Canada’s Special Relationship with the Netherlands
Tulips pop up every spring in Ottawa. These beautiful blooms are a unique thank you gift from Canada's close friend, the Netherlands.
The sacrifices made by Canadian soldiers are remembered and deeply appreciated in the Netherlands to this day.
Canada's Role in Liberating the Netherlands in World War 2
During World War II, the Netherlands was heavily occupied by Nazi Germany. The Dutch people endured severe hardships, including hunger and brutality during the occupation.
Canadian forces played a pivotal role in liberating the Netherlands from Nazi control. The First Canadian Army, alongside British and Polish units, spearheaded this effort in 1944-1945.
Significant battles like the Battle of Scheldt and the liberation of Dutch cities such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Utrecht were crucial in freeing the Netherlands.
The sacrifices made by Canadian soldiers are remembered and deeply appreciated in the Netherlands to this day. Monuments and annual commemorations pay tribute to the fallen and celebrate the friendship between the two nations.
Queen Juliana and the Birth of Princess Margriet in Ottawa
As the war raged, the Dutch royal family took refuge in Canada. In 1943, Queen Juliana gave birth to Princess Margriet in Ottawa Civic Hospital.
To ensure Princess Margriet could claim Dutch citizenship, the maternity ward where she was born was temporarily declared international territory. This act further solidified the close bond between Canada and the Netherlands, symbolizing hope and solidarity during dark times.
In gratitude for Canada's help during the war and the warm refuge provided to the royal family, the Netherlands began sending tulip bulbs to Canada annually starting in 1945.
Every year, the Dutch Royal Family and the people of the Netherlands each send 10,000 bulbs to Ottawa, planted in two flower beds in Ottawa. One bed, at the Ottawa Hospital, Civic Campus, pays tribute to the birth of Princess Margriet.
Canada Tulip Festival in Ottawa
Every year, the Dutch Royal Family and the people of the Netherlands each send 10,000 bulbs to Ottawa, planted in two flower beds in Ottawa.
These bulbs bloom into spectacular displays of tulips every spring in Ottawa, forming the centerpiece of the Canadian Tulip Festival. This festival attracts visitors from around the globe and stands as a vivid symbol of the enduring friendship between the two countries.
Held annually in May in various locations in Ottawa, particularly around Commissioners Park near Dow's Lake, the festival features tulip displays, cultural performances, fireworks, and diverse culinary experiences.
It serves as a vibrant celebration of international friendship, peace, and the beauty of nature.
It's incredible how these historical events and gestures have blossomed (literally, in the case of the tulip festival) into enduring symbols of friendship!