FRANS MARJOLIJNLEMMENSVANSTEEDEN
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At a time when the rest of Europe was governed by feudalism, the marshy river deltas gave rise to some of the earliest forms of democracy, born out of the collective need to drain the land. The tolerance of dissent, while opportunistic in its origins, was much stronger in the 17th-century Dutch Republic than elsewhere in Europe.
It has been a fascinating challenge for us to illustrate these aspects of the Netherlands, along with many others. NL365 – A Year in the Netherlands showcases the versatility, dynamism and ingenuity of the Netherlands from January 1 to December 31. We hope you enjoy this photographic journey through our country.
In the following centuries the economy went from strength to strength, dominated by trade and shipping but supported by other industries such as fishing and agriculture. The country was able to exploit its position on the North Sea coast and at the mouth of three major European rivers. These factors continue to shape the Netherlands today. That is the subject of this book: the elements that make the Netherlands so quintessentially Dutch. Besides looking at the past, we face forward, focusing on economic activity and innovation. Our country enjoys high international prestige across a range of industries. Maintaining and strengthening our world leading position requires sustained investment by the Dutch government in developing technologies, such as protecting the land from the water and improving cultivation processes in greenhouse horticulture.
Think of a few themes that define the last thousand years of history in the Netherlands and you will probably come up with trade, water, survival, tolerance and partnership. The struggle to hold back the sea, the region’s oldest and most powerful adversary, has made the inhabitants of the Low Countries a resourceful, headstrong, creative and co-operative people.
Frans Lemmens and Marjolijn van Steeden welcome to the netherlands
1 January To celebrate the arrival of the New Year, thousands of Dutch people gather on the beach at Scheveningen on 1 January for the New Year swim in the cold sea water. a fresh start to the new year 14
17 amsterdam historic & modern ◃ 2 January Amsterdam, Central hall in the former diamond workers trade union building known as De Burght, designed by architect Hendrik. P. Berlage (1900). The Burcht is the oldest trade union building in the Netherlands. ▵ 3 January Light sculpture by Janet Echelman during the Amsterdam Light Festival, called ‘Tsunami 1.26’. The eye-catching artwork hangs over the Amstel river near the town hall and national theatre Stopera. ▿ 4 January NEMO Technology Museum by Renzo Piano. Following pages 5 January The National Maritime Museum. In front a replica of the 18th-century vessel ‘De Amsterdam’.
21 ◃ 6 January Ice skating on Keizersgracht in Amsterdam. The 17th-century canals have been added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. getting their skates on ▵ 7 January Classic skating scenes near the windmills of KinderdijkElshout, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Netherlands has established a leading position in international trade through its location by the sea and the presence of big rivers for transporting the goods further inland. 10 January Port of Rotterdam: three main commodities imported by ship: ore, container shipping, and oil / chemical products. The port is the gateway to 450 million consumers in Europe. January A huge container ship enters the port of Rotterdam, Europe’s largest port. 9 January Heavy shipping traffic on the Waal river at Nijmegen. trade across the water
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25 11 January Port of Rotterdam: cars ready for shipment. Every year 250 PCs (Pure Car Transport Carriers) arrive here with cars on board, which are then distributed throughout Europe via train and road transport. car jungle
27 ◃ 12 January Drifting ice on the IJsselmeer lake is contained by the Markerwaarddijk dam between Lelystad and Enkhuizen ▵ 13 January Capelle aan de IJssel. The closed Hollandse IJssel Flood Barrier, part of the famous Delta Works. Normally the pillars are lit in blue, but when it is closed, due to high water level, the pillars are lit in red.
dykes, dams & barriers
14 January A quintessentially Dutch winter scene in the Frisian city of Sloten. Traditional flat-bottomed freight vessels, called Skûtsjesilen.
Following pages 18 January The Skinny Bridge over the Amstel. Its sides are decorated with artwork by Titia Ex, with the title Appears@Amsterdam.
▿ 15 January A man in traditional costume parading an antique sled in the snow near the village of Oudemirdum in the province of Friesland.
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▵ 16 January A traditional ice-sailing yacht on the frozen Gouwzee Lake near Monnickendam. The first ice-sailing yachts appeared on Dutch waters in the 17th century.
▿ 17 January Hindeloopen, on the eastern shores of IJselmeer lake. A man on skates pushes his son on an antique sled that they found in the attic.
when the ice sings and cracksscenic friesland
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33 ▵ 20 January Aalsmeer, Royal FloraHolland, the largest flower and plant auction in the world. The Netherlands is the world’s largest exporter of ornamental plants. ◃ 19 January National Tulip Day in Amsterdam. The official start of the tulip season at Dam Square in front of the Royal Palace takes place on the third Saturday in January. People can pick the tulips for free. The Royal Palace was built between 1648 and 1655. In the 17th century, this palace, which was then still the City Hall, was the largest secular building in the world, reflecting the free-thinking character of the city. the world in bloom
