For most of us tulips represent a colourful sign of early Spring. All the different colours and varieties bring a needed burst of joy after the long winter. But politically, tulips are a sign of friendship and gratitude from the Netherlands to Canada.
During WW ll Canada sheltered the Dutch royal family. Nine months pregnant, Dutch Crown Princess Juliana and her family came to Ottawa. This pregnancy created a unique problem. According to Canadian law, all babies born here automatically become Canadian citizens, but according to Dutch succession law, a prince or princess must be born on Netherlands soil. To settle this dilemma the Canadian government passed a special bill to declare the maternity ward of the Ottawa Civic Hospital under the government of the Netherlands. On January 19th,1943 Princess Margriet was born on “Dutch land”.
In 1945 at the end of the war where Canada had liberated the Netherlands, Princess Juliana presented Canada with 100,000 tulip bulbs as a gesture of gratitude. Every year since then this gift has been generously given with Princess Margriet continuing her mother’s tradition.
Every May Ottawa hosts the largest tulip festival in the world attracting over 500,000 visitors. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, this year’s festival (May 12-24, 2021) will be a virtual interactive experience. For information go to: www.tulipfestival.ca
Meanwhile, enjoy these colourful blooms that symbolize friendship and gratitude!
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