Queens Day Renewed Salsa Celebrations after Terrorist Attack

Tonight and tomorrow, (April 29 and 30, 2010) the Netherlands and the international Dutch community will celebrate Queens Night and Queens Day. April 30 is the birthday of Holland’s late Princess (Queen Mother) Juliana. The Dutch Salsa Society is preparing to party all night and day to make up for the national tragedy, which occurred during last year’s celebrations in Apeldoorn (The Netherlands). 

On April 30, 2009 Karsten T. drove his car, a Suzuki Swift, right through a large crowd in his attempt to crash against the Royal Bus in which a large portion of the Royal Family was sitting. His ‘blitz attack’ failed:  he crashed against the monument ‘De Naald’ (‘The Needle’) before he could hit the bus. But his own demise and failed terrorist attack had a high price: seventeen persons passed away due to serious injuries. The whole nation grieved and the organizers of many festivities, including Salsa Parties, cancelled the celebration.

This year the security to protect the Royal Family is high. Yesterday (Thursday April 29), Her Majesty Queen Beatrix unveiled a monument at the spot in Apeldoorn to commemorate the onslaught. All the members of the royal family were present at the spot where hundreds of people laid flowers for the victims last year. The monument stands near the intersection of Chasse / Loolaan, and in the direct vicinity of the column where the tragedy occurred. 

Tomorrow Her Majesty will visit Apeldoorn again, but in “the way we are accustomed” the Major said. “It cannot be that one person makes a claim on the celebration of this day for the coming years in Apeldoorn”. 

There are many Salsa Parties all over the country. One of the most original is the Salsaboot Queens Prom Salsa Party, held in De Esch in the city of Rotterdam (The Netherlands) on Queens Night (tonight). La Grande Salsa (‘Steve The Orga’) organizes a prom, where every lady will be asked to fit the Crown. The organization is searching for the modern Cinderella (mother, carreer woman, lover). Every lady that fits the crown will be Queen for one night. 

Tomorrow it will become clear if the Dutch are ready to celebrate the birthday of their late and still very popular Princess Juliana. Last year many thought the Queens Day celebrations would never be the same again. The press has been reliving every detail of last year’s tragedy for the past few days. Queen Beatrix will also visit the city of Middelburg, where enhanced and very tight security measures have already been diploid. Her Majesty’s resilience and strength serves as inspiration for a nation longing for things to go back the way they were before Karsten T.’s egocentric action aimed against the Royal House of Orange.  

The real problem Holland now faces is the tons of garbage and litter lying on the streets after the heavy celebrations. The Sanitation Department announced of them joining the strike of the Cleaners Unions. The cleaners of many major facilities are striking for months demanding higher wages.  

Tickets for the Salsaboot Queens Prom Salsa Party can be reserved on : www.stevetheorga.com