Colors of Rotterdam - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Rotterdam is the second largest city in the country and the largest port of Europe. From 1962 to 2004, the Rotterdam Port was also one of the busiest in the world, until Shanghai intercepted this title. Rotterdam is often called the city of architecture - several square kilometers in the center of Rotterdam are built up with the most modern and futuristic buildings of the 20th century, which you can only imagine. In addition to numerous interesting museum in the city, there are seven original Dutch windmills.

Local residents possess good skills in finding the compromises, respecting and taking into account the interests of the parties in the course of the dialogue or negotiations. You can formulate the essence of the Dutch mentality in one phrase: everyone can act as he sees fit until this does no harm to others. The consequence of such a national desire for consensus is apparently the legalized prostitution in the Netherlands, light drugs, same-sex marriages, and euthanasia.

People of Rotterdam like are economical, pragmatic, practical and punctual as Germans. The Dutch are known for their cult of cleanness and order. Throwing out garbage twice a week, they sort and pack it into special plastic bags, which must be put in a strictly defined place not earlier than the evening before the departure and no later than six in the morning. If you make a mistake with the container and, for example, the used batteries are in the glass tank, do not be surprised at the police visit that vigilant neighbors will cause, accusing you of causing damage to the environment. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Rotterdam is the city of holidays. It may seem that various events pass here every day. In the period from January 21 to February 21 in the Chinatown of Rotterdam, locals together with tourists celebrate the New Year. This bright event is accompanied by fairs, performances, dances, and fireworks, so it is definitely worth a visit. In early March in Zuiderpark, you can enjoy one of the brightest and colorful spring events - the Holi Festival. During April, the city of Rotterdam turns into the territory for numerous venues, where residents celebrate the Day of the King. On the eve passes the King's Night, when all the bars, clubs and pubs organize fantastic thematic parties and invite famous DJs. While walking on the central streets of Rotterdam, you will enjoy various street concerts and performances. And do not forget to visit the flea markets.

In July, Rotterdam hosts the North Sea Jazz festival, which is the world's largest jazz event on the closed ground. In late July, the city turns into one large dance floor. The reason for this is the festival called Rotterdam Unlimited. Dancers, musicians, theater actors turn Rotterdam into one big stage and in the midst of this colorful action choose the queen of the summer. In August, all the visitors of Rotterdam will have the chance to spend few weeks on the open-air Pleinbioscoop cinema festival. The event takes place in the park of the Boymans-van Böningen Museum. During the festival, you will enjoy not only modern movies but also ageless classics, like Casablanca or the God Father.

Rotterdam is very beautiful during the fall. In the first weekend of September, the city hosts Port Days or Wereldhavendagen. Within a few days, you can get acquainted with the inner life of the port of Rotterdam, which is inaccessible to the townsfolk. You will be offered to visit the cargo terminal or the breakwater, to get on a military ship. Near the river, tourists will enjoy the parade of ships, demonstration performances, boat races, and the grandiose salute, which finishes the holiday. In mid-November, local people start preparations for Christmas and New Year holidays. Various fairs start also their work, where you can buy astonishing Christmas tree, and other holiday attributes. December 25, the Dutch celebrate Christmas, and on New Year's Eve at midnight from the Erasmusbrug bridge, people launch a colorful salute. At 3 am, all the New Year's magic disappears without a trace along with the walking crowds of people who scatter over nightclubs or return home to get a good night's sleep before a new working week.