As I mentioned earlier, Dutch people love to get together with family and friends. Do you remember what the word gezellig means? This word is used to describe a variety of situations, such as small gatherings in someone's home or fun celebrations.
With Halloween approaching in America, I asked a lot of students and co-workers about holidays in the Netherlands. One particular tradition stood out from the rest, Dutch Carnaval. This is a wacky and wild week-long celebration where all community members, such as friends, family, the elderly, children and foreigners, gather together in the streets. Daily life comes to a halt because everyone takes part! If you attend Carnaval, you must wear a costume. The tradition of dressing up in colorful outfits dates back to the early days of the festival. Wearing a costume allowed for social role reversals. Basically, everyone could be who they wanted to be! Additionally, if you walk down the street during Carnaval, you will hear lots of interesting Dutch music. This music is full of unique sounds that incorporate the local dialect. This means that the songs use the form of language specifically spoken in the south. Finally, there is a grand parade full of floats that reflect the creativity and imagination of the southern Dutch people. It’s a celebration that should not be missed!
