The Dutch town of Breukelen will this week call itself Brooklyn to mark the exploration of the New York area, 400 years ago, by the British navigator Henry Hudson on behalf of the Dutch East India Company.

Brooklyn, now one of New York City's five boroughs, was founded in 1646 as Nieuw-Breuckelen. A series of exhibitions, lectures and other events have been organised to celebrate the occasion. Later this week Brooklyn Borrough President Marty Markovitz will give a speech via a live video link. A large copy of the Statue of Liberty has been erected in the centre of Breukelen.