COLUMN: Carillon Flashback October 1, 1980 – Dutch tulip bulbs gift from Holland

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 23/11/2024 (216 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Several dozen specially-developed tulip bulbs, a gift from the Dutch government, were ceremoniously planted at the Steinbach Civic Centre by town officials and members of the local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.

The bulbs, a royal orange variety, were developed by the Dutch in recognition of the 35th anniversary of their country’s liberation from the Nazis, and have been sent to Legion branches and local governments across Canada.

Some one-and-a-half million of the bulbs have been distributed in the past few weeks, and apparently even more are on the way.

Speaking at a brief planting ceremony this week, Steinbach Legion branch president Fred Cross said because the liberation of Holland was brought about largely by Canadian forces, even after 35 years, these people still gratefully remember the almost 10,000 casualties suffered by the Canadians in this action.

Steinbach Councillor George Neufeld said the town gladly accepted “this gesture of friendship” from the Dutch people.

“Many of the citizens of Steinbach have their heritage rooted in Holland. One of its symbols, the windmill, is actually located at our Mennonite Village Museum.”

The bulbs were being planted around the civic building, at the windmill and at the K.R. Barkman park, Neufeld said.

“We are looking forward to a colourful display in Spring.”

Eleven Steinbach Legion members have received certificates of appreciation and will be receiving individual shipments of the “House of Orange” tulip bulbs, in special recognition of the part Canadian servicemen played in the liberation of Holland, 35 years ago.