NY400 is the celebration of 400 years of friendship between the Netherlands and the United States. In 1609 the Halve Maen, a ship owned by the Dutch East India Company, sailed up the river that would later be called the Hudson. The New Netherland colony and the trading post New Amsterdam, now New York City, would later be founded along its shores.

NY400 – an all-year initiative in 2009 – celebrates 400 years of history and shared values between the Netherlands and the US: freedom, tolerance and equal opportunities. It is an initiative of the Dutch government in cooperation with local US agencies, such as the Henry Hudson 400 Foundation, cultural institutions, companies and private individuals in the US and the Netherlands. ING is sponsoring this overall initiative in support of the values the event represents. ING has extensive US operations and has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange since 1997.

The highlight of this year’s celebrations was NY400 week, which took place from 8-13 September, with festivals and special exhibits in and around New York’s Hudson River, Governor’s Island and historic New Amsterdam – exciting activities that will link the past with the present and future! The week opened with a colourful flotilla of Dutch ships sailing into New York Harbor. The flotilla included naval frigates, NATO minesweepers, 20 flat-bottomed boats and replicas of the Halve Maen.

During this week, ING sponsored three events in particular: the New Island Festival, the Dance Event (Sept. 12) and Harbor Day (Sept. 13).

The New Island Festival still runs through 20 September on Governor’s Island, bringing together the best of what Dutch festivals have to offer. It combines the unique site-specific theatrical programming of the Dutch festival Oerol. Go to www.NY400.org for more details.