Not From Holland

I work internationally. That means I introduce myself to people from all over the world on a weekly basis. At some point in almost every conversation, someone says something like:

“Oh, you’re from Holland!”

And every single time, I respond:

“Actually, I’m from the Netherlands. More specifically, from Fryslân.”

It’s never said with irritation. It’s never meant as a scolding correction. But I do correct it. Always.

Here’s why.

Holland Is Not the Netherlands

Let’s start with the simple history.

Holland technically refers to just two provinces: North Holland and South Holland. Cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague are in those provinces. Because those regions historically, starting in the 1600s, dominated trade, politics, and international branding, “Holland” became shorthand abroad for the entire country.

It stuck.

But the Netherlands consists of twelve provinces. Fryslân is one of them. And it is not in Holland.

So when someone calls me “from Holland,” they’re unintentionally placing me in a region I’m not from. It’s like calling someone from Scotland “English” because England is the dominant part of the UK. Understandable mistake. Still inaccurate.

And to be super clear, I understand this is a niche thing. I don’t expect anyone to know this outside the Netherlands. In fact, the vast majority of the Netherlands doesn’t understand my point here, and there are plenty of Frisians who don’t either. And that’s fine. It’s not about them; it’s about how I experience my identity, right?

I’m Frisian first, then Dutch

I am absolutely from the Netherlands. That’s my nationality. But culturally and linguistically, I’m Frisian first.

Frisian is not a dialect of Dutch. It’s its language. (It’s actually the closest language to English.) It has official recognition. Not only that, but it has its own literature, history, and identity. Fryslân has a strong regional culture that predates the modern Dutch state. The history of the Frisians predates the existence of Holland (or the Netherlands) by more than 1000 years.

The Frisian region once spanned from the coast of Southern Denmark, Southern Jutland, all the way down to Dunkirk. So, yeah, that makes Frisians the most southern Nordics 😉.

That identity matters to me. Not in a separatist way. Not in an anti-Dutch way. Just in a factual, cultural, and personal way. When people say “Holland,” it erases that distinction, even if unintentionally.

And if you grow up speaking Frisian, thinking in Frisian, and living inside that culture, that distinction is not trivial.

Not trying to be difficult. 😅

I’m very aware that internationally, “Holland” equals “the Netherlands.” I don’t assume bad intent. I don’t expect everyone to know the provincial structure of my country. This is not about winning a technicality. It’s about precision and identity.

If we care about calling people by their correct names, pronouncing them properly, and respecting their backgrounds, then geography and culture fall into that same category. It’s a small act of acknowledgment.

And honestly, most people respond with curiosity when I explain it. It often leads to a better conversation. Sometimes it even leads to a short lesson in European geography.

That’s a win.

Why I’ll keep correcting it

Because identity is layered. I’m Dutch. I’m European. I’m from the Netherlands. And I’m from Fryslân.

All of those are true at the same time. But “Holland” isn’t. Correcting it isn’t about distancing myself from the Netherlands. It’s about accurately representing where I’m from and the culture that shaped me.

It’s friendly. It’s calm. It’s factual. And it matters to me. So if you ever hear me say, “Actually, I’m from Fryslân,” now you know why. Here’s a fun way to learn more:

Oh, and fun fact, my last name “de Vries” means “the Frisian.” In Dutch. And yes, I can appreciate the irony in that 😅.