#aph neth

[ask-aph-netherlands]

The januarpic looks more like he is thinking about hanging himself

Dutch cultural heritage:The Elfstedentocht is a 200 km skating race set on natural ice in the province of Frysia. It’s an important Dutch cultural phenomenon and completing the track gives the participant a heroic status. However in order to be able to skate the track the ice needs to be thick enough to cary all the participants. In recent years due to global warming the ice hasn’t been thick enough for a long time. The last elfstedentocht was twenty years ago. In 2012 it got really close, even though there was a lot of skating fun that winter it just wasn’t enough for an elfstedentocht.  

Some of the Dutch fear they might never see another elfstedentocht again… It doesn’t stem them very cheerfull. 

((Text in image: If I never get to run an elfstedentocht again, I just might ‘yknow…)) 

[ask-aph-netherlands]

Okay, so, I don't know much about the Netherlands, but, do you have a favorite holiday? ((Also, your Netherlands is super cute!))

As the personification of the Netherlands, I hold all my holidays and traditions very close to my heart. Even if my citizens sometimes forget where a holiday came from, or some traditions go into disuse. As an imortal though I have a long memory of them all. I hope people will not forget them as they make me who I am.That said if I had to choose a favorite… Despite all recent developments it has to be Sinterklaas. The Sinterklaas period lasts a couple of weeks and contains many different traditions. It’s sort of odd that as a Protestant country I never stopped celebrating the life of this saint, but he’s just that important to me. Every year the good Saint arrives per steam boat. Tons of children gather to welcome him. I always make sure to go. The children recieve candy and wave flags and we sing songs. 

In the period after, children can put out their shoe a couple of times. They put it underneath the chimney and sing songs. If they’ve been good they’ll recieve candy or a small present.Then finaly on the 5th of December, there’s a bigger celebration with tons of gifts! I’ve celebrated this holiday ever since the 1300′s. It’s changed a bit over the years but some elements are ages old. 

[ask-aph-netherlands]

Visit Original Link

 Fijn Sinterklaasfeest gewenst

Zie de maan schijnt door de bomen Zie de maan schijnt door de bomen Makker staakt uw wild geraas ‘T heerlijk avondje is gekomen, ‘T avondje van Sinterklaas Vol verwachting klopt ons hart, Wie de koek krijgt wie de gard. Vol verwachting klopt ons hart, Wie de koek krijgt wie de gard! Oh wat fijn zal ‘t zijn te spelen, Met die bonte harlekijn. Eerlijk zullen we alles delen, Suikergoed en marsepein. Maar o wee wat bittere smart, Kregen wij voor koek een gard. Maar o wee wat bittere smart, Kregen wij voor koek een gard! Maar ik vrees niet dat wij klagen, Vader, moeder zijn zo goed. Ook al waren we ‘t niet alle dagen, Vele waren wij toch zoet! Ban dus blij de vrees van ‘t hart, ‘k wed d’r licht geen enkele gard. Ban dus blij de vrees van ‘t hart, ‘k wed d’r licht geen enkele gard!

[dargais]

Yeah!

[mezzogiornovargas]

let go off Lovino!!!

Ha hahaha!!! Ik heb wel betere dingen te doen.