Pentecost

In the Netherlands we enjoy a lot of holidays compared to some other countries, and one of the nicest is the extended Pentecost weekend. Overall the weather is great this time of year, and there are some fun things to do, especially for the young people here.

In the North-West of the country kids celebrate Luilak, freely translated it means Lazy Ass. While the grown ups enjoy their day off by staying in bed and sleep longer, the kids get up early and roam around making as much noise as they can. They sing songs, blow horns, and tie cans behind their bikes to make sure no one will be sleeping that morning. They also make a mess by smearing butter and eggs on windows and doors. The older kids make an even bigger mess by making big fires, light fireworks and acts of vandalism.

No, she didn't get married, she is waking up the Lazy Asses!

In many Dutch towns Spring Festivities take place. There are markets, music, and the local Shooter's Guilds show off their flag waving and drinking skills. These Shooter's Guilds are recreational clubs for men who dress in Medieval city guard costumes. Every year they have shooting contests where the best shooter is made King of the guild. Also the guilds compete with each other on bigger contests with shooting and flag waving. Their most popular past time activity is drinking, since the women are not part of the guild so they can party hard without the nagging of their wives who want them to go home.

A Shooter's Guild King, who won another silver plaque by killing the badly made fake bird

The best Pentecost (Pinksteren, in Dutch) event however is Pinkpop. Since 1965, the best rock festival is organized in the utter south of the Netherlands. Musicians from all over the world come to play here, and the audience enjoys two days of great performances. During the night they camp on the Pinkpop campsite, so they don't have to worry about finding their way home after smoking pot, doing XTC and drink all the time. XTC (or MDMA) is not legalized here, but to make sure the kids are safe while using it, there are XTC testing stands at mayor parties and festivals where kids can have their drugs checked so they know they are taking the good stuff, without being arrested.

The Pinkpop Festival terrain in the utter South of the country, where you can see one of the few hills we have on the left

The Pinkpop festival will have some big stars again this year, like the Rolling Stones, Metallica, Epica, Gogol Bordello and many more. Like every year the highlights of the festival will be aired on TV, and that's where I will enjoy this years Pentecost again, without long waiting lines for the bar and the toilets, and under a steady roof in case of rain. 

Well, sometimes it does rain here...