Keukenhof looks to Germany for its annual theme

THE theme for Keukenhof 2011 is ‘Germany: Land of Poets and Philosophers’ and will include highlights such as various inspirational gardens with a German twist. The flowering bulb mosaic of the Brandenburg Gate incorporates more than 100,000 bulbs and a special theme route.

The official opening will be performed by Mrs Bettina Wulff, wife of the German President Christian Wulff and, despite encountering severe winter weather in The Netherlands, there is a lot of organic activity going on under the ground at Keukenhof near the town of Lisse.

Around seven million flower bulbs have been planted during the past months and as spring breaks, these will provide the traditional colourful splendour of the world-famous international flowering bulb exhibition.

For several years now, Keukenhof has chosen to feature a different theme country each season.

In 2008, China was chosen as the central theme to celebrate the Olympics in Beijing in that year. In 2009 the USA was featured in honour of the Henry Hudson NY400 year with the theme ‘USA, New Amsterdam – New York, 400’.

Last year Russia was highlighted with the theme ‘From Russia with Love’ while for 2011, Keukenhof stays a bit closer to home.

From Thursday, March 24 until Friday, May 20, the focus will be on Holland’s eastern neighbours with the theme ‘Germany: Land of Poets and Philosophers’.

The most popular draw at this year’s Keukenhof is sure to be the flower bulb mosaic of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.

Moreover, work is currently underway to complete the inspiration gardens with a German feel and the special 11⁄2 km (approximately 1.3 miles) themed route meandering throughout the park.

Another highlight in this theme year is the Holland-Germany Experience, an exhibition at the Juliana Pavilion in which the many aspects of German-Dutch solidarity will be expressed.

Image, light, sound and decor will make this exhibition a truly special experience.

There are also some great activities going on during the opening such as the regional flower parade on Saturday, April 16, a traditional Dutch costume festival from April 1-3, the Summer-Flower Bulb Market from April 8-10 and a colourful Vincent van Gogh’s Flower mosaic on display from April 21-25.

Keukenhof was originally the herb garden (‘keuken’ means kitchen in Dutch) of the Countess of Holland, Jacoba van Beyeren (1401-1436).

In 1840, the horticultural architects Zocher, a father and son, designed the park that forms the basis of the current Keukenhof. They also designed the noted Vondelpark in Amsterdam.

Since the park opened in 1949, over 43 million people have visited the Keukenhof. It has become one of the most popular attractions in Holland, attracting people of all ages.

The nine week exhibition in 2011 promises visitors a unique ‘spring experience’, with thousands of tulips, hyacinths and daffodils in bloom alongside other carefully selected spring bulbs.

The Keukenhof opens to the public on March 24 daily from 8am to 7.30pm and the ticket office stays open until 6pm.

The entrance fee is €14,50 for adults and €7 for children.

The gardens can be reached by car or by train and bus and combination tickets are available when travelling by bus from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.

For more information about the Keukenhof visit www.holland.com or www.keukenhof.nl