QUEEN'S DAY (1 may 2004)
Yesterday we had Queen's Day here in Amsterdam, or as it is called in Dutch: Koninginnedag.
Koninginnedag is quite a special day in Amsterdam. So special that lots of people come here from other cities to watch all kinds of performances and for the vrijmarkt -- which means free market.
Queen's Day is the only day of the year that people may use the street to sell things or give performances without a licence.
Originally, 30 April was the birthday of queen Juliana, who died a few weeks ago. The present queen - Beatrix - was born in January. But not many people would like to celebrate Queen's Day - with all its outdoors activities - in January.
So the tradition to celebrate Queen's Day on 30 April was continued after Queen Juliana abdicated in 1980.
The queen's family name is Oranje. On Queen's Day many people wear orange outfits:
One of the most popular places on Queen's Day is Amsterdam's Vondelpark . At the Vondelpark you'll find children with their parents, who sell their old toys, clothes and books:
You'll see many children playing on violins, saxophones and other musical instruments, hoping to get some financial reward for their artistic performances:
Strange things indeed are done to get money. Some people will allow things to be thrown at them for money, like this one with cream waffles:
I saw some children who let people stroke their rabbit in exchange for a small fee:
There were people who said they could disclose the future with the help of Tarot cards:
At the end of the day, people usually pack their things and go home. But some just go away ... leaving everything on the street.
