Attention will be paid to the induced earthquakes in the region during the Dutch royal family’s brief visit the city of Groningen on King’s Day.
The royals will be given a two hour tour of the city that will feature Groningen’s student life, local start-ups, contributions to the energy industry and music scene. Three sidekicks – Groningen’s first “children’s mayor” Javano Zwiers, theater director Ola Mafalaani and Northern Innovation Board director Denisa Kasova – will lead the royal family through their guided city tour.
Earthquakes
The tour will begin at the Prinsenhof hotel in the Martini churchyard and then head to the Grote Markt, where the mayor of Loppersum, Albert Rodenboog, and other residents of the earthquake-prone town will have the opportunity to speak with the king about the ongoing quakes. According to King’s Commissioner René Paas, King Willem-Alexander has made multiple unannounced visits to the region and strives to remain informed about the impact of the gas extraction induced earthquakes.
Energy
Groningen’s contributions to the international energy landscape, including wind energy from offshore farms near the Eemshaven, will also be covered during the tour. Ben Woldring, an entrepreneur from Baflo, will highlight several local businesses which have emerged from Groningen’s start-up community. A performance of a closing song for the occasion will mark the end of the tour.
Visitors
There will be room for roughly 30,000 visitors alone the route of the tour through the city centre. Groningen mayor Peter den Oudsten expects that around 80,000 people will be coming to the city to celebrate the holiday with the king and his family.
The full programme for the royal visit and an overview of other King’s Day festivities is available at koningsdag.groningen.nl/en
