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3 Oktober is a yearly festival in the city of Leiden which celebrates the end of the siege of the city by the Spaniards in 1574. Festivities take place all over the city centre, including two parades (the Taptoe which takes place in the evening of Oktober 2nd, and the 3 Oktober parade on the day), a big carnival (kermis) is erected in town with lots of rides and games. Traditional foods include the traditional 'hutspot' eaten for dinner on October 2nd (you can smell the carrots and unions cooking all day), and the handing out of herring and whitebread on the morning of Oktobr 3rd. And do not forget the cotton candy, candycanes, and oliebollen, preferably eaten before going on the most envigorating ride on the Kermis!

On Queens day our country celebrates the birthday of our queen Beatrix, although it is actually not celebrated on her own birthday but on her mothers', Juliana. All over the country the streets are turned into one big yardsale where kids, as well as adults, try to sell anything they can get their hands or try to make some extra pocket change with their musical talents. Although you might not notice in these pictures, the most important colour of the day is orange!