haarlemsdagbladMay 30, 2026, 07:00

Reading skills continue to decline. Can these books bring back the joy of reading for children? 'They are hugely popular and almost always checked out'

Dutch children's literacy is declining as they read less with age, but graphic novels remain highly popular and are seen as a potential tool to restore reading pleasure. Experts suggest that shifting the focus from reading as an obligation to a source of imagination and knowledge can help improve literacy skills.

Culture Lifestyle Netherlands

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Based on reporting by haarlemsdagblad. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

Find authentic Haarlem fashion at this webshop

Two Haarlem residents, Isabella and Zoë, have launched a clothing brand called HIZ that features locally designed apparel. The entrepreneurs produce their uniseks collection on demand and are expanding their business by collaborating with local designers to represent other cities across the country.

Women's organizations devastated after death of Hajar: "Lived in immense fear"

Following the discovery of 29-year-old Hajar's body in an Amsterdam canal, a 23-year-old suspect has been arrested. Local women's organizations are grieving the loss while addressing the broader societal fears regarding the safety of women.

The 100-year history of Hema is quintessentially Amsterdam

The Dutch retail chain HEMA is celebrating its 100th anniversary since opening its first store in Amsterdam in 1926. The company, known for its household goods and the popular rookworst sandwich, has evolved over the century to serve a diverse range of customers.

Ruud sold this guitar ‘like an idiot’, 38 years later he has it back: ‘A miracle’

Musician Ruud Houweling has been reunited with his first electric guitar after 38 years. Houweling had traded the instrument as a teenager, but he was recently able to recover it and described the event as a miracle.

At trendy Nara Nara, the kitchen is incredibly generous with flavors, though you taste a bit too little of Egypt (7.5)

Nara Nara is a trendy new restaurant in Amsterdam that impresses guests with its generous and flavorful menu. While the food is highly regarded, critics suggest that the kitchen could lean further into its Egyptian roots to provide a more authentic culinary experience.