Dutch Culture

Cheese, clogs, windmills, Van Gogh and tulips are some of the most famous icons of Dutch culture.

• CHEESE: Holland is the country of the true cheese eaters. Dutch Cheeses exists in many types and sizes, one even tastier than the last. Dutch cheese not only is delicious, but healthy too: it is rich in healthy protein and naturally contains a lot of calcium.

•  CLOGS: One of the most original items to take back home from Amsterdam are clogs, Holland's traditional wooden shoes. Clogs date as far back as 1367, probably even older, and have been worn as daily footwear ever since. Clogs are made of balsa-white poplar wood. Traditional clogs are painted yellow with a red pattern.

•  WINDMILLS: Windmills  have always played an important part in the life of Holland and its inhabitants, forming a unique element in the Dutch landscape of wide plains, far horizons, glittering canals and floating clouds.

• VAN GOGH: Van Gogh (1853 –1890) was a Dutch post-Impressionist painter whose work, notable for its rough beauty, emotional honesty and bold color, had a far-reaching influence on 20th-century art.

• TULIPS:  Tulips are one of the most popular flowers in the world. They are easily recognized and loved by all people for their simplicity, beauty and elegance. They are colorful, lovely and classic. Tulip flowers are associated with the spring and incredibly popular during the spring months.

Besides that, Holland has so much more to offer.

Music and dance

Holland  has  multiple musical traditions ranging from folk and dance to classical music and ballet. In the 21st century people with an African or Middle Eastern background have also had a profound effect, most notably in hip hop and rap.

 Architecture

The first significant period of Dutch architecture was during the Dutch Golden Age roughly beginning at the start of the 17th century. Due to the thriving economy cities expanded greatly. New town halls and storehouses were built.

At the end of the 19th century there was a remarkable neo-gothic stream or Gothic Revival both in church and in public architecture.

During the '50s and '60s a new generation of architects like Aldo van Eyck, J.B. Bakema and Herman Hertzberger, known as the ‘Forum generation’  formed a connection with international groups like Team 10.

From the '80s to the present Rem Koolhaas and his Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) became one of the leading world architects.

The Role of the Family

The Dutch see the family as the foundation of the social structure. Families tend to be small, often with only one or two children. Relatively few women work outside the house full-time as compared to many other cultures. This allows mothers to be more available to their children throughout the entire day.