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In the Netherlands we can also be faced with an emergency situation or a disaster and it therefore makes sense to prepare for such an eventuality. Below you can read about what you can do to be prepared and about the most important actions to be taken in specific emergency situations. For more tips about how to be prepared please visit www.nederlandveilig.nl.

The year 2009 showed an impressive program of activities, commemorating the discovery of the New Netherlands four hundred years ago by Captain Hudson. Various events and exchanges were organized. As part of it, the good relations between Breukelen and the New York borough of Brooklyn intensified. The 'Brooklyn Connection’ and the festivities around it, in words and images.

The settlement of Breuckelen, NY
The settlements in contemporary Brooklyn were mostly Dutch. One was New Breuckelen. This is a former settlement in New Netherlands, founded in 1646 by Director General Willem Kieft and named after Breukelen in the Netherlands. Kieft instated self-government led by a board of two aldermen. Director-General Peter Stuyvesant in 1654 expanded the college to four aldermen. The town became the capital of the five Dutch towns (including New Utrecht and New Amersfoort) in Brooklyn, with the administration of the villages that had no own government and a mayor for all five villages.

Brooklyn visits Breukelen
On 19 March, Mayor Mik and his wife welcomed the "mayor" of Brooklyn, Marty Markowitz and his wife. A full delegation from New York came to the Netherlands for an intensive program around the theme of 400 years Netherlands-New York. They visited the Queen and the Keukenhof. Breukelen was also on the program.
The delegation was received at the town hall ‘Boom en Bosch’ by Mayor Mik. In his speech, the mayor referred to the special links between Brooklyn and Breukelen. After that, the group walked towards the Vecht Bridge, where some local entrepreneurs offered their products to the American delegation. Of course the party had to be portrayed on the ‘original Brooklyn Bridge’. Via a short walk through the village, the delegation stepped on board a characteristic river Vecht vessel for lunch. The wonderful weather and pleasant encounter made it a special day.

Breukelen became Brooklyn for one week
The historical and friendly ties between Breukelen and Brooklyn were celebrated with the residents of the Dutch municipality during the Brooklyn Week, from 13 to June 20. The kickoff of the festivities took place on June 13. To really be called "Brooklyn", all official signs 'Breukelen' were changed to 'Brooklyn'. Mik mayor unveiled a place name sign in the early morning at the Vecht Bridge. On that day, the annual Fair was being held in Breukelen. Through a booth with free popcorn, visitors to the fair received information on the program BrooklynBridgeBreukelen.
From 15 to June 19, there was a showcase contest by the Breukelen organized stores. Shopkeepers who had a window decorated with American colors, had a chance at a nice prize: two VIP tickets for Boom Chicago. Jurors mayor Mik and honorary citizen Mrs Gerda Emke declared the shopping window of Eras the winner.
Because shopowners had shown such commitment, the jury decided another price, a delicious cake, to be awarded. That prize was given to Modart menswear.
Young people were also involved in the program. Thus, on June 19 the project leader of Brooklyn Bridge Breukelen, Bram Donkers, led a discussion at the Brooklyn Youth Centre.
On June 20, the Retailers Association Breukelen changed the Kerkbrink to American flavors. Those who like action could sit on the Rodeo Bull. There were American Party Games, but also lovers of Old Timers and Harleys could have fun.

The Brooklyn Night
The highlight of the festivities in Breukelen, the Brooklyn Night, was organized in the park Boom en Bosch. On June 20, all interested residents of the municipality saw intriguing moving pictures about Brooklyn. Also they listened to a video message from the president of Brooklyn, Marty Markowitz. The Terpsichore Dance Association gave two brilliant performances. Several guests spoke at the Brooklyn Brainstorm. Oranjevereniging Breukelen held the Brooklyn lantern parade later in the evening and then, to close the week at the Breukelerbrug, a festive fireworks could be seen.

BrooklynBridgeBreukelen Exhibition
Anyone interested in the special relationship between Brooklyn and Breukelen through the years, was welcome from June 19 to September 4 up in the auditorium of the Regional History Center RHC. The history of a special relationship was exhibited there. During the exhibition one could see that already in1859 a former mayor of Brooklyn visited Breukelen. After World War II Brooklyn did a lot of charity event for Breukelen. Then there were several exchanges and commemorations.
Due to the success of the exhibition, after September 4th, the major part moved to the Driestroom. Thus, the residents of this retirement home could also enjoy the exhibition. Many residents went to listen to a presentation by Mayor Mik on November 16 at the restaurant of the complex. There, he and those present discussed the bond of friendship with Brooklyn.

The Brooklyn Paper visits Breukelen
The Park Podium Foundation provides musical performances on Sundays in the Park during summer and on July 12 there was a Brooklyn Sunday. This not only attracted many visitors, but also two American journalists from The Brooklyn Paper came by. Messrs. Kuntzmann and McLaughlin were shown around by Mayor Mik. Mr. Kuntzmann stayed for one night at Mayor Miks house. They were doing a report on the Netherlands and especially about Breukelen and the local issues, for instance whether or not to build a second Vecht Bridge, and the municipal reorganization.
The activities around Breukelen & Brooklyn not only had drawn attention overseas. The national, regional and local media in The Netherlands expressed great interest. The local radio station Polderland invited project manager Bram Donkers for the program "From my own collection", in which he introduced the listeners to the music of Brooklyn.

Delegation to Brooklyn
From 10 to September 13, the Mayor, aldermen and representatives of the town council went to Brooklyn for a return visit. This visit was part of the annual program BrooklynBridgeBreukelen and was a continuation of the long tradition of exchange. In March, the Brooklyn borough president, Marty Markowitz, invited a delegation to come see his borough when he was a guest in Breukelen.
Mayor Mik experienced his visit to Brooklyn as a series of highlights. Especially the reception at the borough hall with the Dutch Marine Band and the contacts with the Brooklyn Historical Society and its members were impressive. Between the two historical societies arrangements were made about future contacts. The Breukelen delegation consisting of 16 persons also visited the New Utrecht and Flatlands (formerly New Amersfort) areas, with special attention to the only surviving Dutch farmhouse dating from 1652.

Breakfast session with Russell Shorto
The Brooklyn-Breukelen Year ended on December 9 with a tasty American breakfast session at Nijenrode Castle. Special guest at this meeting was Russell Shorto. He is director of the John Adams Institute but also author of the bestseller about the Dutch roots of New York, "New Amsterdam. Island at the center of the world”. Shorto has shown that he is convinced that the Dutch origin was a major influence to the development of the Big Apple. In his speech, he also talked about links between Brooklyn and Breukelen.
The conclusion of the breakfast session was an end to the festive program Brooklyn Bridge Breukelen, but not to the good relationship between Breukelen and Brooklyn. Both municipalities are in close contact. From the Dutch side, an exchange program between schools is being prepared. The historical ties between Breukelen and Brooklyn need to be protected, after the merger of Breukelen with Loenen and Maarssen. To achieve this, in 2010 we are creating the BrooklynBridgeBreukelen foundation.

What would Holland be without windmills? It is true that many have disappeared from the landscape but many have been preserved as well, also in the area of Breukelen.