Culture News in English
Latest culture headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Two Joost Zwagerman Essay Prize nominees withdraw over AI use
Two nominees for the Joost Zwagerman Essay Prize have withdrawn their submissions following an AI-based authenticity check that raised concerns about their work. The prize organizers now intend to tig...
Writer, poet, and filmmaker Nafiss Nia (58) brings poetry to the streets of Amsterdam with 'Poetry on the Sidewalk': 'Before you know it, you're enchanted'
Nafiss Nia, a poet and filmmaker, has founded the Poëzie op de stoep initiative to bring literature into the public spaces of Amsterdam. The project aims to foster community connection by displaying ...
More overnight stays in Amsterdam again, but fewer visitors from outside Europe
Amsterdam expects 24.4 million overnight stays in 2026, driven by continuous growth despite a drop in visitors from outside Europe. To manage the pressure of mass tourism and address resident concerns...
New artists exhibit work in Museumplein parking garage: "This is perfect"
Twenty young artists are displaying their work for one night in the parking garage under Amsterdam's Museumplein. The exhibition, organized to provide exposure for recent graduates, is open this eveni...
Sharon Osbourne left with permanent dent in face after cosmetic surgery
Sharon Osbourne has revealed that a cosmetic procedure left her with a permanent indentation above her mouth. She suspects the operation was performed improperly and has decided to stop undergoing fur...
When your child doesn't want to go to the other parent: take your child seriously and keep asking questions
When a child refuses to visit their other parent, it creates a difficult situation for separated parents. Experts recommend taking the child's feelings seriously and engaging in open communication to ...
Conflict between drill rap groups plagues Nieuw-West: Multiple explosions and other violence
Freek Gillissen (1955-2026) was a tower of strength for people with dementia and their loved ones
Freek Gillissen, a nursing consultant and co-founder of Alzheimercentrum Amsterdam, has died at the age of 71. He was highly regarded for his commitment to supporting both dementia patients and their ...
Prison service denies reports of fight between Diddy and drug lord
The prison service and Diddy's family have denied reports that the rapper was involved in a fight with a fellow inmate at the Fort Dix facility. While TMZ continues to report that Diddy sustained a he...
Podcast | Roxeanne and André score together and ups and downs for Fred van Leer
The Achterklap podcast, hosted by Lara Zevenberg, Michiel Vos, and Roos de Ridder, covers the latest entertainment news of the week. Listeners can subscribe to the show via platforms such as Spotify a...
Deputy mayor warns of innocent casualties after incidents in Nieuw-West
Acting Mayor Sofyan Mbarki is working to end a series of violent explosions in Amsterdam's Nieuw-West district, which are linked to a conflict between rival youth groups. The city has responded by inc...
Netflix pulls AI-dubbed children's series full of language errors offline
Netflix has removed the children's series Spike due to significant backlash over poor-quality AI dubbing and grammatically incorrect translations. Experts have warned that the show's flawed language c...
André Hazes considered drinking again due to vocal problems: 'Far gone'
André Hazes has announced that he must pause his singing career due to persistent vocal problems that prevent him from performing. The singer admitted that the stress of the situation led him to brie...
Michael van Gerwen saw divorce coming: 'We would never have grown old together'
Professional darts player Michael van Gerwen has reflected on his divorce, acknowledging that he and his ex-wife eventually grew apart. Despite the difficulties of the separation, he remains dedicated...
Billy Joel unsure if he will ever return to the stage due to brain condition
Billy Joel is uncertain if he will return to the stage after being diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a brain condition that affects his balance and causes concussion-like symptoms during intense activitie...
Hannah Mae struggled with panic and depression for a long time: 'Kept it to myself for a long time'
Singer Hannah Mae has spoken out about her past struggles with panic and depression, which she kept hidden for a long time while pursuing her music career. She overcame these challenges through therap...
Evelien de Bruijn to leave NPO Radio 2 due to budget cuts
Evelien de Bruijn will leave her position at NPO Radio 2 at the end of December due to budget cuts. Her Sunday time slot will be filled by Jorien Renkema as part of a wider reorganization of the stati...
The restaurants you actually want to eat at: 8 great spots around Leidseplein
The area around Amsterdam's Leidseplein features a variety of quality dining options, ranging from Asian fusion and Mediterranean cuisine to traditional Dutch dishes and Brazilian steakhouses. These r...
Chance the Rapper wins years-long lawsuit against his former manager
Chance the Rapper has won a multi-year legal case against his former manager, Pat Corcoran, who was found to have breached professional duties by collecting secret profits. The rapper may be awarded u...
Hajduk Split apologizes for incidents around Ajax match: "We are not proud of it"
Hajduk Split has apologized for the violence and unrest caused by their supporters during the lead-up to their match against Ajax. The club expressed regret for the incidents and took responsibility, ...
Fidel Castro's grandson enjoys a life as a decadent capitalist in Cuba
Journalist Bram Vermeulen explores the economic and political realities of modern Cuba in a new documentary series. The film highlights the stark contrast between the hardships faced by ordinary citiz...
Tim Hofman criticized for Televizier-Ring Gala outfit: 'Don't be a sheep'
Presenter Tim Hofman faced public criticism for wearing a bomber jacket, skirt, and nail polish to the Televizier-Ring Gala, as well as an antifa-themed necklace. Hofman defended his outfit as a matte...
Ajax’s structural weaknesses were exposed during the Conference League debacle against Hajduk Split
Ajax's recent performance against Hajduk Split highlighted long-standing structural issues, including ineffective flank play, poor pressing, and a recurring lack of physical fitness. Coach Míchel ack...
Ajax from hope and optimism to frustration and misery, and now Groningen is coming up next
Ajax is facing a period of intense crisis and frustration just two months into the season following a 2-1 defeat against Hajduk Split. The team now faces a difficult upcoming match at the Euroborg, a ...
The best spring rolls in Amsterdam according to chef Tessa Yến Nguyễn
Chef Tessa Yến Nguyễn shares her top recommendations for the best spring rolls in Amsterdam, highlighting both authentic Vietnamese varieties and Dutch adaptations. Her selections serve as a guide...
Plan for rainbow crosswalk on Churchillaan causes division instead of connection
A proposal to create a year-round rainbow path on Amsterdam's Churchillaan to support the queer community has caused a local divide. While advocates believe the installation is vital for constant visi...
In this play about the housing crisis, she wants parquet, he wants laminate: ‘There is also room for love and humor’
The play Bijna een leven by playwright Vera Morina explores the tensions faced by a young couple as they navigate the housing crisis while furnishing their rental home. Their disagreement over floorin...
Review Brahms Klavierstücke: every note sounds with a longing for the next
Pianist Andras Schiff has released a two-disc recording of late piano works by Johannes Brahms, performed on an authentic 1859 Bluthner grand piano. The veteran musician is also scheduled to perform t...
Review: Paul Simon's voice on his live album is significantly better than it was in Amsterdam in April
Paul Simon returned to the stage in 2025, performing several concerts in Amsterdam before releasing a live album recorded in Seattle. The new recording shows the octogenarian in better vocal form than...
Dopamine Chamber review: on the new Fontaines D.C. album, the band's identity lies primarily in the vocals
Fontaines D.C.'s fifth album, Dopamine Chamber, expands the band's electronic and synth-heavy sound while maintaining their characteristic dark tone. Although the album features diverse collaborations...