haarlemsdagbladJun 9, 2026, 17:00

Does World Cup referee Danny Makkelie inspire youth to pick up the whistle? ‘You’re not a wimp, but the boss on the field’

Author Arjan van den Haak has released two youth novels intended to inspire young football fans to pursue careers as referees, modeled after Dutch World Cup official Danny Makkelie. The stories aim to portray referees as authoritative figures on the field and encourage youths to handle the pressure and criticism associated with the role.

Culture Lifestyle Netherlands

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

Anna Knaup was at the cradle of ADE: ‘No, of course it’s not as much fun now as it was in the nineties’

Booking agent and manager Anna Knaup reflects on her essential role in the inception of the Amsterdam Dance Event. She contrasts the underground atmosphere of the nineties with the massive, multi-billion dollar commercial industry that has since emerged.

Laughs! See this Haarlem comedian in the new show Wat speelt er

Haarlem native Anniek Pheifer will appear in the new unscripted comedy show Wat speelt er, hosted by Patrick Lodiers. The program, which debuts on NPO1 on October 29, features performers improvising scenes based on current weekly news events.

DJ Don Diablo in a relationship with his manager: 'Nicest girl in the world'

Dutch DJ Don Diablo has revealed that he is in a romantic relationship with his manager, Roos, whom he describes as the cornerstone of his professional and personal life. Additionally, the artist announced an upcoming collaboration with Robbie Williams on a new song titled Boring.

Frank van Etten in cardiac care after falling ill: 'It's because of my divorce'

Dutch singer Frank van Etten was briefly hospitalized for heart monitoring after a sudden health collapse he attributes to stress from his divorce. The artist has postponed his upcoming performances for one week to focus on his recovery.

Sea lions finally leave Artis after more than 100 years

After more than a century, Artis Zoo in Amsterdam has permanently closed its sea lion exhibit following concerns regarding the size of the enclosure. The three remaining sea lions have been relocated to a larger facility in Singapore, while their former habitat will be repurposed for the zoo's penguins.