Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands Opens 60th Edition of Keukenhof in Lisse

LISSE, The Netherlands - With Photo

By baptizing the new Spring Garden tulip, Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of
The Netherlands officially opened the 60th edition of the international
flower exhibition, Keukenhof, on March 18. In this jubilee year, the theme
‘USA, New Amsterdam: New York, 400′ strengthens the bonds of friendship with
the numerous American visitors, as well as Dutch discoverer Henry Hudson.
Approximately 10 percent of customers purchasing tickets from the Keukenhof
box office originated from the United States. And four centuries ago, Hudson
stepped ashore on what is now Manhattan - on behalf of the Vereenigde
Oostindische Compagnie, the Dutch East India Company, who in those times
ruled the seas - thus establishing New Amsterdam, later re-named New York. It
made Hudson and the Dutch indirectly responsible for establishing the city as
we know it today.

To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:
www.prnewswire.com/mnr/keukenhof/37472/

(Photo: www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090319/340775 )

In the past six decades Keukenhof has enjoyed a warm interest from the
members of the Royal Family. On May 2nd, 1972, then Queen Juliana and the
Prince Consort Bernhard celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary and in 2001
Princess Maxima made her first public appearance at Keukenhof.

Emphasizing the theme for 2009, Prof. Dr M.J. Cohen, Mayor of Amsterdam,
and Congressman Maurice Hinchey, addressed the audience.

Spring Garden is a Darwin-hybrid tulip, bred by Plant Research
International Wageningen from a Madame Lefeber and a tetraploide and
furthermore upgraded by Fluwel in Burgerbrug. Natural blooming is around end
of April .

America in flowers

The 2009 theme is impressively showcased by a portrait of the world
famous Statue of Liberty in flowers, a scene measuring 26 by 17 yards, which
incorporates more than 50,000 flower bulbs.

Keukenhof 2009 has designed an American-themed route starting with the
Hudson River at the park’s entrance. From there a swaying path of blue grape
flowers illustrates the two streams of New York, and leads the visitors
through recognizable American locations such as Brooklyn, Harlem, and Wall
Street. A walk of fame pictures former First Lady Laura Bush, as well as
James Last and Manhattan in flowers.

In the 32-hectare historic park, some seven million tulips, hyacinths,
daffodils, and all other spring bulbs exuberantly grow. This year the park
will be open from March 19th until May 21st.

Note to Editors:

A picture accompanying this release is available through the PA
Photowire. It can be downloaded from www.pa-mediapoint.press.net or
viewed at www.mediapoint.press.net or www.prnewswire.co.uk.

Source: Keukenhof

For further information: Keukenhof, Annemarie M.M. Gerards-Adriaansens, pr manager, tel.: +31-252-465505, fax: +31-252-465565, E-mail: a.gerards at keukenhof.nl