Pinksteren

Pinksteren is the Dutch name for Pentecost, a Christian feast day celebrated fifty days after Easter. In the Netherlands, it is observed as a public holiday with two days: Eerste Pinksterdag (First Pentecost Day) on Sunday and Tweede Pinksterdag (Second Pentecost Day) on Monday, creating a long weekend. The exact date changes each year with Easter.

The feast commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles, as described in the New Testament. Pentecost marks the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to send the Spirit to empower the church’s mission and is often regarded as the birthday of the Christian church. In liturgical tradition, the day is commonly associated with the color red.

Observances include church services, prayers, and readings from the Acts of the Apostles. In Dutch-speaking regions, Pentecost is typically celebrated with family gatherings and local activities, and many people take advantage of the long weekend for travel, markets, or community events. The holiday has both religious and secular facets, reflecting its historical role as a time of renewal and communal celebration.

Terminology and scope: The term Pinksteren derives from Dutch, literally reflecting the feast of Pentecost. The holiday is recognized across Christian denominations that observe Pentecost and is most prominently marked in the Netherlands, where it functions as a formal public holiday on two days. In broader contexts, the same festival is known as Pentecost or Whitsun in other languages.