Alaska-Holland 2006

Holland/Alaska Exchange 2004
- Perceptions -

Some visitors from Alaska comment on their experience:

Lowell Webb:
" I am a history buff and I really enjoyed learning more about the nexus of Dutch history and art during the exchange. Seems that Holland was the 16th and 17th century equivalent of a European "superpower". After overthrowing their catholic Spanish rulers,the protestant Dutch, wealthy from trade, became great patrons of the arts. Thus, while most European art was still being commissioned by the Church in Rome and featured religious images, Dutch painters were free to paint images of normal people doing normal things! Revolutionary!

By the way, my Dutch hosts, Jackie (who is also Irish) & Tone, live in a 400 year-old house bearing the inscription (loosely translated) "The Thousand Fears". They told me that, per tradition, one house in every Dutch town bears this insription to commerate the sacking of Rotterdam by the Spanish 400 years ago.

Now that's history... ."

Laurie Dunnagan:
"Being able to walk everywhere. The friendliness of people. The buildings and lifestyle. These are what come to mind when I think of my time in Bergen op zoom for the Holland/Alaska Exchange. Walking or bicycling was the norm, plus it was just so easy to do. When you're walking down streets, past buildings that are hundreds of years old, it's easier to take it all in and get up close and personal. Plus, you can stop in at the shops, cafes, and check things out as you desire. The people were friendly and so willing to talk about their city, their country. Asking a question got you more than an answer. It got you a feel for the people and the place. The first function that everyone attended was held in what is now a museum, but several hundred years ago was a government building. I remember walking through this magnificent building and thinking that it was older than my country. I kept wondering what it was like when it was originally in use. But the lifestyle really got to me. The pace was so much more relaxed and easy going. There was a noticeable lack of electronic noise (cell phones) and pomposity, by which I mean that we seem to pride ourselves in being busy, or the busiest. In Bergen op Zoom, the sense I got was that yes, people worked hard and were busy, but that's what you did. A "get over yourself" type of thing. It was a great feeling and I loved it."

Denise Martin:
"This being my first trip to Europe, I found Bergen op Zoom to be a charming and welcoming place to visit. The people were all very friendly. There seem to be many artistic and interesting people. The cobble stone streets and old buildings are very different than what you would find in Alaska, and this made it very enjoyable to walk around, which we did a lot! I particularly enjoyed playing music with some local folks in the Irish pub, and eating in many of the fabulous restaurants."