Whither the Dutch diaspora?
One of the more interesting facets of Toronto's multiculturalism is that when something like the World Cup takes place, it's pretty much a given that someone, somewhere in the city, is celebrating.
I don't profess to be an expert on the sport, but I am enjoying this whole month-long party a great deal. The Italian, Brazilian, Portuguese and Polish neighbourhoods I pass through on my way to and from work are all fulfilling their (ex?) patriotic duties, with all the horn-honkin', flag-wavin' and (in the case of one nation, at least) samba-drummin' one would expect. Some nationalities have more modest displays: take, for example, the painstakingly adorable hand-stitched "Ecuador" flag I saw near Dufferin on the weekend, or the gentleman I heard on CBC boasting of Togo's 70-strong Toronto fanbase.
But where are the Dutch? Since Canada doesn't often turn up in such tournaments, they're the most credible claimant to my allegiance. As far as I know, they're ranked pretty well, and hell, it sure is fun to see their bright bright uniforms. I'm perfectly content to root for a troupe of fair-haired boys in orange I know virtually nothing about, but I can't seem to find a community of like-minded Netherlanders to do so with. Is there a "Little Holland" in this city I haven't found yet?
I don't profess to be an expert on the sport, but I am enjoying this whole month-long party a great deal. The Italian, Brazilian, Portuguese and Polish neighbourhoods I pass through on my way to and from work are all fulfilling their (ex?) patriotic duties, with all the horn-honkin', flag-wavin' and (in the case of one nation, at least) samba-drummin' one would expect. Some nationalities have more modest displays: take, for example, the painstakingly adorable hand-stitched "Ecuador" flag I saw near Dufferin on the weekend, or the gentleman I heard on CBC boasting of Togo's 70-strong Toronto fanbase.
But where are the Dutch? Since Canada doesn't often turn up in such tournaments, they're the most credible claimant to my allegiance. As far as I know, they're ranked pretty well, and hell, it sure is fun to see their bright bright uniforms. I'm perfectly content to root for a troupe of fair-haired boys in orange I know virtually nothing about, but I can't seem to find a community of like-minded Netherlanders to do so with. Is there a "Little Holland" in this city I haven't found yet?

0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home