Culture News in English
Latest culture headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Mourning the loss of Hans van Manen: "His world was a safe haven for me"
World-renowned Dutch choreographer Hans van Manen has passed away at the age of 93 in his Amsterdam home. A self-taught master of contemporary ballet associated with the Dutch National Ballet, Van Man...
Lease signed: Ruigoord can stay for another 25 years
The Ruigoord artist village near Amsterdam has secured its future for the next 25 years after signing a new lease agreement with the Port of Amsterdam and the city municipality. Effective from January...
Mega cinema with screen three canal houses wide opens tomorrow in Houthavens
British cinema chain Vue is opening a new 15-screen mega cinema in Amsterdam’s Houthavens district tomorrow, featuring advanced laser projection and luxury seating. The facility, which is Amsterdamâ...
NXT Museum files for bankruptcy due to COVID debts and ongoing industry pressure
Amsterdam's NXT Museum has filed for bankruptcy, citing significant debts from the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing financial pressure on the cultural sector. The museum plans to remain open until Decemb...
Stedelijk displays art once at the bottom of the disaster rescue list: Now they are favorites
The Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam is hosting the "Blue Dots" exhibition, featuring artworks that were marked for the lowest evacuation priority during disasters in the 1950s and 1960s. These pieces, i...
Dreading Christmas already? How to handle sky-high expectations
The article provides guidance on managing high expectations and feelings of loneliness during the Christmas holidays. It encourages individuals to create a celebration that fits their personal reality...