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The Netherlands Culture and traditions The Netherlands

 
 
Area : 16033  sq.mi - Population 16000000 hab.
The Netherlands

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Culture and traditions The Netherlands

 Traditions and customs

Many countries celebrate Saint Nicholas's Day on 6th December, but the Netherlands are the only country to begin the festivities in November with a reconstruction of the bishop's arrival by boat, and all of this is aired on TV. On 5th December, in the afternoon, work and activity in the country is brought to a standstill as everybody goes home to celebrate and party in honour of the saint and give one another presents.
The Netherlands is the country where the most people ride bicycles, after China. There are roughly 14 million bikes for almost 16 million inhabitants and cycling has become second nature for the people and a very common way of transport (cycling lanes and bicycle rental shops are everywhere).
In January, when the days are cold and dark, everybody begins to ice-skate on the frozen canals. Elfstedentocht is a marathon which organizes an ice-skating tour through eleven cities of Friesland. Thousands of inhabitants take part or follow it in a festive atmosphere.

 To read, see, listen

guide Amsterdam-Rotterdam-The Hague.
Amsterdam. Lonely Planet.

books 'The Diary of Ann Frank', in paperback. The autobiographical account of a Jewish young girl, who lived in hiding to escape the Nazis.
'The Discovery of The Sky': H. Mulisch. The friendship of a Calvinist and a Jew whose mother had been deported.

movies
music The symphonies of Rudolf Escher, a 20th century Dutch composer.