National Mill Day will take place on May 9 and 10, with hundreds of wind and water mills across the Netherlands opening their doors to the public. The Zaanstreek region will host special events, including music and various activities for children.
The Haarlem city council has approved the sale of its share of the Verweyhal national monument to the Raiola heirs to facilitate a full restoration of the historic building. The renovation, set to begin this year, will transform the site at the Grote Markt into a space featuring a shop and a public green roof terrace.
The Haarlem Vinyl Festival has announced its first set of artists for its upcoming fourth edition, featuring Bente, Mula B, and Chef’Special. The festival is scheduled to take place from October 2 to 4 across more than 25 locations throughout the Haarlem city center.
The Haarlem municipality processed 58 permit applications last week concerning construction, tree felling, and traffic issues. Of these applications, 56 were specific to Haarlem while two related to the village of Spaarndam.
Jehovah's Witnesses have updated their policy to allow members to store and use their own blood for planned medical procedures, a shift from their previous total ban on blood transfusions. The change follows historical instances of members dying after refusing blood and raises questions about the practical benefits for the community in the Netherlands. While the new rule provides an alternative for scheduled surgeries, it may not address emergency situations where blood has not been pre-stored.
Paul van Marissing is stepping down from Grafisch Atelier Haarlem after years of preserving traditional printing techniques. Despite the decline of industrial printing, he successfully promoted the unique beauty of handmade prints, leading to a renewed interest in the craft.