NL: Holland Bulb Market celebrates 150th anniversary
Dutch Princes Margriet received flowers from the daughter of Joris van der Velden, the director of Holland Bulb Market.
Director Joris van der Velden gives a summary of the history of the company. "In 1868, Nicolaas Blokker grew 18,990 rows of tulips and they earned (converted to euros) € 537,16 for it. When Blokker passed away, his wife remarried Jan van 't Hof. The name of the company changed to Van 't Hof en Bokker. They had some challenging years during the war, and exports were affected. For this reason, a spin-off was established that was focussed on the supply of food. The flower bulbs were pulverized and processed in foods."
"In the meantime, the royal family had fled to Canada, where Princess Margriet was born in a hospital room that was temporarily declared Dutch territory. For gratitude, Princess Juliana donated tens of thousands of flower bulbs to Canada every year until her death. As a result a Tulip Festival is held every year in Ottawa and Holland Bulb Market is one of the sponsors. "
Joris' speech was translated from Dutch to English, Chinese, Russian for the attending clients.
"In 1968, their 100th anniversary was celebrated and they were rewarded with the honorary title “by appointment to the court of the Netherlands”. In 1988 the company was renamed into Vanhof & Blokker.
In 1992, they changed direction. The name of the company changed to Holland Bulb Market and Ab Hofstra, Roland Hillebrink and Joris van der Velden started to travel to discover new markets. In 150 years, Holland Bulb Market established trade relations with over 50,000 bulb varieties and perennials in over 50 countries all over the world."
After his speech, Van der Velden invited his mother and her grandchildren to unveil a glass plate that will receive a good spot in the company.
Princes Margriet baptized an amaryllis. The orange flower can be cultivated outdoors and is a result of 30 years of breeding.
A guided tour was given to the Princes, where she could see several different kinds of tulips.
The princess took the time to talk with the employees of Holland Bulb Market.
For more information
Holland Bulb Market
Dik van Klei
M: 06-22225204
E: dikvanklei@hollandblumenmarkt.nl
www.hollandbulbmarket.nl