Culture News in English
Latest culture headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Sommelier of the year works at restaurant Flore: ‘It doesn’t matter what I like’
Antonello Nicastri, head sommelier at Amsterdam's two-star restaurant Flore, was named Sommelier of the Year at the Gault & Millau 2026 awards. He was recognized for his innovative approach to beverag...
Elsbeth Etty writes book on February Strike: How is it possible they dared
Journalist Elsbeth Etty has released a new book titled "We moeten iets dóén!" which explores the motivations of participants in Amsterdam's 1941 February strike against Nazi persecution. Through res...
Houtfestival takes a one-year break to consider its future
The Houtfestival in Haarlem has been cancelled for 2024 after the local municipality offered only a partial subsidy of €48,000 instead of the requested €80,000. Organizers will use this one-year h...
Erwin Olaf exhibition at Stedelijk Museum extended
The Stedelijk Museum has extended the "Erwin Olaf - Freedom" retrospective by five weeks until April 6 due to high public demand. The exhibition showcases the career of the late Dutch photographer and...
Ukrainian supermarket workers surprised by photo in Haarlem picture book
A supermarket owner in Haarlem-Noord honored his Ukrainian employees by featuring their group photo on the back cover of a new historical picture book about the city. The staff, who arrived as refugee...
Once a German defense line, now a sanctuary for all kinds of animals
Remnants of the WWII Atlantikwall defense line in Zuid-Kennemerland National Park have become vital habitats for local wildlife, such as bunkers serving as bat hibernacula and water-filled tank ditche...
Zohran Mamdani would undoubtedly love New Draver (8-)
Inspired by the culinary preferences of New York politician Zohran Mamdani, this review highlights New Draver, a traditional Surinamese restaurant and community hub in Amsterdam’s Oosterparkbuurt. T...
Margreet Dolman’s Amsterdam: ‘I’m looking forward to the first beer on the terrace at Van Zuylen’
Margreet Dolman shares her favorite locations and personal history in Amsterdam, highlighting iconic spots like the Betty Asfalt Complex theater and the Concertgebouw. She expresses a deep connection ...
More attention from boys than from the press: Lidy (92) skated at the Olympics
Lidy Stoppelman, now 92, was the first Dutch figure skater to compete in the Winter Olympics during the 1952 Games in Oslo. Despite receiving little media attention or official support from the Dutch ...
Gravestone found in thrift store returned to family: All's well that ends well
A gravestone belonging to a woman who died in 1989 was successfully returned to her relatives after being discovered among the inventory of a thrift store in Aalsmeer, Netherlands. Store owner Gideon ...
Memarian family makes royal carpets: formerly in Iran, now in the Netherlands
Sadegh Memarian, who fled Iran in 1995 to escape political repression, has established a renowned carpet restoration studio in Cruquius, Netherlands. Continuing a multi-generational family craft that ...
Amsterdam to get monument for guest workers: "People who helped build the city"
Amsterdam is planning to build a monument to honor guest workers for their historical contributions to the city, following strong support from the Moroccan and Turkish communities. The project has a b...
Haarlemmermeer Lyceum discriminated against student by preventing prayer at school
The Netherlands Institute for Human Rights has ruled that Haarlemmermeer Lyceum in Hoofddorp discriminated against a Muslim student by preventing her from praying and refusing to establish a quiet roo...
Love for Haarlem
The municipality of Haarlem and Stadmakers Haarlem are hosting "The Big Initiatives Day" on Saturday, February 14, at the PHIL to connect residents involved in local social and sustainability projects...
New halls and an underground entrance: this is the plan for the new Paradiso
The iconic Amsterdam music venue Paradiso has unveiled a €93 million renovation plan featuring two new halls, an underground entrance, and a sound wall to address long-standing noise complaints. The...
Haarlem takes extra step against discrimination
The city of Haarlem has introduced a new action plan for 2026-2028 aimed at preventing discrimination by improving reporting awareness, establishing an organizational "allies network," and honoring co...
Activities at the cemeteries
The Haarlem municipal cemeteries have announced upcoming activities, including a guided walk focusing on monumental trees at Kleverlaan Cemetery on March 29, 2026. Additionally, the chapel at St. Joze...
Disclosure of documents and information regarding diversity and inclusion Part 2
The City of Haarlem has disclosed documents and information regarding diversity and inclusion following a request made under the Open Government Act (Woo). The request was originally submitted by an i...
Young people explore how propaganda works in Holocaust Museum performance
A group of young people is preparing a performance titled *Virus of the Mind* at the National Holocaust Museum to investigate how propaganda and dehumanization lead to the exclusion of social groups. ...
Major setback after 400,000 liters of firefighting water flood burnt Vondelkerk
Efforts are underway to pump 400,000 liters of contaminated extinguishing water from the basement of Amsterdam's Vondelkerk following a major fire on January 1. The flooding has damaged historical arc...
Holocaust Commemoration Haarlem
The city of Haarlem will hold a Holocaust Remembrance ceremony on Sunday, January 25th, starting with a mayoral speech at the city hall at 1:00 PM. Participants will then join a silent march to the Je...
Rijksmuseum receives €60 million donation and will create sculpture garden
The Rijksmuseum has received its largest-ever donation of 60 million euros from the Van Rappard family, which will be used to fund operations and create a new sculpture garden in the nearby Carel Will...
Zuidas Market started as a trial among the office towers: "Now 300 to 400 people visit during lunch"
The Zuidas Market in Amsterdam has evolved from a 2021 trial into a permanent weekly fixture at George Gershwinplein, securing a five-year permit in 2023. Every Thursday, the market attracts hundreds ...
The favorite Turkish spots of Esra’s owners: ‘It felt like we were in Istanbul’
Selin Kiazim and Steph de Goeijen, owners of the Amsterdam restaurant Esra, are highlighting a "new wave" of high-quality Turkish cuisine flourishing across the city. They recommend several local favo...
Why are we suddenly so much more generous in December than during the rest of the year?
People tend to be significantly more generous and likely to donate to charity in December compared to the rest of the year. Experts suggest that this seasonal surge in giving is driven by a fundamenta...
What to do in the city during the Christmas holidays: an overview
Amsterdam is hosting a wide range of festive activities during the Christmas holidays, including ice skating at various city squares, the World Christmas Circus at Carré, and the annual Amsterdam Lig...
Friends, colleagues and ballet lovers bid farewell to choreographer Hans van Manen
Hundreds of friends, colleagues, and fans gathered at the National Opera & Ballet theater to pay their final respects to renowned Dutch choreographer Hans van Manen, who passed away last Wednesday at ...
From punk to gabber: There is Ajax music in almost every genre
Throughout its 125-year history, the Dutch football club Ajax has been celebrated through a wide variety of musical genres, ranging from punk to gabber house. These songs are almost as old as the club...
Podcast series on the Amsterdam punk movement: Paradiso was their living room
Paradiso has launched "Punk in Paradiso," a six-part podcast series by music journalist Oscar Smit and artist Elmer exploring the history of the 1970s Amsterdam punk movement. The series documents how...
Many nightlife businesses worried about the future: Fishing in the same pond
A survey of 26 Amsterdam nightlife businesses reveals that nearly half of entrepreneurs fear for their survival due to declining visitor numbers and falling revenues. This downturn is attributed to ri...