rssMay 2, 2026, 05:30

Cartoonist Jip van den Toorn: 'An act of resistance doesn’t have to be big'

Cartoonist Jip van den Toorn delivered the annual Willem Arondéus lecture at the Bavo Church in Haarlem, emphasizing that acts of resistance do not always have to be grand or heroic. She discussed the importance of individual responsibility and the privilege of freedom of expression in the Netherlands compared to countries with repressive regimes.

Politics Culture Haarlem Netherlands

Read original ↗

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

Mayor closes premises after discovery of illegal sex club

Mayor Jos Wienen of Haarlem has ordered a three-month closure of a building on the Baan after an illegal, unlicensed sex club was discovered operating there. Authorities identified signs of potential exploitation and noted that the site's frequent visitor traffic caused significant nuisance to the local neighborhood.

Municipality of Haarlem must house 214 status holders before end of year

Haarlem must secure housing for 214 status holders by the end of 2024 to meet its government-assigned quota. So far, the municipality has housed 160 individuals this year, leaving a significant gap that must be addressed before the deadline.

Concerns over ending emergency care in Hoofddorp? Information evening draws few visitors

The Spaarne Gasthuis hospital plans to centralize 24-hour emergency care in Haarlem-Zuid by 2033, effectively closing the emergency department in Hoofddorp. Despite significant public and political backlash regarding travel times, a recent information evening in Hoofddorp drew very few attendees.

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.

Minor arrested after fire at shelter for young asylum seekers in Aerdenhout

A fire occurred at a shelter for underage asylum seekers in Aerdenhout on Sparrenlaan, leading to the safe evacuation of all residents. Police have arrested a minor suspected of arson, though no injuries were reported.