New Dutch Citizens Receive a Small Gift on National Naturalization Day
The Municipality of Voorschoten is celebrating National Naturalization Day today. All 62 young people and adults in our village who became Dutch citizens this year will receive a letter and a small gift. These residents come from 23 different countries, ranging from Afghanistan and England to Bhutan and Brazil.
Five times a year, the municipality of Voorschoten organizes a naturalization ceremony. It is a festive occasion attended by the mayor, in the presence of family and friends. The candidates—many of whom have lived in Voorschoten for years—then take an oath of allegiance. By doing so, they pledge to respect the rights and obligations that come with Dutch citizenship. From that moment on, they may officially call themselves Dutch citizens.
Enriching the Community
“Every new Dutch citizen we have the privilege of welcoming to Voorschoten has their own personal story,” says Mayor Nadine Stemerdink. “That’s why the naturalization ceremony is always so moving. But they all made the same important choice: to become Dutch citizens. To mark this occasion, we also celebrate National Naturalization Day in Voorschoten.”
About Naturalization Day
Since 2008, the entire Netherlands has celebrated National Naturalization Day on December 15. On that day, a number of new Dutch citizens are granted citizenship during the naturalization ceremony. In addition, the flag is flown at all main government buildings. The day coincides with Kingdom Day, the day on which Queen Juliana signed the Charter of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Ridderzaal in The Hague. That was in 1954.