NETHERLANDS NUGGETS

Not a Lot to See… But a Good Place To Be

Delfzijl helps to experience a relative calm in an urban setting

De Diekloper, a relatively recent wooden bridge [All the photographs are owned by the author. Not to be used without permission]

Amsterdam is among the world’s most popular tourist destinations. Those who frequent this Dutch metropolis will be aware that every five years the capital welcomes hundreds of historical ships from all over the world to Sail Amsterdam, the greatest nautical spectacle in the world. However, few will be aware of the second-largest event of its kind in the Netherlands.

DelfSail 2024 has recently got over. The seventh edition of the nautical event, and the first since 2016, took place in the city of Delfzijl, in the northeastern part of the Netherlands. For the uninitiated, Delfzijl is among the top five ports in a country historically known for its shipping and maritime trade.

Having got to know that the theme of DelfSail 2024 is The legacy of the Seven Seas, in a reference to the previous editions and also indicative of a connection between people and shipping in the past and present. While not there for the main event, we happened to visit Delfzijl weeks prior, in the run-up to DelfSail 2024, and the excitement was palpable.

We could see every office, every shop being a party to the related promotional activity. It is without doubt the…