haarlemsdagbladMay 1, 2026, 11:02

'Gentle poet' Gershwin Bonefacia at May 4 Memorial Concert; 'Resistance is a chain of continuous small acts against injustice'

Poet Gershwin Bonefacia, former city poet of Amsterdam and winner of the Gouden Ganzenveer 2026, will perform as a special guest at a remembrance concert on May 4th. The event will be held by the Kennemer Youth Orchestra at the Haarlemmerhout in Haarlem and also features Myron Henning.

Culture Amsterdam Haarlem Netherlands

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Based on reporting by haarlemsdagblad. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

Chatterbox Roderik connects people with each other

Roderik Schaepman has launched the Week of the Conversation, an initiative aimed at encouraging social interaction to combat loneliness and declining communication skills. By setting up designated spaces at locations like the Haarlem train station, he encourages people to overcome social hesitation through simple steps like greeting and complimenting strangers.

Looking for a friendly chat? Step into the yellow square at the station on Wednesday

To promote social connection, the Week of the Chat initiative is launching in Haarlem on October 14, featuring a designated yellow zone at the train station where people can meet for casual conversations. Inspired by research from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the project aims to help individuals feel happier and less lonely by encouraging social interaction and boosting confidence.

Family ‘pitches’ grandma during this Amsterdam dating night: ‘There’s no need for fooling around, friendship is also welcome’

During the Week Against Loneliness, a special dating event in Amsterdam allows families to help their relatives over the age of 65 find new companions. Participants are open to finding romantic love or simply building meaningful new friendships.

Writer, poet, and filmmaker Nafiss Nia (58) brings poetry to the streets of Amsterdam with 'Poetry on the Sidewalk': 'Before you know it, you're enchanted'

Nafiss Nia, a poet and filmmaker, has founded the Poëzie op de stoep initiative to bring literature into the public spaces of Amsterdam. The project aims to foster community connection by displaying accessible, hopeful poetry on sidewalks and signs in residential neighborhoods throughout the city.

More overnight stays in Amsterdam again, but fewer visitors from outside Europe

Amsterdam expects 24.4 million overnight stays in 2026, driven by continuous growth despite a drop in visitors from outside Europe. To manage the pressure of mass tourism and address resident concerns, the city plans to increase the tourist tax to 20 percent by 2031.