In celebration of 50 years of Malaysian independence and 50 years of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and the Netherlands, the Melaka Historic City Council, the Melaka Chief Minister’s Department, the Museum Corporation of Melaka (PERZIM), the Malaysian Dutch Business Council (MDBC) and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands will organise “Holland Days” in Melaka from 1-9 September 2007. 

Malacca was the obvious choice to be the host city for the Holland Days, as the city has played a vital role for the Netherlands as a major trade hub for the Dutch East India Company for nearly 200 years between 1641 and 1825. To this day, many of the most visible buildings like the Stadthuys town hall and Christ Church are built by the Dutch.

During this week, visitors will get the chance to enjoy many traditional Dutch products and traditions, such as Dutch menus at selected cafes and restaurants, Delft blue pottery painting, traditional Dutch costumes and souvenirs. Furthermore, there will exhibitions on the Dutch East India Company and on VOC coins; sketches of Melaka and simultaneous launch of “Malacca Sketchbook” and Tradewind Treasures' Dutch porcelain, Tradewind Treasures' which has been retrieved from the South China Sea will be on show and on sale. Further activities include cooking demonstrations with Ms. Celine Marbeck, a Malaysian-Eurasian chef; a lecture by Architect John Koh, an expert in the architectural heritage conservation of historic Melaka and performances by the Dutch musical group “Kleintje Pils” and an original act on the life and works of Rembrandt van Rijn, performed by Dutch event company "Feestvarken | Producties". 

Besides these activities the Embassy will organise  a colouring contest for the school children of Melaka. The winner of this contest will see his or her design immortalized on a life-size cow!

The cows are a symbol of Holland’s agricultural industry as dairy farming is one of the most important sectors of Dutch agriculture – approximately 60% of agricultural land in the Netherlands are used for dairy farms. As one of the founding members of the EU and the gateway to Europe, Holland – via the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture – adopted the

in 2004, which represent the 27 member states of the European Union (EU) and the European Commission. The EU Herd of Cows to symbolize the good relationship between the two countries, and of course, to emphasize that Holland is indeed

10 of The EU Herd of Cows will be displayed in different locations in Malacca from 1 – 9 September. The EU Herd of cows will also visiting other agricultural and public events around Malaysia until November. 

The

for the Holland Days in Malacca was held on the 26th July 2007 in Melaka. Present at the press conference were Datuk Haji Zaini bin Md Nor, Mayor of Melaka Historic City Council and H.E. Lody Embrechts, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The Holland Days in Melaka are supported by:

Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad;
ING Insurance Berhad;
Air France-KLM Royal Dutch Airlines;
the Malaysia International Shipping Corporation (MISC);
Sara Lee-Douwe Egberts (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd;
TNT Express Worldwide (M) Sdn Bhd; and
Unilever (Malaysia) Holdings Sdn Bhd.

Date: 1 september 2007 - 9 september 2007