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Dutch Prince Visits Nagano Elementary School (Februrary 18)
Crown Prince Willem Alexander of the Netherlands visited Kawanaka-jima Elementary School in Nagano on February 17 as part of the Olympic host city's "One School, One Country program."Each elementary and middle school in the city learns about, promotes exchange with, and roots for a country participating in the Nagano Games.
The schoolchildren welcomed the crown prince by singing the Dutch national anthem in the original language and presented hand-made flags and folded paper cranes to him and seven other visitors, including the Dutch minister of health, welfare, and sport and the Dutch ambassador to Japan.
The prince said he was moved by the rendition of the national anthem, which he sang along with the children. "In the year 2000, Japan and the Netherlands will celebrate 400 years of friendly ties," the crown prince stated, "and I hope that exchange between our two countries will deepen in the years to come."
"I'm an avid fan of sports," he added, "and I'm a little hoarse from cheering so loudly." The crown prince brought miniature wooden clogs from his country as gifts for all students.
Sixth-grade student president Mika Takagi said she hoped exchange activities with the Netherlands would continue beyond the Olympics. (Shinano Mainichi Shimbun)
Crown Prince Willem Alexander is surrounded by schoolchildren.