The Dutch Ambassador’s residence, adorned with paintings by Vincent van Gogh and sunflowers – among the most recognizable symbols of his work – recently hosted King’s Day. Guests arrived dressed in orange, while Dutch Ambassador Marisa Gerards and her husband, Peter Knoope, led the way. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, attended as the chief guest.
Before the evening moved into music and celebration, guests were invited to notice subtle references to Van Gogh across the venue.
The night had a Caribbean touch of music
Mirroring the multicultural society of the Netherlands, the food spread brought together Turkish, Moroccan, Surinamese, Dutch, and Indian influences. Highlighting the Caribbean connection that came through in the evening, the Dutch ambassador said, “Our kingdom includes the Netherlands, Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten, and we wanted to bring in that heritage as well, with a Caribbean touch.” (L-R) Dutch Ambassador Marisa Gerards and Jitendra Singh, MoS (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology. “We need trusted friends to withstand the geopolitical and geoeconomic challenges the world faces today,” said Gerards.Have tried to capture Dutch unity and identity at this event: Dutch AmbassadorWelcoming guests, Marisa Gerards spoke about celebrating King of the Netherlands Willem-Alexander’s 59th birthday and the spirit of the day, saying, “It is a day when the Netherlands turns orange – we bake cakes, organize games, and celebrate together.” She added, “We have tried to capture Dutch unity and identity through food that has, over time, become part of our culture. Communities with Indonesian, Turkish, Moroccan, and Indian roots are all part of this story, and the menu reflects that journey.“
