Culture News in English
Latest culture headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
It's Children's Book Week: how to get your child reading again
As the annual Children's Book Week takes place in the Netherlands, parents are facing challenges in encouraging children to read due to the prevalence of smartphones and social media. The article expl...
Opticians divided over sale of 'spy glasses': 'We won't wait for a ban'
Dutch opticians are divided over selling AI-integrated smart glasses, with some retailers choosing to pull the products from shelves due to privacy concerns and others maintaining sales. The governmen...
Empty crutches left at Ruk en Pluk after break-in on Linnaeusstraat: "Come with a parachute"
Extensive construction on the Linnaeusstraat in Amsterdam is severely limiting customer access to local businesses, causing a sharp decline in revenue for shop owners. Business operators are seeking m...
Huge 17th-century VOC ship Batavia sails through Amsterdam in 2026: "Wonderful"
A 17th-century VOC ship reconstruction named the Batavia passed through Amsterdam on a pontoon following a two-week renovation at the NDSM wharf. The massive 56-meter vessel is now en route to Lelysta...
Suzan & Freek announce new album: 'Created when life suddenly took a different turn'
Musical duo Suzan & Freek have announced a new album arriving on November 13, reflecting on the profound personal changes in their lives following Freek's terminal lung cancer diagnosis. The record fe...
Paulien Cornelisse's funeral to be held privately, date unknown
The funeral for writer and comedian Paulien Cornelisse will be held privately with no date currently announced. Cornelisse, who became a juror for De slimste mens in 2025, passed away following a peri...
Bol pulls 'inappropriate' AI video glasses with manipulation stickers from sale, still available elsewhere
Bol.com has removed stickers from its website that allowed users to hide the recording indicator lights on video glasses. The retailer decided to ban the products after concerns were raised regarding ...
Sia sells half of music rights for 180 million dollars to ABBA member's company
Singer Sia has sold half of her music catalog rights to Pophouse Entertainment, a Swedish firm co-founded by ABBA member Björn Ulvaeus, for 180 million dollars. The partnership intends to develop imm...
Ben Affleck threatened by neighborhood kids at fourteen: 'They pulled a knife'
Actor Ben Affleck recounted being threatened with a knife by neighborhood acquaintances while walking home from school as a teenager in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He managed to avoid the robbery by rec...
SteDoCo goalkeeper hasn't conceded in 450 minutes: 'Nice, pizza from the coach'
Goalkeeper Abdel El Ouazzane has achieved a 450-minute clean sheet streak for his club SteDoCo during the current fourth division season. The Amsterdam native, who previously played for clubs like AZ ...
Pre-trial detention of Marius Borg Høiby extended by another month
Norwegian authorities have extended the pre-trial detention of Marius Borg Høiby by one month due to concerns regarding potential recidivism. The 29-year-old, who is the stepson of Crown Prince Haako...
Jim Carrey secretly married for the third time
Actor Jim Carrey has reportedly married his partner, Min Ah, in a private ceremony. The couple, who made their public debut at the César Awards in Paris earlier this year, have largely kept their rel...
These 16 Amsterdam restaurants with play areas are ideal for small children
A list of sixteen restaurants and cafes in Amsterdam has been highlighted for their family-friendly atmosphere and dedicated play areas. These venues are specifically recommended for parents who want ...
Cornald Maas is new jury chair of Annie M.G. Schmidt Prize
Cornald Maas has been named the new jury chairman for the Annie M.G. Schmidtprijs, an annual award honoring the best Dutch theater song. The announcement comes as the organization prepares for its upc...
Buffet van Odette on the Prinsengracht celebrates 25th anniversary: People often ask why we only have one restaurant
Buffet van Odette, a popular family-run restaurant located on the Prinsengracht, is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Founder Odette Rigterink credits the establishment's enduring success to its signa...
Paulien Cornelisse's husband writes about her columns: 'A great gift'
The husband of the late writer Paulien Cornelisse has shared personal tributes to her work and revealed that she left behind a letter with instructions for him before her death at age fifty. Corneliss...
October 2026: what to do in Amsterdam this month
Amsterdam is hosting an extensive calendar of events throughout October 2026, ranging from cultural festivals and film showcases to major athletic competitions like the TCS Amsterdam Marathon. Key hig...
Music lessons and rehearsals at Slachthuis Haarlem resume Monday
Music studios at Slachthuis Haarlem will reopen for lessons and rehearsals on October 5 following a temporary management takeover by Hart Haarlem and Patronaat. While the venue's rehearsal spaces will...
Signal CEO receives honorary doctorate from VU: "Challenges the power of big tech"
Meredith Whittaker, president of the Signal Foundation, will receive an honorary doctorate from Amsterdam's Vrije Universiteit on November 19, 2026. The university is honoring her for her advocacy reg...
Musical Christmas program Scrooge Live to be filmed in Drenthe this year
The musical television special Scrooge Live, which highlights the issue of child poverty in the Netherlands, will be filmed in Drenthe this year. The event is scheduled to air on NPO 1 on December 20 ...
Rita Ora sued by former manager for withholding millions
Singer Rita Ora is being sued by her former manager, Stennett, for allegedly withholding millions in earnings from her television work and tours. The dispute follows the termination of their 15-year p...
Review | Anne Hathaway convinces as dark author in book adaptation Verity
Anne Hathaway delivers a convincing performance as the titular character in the thriller Verity, a film adaptation of the novel by Colleen Hoover. The story follows a writer hired to complete an injur...
PowNews camera crew attacked by man with a knife in Amsterdam
A PowNews camera crew reporting on homelessness and drug use in an Amsterdam park was attacked by a man who threatened their security officer with a knife. Mayor Femke Halsema has condemned the incide...
Spectacular transport across the IJ: VOC reconstruction Batavia leaves Amsterdam in steel support structure
The VOC ship reconstruction Batavia was transported to Amsterdam in September to undergo critical repairs for rot at a shipyard. It has been fitted with a steel support structure to ensure it can be s...
Dutch newspapers put photo of deceased Paulien Cornelisse on front page
Dutch newspapers are mourning the death of writer and columnist Paulien Cornelisse, dedicating front-page coverage to her memory and unique contributions to language. The beloved humorist, who had bee...
Lil Wayne engaged to influencer Madi Cannon
Rapper Lil Wayne has announced his engagement to influencer Madi Cannon, despite previously denying rumors of a betrothal two months ago. The artist, who has four children, has been married once befor...
Batavia returns to Lelystad after two weeks
The historic VOC ship Batavia has left Amsterdam following a two-week restoration project to address severe wood rot on its hull. The vessel is now being towed back to Lelystad, where it will be perma...
Macklemore says Free Palestine tour is sold out instantly
Macklemore has announced that his upcoming Free Palestine tour dates in Dublin, London, and Paris have completely sold out. This project comes shortly after the artist was removed from Ed Sheeran's to...
Pete Davidson calls body shaming of ex Ariana Grande not okay
Pete Davidson has publicly condemned the body shaming directed at his ex-fiancée Ariana Grande, calling the behavior unacceptable. Grande recently announced a temporary break from her career, though ...
Paulien Cornelisse shows that the sick don't have to end up as discarded ballast
The Dutch writer and comedian Paulien Cornelisse has passed away at the age of 50, leading to nationwide tributes and changes to television programming. Despite battling cancer, she continued her work...