Culture News in English
Latest culture headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Olympic Stadium to become an interactive Tutankhamun museum for three months
An interactive exhibition on Pharaoh Tutankhamun is coming to the Amsterdam Olympic Stadium for three months, featuring VR experiences and life-sized replicas. The event, which has already attracted m...
Bach is a ‘daily companion’ for Bach Society artistic director Johanna Soller: ‘I work with him every day’
German conductor Johanna Soller has begun her first season as the seventh artistic director of the Netherlands Bach Society. A specialist in early music, Soller aims to combine historical performance ...
Bloem (22) and Lou (21) met at the Hyperion Lyceum: ‘He built me a bookcase’
Bloem Hartman, 22, and Lou van den Tooren, 21, reflect on their relationship which began during their time as students at the Hyperion Lyceum. The couple shared that their connection grew from their s...
Thanks to Lydia Lamp (68), the once-paved terrace at the Flevoflats is blooming: ‘Women enjoy weeding, men prefer the heavy hoeing’
Lydia Lamp, a 68-year-old resident of the Flevoflats in Amsterdam-Oost, has transformed a previously paved terrace into a thriving garden. Her project has brought diverse plant life to the area, provi...
After eleven years, this prestigious theater award has been passed from actor to actor again
Actor Hans Kesting has passed the prestigious Albert van Dalsum ring to Bram Suijker after eleven years of holding the award. Suijker, a decorated performer known for his work with Het Nationale Theat...
Taylor Swift announces new single Patient Zero
Taylor Swift has announced her latest single, Patient Zero, which is now available for pre-order in three different physical formats. The singer is also scheduled to receive the inaugural Artist Direc...
Lionel Richie undergoes procedure for heart arrhythmia
Singer Lionel Richie has undergone an ablation procedure to address a heart arrhythmia. He is currently resting and has cancelled three upcoming concert dates, though he is expected to return to the s...
Femke Bol seals marriage with big party in Sardinia: 'A dream'
Dutch athlete Femke Bol and pole vaulter Ben Broeders recently celebrated their marriage with an elaborate party at a winery in Sardinia. The couple had previously wed in a civil ceremony in Amersfoor...
Wrijving, an open stage for personal, honest sex stories, has now arrived in Amsterdam: 'It’s for people who think: please, let us hear more about how diverse sex can be'
Wrijving, a platform for sharing personal sex stories on an open stage, has expanded its operations to Amsterdam. The initiative aims to offer a more diverse and honest perspective on sexuality compar...
In a cell with your neighbors: The resistance of Rapenburg
The Amsterdam-based program De Straten van Amsterdam recently profiled the Rapenburg neighborhood, highlighting its rich history and the lives of several long-term residents. Featured stories included...
No more ITA, just 'Stadsschouwburg' again: old name returns to the facade
The theater on Amsterdam's Leidseplein has officially returned to its original name, Stadsschouwburg, replacing the title ITA used since 2018. Management decided to restore the historic name after fin...
National exercise challenge gets Haarlem residents moving: "The oldest is 96!"
Haarlem residents recently gathered at the Wilsonsplein playground to celebrate a nationwide exercise day, reflecting a regular community-led initiative held twice a week. The event drew sixty partici...
City council: Kwaku is intangible heritage, confident it will return in a new format
Amsterdam city officials are working to revive the Kwaku Summer Festival in a new, sustainable format after the organization ended the event in its current form earlier this year. The council recogniz...
City government: Kwaku is intangible heritage, confident it will return in a new format
Amsterdam city officials are working with organizers to ensure the return of the Kwaku Summer Festival next year through a new, sustainable format. Acknowledging the event as essential intangible heri...
Actress Hayden Panettiere died from combination of drugs and medication
Actress Hayden Panettiere died at the age of 36 on August 16 due to an accidental combination of fentanyl and other medications. Known for her roles in Heroes, Nashville, and the Scream film franchise...
Video | Marijn Kuipers responds to hate comments after breaking off engagement
Influencer Marijn Kuipers has publicly addressed the hateful comments she received following the end of her engagement to Dave Roelvink. This marks the first time she has spoken out about the breakup ...
The former coat check of Chinese restaurant Sea Palace now houses a display case with wife cakes and matcha-strawberry bolo bao
Chinese restaurant Sea Palace in Amsterdam has converted its former coat check into a new bakery and café featuring traditional and modern treats. Operated by third-generation baker Isabel But, the s...
Ben Saunders' family not present at funeral: 'Hardest decision'
The family of the late singer Ben Saunders has decided not to attend his funeral, describing it as the hardest decision they have ever had to make. Saunders, who won the first season of The Voice of H...
Mensje van Keulen writes Book Week gift, Japke-d. Bouma a themed edition
Mensje van Keulen and Japke-d. Bouma have been selected to create the primary publications for the 2027 Book Week in the Netherlands. The event, running from March 10 to March 21, focuses on the theme...
Chatting with a stranger: Margriet organizes Start the Conversation meetings at the Haarlem library
Magazine Margriet is hosting 'Start the Conversation' meetings in libraries across the Netherlands to help people overcome loneliness and social anxiety. A local session is scheduled for November 13, ...
Mensje van Keulen and Japke-d. Bouma to write for Book Week 2027
Authors Mensje van Keulen and Japke-d. Bouma have been selected to write the featured works for the 2027 Boekenweek in the Netherlands. The event, which follows the theme Kijk ons nou, is scheduled to...
Ajax player Kasper Dolberg sidelined for extended period due to injury with Danish national team
Ajax player Kasper Dolberg will be sidelined for an extended period following an injury sustained while playing for the Danish national team. Consequently, his club teammate Anton Gaaei has been calle...
Death of Cindy Crawford's son investigated as possible overdose
The son of Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, Presley Gerber, has died, with authorities in Santa Monica investigating the death as a potential drug overdose. Gerber, a successful model who had previous...
Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat and TikTok are in the doghouse, and Hyves is cleverly capitalizing on it
The former social network Hyves is making a comeback to offer users a nostalgic alternative to major platforms like Facebook and TikTok. The company aims to attract users by emphasizing that their dat...
'Queen of water lilies' in bloom, Hortus Amsterdam extends opening hours
The Hortus Botanicus in Amsterdam is extending its opening hours to allow the public to view the rare, two-night blooming cycle of its Victoria Longwood Hybrid water lily. Known for its massive size a...
Charles does not come off well in Diana's brother's book, but it is not real news
Earl Spencer’s new book about his late sister, Princess Diana, includes several controversial claims regarding King Charles's behavior during their marriage. While the book has sparked public discus...
Eros Ramazzotti postpones Ziggo Dome concert to 2028 following vocal cord surgery
Eros Ramazzotti has postponed his Ziggo Dome concert in Amsterdam to April 5, 2028, to allow for recovery following vocal cord surgery. The artist is rescheduling his international tour dates to prior...
New ideas for Haarlem during the Initiative Café
Haarlem will host an Initiative Café on October 6, 2026, where residents can present community improvement projects to a jury and receive feedback from fellow citizens. The event serves as a platform...
Rare black rhinos released in Africa with Dutch connection: ‘Iconic animal’
Three Dutch friends living in Botswana have significantly boosted the country's black rhino population by introducing twenty of the endangered animals to their private reserve. The complex relocation ...
Insults, verbal abuse and threats reported around Pride
A total of 672 reports of abuse and intimidation were filed with the platform RITA during and after the Amsterdam Pride and WorldPride events. These incidents included widespread verbal harassment and...