The Dutch love their herring so much that they devote a day each year to celebrating the first big catches - Scheveningen Flag Day! The coast and harbour at Scheveningen fill with a hungry crowd ready to sample the fish.
Flag Day also gives local tradesmen the opportunity to display their wares, while the fishermen show off the fruits of their labour.
The herring ships all race back to port, where the first to arrive is awarded a cash prize (which is donated by the winning ship's captain to Greenpeace). Needless to say, Queen Beatrix (who everyone loves) is given the first barrel of the new herring catch.
If you are going to sample some herring while you stroll around, it's worth knowing that the Dutch eat theirs raw, with plenty of chopped onions. Grasp the tail between thumb and forefinger, lift high above the head and then lower into the mouth. A true herring lover will dip the herring in raw onions before consigning the fish to its fate.
The herring ships all race back to port, where the first to arrive is awarded a cash prize (which is donated by the winning ship's captain to Greenpeace). Needless to say, Queen Beatrix (who everyone loves) is given the first barrel of the new herring catch.
If you are going to sample some herring while you stroll around, it's worth knowing that the Dutch eat theirs raw, with plenty of chopped onions. Grasp the tail between thumb and forefinger, lift high above the head and then lower into the mouth. A true herring lover will dip the herring in raw onions before consigning the fish to its fate.
AU
BE
DE
DK
ES
FR
IE
IT
SE
NO
NZ
UK
US