Culture News in English

Jan Slagter closes the door on Eurovision: ‘AvroTros has saddled NPO with a major problem’

Omroep Max director Jan Slagter has refused to host the Eurovision Song Contest, arguing that the event no longer fits his network's programming goals. Slagter criticized AvroTros for causing a major ...

NPO sets aside budget cuts and goes all-in on Dutch drama

The Dutch Public Broadcaster (NPO) is shifting its focus toward a new programming strategy defined by heavy investment in Dutch drama, investigative journalism, and social reality series. After a peri...

43-year-old TikToker suspected of three counts of attempted manslaughter after stabbing at Central Station

A 43-year-old TikTok influencer is facing three counts of attempted manslaughter following a stabbing incident near Amsterdam Central Station on Saturday. The altercation left four people injured, inc...

NPO tries to reach young people: If you are not in their timeline, you do not exist

The Dutch public broadcaster NPO is prioritizing digital platforms and social media to reach younger audiences who have shifted away from traditional linear television. By investing in engaging, humor...

Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit in hospital following lung transplant complications

Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway was briefly hospitalized due to complications from a previous lung transplant, forcing her to miss her husband King Haakon VIII's swearing-in ceremony. The new Kin...

Netflix documentary about Matthew Perry to be released in late October

A new documentary titled The One About Matthew Perry will premiere on Netflix on October 27 to honor the late actor's legacy. The series explores his life and career, arriving just before the third an...

One in five newspaper opinion pieces is written by AI, claims Alexander Klöpping. But is that true?

Tech journalist Alexander Klöpping claims that twenty percent of newspaper opinion pieces are produced by artificial intelligence. Experts, including professor Mark Deuze, have expressed doubts about...

Hearing on squatted school building: can squatters stay?

Squatters occupying a former school building in Zwanenburg are challenging a municipality-led eviction order in court. They argue that the planned demolition is premature because mandatory environment...

Willem-Alexander, Máxima and Beatrix attend funeral of Norwegian King Harald

King Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima, and Princess Beatrix will travel to Oslo to attend the funeral of King Harald of Norway, who passed away at 89. The royal family has cleared their schedule to att...

Halsema wants to clarify Amsterdam hospitality rules: Spontaneous dancing in cafes remains possible

Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema has clarified new hospitality rules to ensure that spontaneous dancing in cafes remains allowed and that sound level regulations are not overly restrictive. The updated p...

How Soundos El Ahmadi and Pieter Derks literally send the Wolven contestants into the woods

Comedians Soundos El Ahmadi and Pieter Derks are hosting a new psychological game show titled Wolven. In this program, they challenge thirteen experts by sending them into the woods as part of the com...

From theater raves to 'autobiog-fiction' about butts: our theater critics recommend these 6 shows from the 21st Amsterdam Fringe Festival

The 21st Amsterdam Fringe Festival begins on September 3, featuring diverse experimental performances by young theater makers at 23 locations. Critics have highlighted six shows that range from theate...

These B&B Vol Liefde owners used to live in Amsterdam

Three participants from the television show B&B Vol Liefde—Thomas, Eline, and Timothy—all lived in Amsterdam before moving abroad to run hospitality businesses in Spain, Aruba, and Ibiza. As the s...

King and Queen joined again by all their daughters on Prinsjesdag

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima were joined by all three of their daughters for the annual Prinsjesdag ceremony. The event featured the traditional Speech from the Throne, where the King outlin...

Aboard with ferryman Rens Hendrikse: 'Water, city and people come together on the ferry'

The GVB is actively recruiting new, experienced skippers to operate the essential ferries across the IJ in Amsterdam. Skipper Rens Hendrikse highlights the unique nature of the job, where city life an...

Klaas van der Eerden and Anna split up: 'Looking back with a lot of happiness'

Klaas van der Eerden has announced his separation from his partner, Anna, after deciding to go their separate ways earlier this year. The comedian stated that the divorce is already official and the p...

Five questions about the life of a transfer journalist: 'Sometimes I make forty to fifty calls a day'

Journalist Johan Inan details the hectic experience of covering football transfers, highlighting the massive daily volume of communication required to track deals. He explains how the modern transfer ...

New King Haakon takes oath in Norwegian parliament, wife Mette-Marit absent

King Haakon VIII has officially taken his constitutional oath before the Norwegian parliament following the death of his father, King Harald. The ceremony proceeded without Queen Mette-Marit, who rema...

Film Voor de meisjes wins Golden Calf Audience Award 2026

Voor de meisjes has won the 2026 Golden Calf Audience Award, having outperformed other major releases with 324,000 ticket sales. The film follows two couples facing a crisis during a vacation and has ...

HBO Max and Videoland join forces with cheaper bundle

HBO Max and Videoland have introduced a new discounted subscription bundle in the Netherlands, allowing customers to access both services at a reduced monthly rate. The initiative aims to provide bett...

Mocro Maffia actor Meftah sentenced to 120 hours of community service for violent incidents

Mocro Maffia actor Meftah has been sentenced to 120 hours of community service for two violent assaults committed during football matches between 2024 and 2025. The court rejected his self-defense cla...

Mel Gibson apologizes for mocking sign language interpreter: 'Thoughtless'

Actor Mel Gibson has apologized after being filmed mocking a sign language interpreter during an appearance at FanExpo Canada. Gibson stated that his actions were thoughtless and unintentional, but th...

Sombr coming to Ziggo Dome in 2027

Artist Sombr will perform at the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam in 2027 as part of a European tour featuring Ravyn Lenae and Jessie Mazin. The musician, who gained international success in 2025, has previous...

Colonial history brought closer in the work of Wesley Doran

Visual artist Wesley Doran is presenting his first solo exhibition, To the Finder the Spoils, which explores his family's colonial history between Curaçao and the Netherlands. The exhibition is hoste...

Sofyan Amrabat has not played since the quarter-final against France: can he be ready for the big match against PSV?

Sofyan Amrabat has joined Ajax as their new defensive midfielder following his last appearance for Morocco in the World Cup quarterfinals. He is preparing for his potential debut in the upcoming match...

Pierre van Hooijdonk steps down as regular analyst for NOS Sport

Pierre van Hooijdonk is leaving his role as a regular analyst for NOS Sport to pursue other ventures. His departure follows a year marked by professional controversy, including criticism over his comm...

Win tickets for SOMBR at the Ziggo Dome

465,000 viewers for first RENZE broadcast, Eva draws 840,000 viewers

Renze Klamer has launched his new talk show RENZE on RTL 4, which debuted with 465,000 viewers. Meanwhile, the program Eva on NPO 1 reached 840,000 viewers, as both shows compete for audiences at diff...

Doja Cat struggled with alcohol and drugs: 'But I was never an alcoholic'

Doja Cat has publicly discussed her past struggles with alcohol and cocaine use, emphasizing the negative impact these substances had on her mental health. The artist, who has previously shared her di...

Walking and viewing art in the Amsterdam Forest

Visitors to the Amsterdamse Bos can enjoy seven outdoor art installations this autumn. These works are designed to provide a new perspective on the surrounding natural environment.