topics

tools

editor's choice

Insights into Dutch sexulality

Listing of international schools in the Netherlands

Guide to public transport in the Netherlands

Expatica countries

Index	Last	Var.(%)
BEL 20	2618.4	-0.04
DAX	8197.08	-0.39
IBEX 30	8098.3	-1.00
CAC 40	3839.34	-0.55
FTSE 100	6348.82	-0.40
AEX	351.08	-0.00
DJIA	15269.15	-0.32
Nasdaq	3474.84	-0.21
FTSE MIB	16045.52	-0.94
TSX Composite	12317.01	-0.41
ASX	4841.8	0.98
Hang seng	20986.89	-1.13
Straits Times	3213.79	-0.49
ISEQ 20	641.91	0.29

You are here: Home

Life in

Blogs & photos

Orange shocked

Blogs & Photos

15/06/2006Orange shocked

Expat blogger Dutched Pinay explores why the Netherlands has embraced Oranjegekte for the duration of the World Cup. Sadly, Portugal knocked the Netherlands out of the competition.

Inspecting the neighborhoods of Utrecht last week proved to be an interesting and entertaining experience. I came across many houses and gardens dressed and decked out in fiesta style. Besides the Dutch flag, prominent props that are seen everywhere, especially in the suburban areas, were pennant banners, balloons, garlands and streamers - all of them shockingly orange!

Orange in my opinion has never been an easy color to manage and adopt. Not many people are brave enough to wear such a color, let alone decorate their homes and neighbourhoods with it. But not here in the tiny, flat and low Netherlands.

I learned about this orange phenomenon very early on in my relationship with the Dutchman. In order to locate each other quickly, during one of our airport rendezvous, he told me over the telephone that he would be wearing the Dutch national color, orange.

Uh, what? National color, did he say?

Of course this curious cat further enquired --- Why on earth does the Netherlands have a national color? This got to be the first country I have heard of that has one? And, why such a bold color as orange? Why not the colors of your flag?

The quick answer the Dutchman gave me: Willem van Oranje [William of Orange], the father of the Dutch Royal Family.

Okay, his last name is really Orange?

This is something new to me. This is definitely not on the same league of patriotism that I normally see with many countries; “royalism” perhaps.

With this new homage classification coined, I expect the Dutch to argue, saying that the orange color is not just the sole depiction of royalty nowadays, but instead, of the whole country.

A good reasoning the Dutchman once gave me is this – Orange is a distinctive, loud and intimidating color. It stands out in any crowd, it gets attention. This, he said, could explain why the Dutch have adopted the color as prime national representation, especially during international football matches.

As an expatriate in this country, and even though my partner is Dutch, I cannot identify myself with the color, yet. Perhaps in due time I will, who knows... I should say though, that this Orange spirit is indeed fun and unique!

Here are some of the Orange phrases I have heard, read and encountered with.

Oranjegekte – Orange Madness

Oranjegevoel – Orange Feeling

Oranjekoorts – Orange Fever

Oranjefeest – Orange Feast

Oranjestemming – Orange Mood

Oranjevirus – Orange Virus

Oranjepret – Orange Fun

Oranjestijl – Orange Style

Oranjeziekte – Orange Sickness

Oranjeeuforie – Orange Euphoria

Oranjesfeer – Orange Atmosphere