The Grenadier Renegade

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

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?

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