Dutch Embassy in Ankara celebrates King's Day

By Dilara Hamit

The Netherlands’ Embassy in the Turkish capital Ankara on Thursday hosted a celebration of the upcoming Koningsdag or King's Day.

Koningsdag, which traditionally marks the sitting Dutch monarch’s birthday, is on Saturday, the day King Willem-Alexander turns 57.

The event was hosted by Ambassador Joep Wijnands and attended by foreign and Turkish dignitaries, including Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek.

“We are here tonight to celebrate the birthday of His Majesty King Willem-Alexander,” said Wijnands, who expressed his delight at being in the Turkish capital.

On the prominence of orange at the celebration, he explained: "Our king’s family name means orange, which explains our preference to dress in orange on occasions like this.”

He then thanked the guests “for participating in this tradition and showing your creative touches of tonight.”

“I wanted to welcome you here surrounded by a sea of tulips, but due to the side effects of global climate change they are yet to bloom, unlike the friendship between our nations,” said Wijnands.

He also announced a special concert by a Dutch Turkish musician to be held in Ankara on July 26.

In his speech, Simsek thanked the Dutch people for their support after the Feb. 6 twin earthquakes that devasted southeastern Türkiye last year.

“Türkiye and Netherlands have much to celebrate. We have so much common history. We have a history going back to the 16th century,” he said.

He also praised the Netherlands for being the top foreign direct investor in Türkiye.

“We (always) welcome Dutch businesses and enterprises … I know there’s been some challenges over the past few years, but hopefully those challenges are behind us,” he added.