Mata Hari walk
13 September, 10 October
This year marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Margaretha Geertruida Zelle in Leeuwarden.
On 7 August, it will be exactly 150 years since Margaretha Geertruida Zelle – better known as ‘Mata Hari’ – was born in 1876 at Kelders 33 in Leeuwarden. The dancer and spy was born above her parents’ hat and cap shop. Follow in Mata Hari’s footsteps through the Leeuwarden of her youth.
Almost everyone has heard of Mata Hari – the name adopted by the exotic dancer who was executed by firing squad in France in 1917. This ‘femme fatale’ was born Margaretha Geertruida Zelle in Leeuwarden in 1876. Her father, Adam Zelle, owned a hat and cap shop at Kelders 33.
In 1905, she rose to fame under her stage name Mata Hari (‘eye of the sun’) as an exotic dancer in cities such as Paris and Milan. During the First World War, Mata Hari moved in circles of military officers in both Germany and France.
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On 7 August, it will be exactly 150 years since Margaretha Geertruida Zelle – better known as ‘Mata Hari’ – was born in 1876 at Kelders 33 in Leeuwarden. The dancer and spy was born above her parents’ hat and cap shop. Follow in Mata Hari’s footsteps through the Leeuwarden of her youth.
Almost everyone has heard of Mata Hari – the name adopted by the exotic dancer who was executed by firing squad in France in 1917. This ‘femme fatale’ was born Margaretha Geertruida Zelle in Leeuwarden in 1876. Her father, Adam Zelle, owned a hat and cap shop at Kelders 33.
In 1905, she rose to fame under her stage name Mata Hari (‘eye of the sun’) as an exotic dancer in cities such as Paris and Milan. During the First World War, Mata Hari moved in circles of military officers in both Germany and France.
In 1917, she was convicted of double espionage in France and executed. Her eventful life, alleged double espionage and tragic end captured the imagination. Books, films and television series have been made about her life, and the renowned painter Isaac Israëls painted her portrait.