Abdication

In about six weeks Queen Beatrix will abdicate and a photo exhibition about her life is to be seen in the "Beurs building" in Amsterdam.

During her 32 years as Queen she has met many famous people, but is was funny to see presidents and prime ministers come and go but she is still there.

But  Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain doesn't give up yet.

Birthday

Today is the 75th birthday of Queen Beatrix. As a tribute to her, a national competition was organized to make a piece of art of her. Yesterday it was on television and it was so nice to see how creative people can be. More then 2200 people had made something and the 80 best are exhibited in a museum. Queen Beatrix herself is a sculptor and this young boy called "Jantje Beton" (John Concrete) is made by her for an organisation to help children in (concrete) cities to go out and play. She was not a Queen yet at that time.

This little sculpture,  made by Lilian Wessels is one of the 2200 participants of the competition. I think it is a very funny link to the other sculpture, but it didn't made it to the exhibition by the strict jury. For me she is the winner.

If you are interested in all the different entries have a look here

Abdication

The biggest news here was the announcement of the abdication of our Queen Beatrix yesterday. After 33 years she will leave the throne to her son Willem-Alexander and his wife Maxima. The Queen held a speech on television to tell the people herself her resignation. I tell you more about tomorrow, have to go now.

Our future King after 123 years of Queens in the Netherlands.