Holland Days in Melaka , - 2 to 9th Sept. 2007, Melaka.

Dutch Heritage Melaka
The first relations between Malaysia and the Netherlands date back about 400 years ago when Admiral Cornelis Matelieff de Jonge of the Dutch East Indies Company ( V.O.C.) signed a treaty with the Sultan of Johor reconquer Melaka.
This eventually bore fruit in 1641, after which the VOC established a trading post in Melaka with the agreement of the Sultan. This marks a period of co-operation during which Malaysia and the Netherlands influence and benefited from each other. This is clearly visible in the centre of town with the Stadthuys and Christ Church. At the Dutch Graveyard one can find gravestones with names as Theodorus Hebbers and Hendrik Evertsen. You will also fine the Dutch heritage in Kampung Belanda, with street name as Jonker Street ( Jalan Hang Jebat ) and Heeren Street ( Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lok ). There are still Dutch descendents living in Malaysia, the Dutch Eurasian Community, carrying Dutch surnames such as Westerhout. Even some Malaysian words derive from Dutch language such as duit ( money ). Beside a British interregnum from 1795 to 1818, Melaka remained in hands of the Dutch until 1824, when they surrendered Melaka to the British in exchange for the Sumatra port of Bencoolen ( Benkulu).
Activities
Saturday 1 –Sunday 9 September
‘The Dutch Market’
Weekdays from 09.00am to 07.00pm
Weekends ( Fri, Sat, Sun ) from 09.00am to 09.00pm
Venue: Dutch Square
Featured: ING Delft Blue Painter, Flowerbooth, Dutch Snacks Booth, Photoshoot Dutch
Costumes, Tradewind Treasures, Presentation Dutch Folklore costumes,
presentation Rembrandt etc.
Thursday 6 September
Lecture Ar John Koh on the Old Melaka Fort
Time: 04.00 -05.00pm
Venue: Melaka Historic Museum, Dutch Square, Jalan Kota.
Architect John Koh has written an article on this subject in the Buletin Warisan,
Apr-June 2007.
Saturday 8 – Sunday 9 Sept September
Cooking lessons from Celine Marbeck
Time: 03.00 – 06.00pm ( both days )
Venue: Quayside Café & Seafood Restaurant, No 4, Quayside Heritage Centre ( both days ) Tel: 06 281 6958
As a, from Dutch originated, Malaysian-Eurasian chef, Celine Marbeck presented cooking demonstrations on a Malaysian TV Channel and presented Master Classes in Eurasian Cooking at the International Gourmand Awards held in Kuala Lumpur 2006.
Saturday 8 – 9 September
Concert ‘ Kleintje Pils’
Time: 03.00pm -04.00pm ( both days )
Venue: Dutch Square ( both days )
Time: 08.30 -09.30pm ( both days )
Venue: Jonkerstreet ( both days )
Kleintje Pils plays joyful, catchy music, mainly Dixieland Jazz and Dutch classics.
Exhibition
Exhibition Dutch East India Company ( VOC )
1 – 30 September Venue: Melaka Conservation Centre, Jalan Laksamana
Exhibition Dutch East India Company coins ( VOC Coins )
1 – 30 September Venue: Melaka Conservation Centre, Jalan Laksamana
Exhibition Sketchbook Malacca
1 – 30 September Venue: Melaka Conservation Centre, Jalan Laksamana
Exhibition EU Herd of Cows
2 – 9 September Venue: Different locations in Melaka
Food
During the “ Holland Days in Melaka” several food and beverage outlets in Melaka will serve automatic Dutch food and snacks.
The Windmill Station (1)
“We make Great Western Food affordable & enjoyable for Everyone.”
No 48 & 50, Jalan Melaka Raya
For reservation/enquiries: 06 285 0145 website: www.the-windmill-station.com
The Windmill Station (2)
Ground Floor ( G33), Jaya Jusco Shopping Complex
For reservation/enquiries: 06 233 1145 website: www.the-windmill-station.com
Dutch Harbour Café
A fusion of Westeern and South East Asian Cuisine. A New Food Sensation comes to Melaka
No. 39, Jalan Laksamana
For reservation/enquiries: 06 283 7606 website: www.dutchharbourcafe.com
Thinking about Netherlands or Holland as it is popularly known, people think mainly about a friendly country with windmills and tulips. Well-known Dutch icons are football player Van Nistelrooij and famous artist Van Gogh. But there is much more!
This is the reason why the Netherlands embassy is working together with Dutch companies and organizations in Malaysia and Dutch related companies to promote the Netherlands and Dutch products. The celebration of 50 years of Malaysia and 50 years of Netherlands-Malaysia diplomatic relations in 2007 offers a golden opportunity not to be missed in this context. The motto ‘Holland, More than tulips’ has been chosen for this year’s campaign. Activities will be organized during the whole year throughout the whole country.
Of course Melaka is prominently featured! Melaka played a vital role for the Netherlands as major trade hub for the Dutch East India Company for nearly 200 years between 1642 and 1824. Many of the most visible buildings, such as the Stadthuys ( townhall in Dutch ) or the Christ Church, are build by the Dutch.
To revive this history and build a bridge to present days, the town will ‘turn orange’ between 2 and 9 September 2007. Featured will be a Dutch Market where typical Dutch specialties will be sold; exhibitions on the VOC will be held; Dutch traditional costumes will be shown; restaurants will be offering Dutch specialties; cooking demonstrations will be organized; and lots more!
The ‘Holland Days in Melaka is supported by ING Insurance, TNT, MISC, Dutch Lady and Douwe Egbert.