Speech by Jan van Zanen at the opening of the Japanese Garden, 24 April 2025

Mr. Ambassado,

Minami-San,

Mayor De Lange,

Dear all,

In these uncertain and troublesome times, happily there are still some warm and familiar items on our schedule.

The opening of the Japanese Garden, every year in April, is one of them.

That we meet here every year, usually in largely the same company, is a reassuring thought to me.

I hope for you too.

All the more so this year, in which the Netherlands and Japan are celebrating 425 years of diplomatic ties.

The Hague and Wassenaar are jointly responsible for this garden and the greenery we share.

So I am happy that Wassenaar’s Mayor Leendert de Lange is also here today.

The Japanese Garden in Clingendael reminds us that there was interest in Japan in earlier times too.

Indeed, in the 19^th and early 20^th centuries The Hague enjoyed the reputation of being a veritable treasure trove of Japanese art and culture in the Netherlands.

In those days, a Hague resident who wanted to buy Japanese lacquerware or porcelain could visit Dirk Boer’s Japanese Warehouse and later his Koninklijke Bazar (Royal Bazar).

Today’s Bazarstraat still reminds us of that time.

When Baroness Van Brienen wanted to have her Japanese Garden laid out here, after her trip to Japan in 1911, this was also an expression of the wider interest in society in all things Japanese.

Over the years the Japanese Garden has gone through various changes.

Although the essence of the original design has remained.

The Japanese Garden looks lovely, thanks to the good care provided by gardener Levi Schilperoordt, who works for The Hague city council.

He is supported by willing volunteers, who help with the day-to-day maintenance.

Last winter a thorough inventory of the plants was taken.

New bamboo arches were also placed, a nice addition to the layout of the garden.

To prevent large puddles of water forming when it rains, a drainage pipe has been dug into the ground at the back of the garden.

The stepping stones over the pond have been stabilised again, because they had sunk and become uneven.

In short, the Japanese Garden is looking its best again.

Ready for the visitors who come to enjoy its serenity and the splendid flora.

Something I hope you will also do: enjoy.

Thank you.