Avonden

Avonden is the Dutch plural noun meaning evenings, formed from the singular avond (evening). It is used to refer to more than one evening or to events that take place in the evening, often in institutional or organizational contexts. In everyday speech, phrases such as vrijdagavond or avondprogramma describe specific evenings and evening events.

In Dutch language and culture, avonden are commonly associated with social, cultural, or familial activities that occur after work hours. Many venues host regular avonden, including lectures, performances, or club meetings. The term also appears in calendar expressions and is used in the naming of events such as theateravonden, cultureel avonden, or literatuuravonden.

A notable use as a proper noun is De Avonden (The Evenings), a 1947 novel by Gerard Reve. The book follows the protagonist, a young man named Frits van Egters, through a few days in Amsterdam after World War II. It is regarded as a landmark of Dutch postwar literature and has been translated into several languages, contributing to the international reception of Dutch literary modernism.

Etymology: avond derives from a common Germanic root and is cognate with German Abend and English evening, reflecting a cross-Germanic heritage for the time of day.

See also: avond; De Avonden; avondprogramma.