It’s springtime in Ottawa, and the Canadian Tulip Festival is a vibrant symbol of an enduring international friendship formed in the crucible of World War II.

This blossom-filled celebration, which returned this year from May 13-23, is not just about the arrival of spring but a living commemoration of the deep-rooted ties between Canada and the Netherlands—a relationship sealed by the birth of a Dutch princess on Canadian soil.

The story goes back to the dark days of the war when the Nazi invasion of the Netherlands forced the Dutch royal family to seek refuge. Princess Juliana, along with her two young daughters, found sanctuary in Ottawa. In an extraordinary gesture of international diplomacy, a part of Ottawa Civic Hospital was declared Dutch territory to ensure that Princess Juliana’s third daughter, Princess Margriet, born on January 19, 1943, could claim pure Dutch nationality.

The Canadian Government took significant measures to respect the royal lineage by declaring Princess Juliana’s hospital room ‘extraterritorial’ in December 1942, ensuring the princess’s birthright as heir to the Dutch throne was secure.

After spending the first two years of her life in Canada, Princess Margriet and her family returned to the Netherlands following its liberation on August 2, 1945.

To this day, Princess Margriet remains a notable figure, celebrated for her contributions to healthcare and cultural diversity.

In an act of heartfelt gratitude, Princess Juliana sent 100,000 tulip bulbs to Ottawa in 1945 to thank Canada for its hospitality.

This blossoming gift has perennially recurred, with the Dutch royal family continuing to send 20,000 bulbs each year to Canada’s capital. The tulip, now Ottawa’s official flower, has become a living icon of camaraderie, inspiring the Canadian Tulip Festival’s inception in 1953, envisioned by none other than the esteemed photographer Malak Karsh.

The festival itself has grown into one of the world’s most significant horticultural events, drawing over 650,000 visitors annually to witness the spectacular array of over 300,000 tulips in bloom.

The 70th-anniversary celebrations are a medley of traditions and modernity, featuring Tulip Legacy Walking Tours, nighttime floral walks, fireworks, and more.

But the festival is part of a broader commemoration. The year 2020 marked the 75th anniversary of the Netherlands’ liberation, for which Canada played a pivotal role.

In honor of that milestone, the Dutch government announced a contribution of 100,000 ‘Liberation75’ bulbs, matched by Canada, culminating in over a million blooms in 2020.

This floral tribute, distributed on Veterans Day, is a testament to hope and the unbreakable bonds formed in the face of adversity.

Whether aboard a leisurely Le Boat cruise along Canada’s Rideau Canal or the Netherlands’ vast waterways, visitors can immerse themselves in the festivities and remembrance.

From Amsterdam’s urban tulip displays to the vast floral expanses of Keukenhof Gardens in Lisse, the season is a feast for the senses and a moment of reflection.

Relevant articles:
– Deep historical roots: the Canadian Tulip Festival, Ottawa Tourism
– Canada and the Netherlands’ Symbol of Friendship, Pattern Energy
– Celebrate Tulip Season in Canada and the Netherlands, Le Boat