Culture News in English
Latest culture headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Apples For Isaac review: Echo & The Bunnymen have the conviction of a mature band
Echo & The Bunnymen have released their thirteenth album, Apples For Isaac, which critics consider their strongest work since 2001. The record showcases a mature, confident sound led by Will Sergeant'...
This one courtyard saved the entire Jordaan from demolition
Ambitious city planning projects once threatened to demolish most of the Jordaan district in Amsterdam to make way for roads and commercial infrastructure. The private restoration of Anslo’s hofje e...
Mi Zafira review: Chica Chica occasionally nods to surf music and film soundtracks
Chica Chica is an instrumental Dutch trio led by Judith Renkema that explores the genre of psychedelic cumbia. Their new release Mi Zafira utilizes a minimalist setup of guitar, bass, and percussion t...
Behind the scenes at the tram depot and Classical music at the Amstelveld: what to do in Amsterdam this week
Amsterdam hosts a variety of events this week, including the Klassiek op het Amstelveld festival, the Sloterplas Festival, and special exhibitions at local museums. Residents can also explore the city...
Felix Meurders returns as presenter for final episode of Kassa
Original presenter Felix Meurders will return to host the final episode of the consumer program Kassa on December 5. The show is ending its long-running broadcast on NPO 2 due to budget cuts, though i...
Prince Harry makes first public appearance since returning to the UK
Prince Harry made his first public appearance in London since returning to the United Kingdom, attending the inaugural Invictus Spirit Awards ceremony. The event occurred as his uncle, Charles Spencer...
Weekend tips: things to do in Haarlem (September 18-20)
The city of Haarlem is hosting various events from September 18-20, including the Haarlems Oktoberfest, theater performances, and a vintage clothing market. Residents can also explore local history th...
The hypocritical culture creates tension in the art world: do you choose good art or do you want to be a good person?
Journalist Isa Davids questions the growing impact of sanctimony culture on the art world, arguing that the focus on political correctness stifles creative integrity. She explores the tension between ...
De Bondgenoten and Kassa nominated for Gouden Televizier-Ring for the first time
The programs De Bondgenoten and Kassa have secured their first nominations for the Gouden Televizier-Ring award alongside Woeste Grond. The winners will be announced during the annual gala held at Ams...
Children grieve too, but differently than adults: 'Mom, am I going to die too?'
Doctor Marguérite Gorter-Stam and grief expert Manu Keirse have written a book offering guidance on how to discuss illness and death with children. The authors emphasize the importance of using clear...
Dean Saunders finds strength in messages of support following Ben's death
Dean Saunders is finding comfort in the public support following the death of his brother, Ben Saunders, who was the first winner of The voice of Holland. Ben passed away at age 43 near Arnhem, and hi...
Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi adopt second child
Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi have hinted at the adoption of a second child following their initial announcement of becoming parents to a daughter in 2025. Although social media activity sugges...
Classical for kids: Zandvoort students flock to Peter and the Wolf fairy tale
Hundreds of primary school children in Zandvoort recently attended live performances of the musical fairy tale Peter and the Wolf, presented by the Amsterdam Wind Quintet. The initiative, led by the C...
Toren C actress Maike Meijer had cancer: 'It came at a rather unfortunate time'
Actress Maike Meijer disclosed that she had to postpone the production of her film, Wen Er Maar Aan, after being diagnosed with a malignant tumor on her kidney. Fortunately, the cancer had not spread,...
Travis Scott and Keith Richards on soundtrack for long-awaited GTA VI game
Travis Scott and Keith Richards are set to feature on the soundtrack for the upcoming video game Grand Theft Auto VI. The game, which takes place in a fictionalized version of Florida, is scheduled fo...
Nadav Kander (64) has spent decades photographing celebrities like Obama and David Lynch, but also landscapes in China: 'In many ways, they are just like each other'
Photographer Nadav Kander is highlighting four decades of his work with a new exhibition at the Foam museum in Amsterdam. The collection features a mix of his famous celebrity portraits, such as those...
A marble Muslim woman in the public space: ‘We wanted to give her a positive story’
Artist Narges Mohammadi and four women from Amsterdam-West have created a marble statue of a woman wearing a headscarf. Titled 'As She Is,' the sculpture aims to challenge the male-dominated tradition...
Simply Red to perform two concerts at Ziggo Dome next year
Simply Red will perform two concerts at the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam on June 19 and 20 as part of their Summer Funk '27 tour. Tickets for the events go on sale on September 25.
19-year-old man receives community service and juvenile detention for assaulting Tamara Elbaz
A 19-year-old man has received a sentence of juvenile detention and community service for orchestrating an assault on Tamara Elbaz at her Amsterdam home in 2024. Despite several participants being con...
Departing harbor master Milembe Mateyo (55) dedicated herself to seafarers' well-being: ‘It can be incredibly lonely’
Outgoing harbor master Milembe Mateyo is leaving her position after years of prioritizing maritime operations and the welfare of seafarers. She highlighted the critical role crews play in port success...
How the Netherlands dropped to 46th place in gender equality rankings: ‘We are wasting so much talent’
The Netherlands has dropped to 46th place in the World Economic Forum's latest Global Gender Gap Index, falling behind several other nations. Experts argue this decline represents a significant waste ...
René Froger suffers from autoimmune disease and must take a rest
Dutch singer René Froger is taking an indefinite break from performing after struggling with the autoimmune disease myositis for the past eighteen months. The 65-year-old artist is prioritizing his h...
Once again David Vlietstra delivers a successful children's book about a relatable, socially awkward outsider
Author David Vlietstra has released a new children's book featuring Joris Pannemans, a highly intelligent but socially awkward protagonist. This work follows his award-winning debut, De lijst van Viol...
Ghost Towns is a modern farce, full of hilarious sitcom dialogue and surprisingly philosophical asides
Siang Lu’s novel Ghost Towns presents a satirical blend of modern farce and medieval fables centered on two narcissistic despots. The book is characterized by its witty sitcom-style dialogue and exp...
Writer Frank Martinus Arion spent a lifetime searching for connection
The biography Uit baldadig hout ben ik gesneden by Mineke de Vries provides new insight into the life and complex personality of writer Frank Martinus Arion. Despite the author's challenging character...
Adèle Yon's (32) great-grandmother was not 'crazy': 'Her suffering stemmed from what her father and husband did to her'
Adèle Yon explores the true history of her great-grandmother in her book, Mijn echte naam is Elisabeth, seeking to dispel the belief that her ancestor was mentally ill. Through her research, Yon conc...
Albert Verlinde brings The Notebook musical to Dutch theaters
Producer Albert Verlinde is bringing the Broadway musical The Notebook to the Netherlands, marking its European debut. The production will feature an original Dutch version of the classic love story b...
'Confiscate their passports': Israeli filmmakers condemned over award-winning Gaza documentary
An Israeli documentary titled Naza earned a lengthy standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival for its critical look at Israeli military operations in Gaza. The film has gained international praise ...
Fighter Tyjani Beztati eyes UFC debut after successful transition to MMA
Former kickboxing world champion Tyjani Beztati has successfully transitioned to MMA, winning his first three fights after leaving Glory. He now aims to earn a UFC contract by competing in the Contend...
Ireland will not participate in Eurovision 2027 either: 'Position has not changed'
Ireland has decided to abstain from the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest, citing the humanitarian situation in Gaza and press freedom concerns. The Netherlands is currently weighing its participation opti...