NY400 lands in New York
Four hundred years and six months after Henry Hudson left Amsterdam, New York gets another taste of Holland as the NY400 celebrations touch down in the former New Amsterdam with concerts, Dutch cuisine, free bike rides and a visit by The Prince of Orange and Princess Maxima.
NY400
Henry Hudson left the Port of Amsterdam in 1609 in search for new lands, six months later he sailed into what he would call the Hudson River (sure, slightly egotistical but what discoverer wasn’t.) What is now New York was once New Amsterdam and over the 400 years in between the two cities have shared a history and a kinship now honoured with the NY400 celebrations.
New York's turn
During April Amsterdam was a buzz with Yankee-related parties, exhibitions and shows. Now, New York enjoys the shared experience as the city that never sleeps goes Dutch with the NY400 week, 8-13 September.
Royal arrival
In official celebrations, Mayor Bloomberg and Senator Clinton welcome their Royal Highnesses Prince of Orange and Princess Maxima for the unveiling of the New Amsterdam Plein and Pavilion, a gift of friendship from the Netherlands to New York designed by Dutch architect Ben van Berkel. Even the Governors Island ferry is painted with the I amsterdam pride.
City highlights
There are loads of events going on around New York as the Dutch paint the town orange.
Take a bite out of the Big Apple with Taste NiEuW Amsterdam where participating restaurants are offering $24 meals – the price that Manna-hata, or Manhattan was bought for.
Do like the Dutch do and head to Bike & Roll Rental Booth at New Amsterdam Village (a mock-up township with windmill, canal houses with Dutch food and produce to sample and a stage for musical acts) at Bowling Green Park to rent a Dutch bike for free and cruise the city. Leaving from the Bike Kiosk are bike tours of green park and downtown Manhattan.
Continuing on the bike theme but exemplifying both city’s passion for design and innovation is the New Amsterdam Bike Slam, as designers and planners tackle a redesign for the city, to make NY bike-friendly.
Likewise Pioneers of Change takes Dutch design, fashion and architecture to Governors Island(pictured right) with socially responsible frame of mind over two long weekends, 11-20 September.
ING presents New Island Festival’s DJ Dance Event with Dutch superstar DJ Armin van Buuren (above) at Governor’s Island, 12 September, 13:00-17:00.
The celebrations are happening all over the city with fantastic events to suit every person’s interest.
For more information, visit NY400.
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