15 typical elements

1. DIKES AND POLDERS

For over two thousand years the Dutch have been working to hold back and reclaim land from the North Sea. A significant part of The Netherlands is below sea level, the lowest point is 6,7 meters below sea level. Because of this, water has been the cause of a lot of destruction throughout Dutch history. But from this a vast amount of knowledge was obtained about water management and development.

Dikes were built to hold back the sea and stay the floods, but a big disadvantage was that it limited access to the sea. The dikes however caused new land to be created behind them, the reclaimed land is called a polder. These polders are often below sea level and need drainage and pumps to remain dry. This is where windmills came in, to provide power. Nowadays most windmills are replaced with electric or diesel pumps.

The dikes and polders are an essential part of the typical Dutch landscape and provide for beautiful scenery, a variety of wildlife and vegetation, and of course kilometres of beautiful bike paths.

2. BIKES, CARS, TRAFFIC IN GENERAL

Safety in traffic is a priority in The Netherlands. The first thing that strikes you when you cross the boarder is the traffic situation. Roads are in a great condition, especially compared to Belgium. Cars have strict speed limitations and they are to be followed or you will surely receive a fine from one of the many speed cameras. On top of this, the number of speed bumps never ceases to amaze me.

The most poignant however is the number of bikes. There are thousands of cyclists and they are literally everywhere, no matter the weather! Long distances are a challenge, not a problem. There is a total length of 19.000km of bike paths, compared to 2.000km of highway. Safe and separate pathways, bike crossings and parking-lots are provided all over. But never put your bike anywhere without a padlock on top of the normal bike lock, because bike theft is the number one crime in The Netherlands!

3. WINDMILLS

When riding your bike along the countryside, windmills are an undeniable part of the Dutch horizon.

The windmill helped transform the 17th century area of the Zaan into the first industrial region of the world. In the era prior to the introduction of the steam engine this part of Holland was dependent on wind for its prosperity, together with timber. In the first heyday of the Zaan region the trade in timber and the exploitation of sawmills were the twin pillars of its economic success.

Volunteers nowadays work in this region to guide the people around, pass the knowledge and keep the tradition alive. Last year, 2007 was even the year of the windmill.

We got to see a video that shows how windmills are still constructed in the traditional way today. It’s incredible to see how much wood, hard work, knowledge and time goes into building one windmill. There are many types of windmills with different functions and we got to visit a fully functioning wood sawing mill.

The Dutch no longer depend on the wind for their livelihood, only a fraction of the windmills are still in daily use. The 1100 remaining mills have nevertheless helped uphold the reputation of the Netherlands as the windmill capital of the world.

 4. CLOGS

The clog is a basic part of the traditional attire, together with long skirts, crocheted bonnets and ‘kraplappen’ (a type of collar treated with starch). Clogs were once worn by the vast majority of Dutch people. There were skating clogs, football clogs, bridal clogs and even smuggler’s clogs. During winter, they were filled up with straw to keep the feet warm.

Even though, the wooden shoe probably originates from France, it is another trademark symbol for the Netherlands. On the tour to the west we got to see how the Dutch make their wooden shoes. Machines made one in two minutes. Imagine when people had to use a hammer and chisel, it must have been a painstaking activity. After the machines did there work, the man just thudded the clog and water, surprisingly gushed out.

Although the Netherlands are now unclogged, a million clogs are sold annually. The clog business relies on tourism. Manufacturers have their hands full, clogs decorated with humorous sayings, a dope-smoking peasant girl or polka dots appear in every souvenir shop.

5. TYPICAL HOUSES vs. FUTURISTIC ARCHITECTURE

The Netherlands is a paradise for those who love historic cities. Small scale inner cities full of historic homes with masonry and striking façade crowns, lined with canals and greenery, entering by the typical stairways in front of the house. There are too many places with the traditional houses, all over the country, to mention. But many of the 7,150 national monuments and 500 listed buildings can be found in Amsterdam, along the city’s many canals, making the city centre not only a must-see for architecture buffs, but also a visual delight for the layman.

However, the Dutch are also trendsetters in modern architecture, its Mecca is Rotterdam. Spectacular modern buildings and bridges, parks with artwork, fountains, … The ‘90s reinforced The Netherlands’ trendsetting reputation, there has been praise all round for one of the world’s most famous architects, Rem Koolhaas. He built the Kunsthal exhibition centre (1992), among other structures, in his native Rotterdam. The city also saw the creation of the impressive Erasmus bridge in 1996, linking the south shore of the Maas with the city centre.

Berkel’s design was at the same time a link to the 21th century, when Dutch architects will continue to attract international attention. Dutch building tradition is surprisingly rich and diverse, if you just look around you.

6. THE TOILET

Read: Cultuurschok deel2
 

7. THE GATEWAY TO EUROPE

From a tiny room, we travel to Rotterdam harbour. As the third largest harbour in the world, it is a symbol of the economic prosperity of the Netherlands. The New Waterway connects Rotterdam to the North Sea. It is a busy shipping lane, which is deep enough to accommodate even the largest ships.

Export is the most important activity, only ten percent of the products is for the Netherlands. The Dutch also have the title of being the third largest agricultural exporter in the world, so most of the export are agricultural products. Which makes it rather peculiar that only two percent of the inhabitants work in this sector.

The tangle of ships, containers and hoists at the harbor, moving around hundreds of goods, made me figure out how complex our economy is; we are not able to realize it in our everyday shopping at supermarkets, which need to be supplied with thousands of products that come from the industries, which, on their turn search for their raw-material in near sites and also in the farthest places of the planet, involving thousands of transportation routes and ships in an organization that we have never imagined.

8. DUTCH MASTERS

The 17th century is generally regarded as the high point in the history of Dutch painting. The prosperity of this Golden Age helped Dutch painting flourish. Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Gogh however died in poverty. Now their work sells for astronomical sums of money.

In the many museums across the country you can visit an incredible diversity of exhibitions. Contemporary, temporary, … The Dutch masters are however always present in the museum’s collection and proudly lay the foundations of an artistic heritage. Often the museums themselves are architectural masterpieces and certainly worth the visit.

The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam is the biggest art and history museum in the Netherlands. It is especially strong in 17th-century Dutch art, including 20 works by Rembrandt. There is also a collection of Asian art. In total, the museum owns close to a million objects.

The Boijmans Museum in Rotterdam first opened in 1849 and is home to one of the most important art collections in the world. It has an extensive collection of prints and drawings, and the department for applied art and design enjoys an international reputation. Modern art is represented by artists including the surrealists Magritte and Dali.

The Mauritshuis in Den Hague houses a world-famous collection of 17th-century Dutch paintings. Johannes Vermeer is well represented there, as are other Dutch masters, such as Jan Steen, Frans Hals and Rembrandt.

Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) painted his entire oeuvre in just ten years, from 1880 to his suicide in 1890. The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam also has works by Van Gogh’s contemporaries Gaugin, Monet and Toulouse-Lautrec.

9. TULIPS

In Dutch gardens you often find another icon of the Netherlands, the tulip.

Haarlem is nicknamed the nation’s flower city, or in Dutch ‘Bloemenstad’, it has been the historical centre of the tulip bulb-growing district for centuries. Did you know that most flowers sold worldwide come from the Netherlands? Already in the 1630’s Haarlem was a major trading centre. Nowadays Haarlem is still the leading trader in tulips. In the springtime people from all over the world marvel at the blooming bulb fields to the south of the city. A definite postcard image.

In the past however, tulips weren’t that common and reserved for the rich. At one point ridiculous prices were paid for the bulbs. The wealthy displayed their opulence by putting tulips in outrageously expensive, Delft porcelain, tulip-vases.

10. DELFT

Delft is a beautiful historical town, with grand buildings and romantic canals but most of all, Delft is renowned for it’s porcelain. Delft’s blue-and-white pottery is the best known and most characteristic type worldwide.

We visited the factory and discovered why the prices are so high. The biggest part of the work is craftsmanship and one third of the merchandise is rejected before ever reaching the store. A lot of the materials break during the process or are put aside because of an imperfection. In the factory’s extensive souvenir shop the Dutch sense of humour, culture and art is reflected in the diversity of porcelain objects. From traditional tulip vases to Miffy merchandise and smoking pipes to clogs and platters with Vermeer’s ‘Girl with the pearl earring’, you can find more in porcelain then you would expect …

In Delft you can also visit the Vermeer-centre and go on “a voyage of discovery through the life, the work, and the city of the master of light, Johannes Vermeer (1632 – 1675)”. This legendary Dutch painter will be remembered for his ‘Girl with the pearl earring’ amongst many others.

If you would like to see Delft in the Golden Age or meet other Delft Masters, the museum ‘Het Prinsenhof’ is the place to be. ‘Willem van Oranje’ (1533 – 1584) stayed there from ’72 until he was shot in this very building. The two legendary bullet holes in the wall still represent this historic tragedy.  

11. FOOD

The Dutch have their own specific and very diverse food culture. The most known articles are the cheese and the fish. In the supermarkets it is almost impossible to chose from the entire wall of cheeses. On market days there are many merchants and on every square you will find fish and chips. The haring, ‘maatjes’ and eel (‘paling’) are very popular in the Netherlands and loudly praised by the vendors.

When you ask people here about the food, fast food, (f.e. ‘kroket uit de muur’) always gets mentioned as well. People often eat on the go or behind their desk and bringing your sandwiches is standard practice. But if you don’t have time to prepare your lunch, you can always go to one of the many bakeries here. Dutch apple pie and cheesecake are delicious and there is a wide variety of unknown treats to choose from, from ‘tompoezen’ to ‘vlaai’, a typical custard pie of which there are too many types to choose from!

12. METHOD SCHOOLS

The Dutch government funds both public and private schools, provided they meet certain standards. There are schools of every religious denomination and many, like Montessori schools, that are based on educational philosophies.                                                                               
In the classroom, children from different backgrounds come in contact with one another. Like the workplace, school is an important environment for social integration.

In the Netherlands, most children begin primary school at the age of four. Compulsory education starts a year later. For kids in primary school it is very uncommon and unlikely to get homework. The biggest difference with Belgium, were I feel children are sometimes too soon subjected to stacks of work.                                                                                                                              
 After primary school, children move on to one of several types of secondary school, including pre-vocational secondary education (VMBO, four years), senior general secondary education (HAVO, five years) and pre-university education (VWO, six years).                                                        
Secondary school students, more then ever, need to work together on assignments. Secondary education is not just about transferring knowledge and skills, but also acquiring the right attitude and values.

13. TOLERANT, LIBERAL and OPEN-MINDED SOCIETY

The Netherlands is known for its tolerance. The country was frequently a haven for refugees facing persecution in their own countries, and the principle that everyone has the same rights is legally established.

In many respect The Netherlands is more liberal than most other countries, making the country an earthly paradise for some, a modern Sodom and Gomorrah for others. Prostitution in designated ‘work areas’ and the sale of soft drugs in coffeeshops are examples of tolerance policies.

The Dutch population is strongly multicultural. That must have something to do with the Dutch climate of freedom and respect in which every person is seen as an individual, regardless of colour or creed. What’s more, this society, to me, stimulates to try and discuss, understand and unravel everything that might be labelled as ‘taboo’.

14. HOUSEBOATS ON THE CANALS

Amsterdam has the largest canal system in the world and the most bridges of any European city. With their ancient bridges, houses and narrow streets, they lend an historic charm to towns and cities.

Living on the water is a dream of many. In The Netherlands it is not that uncommon, especially in Amsterdam. The enchanting canals are famous, partly because of the variety of houseboats that are there. It is amazing how some of them are designed and decorated, some have classic lanterns at the front door and gardens on deck, while others are very sleek and modern.

In a lot of towns and villages you will also find a harbour with motor and sail boats. Frequently you see traditional wooden sailboats between the others, but expensive yachts are a rarity. In summer the lakes, rivers, polders and wetlands make for beautiful camp surroundings and a lot of people spend their holidays by the water.

15. ORANGE

The Dutch monarchy has mostly folkloric significance. Few cherish the Orange dynasty, but even fewer in the Netherlands want to get rid of the monarchy. Once a year, the country dresses up, on Queensday, and the royal family is a source of unity and communal celebration. On the Queen’s birthday, she visits demonstrations of old-fashioned sack-races and lace-making. The party ends in fireworks and for many in a hefty Orange hangover.

When the Dutch football team plays a major tournament, the country succumbs to orange fever. Entire neighbourhoods are decorated with orange garlands and flags, and residents watch television in the street. Dutch football enjoys a strong reputation, mainly due to the Dutch national team and the success of Ajax. The former Ajax player Johan Cruijff is in any case the most famous Dutchman in the world. He nowadays steals the show with his virtuoso use of language and earned his place in history with sublime dribbling techniques and was blessed with a superior football-brain.

24-04-2008 om 00:00 geschreven door janne