Carnaval na Holanda

Por Steef Fleur • Holanda

Carnaval is widely celibrated in the Netherlands, but not, like many would probably expect, in Amsterdam. In the south of the country, what someone for the capital would call “below the rivers”, every year whole (small) cities turn into carnaval cities. For the occasion cities get a different name and all cities have their own traditions that change throughout generations. In ’t Kielegat (normally known as the city of Breda) the mayor traditionally hands over the key of the city on the first day of carnaval to Prince Carnaval. A chosen citizen that will be master of ceremony throughout three years, he plays a key role in the parades and parties during the four days of carnaval.

Carnaval in “t Kielegat means walking form bar to bar and square to square, dressed up like someone else. In the older days, boys would set up a “Dweil Band” (freely translated: A mopping band), with that band they would walk from bar to bar and from square to square.

“De Holle Vaten” (freely translated: The Hollow Barrels) started their band 45 years ago as young boys. Back then they were in school, they loved fooling around and party. Throughout the years two of them even became price Carnival of ’t Kielegat. Nowadays all have good functions and turned into proper gentleman. But once a year, four the four days of Carnaval (although some don’t make it for the full four anymore), they become young boys again and wander the streets of ’t Kielegat, playing in bars ad on the streets.