Amsterdam News in English
Amsterdam news in English — daily headlines from Dutch local newspapers covering housing, transport, city politics, neighbourhoods, culture and events, for expats, international students and English-speaking residents.
Alderman Scholtes on leasehold system risks: ‘The officials involved should have informed me immediately’
Amsterdam Alderman Alexander Scholtes has been forced to implement emergency measures after discovering that a critical municipal IT system for ground leases is severely outdated. The official express...
Nachtshift visits jazz saxophonist Benjamin Herman
The third episode of the program Nachtshift follows jazz saxophonist Benjamin Herman as he discusses the genre's increasing prominence in the city. The feature also introduces upcoming musician Jaïnd...
Port of Amsterdam applies for permits for eight wind turbines
The Port of Amsterdam has applied for permits to install eight 200-meter-tall wind turbines in the Western Port area to increase regional renewable energy production. The Province of North Holland wil...
Festive outing: these Christmas markets are within a 90-minute drive of Haarlem
Residents in Haarlem have several options for visiting Christmas markets located within a 90-minute drive of the city. These seasonal events, taking place throughout November and December, include mar...
Mayor Halsema will not grant firework exemptions in the future either
Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema has announced that the city will not issue exemptions for firework displays by associations, citing enforcement difficulties and safety concerns. Instead, the municipalit...
More surveillance after incidents, but is it effective or just for show?
Amsterdam is using temporary camera surveillance with increasing frequency to combat a wave of explosions and violent incidents in the city. While the municipality argues the measure helps deter crime...
Nanook (28) was not the highest bidder but bought her dream home anyway thanks to a striking move
After failing to win a home through traditional bidding, 28-year-old Nanook van der Pol secured her dream apartment in Amsterdam by collecting signatures from her local community. Her unique approach ...
Documentary maker Mijke de Jong followed Femke Halsema for a year as mayor: I was not out to catch her out
Documentary filmmaker Mijke de Jong spent a year following Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema for her project titled De burgemeester. The documentary explores the daily responsibilities and public scrutiny...
Amsterdam water board tax to rise by 4 percent every year until 2050: 'It is not a pleasant message'
The Amstel, Gooi en Vecht water board plans to raise water taxes by 4 percent every year until 2050 to manage long-term infrastructure costs. Authorities have warned residents that they must adapt to ...
Documentary filmmaker Kiriko Mechanicus (31): ‘In my high school boyfriend’s phone, I was saved as ‘hot Asian chick’’
Thirty-one-year-old documentary filmmaker Kiriko Mechanicus recently won a Gouden Kalf award for her short film, How to catch a butterfly. In a candid interview, she discussed topics ranging from ethn...
Red Line demonstration in Amsterdam: ‘Israel is not a normal country and does not do normal things’
Human rights organizations held their fourth demonstration in Amsterdam to urge the Netherlands to take a stronger stance against the violence in Gaza. Activists from groups like The Rights Forum crit...
Ajax's financial lead over PSV is also under pressure: 'The brand is shrinking along with the results'
Ajax is struggling to maintain its financial competitiveness against PSV Eindhoven due to high wage costs and an aging squad. The club's reliance on a singular strategic vision under Jordi Cruijff lea...
Stop the gin brothers! Workers in the Jordaan took action against hard liquor in 1843
In 1843, sugar factory workers in the Jordaan neighborhood established the Amsterdamsche Matigheid-Genootschap to combat alcohol abuse. This initiative was remarkable as it was driven by the working c...
Henk Schiffmacher gives tattoos at the Rembrandt House: 'This is the only art you take to the grave'
Tattoo artist Henk Schiffmacher is collaborating with the Rembrandt House Museum in Amsterdam to tattoo famous etchings onto clients as part of The Poor Man’s Rembrandt Project. This initiative feat...
Gallery owner Maria Chailloux (92): ‘The Jewish children from my class disappeared one by one’
Gallery owner Maria Chailloux, now 92, reflects on her lifelong residency in Amsterdam after moving from Germany as a child. She recounts the city's transformation over the decades and remembers the t...
Mohamed (34) managed to leave Gaza and now lives in Amsterdam city center: ‘I saw the elephant at Artis and burst into tears’
Mohamed Yaghi, a 34-year-old former sound engineer, has relocated to Amsterdam with his family after fleeing the conflict in Gaza. Although he is now safe in the Netherlands, he struggles with the psy...
Halsema calls homeless shelters a magnet: does repealing the outdoor sleeping ban attract homeless people to Amsterdam?
The Amsterdam city council is set to decide on Wednesday whether to abolish the local ban on sleeping outdoors. The debate centers on a disagreement between parties advocating for more humane policies...
Singer Noha Saré’s Amsterdam: ‘I’m always nervous in line at Paon Bali, fearing they’ll be sold out by the time it’s my turn’
Singer Noha Saré, who grew up on Borneo-eiland, is set to perform at the Tolhuistuin on November 8. She maintains a deep personal connection to Amsterdam, where she frequently visits local spots like...
Man arrested after false bomb threat on flight to Prague
A man was arrested at Amsterdam's airport after making a verbal bomb threat toward staff on a flight bound for Prague. This incident is part of a series of recent bomb threats against European flights...
Pubs in Amsterdam city center evacuated due to smoke
Several pubs on Thorbeckeplein in Amsterdam-Centrum were evacuated late this evening due to reports of significant smoke. Firefighters arrived on the scene and are currently searching for the source o...
Judge blocks higher municipal tax for canal cruise passengers
A court has ruled that Amsterdam acted unlawfully in raising the passenger levy for canal cruise boats to 2.50 euros, ordering the rate to return to 1.50 euros. The judge found that the city failed to...
Judge blocks higher municipal tax for canal cruise passengers
A court has ruled that the city of Amsterdam cannot increase the passenger tax for canal cruise boats to 2.50 euros, reinstating the former rate of 1.50 euros. The judge found that the proposed hike w...
CCTV surveillance on Botteskerksingel extended
Camera surveillance on the Botteskerksingel in Amsterdam Nieuw-West has been extended until mid-January due to a series of recent violent incidents. Mayor Halsema stated that the ongoing threat to pub...
Stuntwoman! is a delightful watch about anonymous daredevils
Stuntwoman! is a physical performance piece by Schwander and Deacon that highlights the technical skill and invisibility of female stunt performers. Featuring circus twins Clementine and Grace Tonkin ...
‘You stumble over famous buildings designed by men’: architecture trail makes women’s work visible
A new architectural walking and cycling route on the Oostelijke Eilanden in Amsterdam highlights buildings designed by women. The initiative aims to make the contributions of female architects more vi...
More cultural funding to the regions? Halsema warns: "The labor market is in Amsterdam"
Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema has warned the Dutch government against diverting cultural subsidies away from the capital, citing the risk of damaging the city's significant creative labor market. She ...
Do people really want a different dining experience, as Ron Blaauw claims? 'Fine dining is a bit of a boomer hobby'
Chef Ron Blaauw is closing his Ron Gastrobar in Amsterdam-Zuid to adopt a more casual dining concept. He believes modern guests prefer flexible, informal dining experiences over traditional, time-cons...
Singer Jaïr Faria moved to Los Angeles for his career: 'This is where I want to be'
Singer Jaïr Faria has moved to Los Angeles to advance his music career after signing deals with Roc Nation and Giant Music. He is currently back in the Netherlands to support Froukje on tour while co...
Protest at Microsoft datacenter in Amsterdam-Westpoort: They are destroying the world
Activists occupied a data center construction site in Amsterdam-Westpoort on Friday to protest against big tech, artificial intelligence, and environmental concerns. Police arrested between 150 and 20...
Political podcast: new ICT crisis in the city and is Pro against trees?
A new IT crisis involving the digital ground lease system has emerged in Amsterdam, raising concerns about potential costs and consequences for the city. Meanwhile, the city council is set to vote on ...