By: Yuhendra.
...Geef mij maar Amsterdam
Dat is Mooier dan Parijs...
Dat is Mooier dan Parijs...
That happy song expressing how the Dutch love Amsterdam and proclaiming that the capital city of Holland is even more beautiful than Paris was loudly sounded from audio system set in some bars and side streets in Amsterdam on last Queen's Day, April 29. Hundreds people from other cities coming over with orange attributes over their bodies sang to jingle those familiar lyrics. Some of them marched with hands on each other shoulders.
This view was a part of jovial attractions in some streets and quarters in Amsterdam during the day that Dutch people call Koninginnedag. As the story goes, Amsterdam becomes most wanted place to visit on Queen's day. In truth, that liberal city offered more for those who wanted to have fancy celebration. Free markets with an abundance of various goods; from antique to made-in-China products, were everywhere. Sudden street artists performing multicultural shows gave the impression it was a place for a multi ethnic community. Restaurants spreading tasty international food aroma through their windows were ready to fill starving groupies' bellies. For those who like to swing and dance, loud electronic musics around the streets and parks were played on the stages. Well, just name it, Amsterdam got it!
What an unlucky coincidence for last April 29 the weather was being unfriendly. It was still cold with around 7-9' C. It was little bit sunny sometimes but the wind blew freezing air. As a matter of fact, Queen Beatrix decided to keep the holiday based on her mother, Queen Juliana's birth day which is on April 30 or 29 (if April 30 is on Sunday) due to the fact that her birth day, January 31, is in winter season. She considered it is not possible to have outdoor festivities during cold season.
And yet, the celebration must go on, no matter if Queen Beatrix herself had to go out with an umbrella avoiding rain to address the people. On that big day, in unexpected weather people could still laugh out loud enjoying the party as seen in Amsterdam.
In a mean time, a big flock of male gathered and made their own group. Noticing their custom and their gesture, apparently people would be absolutely sure they were a bunch of gay people. They were dancing under a stage bridging two buildings on Reguliersdwarsstraat following the rhythm of techno music. There were banners naming a gay magazine with a picture of semi nude six-packed young men. Free brochures of up-coming gay events were handed out and spread to the crowd by gay bars workers. Some gay couples hugged and kissed each other. Those who met new friends or addressed old colleagues initially traded furtive mouth kiss. They did not feel bothered by a few hetero couples joining the triumph of the glee.
In attire few people of that minority group were also distinguishing. They were so dare to wear unusual clothing that people would stare and take a look at them and understand they were queers. It would be obvious if there are three guys, one of them in tight t-shirt with big capital letter written “SUCK MY DICK” at the back kissing his friends' ears. A guy wearing a fur with rouge lipstick color and long orange artificial eyelids merely cheered the gangs. Or a man in his late thirties was dressed up in a monarchial queen style plus a queen-make-up look, unsuccessfully hiding he was a queer.
Yup, there they go! Queen's day is a happy day for everyone but for the queers in liberal Amsterdam, indeed it is a defining day of their existence.
This view was a part of jovial attractions in some streets and quarters in Amsterdam during the day that Dutch people call Koninginnedag. As the story goes, Amsterdam becomes most wanted place to visit on Queen's day. In truth, that liberal city offered more for those who wanted to have fancy celebration. Free markets with an abundance of various goods; from antique to made-in-China products, were everywhere. Sudden street artists performing multicultural shows gave the impression it was a place for a multi ethnic community. Restaurants spreading tasty international food aroma through their windows were ready to fill starving groupies' bellies. For those who like to swing and dance, loud electronic musics around the streets and parks were played on the stages. Well, just name it, Amsterdam got it!
What an unlucky coincidence for last April 29 the weather was being unfriendly. It was still cold with around 7-9' C. It was little bit sunny sometimes but the wind blew freezing air. As a matter of fact, Queen Beatrix decided to keep the holiday based on her mother, Queen Juliana's birth day which is on April 30 or 29 (if April 30 is on Sunday) due to the fact that her birth day, January 31, is in winter season. She considered it is not possible to have outdoor festivities during cold season.
And yet, the celebration must go on, no matter if Queen Beatrix herself had to go out with an umbrella avoiding rain to address the people. On that big day, in unexpected weather people could still laugh out loud enjoying the party as seen in Amsterdam.
In a mean time, a big flock of male gathered and made their own group. Noticing their custom and their gesture, apparently people would be absolutely sure they were a bunch of gay people. They were dancing under a stage bridging two buildings on Reguliersdwarsstraat following the rhythm of techno music. There were banners naming a gay magazine with a picture of semi nude six-packed young men. Free brochures of up-coming gay events were handed out and spread to the crowd by gay bars workers. Some gay couples hugged and kissed each other. Those who met new friends or addressed old colleagues initially traded furtive mouth kiss. They did not feel bothered by a few hetero couples joining the triumph of the glee.
In attire few people of that minority group were also distinguishing. They were so dare to wear unusual clothing that people would stare and take a look at them and understand they were queers. It would be obvious if there are three guys, one of them in tight t-shirt with big capital letter written “SUCK MY DICK” at the back kissing his friends' ears. A guy wearing a fur with rouge lipstick color and long orange artificial eyelids merely cheered the gangs. Or a man in his late thirties was dressed up in a monarchial queen style plus a queen-make-up look, unsuccessfully hiding he was a queer.Yup, there they go! Queen's day is a happy day for everyone but for the queers in liberal Amsterdam, indeed it is a defining day of their existence.
Photos; Yuhendra
You can also visit this story and other queen's day story in http://www.journalism.fcj.hvu.nl/index.php?id=5507
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