An NOS-commissioned survey found that residents of Friesland, Zeeland, Drenthe and Groningen take the most pride in their province, and Groningers and Frisians identify more closely with their province than with the Netherlands.
Translation by Traci White
NOS reports that Frisians are the proudest of their province, with three-fourths of respondents to a survey by I&O Research saying that there were very proud of Friesland. Groningers, Drenthen and Zeeuwen (residents of Zeeland) also reported taking great pride in their provinces.
The survey was commissioned by NOS and the regional broadcasters. While 57 percent of respondents said that they felt Dutch first and foremost, the majority of residents in Groningen, Friesland and Limburg identify with their province before the country.
Mentality
Younger residents in particular cited the general mentality of the provinces as the aspect that they took the most pride in. Groningen’s down-to-earthness was a special source of pride among the youth, as was their love for the city of Groningen. Older inhabitants were prouder of the natural beauty of their provinces, especially in Drenthe, Gelderland and Zeeland.
The role of language yielded surprising and somewhat contrary results. In Friesland and Limburg, around 15 percent of residents said that their local language was a source of embarrassment, yet in both provinces, residents in general took the most pride in their regional languages.
The typical traits of Friesland that residents were proudest of were language, mentality, nature, traditions and the Elfstedentocht. In Groningen, the down-to-earth-disposition of the province, the city of Groningen, the landscape, cultural heritage and FC Groningen were points of pride. Heathland and woodlands and level-headedness were praised in Drenthe, along with two sports-related themes: TT Assen and FC Emmen.
