NY400 Week: Premiere 'The New York Connection' September 11, 2009

This four-part Dutch Public TV documentary (AVRO / IDTV Docs) highlights the Dutch history of the City of New York Dutch author Dirk van Weelden wanders through New York and Amsterdam trying to discover traces of New York’s Dutch history. The series describes the origin and the expansion of a colony under Dutch rule, and draws a connection between this history and both 17th century Holland and contemporary New York. Thus, the makers of the series attempt to make an accurate portrait of New York and its history, going back to a time when Holland was still a world power. The historical tale brings the viewer to topics that still raise interesting questions today. The following topics are covered respectively: The American Dream, The New Yorker, Trade & Money and The Development of a Society. With a.o. Russell Shorto, Charles Gehring, Jaap Jacobs, and Mayor Mayor Bloomberg.
The documentary series is inspired by Russell Shorto’s book The Island at the Center of the World and Charles Gehring’s translations of the 17th century records of New Netherlands.

Official Website: http://www.ny400.org/events/ny400-week-premiere-the-new-york-connection