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By Fledermaus
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01 May 2008 |
Yesterday it was Queen's Day. Looking at the orange mass, it's obvious on which side the majority of the population stands when people question the monarchy... Maybe the republicans should scratch their heads and wonder who they represent... Of course this is about the Dutch monarchy. I do know some of you are very critical about the British one. 1918, Troelstra's mistake The man should have known better. Did the statue not yet stand? 1625, De Witt... Just outside the Inner Court For politicians to see A warning sign to them all: Oh republicans, beware! For the people want oranges. |
Written by Josie (2785 comments posted) 1st May 2008 | | Oranjegekte - I have been reading a bit about it, but you know Fledermaus, many people won't know much about this, so why don't you write an interesting article about it in the non fiction side, and tell us what did you do yesterday? Sell your orange poems, or were you dressed in an orange clown's dress - - or something more interesting? I'll look forward to hearing more about this occasion. |
Written by Fledermaus (3301 comments posted) 1st May 2008 | Haha. Thanks Josie.
Well, actually I used the day off to clean up a little. And watch the TV to see how the queen and her children ware visiting Friesland. Something you should see I think, for I can't imagine the British queen having a great time in a similar way. Somehow the way in which the queen is welcomed in the villages seems almost the same as how st. Nicholas is welcomed. It's all a bit clumsy, but exactly that gives it its charm...
Maybe next year, when my life is a bit more quiet I will go and celebrate again myself. |
Written by mia_ms_kim (1019 comments posted) 1st May 2008 | As Josie said, I didn't really understand the poem because I don't know enough about its background. But it's good to hear of royal families that are loved and welcomed by their nation. (Are they very different from British royal family?)
Mia  | Something for the Non-Fiction side Flede
Written by Josie (2785 comments posted) 1st May 2008 | | There you are Fledermaus. I wasn't wrong in suspecting that many won't understand your poem. Come on. You have every reason to write an interesting piece about the House of Orange, the Dutch Royal Family, and how your Queen of Holland differs from our Queen. How interesting. I really cannot wait to read all about it. It will be far more interesting than some of the material which is being put on this website at the moment. ha ha. |
Written by Phil (6730 comments posted) 1st May 2008 | I think a little background would help, but Google is never far away. Your intention is still clear without explanation. The Dutch want oranges - it seems the Brits want cabbages. The next in line to the throne here is as mad as a box of frogs.
Phil | Oranges & Cabbages & Frogs?
Written by mia_ms_kim (1019 comments posted) 1st May 2008 | Very confusing. I will google.
Mia  |
Written by Fledermaus (3301 comments posted) 1st May 2008 | Thanks Phil, Mia and Josie again :-)
Hm yes, I guess much of this is missed without some background. The piece itself is not really related to queen's day, just triggered by the display of how much people liked them, and a rather idiotic action of a republican organization on the brink of the holiday.
Troelstra was an MP who in 1918 declared revolution. Not many people took him very seriously and the next day, workers took the horses from queen Wilhelmina's carriage and dragged it themselves as a display of their loyalty and affection. So while Troelstra had wanted his revolution, it was clear that the common man wanted a queen.
Johan de Witt is a much sadder story, as he was quite a good politician during Holland's golden age (the 17th century), yet he was also opposed to the House of Orange and as a result he was killed by an angry mob.
All a bit heavy probably compared to the lighthearted cheerfulness of Queen's day, which has nothing to do with politics, but rather with the birthday of the former queen (juliana). |
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