King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima during an earlier visit to Drenthe. Photo: Marcel Jurian de Jong
Orange tompouces, orange streets, flea markets bustling with activity and King Willem-Alexander and his family visiting Emmen this year. For many Dutch people, King’s Day is a highlight of the year, a day to party and enjoy together.
But King’s Day is also accompanied by some controversy. It is quite a job for the host city to make the arrival of the Oranges a safe and carefully organized spectacle. Emmen has also invested heavily in this: with a budget of 2.3 million euros, this Drenthe edition is the second most expensive King’s Day ever.
Despite the discussion about the costs, King’s Day is also a celebration with an important value. Experts emphasize that it is the most inclusive and widely celebrated holiday from the Netherlands. In a time of individualism, King’s Day offers a moment of connection and solidarity.
What do you think? Is the celebration of King’s Day unnecessary, or of important value to our society? Participate in the Statement of the Day and give your opinion.
Tags: Statement day Celebrating Kings Day important Netherlands
