Spouse of German Federal President Opens 62nd Keukenhof Flower Exhibition

LISSE, The Netherlands, March 23, 2011 - Mrs Bettina Wulff, spouse of the President of the Federal Republic of
Germany, has officially opened the 62nd edition of the world famous
international flower exhibition of Keukenhof in the Netherlands. Accompanied
by her husband, Mr Christian Wulff, and the Dutch Crown Prince
Willem-Alexander as well as a series of dignitaries, she baptized a newly
bred, beautiful coloured tulip, named after her.

(Photo:
www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20110323/444985 )

This year's theme for Keukenhof is 'Germany, Nation of Philosophers and
Poets'. Among others, a huge mosaic of the Brandenburger Tor in Berlin,
incorporating tens of thousands of flower bulbs, and the 'Dutch-German 1-1
Experience' emphasize this theme. In the Experience, visitors are led through
a spectacularly expressiveworld of similarities and differences. They will
celebrate the victories of the greatest Dutch and German athletes, become
part of football lunacy and pretend to be goalkeepers against national
football heroes. Guests will even have the opportunity to take a seat on a
throne and become immortalized.

25,000 tulips planted near the real Brandenburger Tor will be in full
bloom when Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and the Dutch Crown Prince
Willem-Alexander and Princess Maxima arrive in Berlin for an official state
visit in September.

Blooming park

The Board of Directors viewed with a certain satisfaction the atmosphere
of Keukenhof at the moment. "The park is splendid, almost all the lawns are
coloured green, and a great many bulbs are already blooming," Mr Jansen said.
He emphasized the importance of Germany - for the Dutch economy in general
and for Keukenhof specifically. "Germany is more than just a stable and
successful economy. It is a country of enormous cultural and scientific
richness as well. Our choice for Germany as this year's theme exemplifies in
particular the bonds of friendship between our nations."

The Keukenhof flower exhibition opens its doors tomorrow and will be open
until May 20th. During this period some 800,000 people will pass the cash
points, most of them from abroad. Last year approx. 78 percent of the guests
came from outside Holland. The number of visitors from China and India
exploded, and those from Russia and other Eastern European countries are
constantly growing.

www.keukenhof.nl

Photo:
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For further information: Keukenhof, Annemarie Gerards, PR Manager, Tel. +31-252-465-505, +31-6-22669760, a.gerards at keukenhof.nl