Shapeways may have its HQ in NYC, but we’re an international company, born in the Netherlands and Dutch to the core. That’s why today is one of the biggest holidays of the year: King’s Day. But what is King’s Day? EU Community Manager Ruud van den Muijzenberg shares the holiday lore.
As a Dutch citizen, born and raised, I’ve grown up celebrating Queen’s Day on April 30 in honor of our former queen, Beatrix. When her son, King Willem-Alexander, ascended the throne in 2013, the national holiday was moved to his birthday, April 27, and renamed King’s Day. For me, beyond all the festivities, this day represents a moment of union within a proudly diverse country. Let’s take a closer look at this important part of Dutch culture.
King’s Day (and Queen’s Day, and, further back, Princess’s Day) dates back to 1885. On this day, the birthday of the current Dutch King or Queen is celebrated throughout the country. It’s well known for the open outdoor markets where people participate in a kind of country-wide rummage sale, the dress-to-impress Orange Craze, and for massive dance parties in larger cities like Amsterdam, Utrecht, and (our hometown) Eindhoven. The dance industry plays an important role in the Netherlands, since a huge percentage of globally recognized DJs and dance event organizers originate here, naturally it plays an important role during King’s Day. Being a DJ myself, playing any King’s Day event is always an honor — and incredibly satisfying, since one of your most important roles as DJ is to unify your crowd.
King’s Day in Eindhoven
In the center of Eindhoven alone, over 250,000 people gather to unite in orange every King’s Day. From events at the former Philips plant Strijp-S to open markets on the Philitelaan. And from a small carnival in one of the suburbs to huge dance events on every square in the city center. It’s always incredible to see the main square in front of city hall turn entirely orange. Main roads within the Eindhoven city center are closed for traffic, and it got so busy one year that trains even stopped running between Eindhoven and Amsterdam!
Stadhuisplein Eindhoven, one of many squares that host events during King’s Day. Source: This Is Our House.
Origins of King’s Day
The holiday began back in 1885 as Princess’s Day, in honor of the fifth birthday of Princess Wilhelmina. Wilhelmina became queen in 1890, so the Netherlands celebrated the first Queen’s Day on August 31, 1891. In 1949, Queen’s Day moved to April 30 to honor Queen Juliana, Wilhelmina’s daughter. Juliana was succeeded by her daughter, Queen Beatrix, but she didn’t move the celebration to her birthday, which was in January.
Queen’s Day Becomes King’s Day, Confusion Ensues
Beatrix stepped down on Queen’s Day in 2013, replaced by her son, King Willem-Alexander. The national holiday was then moved to his birthday on April 27 and renamed King’s Day.
DJ Armin van Buuren performed at the inauguration of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima in 2013.
The Dutch know that our national holiday moved to April 27 several years ago, but many tourists still find that out the hard way, arriving dressed in orange and expecting to party on April 30. Sorry folks, but you missed that party boat (and a lot of actual party boats). If you’re planning to come celebrate this year, please make sure to show up on April 27.
If you get here too late, just hide your orange clothes and pretend nothing happened.
Fully orange on the wrong day. Source: Metro.
Orange Craze
Orange Craze, or Orange Fever, is a phenomenon that dates from way back in the 16th century. Orange became the color of the Dutch Royal Family after Willem van Oranje-Nassau inherited the van Oranje title (and land) from his first cousin. Willem provided crucial leadership during the Eighty Years’ War against Spain. After the victory, Willem became the leader of the Dutch Republic, and his children followed in his footsteps.
After that, Orange Fever took hold on any holiday celebrating the monarchy, and remains, even in a world where the monarchy has little power, a powerful symbol of national unity. On these days, citizens around the country dress in orange and sometimes decorate their houses and offices, too. And, after Dutch football fans wore orange during the 1934 World Cup in Italy, the Orange Craze also became a tradition during big sporting events.
The Irenestraat in Goirle during the 2012 European Football Championship. Source: NOS.
Wearing orange brings a sense of pride and union despite our individual differences — feelings the world could use more of.
Happy Koningsdag to all!
Dutch DJs Sunnery James and Ryan Marciano perform with King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima. They wore V-MODA headphones, which you can customize with 3D printed shields by Shapeways.