Culture News in English
Latest culture headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Nightlife trend among Gen Z: alcohol falling out of favor, 3-MMC and ketamine rising in popularity
A 2025 Antenne-monitor study reveals that young adults in Amsterdam are drinking less alcohol while the usage of drugs like 3-MMC and ketamine is increasing. This trend marks a significant shift in th...
Amsterdam's bike ring is finally complete: 6.73 kilometers gliding from Czaar Peterstraat to Haarlemmerplein
Amsterdam has finalized its new 6.73-kilometer bicycle ring connecting Czaar Peterstraat to Haarlemmerplein. The project provides a smooth, obstacle-free route intended to offer cyclists a more relaxe...
Impossible splits, absurdism and horror: these dancers and dance performances are nominated for a Swan
The prestigious Dutch dance awards, the Zwaan and Jonge Zwaan, have announced their nominations for the most impressive dance productions and performances. The selected works range from complex adult ...
Primary school Het Talent starts every school day with reading: ‘We don’t want to lower the bar’
Basisschool Het Talent in Osdorp has introduced a mandatory daily reading initiative to combat declining literacy performance among its students. The program includes complex literature like poetry to...
Review: In Lucas Rijneveld’s collection on gender transition, language offers a custom shelter
Lucas Rijneveld's fourth poetry collection, titled Als zee uit hond, explores the emotional journey of a narrator undergoing a gender transition. The poems navigate themes of grief, joy, and the searc...
Dolly Bellefleur used to sing Yiddish songs in the Red Light District: 'Let's use habibi more often than zemmel'
Performer Dolly Bellefleur, the alter ego of Ruud Douma, began a career singing Yiddish songs in Amsterdam's Wallen district. The artist is set to participate in the Great Amsterdam Dictation on Octob...
Mina (49) and Jeroen (52) met at a friend's birthday: 'I decided to tease him a little'
Mina Abouzahra and Jeroen Mensink met during a birthday lunch at De Plantage in Amsterdam. Mina initiated their connection by playfully teasing Jeroen when they were seated across from one another.
Chilean theater maker Nicolás Lange (31) on Night, Day, Dusk and Dawn: ‘Interesting that Pompeii was both destroyed and preserved’
Chilean artist Nicolás Lange has created a new theater production exploring the final days of two men living in Pompeii before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The work reflects on themes of love, los...
Newcomers and undocumented people get swimming lessons here: 'Once that doubt is gone, it's wonderful'
The initiative Swimpact offers swimming lessons to newcomers and undocumented individuals at the Marnixbad in Amsterdam. These sessions focus on teaching essential water safety and swimming techniques...
Sjefietshe in De Pijp closes its doors, but the viral 'hotdoctopus' remains
The popular Amsterdam cevicheria Sjefietshe is closing after seven years as owner Bas Lammersen seeks a new chapter in his career. Despite the restaurant's closure in De Pijp, the establishment's vira...
Leefkringhuis founder Paul Scheerder (80) dies: 'He meant so much to Noord'
Paul Scheerder, the founder of the Amsterdam-Noord community organization Leefkringhuis, has passed away at age 80. He was widely recognized for his decades of dedication to helping vulnerable familie...
B&B Vol liefde participants Caroline and Arie are officially a couple
Former B&B Vol liefde participants Caroline and Arie have officially confirmed they are in a relationship. The couple has been enjoying their time together in Spain away from television cameras and pl...
This UvA program now bans screens during lectures: 'The entire learning environment is improving'
The Interdisciplinary Social Science program at the University of Amsterdam has banned screens during lectures to reduce student distractions and improve focus. While some students have expressed mixe...
Eiffel Tower head steps down after turning away women over religious visit
The director of the Eiffel Tower, Branco Ruivo, has resigned after allowing a religious group to exclude female staff members during a private visit. The incident, which occurred during celebrations f...
In the fifties and sixties 'overstressed' women were sent to nursing homes: 'I was shocked when I discovered that'
Author Suzanna Jansen investigates the historical practice of sending women labeled as 'overstressed' to specialized rest homes during the 1950s and 1960s. Her essay, titled Project rust, reveals that...
Videoland to offer podcasts starting in October
Starting October 8, the Dutch streaming service Videoland will introduce a new selection of podcasts, including both existing popular shows and original content. The platform aims to broaden its enter...
Keep your hands off our texts: writers demonstrate at Meta's Dutch office against unlawful copying and distribution of texts
Journalists, writers, and translators protested at the Dutch headquarters of Meta on Tuesday to oppose the use of their copyrighted texts for training AI models. The participants demanded an end to un...
Read yourself, be read to, or just look at pictures? 7 Haarlem bookstores with children's books
The Kinderboekenweek 2026 will run from September 30 to October 11 with the theme of performance and self-expression. Seven bookstores across Haarlem are participating by offering diverse reading coll...
Roxeanne Hazes after breast reduction and lift: 'Glad I did it'
Singer Roxeanne Hazes is recovering well after undergoing a planned breast reduction and lift procedure. She utilized her recovery period to focus on preparations for her upcoming theater tour, which ...
Video | First footage of historical film Spinoza in 17th-century Amsterdam
The first footage of the historical film Spinoza has been released, showcasing 17th-century Amsterdam. The movie, which is the final work of the late director Rudolf van den Berg, is scheduled to prem...
There is always room for a chat at neighbor Annemieke’s: 'You take care of each other'
Annemieke van der Graaf fosters community spirit in Amsterdam's Betondorp neighborhood through initiatives like an open garden, a plant library, and neighborhood benches. Her efforts aim to combat lon...
Sander Lantinga to audition as new voice of Bert in Sesame Street
Radio DJ Sander Lantinga has been invited to audition for the role of Bert in Sesame Street following the retirement of long-time voice actor Paul Haenen. The production team is seeking actors who can...
Meatballs and steak hard to resist: 95 percent of the Dutch still eat meat
Recent data from the 2026 National Meat Survey shows that 95 percent of people in the Netherlands still consume meat, primarily because they enjoy the taste. Despite growing concerns over rising price...
Halsema wrote letter to rapper Ye: 'Please leave Amsterdam'
Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema sent a letter to rapper Ye during his stay in the city, asking him to leave following his controversial performances in Arnhem. Although authorities and the courts allowe...
Saved by the Bell actor Dennis Haskins dies at 75
Actor Dennis Haskins, famous for playing Richard Belding in the sitcom Saved by the Bell, has died at 75. He appeared in the original series from 1989 to 1992, as well as its predecessor and subsequen...
A party to reclaim Leidseplein for the people of Amsterdam
An event was held at Club Up this past weekend to encourage local residents to reclaim the Leidseplein in Amsterdam. Organizers coordinated the gathering via Instagram, promoting a skinny jeans dress ...
JAY-Z wants dismissed case against lawyer in rape trial to be reviewed
Jay-Z is requesting a review of a dismissed lawsuit against lawyer Tony Buzbee, who had previously represented a woman that accused the rapper of sexual assault. The woman has since admitted the alleg...
NAZA documentary reveals startling insight into Israeli military tactics
The documentary NAZA features testimonies from former Israeli military and intelligence personnel describing the IDF's use of AI-driven targeting systems that accept high numbers of civilian casualtie...
Video | Chantal Janzen and Céline Dion together on catwalk in Paris
Dutch presenter Chantal Janzen walked the runway during the L'Oréal Paris fashion show at Paris Fashion Week. The event concluded with an appearance by singer Céline Dion, who joined the other stars...
Only one Dutchman refused to surrender New Amsterdam to the English (but he lost)
In 1664, four English warships arrived at the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam to demand its surrender. Although at least one individual advocated for resistance, the Dutch authorities ultimately yielded...