The year 2009 marked the 400th anniversary of the arrival of Henry Hudson, sailing for the Dutch, in what is now New York Harbor. His discovery led to the founding of New Amsterdam, now New York City, by the Dutch West India Company in 1625. The City today retains many of the characteristics of the original colony, with its great tolerance and ready acceptance of diversity. There were many celebrations in the City during 2009 to mark Hudson's voyage and its historic consequences.

In September, 2009, the Dutch visited New York to share in the celebration. The "New Island Festival" was organized to present theater, music and art from the Netherlands. The festival was held on Governors Island in New York Harbor, about half a mile from lower Manhattan, and the public were invited to participate and to be entertained. There are many people of Dutch ancestry in the New York City region and the Festival was very well attended by them and the public in general.

This gallery presents a series of candid photographs with the hope of conveying some of the excitement of the event and portraits of the entertainers and their guests.