When we think of the Netherlands recently, we recall the Euro 2024 Quarter-Final match we lost. However, the Netherlands is one of the top investors in Turkey and is home to over 500,000 Turkish citizens. The history between the two countries spans centuries, emphasizing the Netherlands’ importance to Turkey. Joep Wijnands, the Dutch Ambassador to Ankara, who has served there for nearly two years, shared that this year marks the 100th anniversary of Turkey-Netherlands relations. Many events are planned to celebrate this milestone. Wijnands also mentioned that Turkish-Dutch artist Karsu will perform at Atatürk Orman Çiftliği Natural Life Park on Friday, July 26, at 8:30 PM. This concert is a gift from the Netherlands to Ankara’s people. The concert is free, and Ambassador Wijnands invited all residents of Ankara to attend. Before the concert, he answered our questions.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Netherlands and Turkey. What special celebration plans do you have for this centennial as the embassy?
First, we have much to celebrate. Our partnership and friendship are deep and long-standing, even predating the 100-year friendship agreement. In 1600, we received trade rights from the Sultan, one of the first to do so. We have been trading for centuries. With the Republic of Turkey’s establishment, we signed a friendship agreement in 1924. Looking back, it’s impressive how much we’ve achieved together. For instance, we are NATO allies, which is crucial given the current global security situation. The alliance is more important than ever. According to Turkish statistics, we are Turkey’s largest direct foreign investor, with over 3,000 active Dutch companies here. We also have strong cultural cooperation.
THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF MIGRATION
Our relationship has another special dimension. There is a large, successful Turkish community in the Netherlands, the third largest outside Turkey, after those in Germany and France. About half a million people are part of this community. Many are Dutch citizens of Turkish origin. This year, we celebrate not only the 100th anniversary of our friendship but also the 60th anniversary of the first Turkish migrant workers being invited to the Netherlands. We owe them for their role in rebuilding our country after World War II, during the recovery period. The Dutch government invited them, and they played a crucial part in building the economy we have today. The second and third generations of Turks in the Netherlands are now very successful. Many are entrepreneurs who have established companies and are now investing in Turkey.
MIGRANT WOMEN ARE OFTEN FORGOTTEN
We have a beautiful photo exhibition dedicated to migrant workers, with a focus on women, who are often overlooked. People tend to think all the migrants were men, but many women also decided to move to the Netherlands, a country they knew little about, to work and build families. This photo exhibition, which tells the stories of these women, will first open in Bursa, and then travel to Ankara, Istanbul, and Yozgat. Yozgat is one of the regions where many of the first-generation Turks who went to the Netherlands originated.
THE ROLE IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CENTRAL BANK
In the second half of this year, the President of our Central Bank, Mr. Klaas Knot, will visit Turkey. 100 years ago, Atatürk wanted to establish a central bank for the new republic. He looked at examples in Europe and chose the Netherlands as a model. Atatürk invited the President of the Dutch Central Bank, Vissering, to Turkey to explain how the system worked. Vissering spent weeks preparing a report for Atatürk, which formed the basis for the creation of Turkey’s Central Bank. To honor this collaboration, the President of the Dutch Central Bank will visit in September, giving lectures in Istanbul and Ankara and meeting with the President of Turkey’s Central Bank. These are key examples of our economic ties.
ANKARA LANDSCAPE TO BE REFLECTED ON THE TEMPLE
Earlier this year, we held a beautiful concert at the ancient theater in Hierapolis. The Concertgebouw Orchestra, one of the best in the Netherlands, performed with Orkestra Akademik Başkent. The painting exhibited at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam was brought to Turkey after it was discovered that it depicted Ankara, not Aleppo. The painting, titled ‘Ankara Landscape,’ is now on display at the Koç Museum and will be projected onto the Temple of Augustus next to the Hacı Bayram Veli Mosque.
TULIP BULBS FOR SCHOOLS
The logo for the 100 years of friendship features a tulip, our national symbol, along with the Turkish and Dutch flags. The tulip, originally from Turkey, was brought to the Netherlands by the Turks. We also sent a box of tulip bulbs and children’s books to 100 schools across Turkey. The children planted the bulbs, and we received photos from schools nationwide showing the tulips blooming, beautifully symbolizing this gesture.
WE WILL SWIM IN THE BOSPHORUS
We are forming a Dutch-Turkish team for the Bosphorus race on August 25, with both Dutch and Turkish participants swimming together. I swam in the Bosphorus last year as well. It’s a fascinating experience. As I swam, I imagined that it’s one of the busiest waterways in the world. They close it for a few hours just for this event. It’s a special moment, as the race is open to 3,000 swimmers from 80 countries once a year. Organized by the Turkish Olympic Committee, it was an honor for me to swim from Asia to Europe in this well-managed event.
LIVING IN ANKARA, A CITY WITH UNMATCHED CONNECTIONS
In terms of human connections, I experience things here that I haven’t in other countries. For example, when I walk with my wife Carmen, people often approach us. They mention living or working in the Netherlands, or having a relative there. There are so many connections to the Netherlands. I’ve never experienced this anywhere else. This is the essence of our relationship. The cooperation is not just deep, but broad. It speaks volumes about the strong partnership and friendship between our countries.
KARSU IS AN AMAZING ARTIST
Why is the Karsu concert, which will take place this Friday as part of the events, important to you, and how did the concert process develop?
We wanted to make this year truly special with many events. The Karsu concert is a highlight for us because she’s a huge artist, beloved in both the Netherlands and Turkey. She symbolizes our friendship in a unique way. Karsu is of Turkish origin, with family from Hatay, who suffered greatly in the earthquake, losing many relatives. Karsu mobilized Dutch society to help. She donated proceeds from her cookbook to the victims, performed on TV, and encouraged Dutch people to donate instruments. She collected many, each with a story, and brought them to Hatay, where she opened a music school. Now, children and young people in Hatay can learn music, an important part of rebuilding lives after the earthquake. Karsu is a fantastic artist in so many ways.
A CULTURAL AMBASSADOR
In my opinion, Karsu is the ambassador of the Netherlands in Turkey and of Turkey in the Netherlands. Her concert for such a large audience in Ankara is a key event that will crown our 100 years of friendship. The Municipality of Ankara is also supporting this concert.
You’ve been here for two years. How was your two years here?
The earthquake has been an intense and heartbreaking process. From day one, the Netherlands, like many other countries, offered search and rescue, medical assistance, and any help we could. Now, we are focusing on what our private sector can do for the reconstruction phase. We want to keep this region a priority, understanding the ongoing pain and needs.
