Culture News in English
Latest culture headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
What is the most beautiful word in Amsterdam?
These were this week's best-selling books at Scheltema
In ‘The Song of Rosa’, the hopeless medieval life sometimes takes your breath away
Het lied van Rosa is the eighth novel written by Gerwin van der Werf, who is also the author of the 2025 Boekenweekgeschenk. The book features a narrative structure that alternates between the present...
‘The Eye of El Molusco’ is an un-Dutch book, and not only because it is set in Barcelona
Emmelien Kramer's novel, The Eye of El Molusco, is characterized as an un-Dutch work due to its exuberant language and elements of magical realism. The book draws significant inspiration from the Lati...
‘Pavlova’ review: Who would have thought provocateur Brian Sewell could write so tenderly?
The late, often abrasive British art critic Brian Sewell surprised critics with his final book, Pavlova, which recounts the story of an art historian smuggling an rescued donkey from Pakistan to Londo...
For her new novel De Zevende, Wanda Bommer (56) reread her entire body of work: ‘It was an escape room-like experience’
Dutch author Wanda Bommer has released her latest novel, titled De Zevende, which explores complex themes such as the intersection of reality and fiction. The 56-year-old writer describes the creative...
Rob Kemps finds it difficult not seeing his children every week: 'Really struggles with it'
Rob Kemps has spoken openly about the difficulty of adjusting to a co-parenting arrangement following his separation from his former partner in 2023. The artist finds the weekly transition days partic...
MEROL, Roze Filmdagen and documentary F*CK DRUGS win Winq Awards
The Winq Awards ceremony in Amsterdam honored several notable figures and organizations for their contributions to the LGBTQIA+ community, including singer MEROL, the documentary F*CK DRUGS, and the f...
Susan Sarandon and Hannah Einbinder arrested at protest against Netanyahu
Actresses Susan Sarandon and Hannah Einbinder were arrested during a protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu near the United Nations headquarters in New York. The demonstration, orga...
Måneskin singer Damiano David marries singer Dove Cameron
Måneskin lead singer Damiano David and actress-singer Dove Cameron have married after getting engaged earlier this year. The couple, who have been together since 2023, were captured in photographs we...
A documentary about the other, non-Dutch manager of the Dutch national team: ‘No nonsense, just play football!’
A documentary about legendary Austrian coach Ernst Happel was recently rebroadcast to mark Xavi Hernandez becoming the first non-Dutch manager of the national team since the 1970s. Happel is celebrate...
Always the best at Rummikub? Prove it during the National Championship in Haarlem
The Dutch Rummikub Championship will be held on November 15 at Mooie Boules in Haarlem. Participants aged 14 and older can compete for the national title, with the winner earning a spot to represent t...
For 12.5 years, you have found a history lesson and a face in city streets: "We are everywhere"
Paul Fennis has spent over 12.5 years installing more than 600 educational panels across Amsterdam that feature portraits and biographies of the historical figures for whom local streets are named. Th...
Jacob Nienhuys built 236 high-quality worker homes in the Staatsliedenbuurt, featuring a courtyard, a nursery, and porcelain bathtubs
Philanthropist Jacob Nienhuys commissioned the construction of 236 high-quality social housing units in Amsterdam's Staatsliedenbuurt in 1894. The ambitious project featured communal amenities such as...
Jordanese street organ family Perlee calls it quits for good: It is time to relax
After nearly one hundred years of operation in the Westerstraat, the historic street organ company Perlee is permanently closing. The family is hosting a final viewing of their collection in the works...
Fabel Friet founders Abel (29) and Floris (31) on TikTok queues: 'Bet you’ll have your fries within five minutes'
Fabel Friet founders Abel Klatser and Floris Feilzer address the long, viral queues at their popular Amsterdam fry shop, claiming wait times are shorter than TikTok users suggest. The duo describes th...
Pop-up market, dating for 65+ and North Art Market: what to do in Amsterdam this week
Amsterdam is hosting a variety of cultural and social events this week, including art markets, open-air opera performances, and speed-dating sessions for seniors. From historical museum visits to pop-...
Happiness Anytime review: a distinctly sunny atmosphere with African music as the inspiration this time
Leon Bridges' fifth album, Happiness Anytime, explores a vibrant new sound influenced by African music, afrobeat, and latin rhythms. Produced in part by members of the band Jungle, the record balances...
Review Have A Heart: from fierce punk to fragile folk on a playful and surprisingly balanced debut
The Amsterdam-based indie rock band The Klittens has released their debut album, Have A Heart, which blends post-punk influences with experimental folk elements. The record features a balanced mix of ...
Review The Shel Talmy Recordings: interesting to hear a searching Bowie, not yet the genius
The Shel Talmy Recordings chronicles David Bowie's early musical efforts in 1965, showcasing a developing artist experimenting with beat and rhythm and blues. The album offers a historical perspective...
Ambacht in Beeld festival brings over a hundred master craftspeople to the NDSM Warehouse: ‘Learning from each other is an easy way to connect’
The twelfth Ambacht in Beeld Festival is being held this weekend at the NDSM Warehouse, featuring over one hundred craftspeople from around the world. Attendees can participate in various workshops an...
The neighborhood was right: clumsy apartment block on Hoogte Kadijk blocks views and crowds the bridge
Two new residential buildings, consisting of black brick homes and a raised rental hub, have been completed on the Hoogte Kadijk. Local residents, who initially opposed the project, continue to critic...
Xavi begins as Netherlands manager with draw against Germany after late Cody Gakpo goal and brilliant Mexx Meerdink assist
Xavi Hernandez began his tenure as the Netherlands manager with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Germany in Amsterdam. After falling behind to a Felix Nmecha goal, the Dutch equalized in stoppage time t...
Little support for new metro numbers in Southeast: "When I say 53, I mean Gaasperplas"
Residents in Amsterdam-Zuidoost are opposing a plan to rename local metro lines from 50-54 to M1-M4 by 2028, citing the original numbers as essential neighborhood identifiers. While transport authorit...
After losing her mother, art historian Binkie Bloemheuvel (34) wrote her debut novel: 'I see parallels between a bamischijf and a Medusa head'
After the death of her mother, 34-year-old art historian Binkie Bloemheuvel began writing her debut novel titled Stilleven. The book explores themes of everyday life, grief, moths, and pigeons, with t...
LIVE Nations League | Xavi chooses Quinten Timber for midfield in debut as head coach, German debutant in Arena
Xavi Hernandez debuted as the head coach of the Netherlands with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Germany in Amsterdam. After falling behind to a Felix Nmecha goal, Cody Gakpo equalized in stoppage time...
Schiphol boss and mayor swapped jobs for a day: ‘To understand each other better’
To celebrate Schiphol Airport's 110th anniversary, airport CEO Pieter van Oord and Haarlemmermeer Mayor Marianne Schuurmans-Wijdeven swapped roles for one day. The initiative was designed to foster mu...
Gouden Griffel 2026 for late author Sjoerd Kuyper
Author Sjoerd Kuyper has been posthumously awarded the 2026 Gouden Griffel for his children's book Maantje verhuist de zee. Additionally, illustrator Karst-Janneke Rogaar received the 2026 Gouden Pens...
Why tutoring isn't always necessary and can be much cheaper
As the new school year begins, many parents in the Netherlands are turning to tutoring and homework assistance for their children. The number of service providers has doubled in a decade, raising ques...
Kinderboekenweek awards announced: Golden Griffel for the late Sjoerd Kuyper, Karst-Janneke Rogaar wins Golden Penseel
Sjoerd Kuyper has been posthumously awarded the Golden Griffel for his book Maantje verhuist de zee following his recent death at age 74. Additionally, illustrator Karst-Janneke Rogaar received the Go...