A Dictionary of Dutchness

Hiswa

It is hardly surprising that the alarmingly named Nederlandsche Vereeniging voor Handel en Industrie op het gebied van Scheeps- bouw en Watersport (Dutch association for trade and industry for shipbuilding and water sport), is known by everyone as Hiswa. The organisation was founded by a group of boat builders and dealers in 1932 with the main aim of organising exhibitions to stimulate shipbuilding and water sports. There is still an indoor show every March at the Amsterdam RAI exhibition centre and an outdoor version in September. Meanwhile, the tax office has recently started asking the owners of fancy boats how they managed to pay for them...