NEW YORK, Nov. 16, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) --
Ongoing until 2008:
THE MASTERPIECES - RIJKSMUSEUM, AMSTERDAM
Highlights of the Golden Age: wonderful dolls' houses, a treasure-trove of silver, the most beautiful Delftware, magnificent militia paintings and, of course, the famous paintings by Jan Steen, Frans Hals, Vermeer and Rembrandt. Over 400 masterpieces tell the impressive story of the political, economic and artistic wonders of the Golden Age.
Throughout 2006:
REMBRANDT 400 - AMSTERDAM, LEIDEN AND THE HAGUE
In 2006, Holland will celebrate the 400th birthday of Rembrandt, Dutch master painter of the 17th century. His birth year will be commemorated with an unique program of exhibitions and events throughout Holland. For all events and exhibitions visit www.rembrandt400.com.
Throughout 2006:
PANORAMA MESDAG: 125TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2006 - THE HAGUE
Well worth visiting is the cylindrical painting, Panorama Mesdag, with the view of the sea, the dunes and the old village of seaside resort, Scheveningen. It is the largest panorama in Europe, still at its original location.
October 1, 2005 - March 26, 2006:
PILGRIM TREASURES - HERMITAGE, AMSTERDAM
The Hermitage Amsterdam will present a very unusual part of the large collection of the Hermitage in St Petersburg. The fourth exhibition in the Hermitage will show almost 200 unique works of art taken by pilgrims from the Holy Land.
December 17, 2005 - April 17, 2006:
INDONESIA - THE DISCOVERY OF THE PAST - NIEUWE KERK, AMSTERDAM
The exhibition Indonesia - The Discovery of the Past consists of more than 300 Masterpieces, from the largest and finest collections of museums in Leiden and Jakarta, many of them never exhibited before. www.nieuwekerk.nl.
March 10-19, 2006:
THE EUROPEAN FINE ART FAIR - MECC, MAASTRICHT (TEFAF MAASTRICHT)
In March 2006 Maastricht, the oldest town in Holland, will once again host TEFAF Maastricht, the greatest art and antiques fair in the world. Only the most illustrious of the world's art and antique dealers - nearly 200 eminent dealers from 14 countries - are invited to exhibit at TEFAF.
March 23 - May 19, 2006:
KEUKENHOF GARDENS, LISSE
Every spring, the Keukenhof Gardens are a feast for the eye. Over 7 million tulips and other bulb flowers are in bloom, covering an area of 80 acres. As 2006 is the Rembrandt year, you will be able to admire a 13 x 20 ft masterpiece: a self portrait of Rembrandt, made of 60,000 flower bulbs, blooming in mid-May.
April 22, 2006:
FLOWER PARADE, NOORDWIJK
The Dutch version of California's Tournament of Roses Parade! Featuring hundreds of thousands of flower petals sculpted into an array of amazing creations and fantastic floats. From Noordwijk to Haarlem. Theme this year: Masterpieces.
April 27 - September 17, 2006:
SILVER WONDERS FROM THE EAST. FILIGREE OF THE TSARS - HERMITAGE AMSTERDAM
After the 16th century, silver objects in filigree found their way to the West. European rulers displayed their collections in special cabinets. But almost all these collections have been lost, dispersed or melted down. The only one that has been preserved is that of the Tsar Peter the Great and Tsarina Catherine the Great.
April 30, 2006:
QUEEN'S DAY; THE QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION - HOLLAND
Queen Beatrix's birthday celebration is an annual countrywide party that's not to be missed. Enjoy the world's largest flea market in Amsterdam, musical performances and nonstop, good-natured fun wherever you go.
May 13, 2006:
NATIONAL WINDMILL DAY - THROUGHOUT HOLLAND
Holland celebrates National Windmill and Pumping Station Day. Well over 600 windmills, water mills and pumping stations throughout the country are open to the public on this day. Millers give demonstrations of their activities in and around the mill.
June 2-25, 2006:
HOLLAND FESTIVAL - AMSTERDAM
This 58th annual, month-long celebration of the arts features the best of music, theater and dance in superb venues throughout Amsterdam.
July 14-16, 2006:
NORTH SEA JAZZ FESTIVAL - AHOY, ROTTERDAM
One of the highlights of the European cultural season! In 2006, the 31st North Sea Jazz Festival will move from The Hague to Rotterdam. More than 200 concerts feature top jazz musicians as well as blues, soul, R&B, crossover and world-music artists, plus numerous student ensembles.
August 4-6, 2006:
GAY PRIDE PARADE - AMSTERDAM
No Gay Pride Parade in any other city compares to Amsterdam's - in spirit, spice or entertainment. What's more, it takes place on the city's canals!
October 21, 2006 - January 28, 2007:
BRUEGHEL AND RUBENS, A WORKING FRIENDSHIP - MAURITSHUIS ROYAL PICTURE GALLERY, THE HAGUE
It is relatively unknown that many Dutch and Flemish paintings from the 17th century were painted by more than one artist. They are often outstandingly beautiful works of art. The collective paintings of the leading Antwerp artists Jan Brueghel the Elder and Peter Paul Rubens are some of the best works in this genre.
November 19-26, 2006:
PAN AMSTERDAM - RAI, AMSTERDAM
The RAI in Amsterdam hosts this Annual Art and Antiques Fair, featuring a myriad of intriguing finds and rare delights.
November 4, 2006:
MUSEUM NIGHT - AMSTERDAM
Amsterdam will once again celebrate Museum Night. More than 40 museums and institutions will open their doors from 7 pm until 2 am! All museums will organize special events.
For more information visit: www.holland.com.