Colors of Delft - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Many proverbs have been created about tolerance and politeness of local people. People here have always been very tolerant towards the opinions of others. Delft, just like any other city in the country, is home to numerous defenders of animal rights. Tourists, who walk around the city in luxurious fur coats or jackets made of leather, can cause a lot of negative emotions and feelings from the side of the local people. Despite the fact that locals love to relax and have fun, guests will not be able to dance in local restaurants – this is simply not accepted. There are many other attractive destinations for dance lovers. While resting in a restaurant, the locals pay the bills separately, even if this is a meeting of old friends.

You will often see quite a poor selection of dishes and very small amount of alcohol on the table during celebrations. Sumptuous feasts and plenty of snacks on table are simply not accepted here. Townspeople are quite sociable and responsive. They look at travelers not like at tourists, but their own guests. If you have troubles, you can always ask locals for help. They will help you to get to the sights of the city and will gladly answer all your questions.

Saturday is considered a market day. Tourists and local people go to market to buy fresh fish, vegetables, fruit and cheese. The market attracts farmers and fishermen from all surrounding neighborhoods, so the choice of products is simply amazing. In addition to excellent Dutch cheese herring is considered a popular product. Local people are ready to eat it every day. Travellers also fall in love with amazingly delicious pickled herring. You can buy it not only on a market day. During you walk in the city you will surely pass small grocery stores by. At a glance they look a bit like little stalls that usually sell fast food, but in fact these shops sell delicious herring. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The ancient city of Delft does not differ in bigger size, but it hasn't prevented it to become the venue of various music festival music at once. And what is significant that a part of them are utterly free. The Blues Festival Delft opens the "musical" year and is taking place in the middle of February. Here you will definitely enjoy the charming sounds of blues music within the action in various cafes and bars of the metropolis. The relay is accepted by the Festival Aangeschoten Wild which takes place in March. This festival gathers together all the young talents from all over the country and Europe, who is performing in different musical genres. You can enjoy their bright performances on the platform of the creative center Lijm & Cultuur in the south of Delft. If you consider yourself a great music lover, then you must visit the next festival. IO Festival takes place at the beginning of May in the territory of the Technological University (Technische Universiteit Delft). Here you will enjoy not only great music but can also meet fifteen performers and about 1500 listeners.

The summer season is rich for holidays and events. From the end of July prior to August is time for the chamber classical music. During the Delft Chamber Music Festival, you and your fellows will be charmed with magical melodies for next 10 days. The majority of concerts here passes in one of museum halls, for example, at the Museum Prinsenhof. What do you think about jazz? If you are in love with this genre, then go and enjoy the Street Jazzfestival Delft. It will be organized in the middle of August, from Friday till Sunday. The music of the modern jazz sounds in a historical part of the city: on the Market Square, in Café de Oude Jan, on the terraces of small restaurants on Doelenplein Square. The two-day festival Westerpop is one of the most demanded festivals of modern music in the Netherlands. It is organized at the last dates in August. Waterpop is carried out on the sports ground of college by Grotius College, near the central station.

The Bluesfestival Delft, which usually proceeds in the middle of February is the largest blues action of Holland. Within the festival, more than 50 Dutch and foreign groups will act in tens of cafes and restaurants in all cities. Here you will hear various directions of blues: Chicago and Texas blues, a blues rock, and the acoustic rural blues will feel as here at home. Rock enthusiasts will be delighted too. Except for numerous blues concerts at the festival, you will be able to attend master classes and a film shows as well. Finally, the music and light festival Lichtjesavond finishes the year. To brighten up your winter evenings in Delft, on December 10 go to the Market Square and enjoy a brilliant ceremony of ignition of fires. By the way, do you know that the scenario of the festival is kept in confidence till this time? Church choirs sing in all temples and even at the station, meeting the tourists coming to rest in Holland. If you want to purchase some winter goods or souvenirs, from ginger bars to antiquities, then it will not be a problem to find numerous trade tents along the city.