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First Dutch Naturalisation Day for 'new' citizens
The Netherlands is marking its first ever Naturalisation Day as all municipalities who have 'new' Dutch citizens living in them hold ceremonies to celebrate their newly-acquired status. Immigration and Integration Minister Rita Verdonk called on all the mayors involved to make Thursday 24 August a special day, "because becoming Dutch means more than just a new entry in the population register."
"Let us give the arrival of new Dutch citizens a little more style. Let us celebrate that." This comment - made in a column written by Minister Rita Verdonk and published on her ministry's website - has been put into practice with this week's celebrations for all of the approximately 11,000 immigrants who have become naturalised Dutch citizens since the beginning of 2006. Their new status - or, as Ms Verdonk has described it - 'birth' as new citizens - will be marked by special ceremonies in each of the villages, towns or cities where they live. The minister has called for the creation of a "dignified ritual which the participants can look back on with pride and pleasure."
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