Bicentennial Festivities Start in Netherlands

Festivities marking the 200th anniversary of the founding of the modern Dutch state kicked off with the attendance of thousands of people, who braved cold and rainy weather in The Hague on Saturday.

Actors staged a re-enactment of the November 30, 1813 arrival of Prince Willem Frederik -- later King Willem I, the ancestor of current King Willem-Alexander -- at a Hague beach, followed by pomp and ceremony at the official opening of the celebrations at a medieval hall near the Dutch parliament.

Sequential Date 11/12/13 Momentous With Celebrations
It was a day for celebration, even marriage - at least for people who love numbers - as the calendar rolled over to 11/12/13, or November 12, 2013.

"Today, 200 years ago in 1813, the seed was sown for what would later become the Kingdom of the Netherlands," King Willem-Alexander said in a speech at the historic Knights' Hall, which stands cheek-by-jowl to the Dutch parliament in The Hague.

"Happy birthday," Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte added, saying Saturday marked the official birth of the modern Dutch constitutional monarchy.

Prince Willem Frederik's 1813 landing at the beach at Scheveningen, today a popular seaside suburb, is widely seen as setting in motion the formation of the modern Dutch state.

Landmark Rulings by US Supreme Court Trigger Celebrations Among Gays
With the US Supreme Court deciding in favor of same-sex marriage with two landmark rulings, there was a sense of celebration among gays and lesbians who expressed delight at the rulings.

The prince arrived there after 18 years in exile under French rule, which ended with Napoleon Bonaparte's defeat at the Battle of Leipzig a month before, in October 1813.

Napoleon's loss resulted in the destruction of much of what was left of French power in the Netherlands, Germany and Poland.

China's Catholics Gather in Shanghai Celebration
In a show of religious fervour permitted by the Communist-ruled state, thousands of Chinese Catholics gathered in Shanghai for a celebration to honour the Virgin Mary.

Prince Willem Frederik was crowned as King Willem I of the united Netherlands in 1815.

"Today we are celebrating what we've achieved over 200 years," Rutte said.

Celebrations Afloat In Copenhagen As Little Mermaid Turns 100
The 100th birthday of Copenhagen's Little Mermaid statue was celebrated with parties for children as well as grownups.

King Willem-Alexander, who took over from his mother, Princess Beatrix, in April this year and attended the ceremony with his wife, Queen Maxima, was presented a commemorative book. A classical orchestra then played a song composed for the occasion.

King Willem-Alexander remains the head of state, but the country is today ruled by decisions made by the Dutch parliament.

The bicentennial celebrations will continue on various dates over the next two years, ending in September 2015 in the Dutch capital Amsterdam, organisers said.

The calendar includes festivities on Saint Martin, which together with Curacao and Aruba forms part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Caribbean.

Source-AFP