Ultimately, it’s a story of survival and the power of perspective.
In my travels, I have also had the fortune of seeing the “Girl With a Pearl Earring,” which also happens to be the name of a novel by Tracy Chevalier. Inspired by Johannes Vermeer’s iconic painting, this novel imagines the life of a servant girl named Griet in 17th-century Delft. Griet is hired by the Vermeer household and becomes increasingly involved in the artist’s work. The novel explores class, gender, and artistic vision as Griet quietly observes the household’s tensions. As Vermeer begins to paint her, Griet navigates jealousy, religious difference, and personal desire. The lush descriptions evoke the textures and moods of Vermeer’s world. Chevalier offers a meditation on the gaze, silence, and the costs of beauty. It’s a quietly powerful story of a girl caught between servitude and self-expression.
Another novel I found, this time for young adults, is “Girl in the Blue Coat” by Monica Hesse. Set in Nazi-occupied Amsterdam during World War II, this young adult novel follows Hanneke, a Dutch teenager who smuggles goods on the black market. After being asked to find a missing Jewish girl, Hanneke is drawn into the underground resistance. As she searches for the “girl in the blue coat,” she uncovers secrets and faces moral dilemmas. The novel examines courage, grief, and the impact of war on ordinary people. Hesse creates a tense, emotionally resonant atmosphere rooted in historical detail. Hanneke’s journey from reluctant bystander to active resister is central to the plot. The story is both a mystery and a tribute to resistance and remembrance.
And finally, another Pennsylvania Dutch novel that I may read once I’ve returned, Ann Patchett’s “The Dutch House.” This novel follows the lives of siblings Danny and Maeve, who are exiled from their childhood home-a grand estate in suburban Philadelphia called the Dutch House. The house becomes a symbol of loss, inheritance, and identity. After being cast out by their stepmother, the siblings cling to memories and each other. The story unfolds over five decades, exploring themes of forgiveness, obsession, and familial duty. Patchett weaves in the enduring pull of place and memory, as the siblings frequently return to the house in spirit and action. The narrative is deeply emotional, focusing on how the past shapes the present. Ultimately, it’s about the bonds that endure even when a home is lost.
The Netherlands has become a second home to me this semester. I can’t wait to celebrate another Dutch holiday this weekend, and I hope that you have learned something new today or found a new read to celebrate Dutch culture. Happy Koningsdag!
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