I've been having so much fun enjoying springtime in Groningen that I forgot to update my blog for a couple of weeks!
So, what's been happening here in the North of the Netherlands? Well, for one thing, the spring bulbs are in bloom and they are gorgeous.
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| Crocuses blooming on my balcony |
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| Tulips, also on my balcony |
There have also been lots of other fun things happening in Groningen. In this blog post, I will share my photos from two recent special events - the Bloemenjaarmarkt and the Bierfestival Groningen.
Two weeks ago, on Good Friday, Groningen hosted the
Bloemenjaarmarkt. The Bloemenjaarmarkt, also known as the Bloemetjesmarkt, is a giant flower sale that attracts people from all over the Netherlands and Germany. There were flowers and small trees for sale everywhere - on the sidewalks, the streets, and the squares in the city center. It was a sight to behold!
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| The Bloemenjaarmarkt took over a portion of Groningen's city center on Good Friday |
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| Flowers could be purchased at very low prices |
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| Entertainment included a street organ with moving figurines |
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| Garden decorations were also well-represented at the Bloemenjaarmarkt |
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| There was even a flower auction! |
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| Evidence that people really do grow flowers in wooden shoes here |
Bierfestival Groningen was held last weekend in the Martinikerk, one of Groningen's most remarkable old churches in the city center. The festival brought together breweries from Europe and America, including a good representation of breweries from the northern provinces of the Netherlands (for example,
Maallust Brewery,
Witte Klavervier, and the
Groningse Stadsbrouwerij, just to name a few).
As you can see, the church provided a beautiful backdrop for an evening of beer tasting.
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| The Martinitoren, with Martinikerk in the background |
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| Interior of the Martinikerk |
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| A beer cart parked in the Martinikerk |
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| Representatives of Witte Klavervier brewery discuss the brews on tap for the bierfestival |
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| The view of the bierfestival from the gallery above the chapel |
You can also view a short video about the bierfestival by RTVNoord news channel at this YouTube link:
http://youtu.be/fg5KYxT5KUs If you know me and my husband, you might recognize us in the video near the 2-minute mark.
