On Saturday, 26 June thousands of veterans from all over the country will descend upon The Hague to take part in the sixth annual Dutch Veterans Day. Although Dutch Veterans Day focuses on acknowledging and showing appreciation for war veterans, the event also features many activities that are fun and exiting for everyone. There will be festivities at Malieveld, a huge parade and a ‘fly past’ of many different kinds of jets, airplanes and helicopters over the Hofvijver.

Parachuting in the Hofvijver

In order to warm up the audience, ten parachutists will be touching down in the Hofvijver on Friday, 25 June at 13.00. right in front of the prime minister’s office tower. Don’t miss it! Your best vantage point if from the Korte and Lange Vijverberg.

Parade and ‘fly past’

Veterans Day on 26 June will be officially opened in the Ridderzaal followed by a colourful parade of veterans and paratroopers around The Hague’s Hofvijver. H.R.H. Prince Willem Alexander will take the salute from the parade on the Kneuterdijk. The procession will include 3,500 ex-servicemen and women with an additional 800 current servicemen and women, historical and modern military equipment and 13 military bands marching along.

During this parade the Royal Dutch Air Force will perform a spectacular ‘fly past’ from Malieveld towards the Hofvijver in both modern and historic aircraft.

The parade route will start at 13.10 from Malieveld and go along the Korte and Lange Voorhout to Kneuterdijk. From here a number of tribunes will line the route. Hereafter the route will proceed via the Hofweg, Spui, Kalvermarkt, Fluwelen Burgwal, Herengracht and the Prinsessegracht, back in the direction of Malieveld. (Click here for the map.)

Festivities at Malieveld

Between 9.30 and 19.00 Malieveld will form the nucleus of the Dutch Veterans Day festivities. Visitors can meet veterans, take part in sporting activities and look at all kinds of exhibitions. Children can knock themselves at Kamp Kids and in the activity park with a climbing tower and an F-16 cockpit.

There will also be a large stage at Malieveld for the Veterans concert. The first block of concerts will start at 15.30. with performances by singers Danny de Munk, Karin Bloemen, Tante Lien and Blue Diamond Riem de Wolff. At about 17.00 hrs. the musical entertainment will move to the large stage with the Volendam-based band De 3JS and an amazing performance by Ilse DeLange. At 18.45. DJ Isis will close Dutch Veterans Day 2010 with her multimedia show.

Road closures

Residents of The Hague should bear in mind that most of the city centre will be closed off for the day’s events. Parking will also be prohibited in a number of streets.

More information

For additional information and the full programme visit the website of Dutch Veterans Day.

The Hague Festivals

Dutch Veterans Day is just one of the many events being organised as part of The Hague Festivals, three weeks packed with cultural, musical and entertainment events for both young and old from 10 to 27 June 2010. Check the website www.thehaguefestivals.com  for more information.

Information: DenHaag.com

Images: Marius van Leeuwen, Frans Kouwenhoven, Henny J. Boxen and Wiebe Arts for Dutch Veterans Day 2009

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