During lockdown, free flowers handed out to mark Tulip Day

Robert Besser
18 Jan 2022, 22:17 GMT+10

As stores in Amsterdam and across the Netherlands cautiously reopened after a COVID-19 lockdown, thousands of free bunches of tulips were being handed out
National Tulip Day is held each year to celebrate the start of the growing season for the iconic flowers, a major export for Dutch farmers
But with pandemic lockdown measures continuing to restrict large public gatherings, organizers went to Amsterdam's World Heritage-listed canals to hand out their flowers

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands: As stores in Amsterdam and across the Netherlands cautiously reopened after a COVID-19 lockdown, thousands of free bunches of tulips were being handed out.

National Tulip Day, held each year to celebrate the start of the growing season for the iconic flowers, a major export for Dutch farmers, is usually marked by an improvised flower garden in front of the royal palace on the capital's central Dam Square.

But with pandemic lockdown measures continuing to restrict large public gatherings, organizers went to Amsterdam's World Heritage-listed canals to hand out their flowers.

Arjan Smit, chairman of Tulip Promotion Netherlands, an association of hundreds of Dutch growers, said, "It is a gloomy and uncertain time for many people with the ongoing pandemic. So we are going to provide some joy. We hope to create many happy faces by handing out tulip bouquets," as reported by The Associated Press.

In 2021, Royal FloraHolland, a Dutch flower and plant auctioneer, saw record sales of $6.4 billion due to higher prices for plants and cut flowers.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Salt Lake City Sun.

More Information

47 ℉

Fair in Salt Lake City

Business

Section

Court rules unconstitutional California law requiring women on boards

SACRAMENTO, California: In another blow to the state's push to diversify corporate leadership, a California court judge has ruled that ...

Nepal confirms African swine fever outbreak

KATHMANDU, Nepal - According to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), Nepal has reported its first cases of African ...

U.S. stocks turmoil evaporates in final hour of trading, major indices unscathed

NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stock markets reversed sharp losses in late trading to eke out minor gains in ...

April sees rise in US auto sales, restaurant spending

WASHINGTON D.C.: U.S. retail sales rose strongly in April, as consumers bought more motor vehicles and spent more at restaurants, ...

As salaries rise 7%, UK unemployment falls to historic low

LONDON, England: The UK's jobless rate fell to a 48-year low in the first three months of 2022, it was ...

Asian stock markets on rise after China's central bank move

SYDNEY, NSW, Australia - A reduction of the official lending criteria in China has boosted stocks on the mainland, and ...

United States

Section