“I use history to explain how today’s society came to be.” Combining historical facts with light-hearted jokes, he guided the students back to the 12th century, when the first cities received city rights and the country slowly took shape. The Eighty Years’ War (1568–1648) was also covered, during which the Northern Netherlands fought for independence from Spain.

Typically Dutch? Directness and cycling culture

Van der Vaart explained how the rise of Protestantism influenced the Dutch mindset: “Only those with nothing to hide would go to heaven. So it was important to be open and speak directly.” He joked: “People in the Netherlands are so direct that others think we’re a**sholes, but we’re just misunderstood.” The audience laughed.

He also discussed the development of Dutch cycling culture. “Understanding history helps you appreciate developments we often take for granted,” he said. After World War II, cars became increasingly popular, but traffic in the densely populated country grew too congested, and many people died in traffic accidents each year. During the oil crisis of the mid-1970s, cyclists officially gained recognition as part of the traffic system. Since then, investments have been made in infrastructure, creating safe connections between towns and cities, and bicycles have become an indispensable part of daily life.

Slavery and oppression

Van der Vaart used the performance to address the question: “What kind of society do we actually live in?” He presented historical facts while continuously linking them to the present. For example, he spoke about the VOC, the Dutch East India Company (1602–1798), which traded in goods such as oils and spices. While the VOC contributed to the so-called Dutch Golden Age, the company was also responsible for slavery and the oppression of indigenous populations in colonized areas.

Van der Vaart drew a contemporary, relatable parallel: “Who here is wearing clothes made through slavery on the other side of the world without even thinking about it?” Some hands went up. He continued: “On one side, we live in comfort and safety. That was also the case back then. On the other side, there were colonies and killings to maintain a monopoly on nutmeg.”

Coffeeshops

Alongside this dark chapter in history, Van der Vaart also highlighted lighter aspects of Dutch culture, such as the cannabis culture. Sailors used cannabis during long sea voyages to combat boredom and nausea. Later, the famous coffeeshops emerged, where personal use of cannabis was permitted. According to Van der Vaart, this contributes to the Netherlands’ open and tolerant mentality, though he dryly added: “Open and tolerant? Yes, sometimes… but not always.”

Eindhoven

At the end of the performance, Van der Vaart talked about the origins of Eindhoven. Due to its barren, infertile soil, the area was relatively cheap, which attracted many entrepreneurs to establish factories there. Especially cigar factories, and later Philips factories, drew many job seekers. In just fifty years, Eindhoven grew from about 5,000 inhabitants to a city of 110,000.

Philips built houses, schools, and other facilities, fostering a strong community. “Eindhoven has its own story,” Van der Vaart said. “In the south – under the rivers – there are small communities that take good care of each other; the region is less competitive and more cooperative, with a strong focus on celebrations and socializing, such as during the annual carnival festivities.”

Finally, Van der Vaart gave the newcomers practical tips to quickly find their way in the Netherlands, from Spotify playlists of Dutch music to series and documentaries offering insight into daily life. “At least learn the basics of the language,” he urged them. To give them a head start, he taught them the word ‘gezellig’, the untranslatable term used in relaxed social situations to express how enjoyable it is to be together. “You’re going to hear this a lot,” he assured them.

This article was translated using AI-assisted tools and reviewed by an editor.