Culture News in English
Latest culture headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.

Heritage of the Week | A gondola on the Amstel
During Open Monument Day on September 12 and 13, the public can visit the Amstel Hotel in Amsterdam. The building gained international fame through the influence of masseur Dr. Mezger, who is often ca...
With Millefeuille, Lise Delabie has written a vulnerable and important book about the grief following a miscarriage
Lise Delabie's novel Millefeuille provides an intimate and vulnerable look at the experience of grieving a miscarriage. Through the integration of an essay on artist Yayoi Kusama, the author explores ...
Can grieving parents Laurel and Eli save their son in Chloe Benjamin’s ‘duoversum’?
In Chloe Benjamin's novel Onderstroom, grieving parents Laurel and Eli reunite at an Antarctic research station to investigate a mysterious portal that may offer a chance to prevent their son's death....
Rachel Cusk's new novel is fascinating, radical and utterly unpleasant
Rachel Cusk's new novel, Leven van M, explores the intersection of identity and performance through the story of a writer documenting a famous actress. The book utilizes a complex, experimental narrat...
Conflict studies lecturer Lodewijk van Oord (49) wrote a book on the stories and myths of Palestine and Israel: We need new and better stories
Conflict studies lecturer Lodewijk van Oord has authored a new book titled Staat van verbeelding, which explores the complex history, myths, and narratives surrounding Palestine and Israel. Van Oord e...

Wavin' Flag rapper K'naan acquitted of sexual assault
Musician K'naan has been acquitted of sexual assault charges due to a lack of sufficient evidence, despite the judge expressing skepticism regarding his defense. The artist, known for the hit song Wav...

Australian insect species named after Taylor Swift
A newly discovered group of insect species has been named Swiftiephylus in honor of Taylor Swift, with specific species referencing her albums. Researcher Sarah Schroeder aims to use the tribute to pr...

Billy Joel underwent brain surgery after neurological condition: 'I'm still here'
Billy Joel underwent brain surgery to install a shunt after a neurological condition negatively affected his memory and balance. The singer cancelled his recent tour dates on medical advice, as perfor...
The bodies lie frozen stiff, waiting for the day they might be brought back to life
Ewout Genemans explores extreme life-extension practices, including cryogenics at the Alcor facility in the United States and biohacking techniques like strict dietary regimens. The documentary highli...

Kristian (15) can barely use Haarlem playgrounds due to his disability
Fifteen-year-old Kristian, who lives with severe disabilities, is unable to use most playgrounds in Haarlem due to a lack of suitable equipment. His mother is advocating for greater accessibility so t...
As her dog peed on my plants, she said: 'You're in his aura, he doesn't like that'
A man was left stunned after a woman allowed her dog to urinate on his potted oleanders in front of his home. When confronted, she refused to apologize and demanded the men move, claiming they were di...
Review Sisters: regional drama from Omroep Max relies mostly on its great actors
The Dutch drama series Zussen follows three half-sisters navigating newly discovered family connections and a complex web of secrets following their father's death. While the plot faces criticism for ...
Marcel Levi (61) still learns new Amsterdam slang every week: I had to look up 'doekoe'
Marcel Levi shares his observations on the evolution of Amsterdam slang and the necessity of clear, patient-centered communication in medicine. He reflects on how the city's linguistic diversity conti...
Have you spotted this artwork by Streetart Frankey yet?
Street artist Frankey creates a new piece of art every week for the newspaper Het Parool. These artworks are prominently featured throughout the city of Amsterdam.
Wine café (and not wine bar) Tire-Bouchon now occupies the premises of the legendary Bouchon du Centre on Falckstraat
Paul and Lucas Verbunt have opened a new wine cafe named Tire-Bouchon at the former site of Bouchon du Centre on Falckstraat in Amsterdam. The brothers describe their establishment as a wine cafe to d...
Amsterdam high school lottery is an unfair system, says UvA PhD candidate: ‘Lying about your preference can pay off’
A PhD researcher argues that Amsterdam's centralized secondary school lottery system is unfair because it encourages families to strategically misrepresent their preferences. The process rewards tacti...
Amsterdam-Noord restaurants organize their own ferry service during public transport strike with oysters and stranded passengers on board
Several restaurants in Amsterdam-Noord launched their own private ferry service on Wednesday to bypass a national public transport strike that halted regular boats. The initiative allowed patrons to r...
Here it is: Apple's foldable iPhone, but how innovative is this device?
Apple has officially launched the iPhone Duo, its first foldable smartphone, which will be available on October 23 with a starting price of 2,339 euros. Alongside this new device, the company announce...
Dutch children get tennis clinic from Roger Federer in Amsterdam: 'I'm going to beat him!'
Tennis legend Roger Federer visited Amsterdam on Wednesday to host a surprise tennis clinic for a group of children. The former world number one shared his appreciation for these interactions, explain...
The Dinner Club: the prologue already reveals the decadent party won't last forever
The popular crime novel De eetclub by Saskia Noort has been adapted into a seven-part television series focusing on a wealthy friend group whose bond unravels after a fatal fire. Detective Visser inve...

US judge denies request for release of Tate brothers
A US judge has denied a request for the release of Andrew and Tristan Tate, who were arrested in Miami following an extradition request from the UK. The brothers face multiple charges, including rape ...

People with prosthetics can now safely ride Efteling attractions
Efteling has introduced a new safety strap called SafeStrap, developed by TU Delft, that allows guests with prosthetics to keep them on during certain thrill rides. This initiative, created in collabo...

Edsilia Rombley cancels performances after appendicitis surgery
Dutch singer Edsilia Rombley has canceled her upcoming performances after undergoing successful surgery for appendicitis. She remains positive about her recovery and plans to continue with her career,...

Flowerbikeman returns to Florida after 20 years in Amsterdam: "Sad, ashamed and failed"
Warren Gregory, known as the Flowerbikeman, is leaving the Netherlands after twenty years to return to Florida following issues with his residence status. The artist, who became a well-known figure fo...
Oasis speaks for the first time: is rock's greatest sibling rivalry truly over?
The Gallagher brothers of the band Oasis have appeared to resolve their legendary sibling rivalry in a new documentary titled Don’t Look Back in Anger. Following this reconciliation, anticipation is...
Thanks to one video, Ilse DeLange is suddenly a hit with a young audience: why old songs are breaking through again on TikTok
The 2008 song So Incredible by Ilse DeLange has become a massive hit again after a viral TikTok trend, landing the track in the top 10 on Spotify in the Netherlands. The revival, spurred by influencer...

Latin festival Pal Mundo bankrupt, new edition already planned for 2027
The Latin and Caribbean music festival Pal Mundo has filed for bankruptcy, leaving the future of its planned 2027 edition in doubt. Curator Macy Weij is currently investigating the causes of the failu...

Actor Noel Clarke charged with sexual offenses
Actor Noel Clarke has been formally charged with sexual offenses following a year-long investigation into misconduct allegations made by twenty women in 2021. The fifty-year-old, known for his roles i...
Wine, wine and more wine! 7 wine bars in Haarlem
Haarlem features a diverse selection of wine bars that offer everything from self-service tasting experiences to high-end French and Italian dining pairings. Whether seeking sustainable organic wines ...

In pictures | Norwegian citizens and royals bid farewell to King Harald
Norwegian citizens and royals have gathered to pay their final respects to King Harald. The funeral proceedings took place amidst public mourning and significant international attendance, following th...