Holland set for milestone year
Holland is set for an unforgettable 2013. Beginning in January, a number of the country’s cultural icons and museums will mark milestone anniversaries, plan special exhibitions and events, and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Holland. The milestone year has helped the capital city of Holland, Amsterdam, to be named the world’s second best city to visit in 2013 by Lonely Planet. Other Dutch cities, like Rotterdam, Utrecht, and The Hague also have reasons to celebrate. Among the highlights of the anniversary year in Holland are: !!! 400th year anniversary of the renowned canal ring in Amsterdam, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (pictured); !!! 40th anniversary of the Van Gogh Museum; !!! Reopening of the national museum, the Rijksmuseum; !!! 125 years of the Concertgebouw and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra; !!! 175 years of Artis Zoo; !!! 100 years of the Frans Hals Museum in Haarlem; !!! 100 years of The Peace Palace in The Hague; !!! 200 years of the Kingdom of The Netherlands; !!! 300th anniversary of the Treaty of Utrecht. As the canals in Amsterdam are a focal point of the celebrations, many events will take place right on the city’s famed canal district. The official kick-off for Amsterdam 2013 will begin in the second week of January with a special concert series at the Concertgebouw. (http://www.holland.com)
