The festivities have died down, the firework rubbish has been cleared away (in some places at least), peace has been restored and we’re all ready to tackle whatever the new year throws at us.
But before you get too comfortable with this new year there is something you should be aware of in the Netherlands. You may have already noticed since midnight struck on the 1st January that anyone Dutch you come into contact with puckers up as they approach you, armed with a grin whilst joyously wishing you a ‘gelukkig nieuw jaar’ or ‘beste wensen voor 20XX’.
The beginning of January means a lots of cheek kissing and hand shaking in the Netherlands. This will continue until you have been through your friend and acquaintance list once.
Once February rolls in you are on safe ground again and the kissing stops.
And you can get on with your year.
Until carnival hits.
Pronkzitting
When January hits, it’s time for the pronkzitting.
Our first experience of a pronkzitting was in 2018. Before moving to the east of the Netherlands we had never lived anywhere that celebrated carnival. It’s not something that the Randstad embraces.
Tip: Read 9 Ways Life Has Changed Since Moving from the West to the East of the Netherlands
The only thing I knew what that it was carnival related. We had no idea what to expect but we were told it’s gezellig, social and fun. There’s song and dance and humour, we were told.
More importantly we had a babysitter for the first time in I don’t know how long. There was to be adults there and drink involved so we decided to give it a go! There was be a lot of Achterhoeks spoken so believe me when I say I was welcoming the alcohol with open arms.
Did it live up to what we had been told?
Let’s just say we got home around 6am. The rest of the weekend was lost. And we haven’t done it since.
What Happens at a Pronkzitting?
It’s basically an evening’s entertainment of music and comedy but the main purpose is to choose the new Carnival Prince or Princess and their assistants for the coming year. It’s a big deal for those who dearly wish to be Carnival Prince or Princess.
There’s a youth version too. Without the alcohol and the late, late night.
Carnival in February
Carnival gets going in the village in February. There’s a procession and more partying.
Over to You
Ever been to a pronkzitting? Does your part of the Netherlands celebrate carnival?
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