In 2002 the Netherlands will commemorate the fact that the
"Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie", better known
as VOC (United East India Company) was founded 400 years ago.
On March 20, 1602, the "Staten Generaal" (States General,
the equivalent of a parliament in those days) gave a licence
to the VOC, declaring its foundation.
The "Foundation Celebration 400 years VOC" was established
to encourage, co-ordinate and support the organisation of activities
to commemorate this historical event. Most of those activities
will take place in the first half of 2002 in cooperation with
private and public sectors through education, science and culture.
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Map of Holland
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During spring and summer of 2002 the Duyfken will play a major
role in these VOC-celebrations, visiting a number of the original
Dutch VOC ports and taking part in several maritime events. Other
commemoration activities include a memorial ceremony in the "Ridderzaal"
(The Knights' Hall) in the parliamentary building in The Hague,
and festivities in the six VOC port cities of Amsterdam, Delft,
Enkhuizen, Hoorn, Middelburg and Rotterdam, as well as on the
island of Texel.
