PEI students plant 700 tulip bulbs to honour the Netherlands
Digital Reporter
Monday, November 9, 2015, 4:30 PM - On Thursday, students at West Kent Elementary in Charlottetown, PEI honoured Canada's long-withstanding friendship with the Netherlands by planting 700 tulip bulbs, the CBC reports.
The event marks the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Netherlands from Nazi occupation, an effort that was led by Canadian forces. The ceremony is taking place at several school across the country in an effort to teach students about the special bond Canada and the Netherlands hold.
"We learned that every year, the Netherlands sends tulips to Canada and thanks for the soldiers we sent there to free their country when Hitler was trying to take over the world," William Cogswell, a Grade 6 student, told the CBC.
Ottawa tulip festival a must-see
In May 1940, the Dutch Royal Family left the Netherlands for the United Kingdom to rule in exile. In June, Princess Juiliana and her daughters Princess Beatrix and Princess Irene went to Canada, arriving in Halifax before making their way to Ottawa, where they lived for five years.
When Canada liberated the Netherlands, Princess Juliana was able to return home.
As a show of gratitude for her safe housing and for Canada's role in her country's liberation, Princess Juiliana gave a number of gifts to the Canadian people, including 100,000 tulip bulbs.
The next year, she sent an additional 20,500 bulbs to Canada and requested they be planted on the grounds of Ottawa Civic Hospital.
The tradition continues to this day, with thousands of tulip bulbs sent to Ottawa each year.
Dubbed the Canadian Tulip Festival, the event is held each May and attracts more than 500,000 people each year.
IN PHOTOS: TULIPS IN CANADA:
Submitted to theweathernetwork.com by Oranus Varzgar, Richmond Hill, Ontario
Submitted to theweathernetwork.com by Ada Che, Ottawa, Ontario
Submitted to theweathernetwork.com by Anthony Maw, Agassiz, B.C.
Submitted to theweathernetwork.com by Chris and Wayne Prin, Agassiz, B.C.
Submitted to theweathernetwork.com by Skylaboss, Ottawa, Ontario
