41–50 of 129 posts
As wiki says the current king took part in the last one (he wasn't a king yet back then). And he is very proud of it - all participants get a pin (elfstedenkruisje) and he wears it next to the other "medals" he has even for official occasions https://www.omropfryslan.nl/nieuws/248240-koning-draagt-elfs... EDIT: just to add: I'm not a royal bootlicker. I just think it's one of a funny wacky things he does. Like partic…
I've been using inline roller skates as my primary mode of transportation for the past month. The city I am currently in was clearly not designed for bike or skate traffic, but some newer areas are more accommodating. I've managed to do anything I would have used a car for, on skates. It certainly requires more logistical creativity, but it's a much more enjoyable experience and has no adverse environmental effects.…
This is kind of the equivalent of the Superbowl for the Dutch, but due to global warming it hasn't been held in 24 years. The previous longest interval was 22 years, so some people are starting to doubt whether it will ever happen again. Imagine if the real Superbowl wasn't held in 24 years due to global warming and may never happen again, perhaps then it would be more of a priority.
I don't think that is a good comparison. The Superbowl is held every year, but the Elfstedentocht has always been a rare event depending on extreme winter conditions. From the first event in 1909 until 1997 there have been 15 of them, with the longest break between 1963 and 1985.
This is kind of the equivalent of the Superbowl for the Dutch, but due to global warming it hasn't been held in 24 years. The previous longest interval was 22 years, so some people are starting to doubt whether it will ever happen again. Imagine if the real Superbowl wasn't held in 24 years due to global warming and may never happen again, perhaps then it would be more of a priority.
> Imagine if the real Superbowl wasn't held in 24 years due to global warming and may never happen again, perhaps then it would be more of a priority. Given how much of a priority climate change has been in the Netherlands... I don't think so. Though I guess part of it is because it wasn't a guaranteed every-year event in the first place, so it's not that much of a change.
This is an important point for those who don't live in The Netherlands. NL has done an amazing job of marketing how 'green' they are, but has been really terrible at addressing climate change or even hitting their own climate targets.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
I get your comparison to Superbowl to highlight the popularity to people abroad. A sibling mentions the football world championship. But other than popularity there's big differences. Both Superbowl and world cup are highly organized, highly commercial events, planned way in advance, where top athletes perform. The Elfstedentocht always comes unexpectedly. When there is a cold snap in the weather, a fever starts brew…
> As ice grows thicker people from all walks of life start to get involved to organize the event. This is not completely accurate. Sure, koek-en-zopie stuff might be organized by local restaurants or whatever, but the Elfstedentocht itself is prepared (almost) completely every single year. There is a whole foundation with internal hierarchy that oversees the process. The whole parcourse can be constructed on a 48 hou…
So do they get compensation?
The organisation behind it has already ruled there wont be an event this year no matter how thick the ice gets. But people get the “fever” every time the temperature drops below 0 Celcius. This happens every year, it’s a thing. Also because of next month’s elections some opportunistic/populistic partys are using this event as the hill to die on, hoping to catch some votes and ignoring what people might really be catc…
As some journalists have noted: the 'fever' shows up mostly below the imaginary line you get if you connect the cities of Alkmaar and Zwolle. That is, there is no 'fever' in the province of Fryslân (or Frisia in English) where the event is held and treasured most dearly. Here in the province people are resigned to the event not happening this year, due to a lack of decent ice and Covid. There will be plenty of skatin…
Well, at least the ice should be there, soon?
Earlier quoted context omitted.
If the weather allowed it, it would be a real shame to ban it due to Corona. Maybe it's possible to restrict the number of participants and spread them out more. And maybe also restrict or spread out the spectators. Of course it takes place over such a large area that it's impossible to police everything, but they can probably address the hotspots. But at the same time, it's such an iconic event, it may be hard to st…
It's not worth the risk. The organising committee has ruled out the event happening this year because of Covid and the risk of creating a super-spreader event.
As wiki says the current king took part in the last one (he wasn't a king yet back then). And he is very proud of it - all participants get a pin (elfstedenkruisje) and he wears it next to the other "medals" he has even for official occasions https://www.omropfryslan.nl/nieuws/248240-koning-draagt-elfs... EDIT: just to add: I'm not a royal bootlicker. I just think it's one of a funny wacky things he does. Like partic…
We are so proud. A real man of the peoples.
They were back the very next day due to the resulting commotion.
Another swathe of Dutchmen turned republican that day. Their popularity has taken a dive the past few years. (The sooner we get rid of this outdated institution the better.)
Earlier quoted context omitted.
> As ice grows thicker people from all walks of life start to get involved to organize the event. This is not completely accurate. Sure, koek-en-zopie stuff might be organized by local restaurants or whatever, but the Elfstedentocht itself is prepared (almost) completely every single year. There is a whole foundation with internal hierarchy that oversees the process. The whole parcourse can be constructed on a 48 hou…
"The waterschappen don't stop their pumps out of hospitality or something," So do they get compensation?
Presumably making the effort to allow skating is a vote winner. Even in places outside Friesland, when it looks like skating will be possible various authorities take steps to encourage ice formation by closing sluice gates and stopping boat traffic.
This is kind of the equivalent of the Superbowl for the Dutch, but due to global warming it hasn't been held in 24 years. The previous longest interval was 22 years, so some people are starting to doubt whether it will ever happen again. Imagine if the real Superbowl wasn't held in 24 years due to global warming and may never happen again, perhaps then it would be more of a priority.
Superbowl doesn't do it justice, it's much more than that.