News of: Wednesday, March 14 2007,
On Sunday March 18 you can travel for free on all trains in the Netherlands if you have the 'Boekenweekgeschenk'.
The 'Boekenweekgeschenk' is a free book that you get if you buy at least EUR 11.50 worth of books in the Dutch language, during the Boekenweek ('Book week'). All book stores participate.
The Boekenweek lasts from March 14 to March 24.
On Sunday March 18, the Boekenweekgeschenk functions as a train ticket on all trains (only 2nd class) in the Netherlands. One Boekenweekgeschenk works for 1 person, and is valid the entire day.
The Boekenweek is a yearly event, meant to promote book reading in the Netherlands. The Boekenweekgeschenk (Book Week present) has become a tradition, and the free day of train travel has also become a tradition, due to the fact the Dutch Railways is the main sponsor of the Boekenweek.
This year's Boekenweekgeschenk is written by Geert Mak, and called 'De Brug' (the Bridge). It is about a bridge in Istanbul, and the book is available in Dutch and Turkish.
