Lifestyle News in English

"We dance, but it's out of sadness," housing group risks losing their home

The residential group "De Nieuwe Ark," which includes four individuals with intellectual disabilities, faces potential homelessness as their current residence is scheduled for demolition in May. Suppo...

Beemster cheese voted world's best: 'Aged, but smooth'

The Dutch cheese Beemster Royaal Grand Cru was named the best cheese in the world at a competition held in Wisconsin, USA. It secured the top title after competing against more than 3,300 other entrie...

Living in a gym in Betondorp? This former school is now for sale (and no, you don't have to do gymnastics anymore)

A former school building from 1926, known as De Scheepskameel, is currently for sale in the Betondorp neighborhood of Amsterdam. This unique property allows residents to live in a historic space that ...

Nancy and Rik open Schepsels ice cream parlor in Castricum with free ice cream for first 500 visitors: 'We feel something is in the air here'

Nancy Schaper and Rik Droog are opening a new ice cream cafe called Schepsels in Castricum on Saturday, March 7th. Located at the former site of Marx O’Larry’s, the shop will celebrate its grand o...

Photographers Lieke and Pim live and work in an old school. ‘For a shoot, the whole team first gathers around the dining table’

Photographers Lieke Heijn and Pim Janswaard live and work in a converted 1910 school building in Wormer, Netherlands. The 320-square-meter space consists of three former classrooms used as both a fami...

Operation successful, patient dead – students have almost no housing alternatives

Dutch Tour hero gifts Ryan Kamp ‘Ferrari on two wheels’: ‘Nice to be out of the Belgian world’

Former professional cyclist Laurens ten Dam has established the only Dutch cyclocross team, featuring rider Ryan Kamp. Ten Dam aims to increase the popularity of cyclocross in the Netherlands, challen...

Mike (35) competes in flower arranging championship: 'I train intensively with fellow florists'

Mike Boerma, a 35-year-old florist from Haarlem, will compete in the Dutch Championship Floral Art in Ede on March 9 and 10. Boerma, who considers flower arranging a form of art, has been training int...

Eventful skating year was a major life lesson for Joy Beune: 'I've had to take a lot'

Dutch speed skater Joy Beune reflects on a challenging and eventful year as she prepares to defend her title at the World Allround Speed Skating Championships. Despite the unusual timing of the compet...

'Find ten ladies for a pilgrimage!' Gerrie shouted. Fourteen joined.

In this installment of the 'For Life' series, Gerrie Groot, Roos Beers, and Irma Kuilboer share the story of their walking group's deep friendship. The group formed after fourteen women joined a pilgr...

CKV Rapid finds permanent home in Haarlem-Noord after multiple moves: 'We are almost back to pre-pandemic levels'

Korfball club CKV Rapid has established a permanent location in Haarlem-Noord following several moves. The club is reportedly returning to its pre-pandemic activity levels as it operates from its base...

Deborah fed up with caterer: why did it take months for her mother to get her money back?

Deborah expressed her frustration after a catering service took months to refund her mother for meal deliveries. While such services are a convenient option for the elderly or those who cannot cook, t...

Camiel Kesbeke, Pieter Valley and Bankzitters win at Best Social Awards

The 12th edition of The Best Social Awards took place on Thursday evening at Theater Amsterdam to celebrate top social media content creators. Notable winners included Camiel Kesbeke, Pieter Valley, a...

Bulb grower Rob stranded in Sri Lanka with wife and friends: ‘The first option to fly back is March 12 and even that is very uncertain’

Dutch bulb grower Rob Burger and his companions are among many tourists currently stranded in Sri Lanka due to severe flight disruptions. While some travelers are attempting complex routes through mul...

Hum keeps IJmuiden resident awake: ‘The sound is described so well online, I’m increasingly thinking it’s the wind turbines’

Mascha Levasier-Neijenhuijs from IJmuiden reports being kept awake by a persistent, rhythmic humming noise that she suspects is caused by wind turbines along the North Sea Canal. She describes the sou...

Pride and traveler culture on UNESCO heritage shortlist

The Dutch Council for Culture has shortlisted five heritage elements, including Pride and caravan culture, for potential nomination to UNESCO's international intangible heritage list. Education Minist...

Weekend tips: things to do in Haarlem (6-8 March)

This article provides a guide for activities and events taking place in Haarlem during the weekend of March 6 to March 8. It encourages locals to head out and enjoy the city as the weather improves an...

Between Art and Voting with Tofik Dibi (Bij1) and Johan Dessing (FvD)

Amsterdam political candidates Tofik Dibi and Johan Dessing participated in the program 'Tussen Kunst en Kies' to create street art ahead of the municipal elections. Dibi left the session early after ...

Veggie burgers can keep their name, but vegetarian chicken and steak will soon be banned

The European Parliament and member states have reached an agreement to restrict the use of meat-related terms for plant-based products. While terms like "veggie burger" and "tofu sausage" will remain ...

Be careful with photos of your child on social media: ‘What you post online is about you, but it’s no longer yours’

Experts caution parents against posting photos of their children on social media, highlighting that such content becomes permanent and out of their control once shared. The article emphasizes the impo...

One last cheese and a chat as Peter and Joan retire their cheese van

Peter and Joan, a couple from Velsen-Noord, are retiring and closing their mobile cheese bus business after years of service. On their final day, many loyal customers expressed their sadness and share...

'I always saw others getting diplomas and felt useless,' now Donald, who has an intellectual disability, has earned his first practical certificate

Donald, a 37-year-old man with a mild intellectual disability from Haarlem, has earned his first vocational practice certificate. He and five others completed the Assistant Service Provision training ...

We fall madly in love twice in our lives on average, even in old age: ‘Boom! Really. It was right from the start’

Scientific research indicates that people typically fall passionately in love twice in their lives. This can occur even in later stages of life, as evidenced by a couple in their seventies who recentl...

Anass (30) proudly gives tour of new day center WerkLokaal Heemskerk: 'We are all friends'

WerkLokaal Heemskerk has relocated to a larger facility at the De Trompet industrial estate to consolidate several day care services under one roof. The move provides participants with more space for ...

Dance, theater, music, photography and adventure flood Zandvoort during ‘Vloed’. New cultural festival on Ascension weekend

The new cultural festival 'Vloed' will debut in Zandvoort during the Ascension Day weekend in mid-May, featuring a variety of dance, theater, music, and photography activities. Organizers announced du...

‘Dubai pays me in opportunities and lifestyle’: influencers defend their stay in the Gulf State despite war

Irving’s wife sparked his love for horses: ‘After a hard day’s work, I love being here at the stables’

Irving Mooijekind visits the Vario Hippique riding school to spend time with the horses he shares with his wife. He finds relaxation at the stables after a hard day's work before returning to his job ...

Rachid Kaddour of Pure & Honest Meat in Weesp: ‘Halal rules determine how meat ends up on the plate’

Rachid Kaddour, owner of Puur & Eerlijk Vlees in Weesp, explains how halal regulations dictate the production of meat products during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The article highlights the proc...

Students invite elderly for iftar: Great to make seniors happy

Students from the Islamic primary school Elif in Amsterdam-Zuid invited local elderly residents to join them for an iftar meal to break the Ramadan fast. The initiative, now in its second year, serves...

Discover how to reuse items

Starting March 19, 2026, Haarlem will participate in the Week of the Circular Economy with various sustainability activities such as workshops and a clothing swap. The event aims to inspire residents ...