The tradition for April 1 jokes and pranks is becoming blurred in the Netherlands, with an increasing number making their public appearance well before April Fool’s Day, the Volkskrant says on Tuesday.

For example, on March 25 Groningen University claimed to have discovered a special gene which determined the ‘typical Groningen character’ – hard working, independent, proud, direct and entrepreneurial.

These are ‘qualities which are extra important in the current economic crisis,’ the researchers said in the Volkskrant.

Drones

Opticians chain Specsavers offered to deliver new contact lenses to people by drone if they lose them while out and about.

Paint company AkzoNobel said it has developed an ultrasonic coating – or singing paint – which can turn surfaces into surround sound speakers.

LiquidSoundz is the breakthrough paint ‘n’ play technology which uses embedded nanobots to convert signals from audio devices, which are transmitted via a downloadable app known as the Wall of Soundz, the company said in a press release.

Name change

Local news website Telstar-online reported that a D66 councillor in Pijnacker-Nootdorp was facing calls from pro-animal party councillors to change his name.

The councillor’s name is Hennevanger (hen catcher) and it is ‘confrontational’ to see it on name tags, PvdD local leader Carla van Viegen was quoted as saying.

Internet service provider XS4all claimed to have developed an app to stream content at night, so people can decide what to dream. Dream packs – activity, music, fame, friends – could be downloaded from website The Pirate Bay.

Hashtags

Website hashtag.nl offered people the opportunity to claim and register their own hashtag for €49 a year.

An organisation called ICAHN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Hashtags and Numbers) was pleased to say the Netherlands is the first country where this is possible.

In Limburg a local paper reported that dog owners had until April 1 to send a sample of their pet’s poop for DNA analysis, while organic farming firm Bionext said it was

International

The Dutch fish board made international headlines on March 31 with its report that new herring would be available six weeks early this year and had already been spotted off the Dutch coast.

All became clear in a video posted on YouTube on April 1.

The national students’ association went public with a special plan to stop students being satisfied with scoring six out of 10. The new marking system would start at seven and go up to 12, the LSVb said. ‘Average exam grades will soar,’ the union said.

Animals

Two jokes involved seals. According to Utrecht city council, one was spotted by workmen swimming in a city centre canal and another was seen in the river by Slot Loevestein by ferry workers.

In Brabant, the arrival of giraffe from Copenhagen zoo – where it was about to be fed to the lions – was welcomed by the local forestry commission and provincial officials. The giraffe, named Carlos, will benefit local nature and boost biodiversity, officials said.

The Netherlands also witnessed the birth of a new company – Moneybird.nl – which offers pigeon post for same day postal delivery. Clients can chose from a selection of birds, such as the Rapido or the Kareltje – for €6.95 per delivery.

If you spot any good local April 1 pranks, do let us know.