Welcome to Gouda - The Netherlands and to the 130th edition of the Forum Song Contest (FSC)
Welkom!
The main theme for this FSC-edition is:
‘The Netherlands: In the Spirit of Christmas’
We are here as a result of : The Netherland’s great victory in FSC
#129 November 2019 with Dotan’s song ‘Numb’ [ video under picture ^ ]
Congratulations once again!
The Host city for this FSC #130-edition is: Gouda - The Netherlands , a city and municipality in
the west of The Netherlands between Rotterdam & Utrecht , in the province of South Holland. Gouda
has a population of ca 73.000 & is top famous for its Gouda cheese, also for stroopwafels, grachten
smoking pipes, & its 15th-century City Hall. Its many historic buildings make it a popular destination.
In the Middle Ages a settlement was founded at the location of the current city by the Van der Goude
family, who built a fortified castle alongside the banks of the Gouwe River, from which the family and
the city took its name. The area, originally marshland, developed over the course of two centuries. By
1225 a canal linked to the Gouwe & its river-mouth formed into a harbour. City rights granted in 1272.
Around the year 1100 , the area where Gouda now is located was swampy & was covered with a peat
forest, crossed by small creeks such as the Gouwe . Along the shores of this stream near the current
market and City Hall, peat harvesting began in the 11th and 12th centuries. In 1139, the name Gouda
is first mentioned , in a statement from the Bishop of Utrecht (appointed by the Holy Roman Empire).
In the 13th century , the Gouwe was connected to the Oude Rijn (Old Rhine), by means of a canal and
its mouth at the Hollandse IJssel was developed into a harbor . Castle Gouda was built to protect the
harbour. This shipping route was used for trade between Flanders & France, with Holland & the Baltic
Sea. In 1272 , Floris V , Count of Holland, granted city rights to Gouda which was gaining importance.
City-canals or grachten were dug and served as transport ways through the town. Great fires in 1361
and 1438 destroyed the city . In 1572 , the city was occupied by Les Gueux (Dutch rebels against the
Spanish King), who also committed arson & destruction . In 1577 demolition of Castle Gouda began.
In 1551 was founded the oldest still-functioning inn De Zalm, located on Markt 34, near Waag house
In the period 1570-1670 , Gouda suffered often from deadly plague epidemics , of which the last one
was the most severe: ca 3000 persons died, 20% of its population. In the last 1/4 of the 16th century
Gouda had serious economic problems. It recovered in the first 1/2 of the 17th century and even pro
spered between 1665 & 1672 . But its economy collapsed anew, when war/plague broke out 1672/3.
Starting in 1830 , demolition of the city walls began . The last city gate was torn down in 1854 . Only
from the 2nd half of the 19th century onward , did Gouda start to profit, from an improved economic
condition . New companies , such as Stearine Kaarsenfabriek (Stearine Candle Factory) and Machin
ale Garenspinnerij (Mechanized Yarn Spinnery) , acted as the impetus , to its ever growing economy.
‘The Netherlands: In the Spirit of Christmas’
‘Gouda by Candlelight’
A special tradition in The Netherlands , is that on 5th December Sinterklaas (St. Nicholas) brings ch
ildren their presents. St. Nicholas' Day is on 6th December , but in The Netherlands the major celebr
ations are held on 5th December , St. Nicholas' Eve . The name Santa Claus , comes from the name
Sinterklaas . The evening of December 5th is called St. Nicholas’ Eve 'Sinterklaasavond', or 'Pakjesa
vond' (present evening). The children will receive their many presents during the evening of this day
Christmas celebrations in The Netherlands are separate from, and in addition to, the visit of Sinterkl
aas . Christmas Day itself is a quieter peaceful day , often with a Church Service & a pleasant family
meal . Sometimes, there is a special Christmas Day ' Sunday School ' in the afternoon at the church,
where the Christmas Story , and other traditional stories, are told . These are often the only presents
children will get on Christmas Day, because they have already received most of their presents on St.
Nicholas Day . Many people in The Netherlands have a Christmas Tree in their houses in celebration
of the happy season. In Dutch Happy/Merry Christmas can be said as 'Prettige Kerst' ( Happy Christ
mas ) , 'Zalig Kerstfeest / Kerstmis' ( Merry Christmas ) or 'Vrolijk Kerstfeest' ( Cheerful Christmas ).
‘Gouda by Candlelight’ is an annual Christmas event held in mid December in the Dutch city of Gouda
The tradition began in 1956 , when the market of Gouda was decorated with a large Christmas tree lit
by candles in front of the old medieval City Hall . It is the oldest and largest 'Christmas lights evening’
of the Netherlands . It features popular seasonal attractions in the city centre . In the evening , a large
Christmas tree (between 50 and 60 feet (17–20 meters)) , an annual gift from the sister city of Kongs
berg, Norway, is lit in the market place before a huge crowd of joyful people . Carols are sung by famo
us Dutch singers accompanied by choirs . The windows of the Old City Hall and the surrounding hous
es are lit by Gouda candles, & one gets a feeling of Light and Christmas to the enjoyment of everyone.
Every year about 20.000 people visit Gouda during the Gouda by Candlelight weeknd. Gouda extends
its Christmas atmosphere to the week after Gouda by Candlelight, with Candlelight Shopping evening
on the next Saturday , and an ice skating track starting a few days later. This annual celebratory event
in this historic city in the west of The Netherlands , is certainly carried , out in the 'Spirit of Christmas'.
In 1855, the railway Gouda-Utrecht began to operate. In the beginning of the 20th century, large-scale
development began, extending the city beyond its moats. From 1940 on, back-filling of the city moats
and city-canals, the grachten, began: the Nieuwe Haven, Raam, Naaierstraat , and Achter de Vismarkt.
But because of city protests Gouda did not continue back-filling moats and city-canals, now valuable.
After WW2, the city started to expand and nearly tripled in size. New neighbourhoods such as Gouda-
Oost, Bloemendaal and Goverwelle were built. Over the last years there has been a shift from expandi
ng the city towards urban renewal . Gouda is world-famous for its Gouda cheese, which is still traded
on its cheese market Thursdays. Gouda is also known for its candles, smoking pipes & stroopwafels.
Gouda used to have a considerable linen industry and also a number of beer breweries . The world fa
mous Gouda cheese is not made in the city itself but in the surrounding region . It derives its name fr
om being traded in Gouda where the city council imposes stringent quality controls. The economy of
the city centre is based on tourism leisure & retail while offices are located at the outskirts of the city
There are many events and attractions in Gouda : the Gouda Cheese and Craft Market, every Thursday
(April–August) which is said to atract about 60.000 tourists each year. Gouda Ceramics Days, a yearly
two-day event of ceramists from the Netherlands & other countries with several e
bitions in May by the Old City Hall. Gouda's Monmartre, antique/curio/collector's market by the Old City Hall in summer.
Gouda Water City Festival, a weekend event some years in the city. Gouda by Candlelight, the famous
December-event described in the mid-section above. There are many other attractions also in Gouda
The main historic building , is probably the Old City Hall at the Markt square - built between 1448 and
1450, it's one of the oldest Gothic City Halls in the Netherlands. Museum Gouda (art and city history)
The Waag (weighing house) built in 1667 across from the Old City Hall, this building was used for we
ighing goods (specially cheese) to levy taxes . It now is a national monument. It currently hosts a sm
all cheese museum. Verzetsmuseum - a museum about the Dutch resistance during WW2, collection
currently in storage. There's also Museumhaven Gouda - which is a small harbour with historic ships.
St. Jans Kerk (Sint Jans / Saint John Church) is the longest church in the Netherlands, famous for its
stained glass windows were made between 1530 and 1603 , considered the most significant stained
glass collection in the Netherlands. Even in the 17th century it was a tourist attraction. Goudse Schou
wburg theater. Waaiersluis (Waaier Locks) - a historic lock on the Hollandse IJssel just east of Gouda
Gouda has two railway stations : Gouda, and Gouda Goverwelle with Intercity services to The Hague,
Rotterdam, and Utrecht as well as local trains to Amsterdam and Alphen aan den Rijn/Leiden. The ci
ty has many cafes , restaurants, hotels and facilities for visitors. Gouda also has numerous sports fa
cilities , with swimming pools , sports parks , sports halls / gyms . RFC Gouda is the local rugby-club.
Famous persons from Gouda include: Gerard Leeu (1445–1493) , one of the earliest printers (incuna
bulum period) in North Holland . Erasmus , a famous Dutch philosopher and Christian humanist may
have been born (or conceived) in Gouda according to some historians, though it's disputed by others
(Rotterdam being the alternative) . Adriaan Vlacq (1600-1667), a famous mathematician & publisher.
Host venue for FSC #130 December 2019 is the Goudse Schouwburg a theater in the Dutch city
of Gouda . The current theater on the Boelekade was opened in 1992, has a large hall with 813 seats
& smaller hall with 232 seats . In 2011 , the Goudse Schouwburg was proclaimed Theater of the Year
by the Association of Free Theater Producers. Music , opera , musicals , dance, theater & cabaret are
performed in the theater . The history , of the Goudse Schouwburg goes back to ' Sociëteit Ons Geno
egen', founded in 1854. The Nieuwe Schouwburg was opened next to this hall in 1913. Until 1971 the
building was rented to a foundation, with participants from both the municipality of Gouda & the Soc
iëteit Ons Genoegen. After that year , the entire Schouwburg became the property of this foundation.
The 1913-theater , was demolished in 1992 , when the current theater opened its doors, at that same
location that year. The theater is very proud to host this evening’s edition of the Forum Song Contest
Our lovely Hosts this evening are:
Duncan Laurence and Sylvia Hoeks
Duncan de Moor (born 11th April 1994) , professionally known as Duncan Laurence, is a well known
Dutch singer-songwriter . He began his music career in 2014 , and became a semi-finalist in the fifth
season of The Voice of Holland , coached by Ilse DeLange of The Common Linnets fame . Laurence
then represented The Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 , with the song "Arcade" and
he went on to win the competition , giving the Netherlands its first Eurovision win since 1975. In Oct
ober 2019 Laurence released his second single "Love Don't Hate It". He signed with Capitol Records
Sylvia Hoeks (born 1st June 1983) is a Dutch actress and former model , best known internationally
for her roles in Blade Runner 2049 (2017) and in The Girl in the Spider's Web (2018) . She grew up in
Maarheeze, Noord-Braban, The Netherlands. After finishing high school she attended the Maastricht
Academy of Dramatic Arts. Shortly after graduation , she had a main role in the Dutch TV film Staats
gevaarlijk. In 2005 , she appeared as a mistress in the series Gooische Vrouwen and had a main role
in the psychological thriller series Vuurzee. In 2019 she appeared in the Apple TV+ drama series See
And we are now pleased to announce
The Opening Act
an exclusive International Guest Appearance
by the popular Russian singer & songwriter
Mаксим
performing one of her
popular 2018-melodies
’Здесь и сейчас (Here and Now)’
Once again, welcome to the 130th edition of the Forum Song Contest.
Let the Show begin!
THE-
We are pleased to announce
The Interval Acts
a Special National Artist Performance
by the famous Netherlands group/duo
The Common Linnets
performing a Christmas
song apt for the season
’At Christmas Time’
-and-
a Special National Artist Performance
by the famous Netherlands Metal-band
Within Temptation
performing one of their
most beloved melodies
’Jillian (I’d Give My Heart)’
We are pleased to announce
The Closing Act
an exclusive International Guest Appearance
by the famous Irish singer of Clannad-fame
Moya Brennan
performing her beautiful
song from ‘King Arthur’
’Tell Me Now (What You See)’
Thank You - and Good Night - from Gouda - The Netherlands!
7 day Evaluation Period
The Evaluation Period is 7 days from the beginning of the contest. If you find any songs that
you believe may break the FSC Rules , please contact the FSC Mods via PM (off the boards)
Voting deadline
27th December, 23:59 CET
Vote Collector (PM)
aardvark
OR Use your FSC Private Forum
Keep in mind, that only votes submitted in your FSC Private Forum, or sent to the FSC Mod Vote
Collector, after the Evaluation Period is finished - and within the voting deadline - will be counted
Enjoy! - and Good Luck To All Entries!
Merry xsanta Christmas
The Netherlands! 
Clearly a sign
