During lockdown, free flowers handed out to mark Tulip Day

Robert Besser
18 Jan 2022, 22:17 GMT+10

As stores in Amsterdam and across the Netherlands cautiously reopened after a COVID-19 lockdown, thousands of free bunches of tulips were being handed out
National Tulip Day is held each year to celebrate the start of the growing season for the iconic flowers, a major export for Dutch farmers
But with pandemic lockdown measures continuing to restrict large public gatherings, organizers went to Amsterdam's World Heritage-listed canals to hand out their flowers

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands: As stores in Amsterdam and across the Netherlands cautiously reopened after a COVID-19 lockdown, thousands of free bunches of tulips were being handed out.

National Tulip Day, held each year to celebrate the start of the growing season for the iconic flowers, a major export for Dutch farmers, is usually marked by an improvised flower garden in front of the royal palace on the capital's central Dam Square.

But with pandemic lockdown measures continuing to restrict large public gatherings, organizers went to Amsterdam's World Heritage-listed canals to hand out their flowers.

Arjan Smit, chairman of Tulip Promotion Netherlands, an association of hundreds of Dutch growers, said, "It is a gloomy and uncertain time for many people with the ongoing pandemic. So we are going to provide some joy. We hope to create many happy faces by handing out tulip bouquets," as reported by The Associated Press.

In 2021, Royal FloraHolland, a Dutch flower and plant auctioneer, saw record sales of $6.4 billion due to higher prices for plants and cut flowers.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Scandinavia Times.

More Information

7 ℃

Fair in Stockholm/Bromma

Europe

Section

Croatia passes law paving way for switch to euro currency

ZAGREB, Croatia: Croatian lawmakers have voted to allow the introduction of the euro currency in 2023. Lawmakers voted 117-13 to ...

Ireland protests Israeli police brutality, demands independent investigation into Abu Akleh's death

DUBLIN, Ireland - Foreign Minister Simon Coveney has condemned "disgraceful scenes of police brutality" at the funeral of Al Jazeera ...

Turkey voices reservations about Sweden and Finland being members of NATO

ISTANBUL, Turkey - Veto-wielding NATO member Turkey is voicing opposition to Sweden and Finland joining the alliance, with Turkish President ...

Ending long dispute, Google, EU agree on payments for online news

BRUSSELS, Belgium: Three years after the adoption of the landmark EU copyright rules, Google is set to pay 300 publishers ...

Civilian deaths in Ukraine far more than published figures, says UN

GENEVA, Switzerland: Matilda Bogner, head of the United Nations human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine, has warned that the number ...

Annual bill for electricity 250 euro higher in Ireland than elsewhere in European Union: report

Dublin, Ireland: Irish homeowners pay €250 more for their electricity each year than do homes in the EU.A study has ...

International

Section