paroolOct 16, 2026, 01:00

In this play about the housing crisis, she wants parquet, he wants laminate: ‘There is also room for love and humor’

The play Bijna een leven by playwright Vera Morina explores the tensions faced by a young couple as they navigate the housing crisis while furnishing their rental home. Their disagreement over flooring choices serves as a metaphor for the deeper sacrifices and compromises required to build a life together amidst limited housing options.

Culture

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

Review: Paul Simon's voice on his live album is significantly better than it was in Amsterdam in April

Paul Simon returned to the stage in 2025, performing several concerts in Amsterdam before releasing a live album recorded in Seattle. The new recording shows the octogenarian in better vocal form than during his Dutch tour, bolstered by a skilled backing band that highlights his classic repertoire.

Review Brahms Klavierstücke: every note sounds with a longing for the next

Pianist Andras Schiff has released a two-disc recording of late piano works by Johannes Brahms, performed on an authentic 1859 Bluthner grand piano. The veteran musician is also scheduled to perform these pieces alongside Evgeny Kissin at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam on November 15.

Dopamine Chamber review: on the new Fontaines D.C. album, the band's identity lies primarily in the vocals

Fontaines D.C.'s fifth album, Dopamine Chamber, expands the band's electronic and synth-heavy sound while maintaining their characteristic dark tone. Although the album features diverse collaborations and cinematic arrangements, it is largely held together by Grian Chatten's distinct vocals, despite some critics noting a lack of the innovation found in their previous records.

Go drawing at the Royal Palace, celebrate ADE at the Wereldmuseum or cheer on the runners at the Amsterdam Marathon: here is what you can do in Amsterdam this week

Amsterdam is hosting a variety of events this week, ranging from the 51st edition of the TCS Amsterdam Marathon to several concerts, theater performances, and band competitions. Art lovers can also enjoy diverse exhibitions at prominent venues such as the Rijksmuseum, the STRAAT Museum, and the Palace on the Dam.

De Munt was briefly renamed Sophiaplein, but Amsterdammers kept calling it De Munt

Historical structures in Amsterdam, such as the Waag and the Munt, evolved from city gates into landmarks named after their later functions. The Munt, specifically, earned its name during the 1672 disaster year when the city was granted temporary authority to mint coins, a name that survived even an official attempt to rename the square Sophiaplein.