Culture News in English
Latest culture headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Book Week opened with anniversary edition of Book Ball at ITA

PvdA politician Heinhuis: the brown cafe is officially intangible heritage
Lian Heinhuis, the PvdA faction chair in Amsterdam, announced that the traditional brown cafe has been officially added to the Dutch list of intangible heritage. The announcement was made during an ap...
Good news for the brown pub: classic café officially designated as intangible heritage

Speels Eskalatie wins best Acda Award final in years; the creative can even turn Satie's piano music into ska
The band Eskalatie won the 2026 Rob Acda Award finale at the Patronaat venue, breaking a long-standing dominance of conservatory-trained acts in the competition. The event saw a high audience turnout ...
The scent of Surinamese soup wafts through the theater at ‘Peper en zuur?!’ as the atmosphere grows increasingly convivial
Amsterdam artist Anaïs Lopez traveled to Japan eight times in seven years in obsessive search for a golden turtle
Lionel Shriver's new novel is a paranoid, xenophobic fever dream

Second 150th anniversary flag for IJmuiden flying off the shelves: 'A flag should look festive'
To celebrate the 150th anniversary of IJmuiden, a second commemorative flag designed by Eric Hartendorf is selling rapidly. Although initially created as a joke, the flag has become popular for its fe...

Jaïr de Roeck (22) is running for the Zaan SP: ‘In some circles I don’t say I’m on the list’
Jaïr de Roeck, a 22-year-old student at the University of Amsterdam, is running as a candidate for the Socialist Party (SP) in the Zaanstad municipal elections. Positioned 12th on the list, he aims t...
Then Mijnans feels he needs to join the attack. No! Give the ball to Kees first.
Henk Spaan provides his weekly ratings for prominent figures in the football world. This week's analysis features players Joao Neves, Ro-Zangelo Daal, and Kodai Sano.

Young filmmakers showcase creations at festival in West: "Nice to talk with other makers"
The VERS Film Festival is taking place at LAB 111 in Amsterdam West this weekend, offering young filmmakers a platform to showcase their work and network with industry professionals. Organized by the ...

Young filmmakers showcase creations at festival in West: "Nice to talk with other creators"
The VERS Film Festival is currently taking place at LAB 111 in Amsterdam, providing young filmmakers with opportunities to screen their work and network with industry professionals. The weekend event ...

Zandvoort is more than sea and beach. Architecture of the seaside resort now in its own guide
A new architecture guide has been released for the seaside town of Zandvoort to showcase its unique buildings beyond its popular beaches. Despite significant destruction during World War II, the guide...

Trance fans get their fill at Luminosity beach parties in Zandvoort and Bloemendaal
Trance music fans can attend several Luminosity parties on the beaches of Bloemendaal and Zandvoort this year. The season opener is scheduled to take place at Beachclub Fuel on Saturday, March 21.
A bag of Pietersma fries makes you part of a nearly 70-year-old tradition
Liam Nassereddine (15) to perform in the Concertgebouw’s Main Hall: ‘I think I became a pianist bit by bit’

Audio walk and artwork in the dunes shed light on traces of war: ‘The podwalk makes people walk the route much more consciously’
Natuurmonumenten has launched an audio walk titled 'Duinen vertellen oorlogsverhalen' and unveiled a landscape artwork in the dunes near IJmuiden. The project highlights traces of World War II, such a...

The Crown actress Jane Lapotaire dies at 81
British actress Jane Lapotaire, best known for her role as Princess Alice in the series The Crown, has died at the age of 81. She earned acclaim for portraying Prince Philip's mother in the popular Ne...
New episodes of hit series Máxima look sublime again, down to the smallest detail
Nina van Tongeren (26) created a play about child abuse: ‘You’re quickly seen as either a pathetic victim or a hero who survived’

Paintings by late Haarlem artist Frans Strunk to be sold for Dutch Cancer Society: ‘He finally gets his first solo exhibition’
The paintings of deceased Haarlem artist Frans Strunk will be sold this coming weekend, with all proceeds donated to the Dutch Cancer Society (KWF). Strunk passed away from cancer at age 80 last Decem...
Eighties icon Boy George to represent San Marino at Eurovision

Time Magazine names Art Zoo Museum one of the World's Greatest Places
The Art Zoo Museum in Amsterdam has been named one of Time Magazine's 'World's Greatest Places,' marking the first time a Dutch museum has received this honor. Located in a 17th-century canal house, t...

Art Zoo Museum named one of the World's Greatest Places by Time Magazine
Time Magazine has named the Art Zoo Museum in Amsterdam as one of its "World's Greatest Places," marking the first time a Dutch museum has received this recognition. Located in a 17th-century canal ho...

Parents, coaches and children discuss safety at Telstar sports club: 'Football is for everyone'
The municipality of Velsen and local football clubs organized a meeting with parents, trainers, and children to discuss safety and inclusivity within sports associations. The initiative emphasizes tha...

Cheating allowed
This card game allows players to use tactics usually considered cheating, such as hiding cards in sleeves or on the floor. These actions are permitted and integrated into the gameplay rules.

Guitar pioneer Jan de Hont, known for ZZ & De Maskers, dies
Guitarist Jan de Hont, a pioneer known for his work with the band ZZ & De Maskers, passed away on Thursday at the age of 83. De Hont's family confirmed his death, noting he had been residing at the Ro...
Lubach apologizes after causing rush on cheap Belgian gas station: ‘Don’t go to Herentals’
Dutch television host Arjen Lubach has apologized for causing an unexpected rush of customers at a gas station in Herentals, Belgium, after featuring it on his show. He informed the press agency ANP t...
King's Day 2026: Amsterdam parties you don't want to miss
Amsterdam will celebrate King's Day on Monday, April 27, 2026, with the city hosting various festivities including boat parties on the canals and large festivals. The event is expected to draw thousan...

Van Weel: Rotterdam synagogue fire ‘smells of antisemitism’
Dutch Justice and Security Minister David van Weel stated that an arson attack at a Rotterdam synagogue likely constitutes antisemitic violence. While an investigation is ongoing to identify the perpe...