Culture News in English

Temporary restaurant opens in renovated first-class waiting room at Central Station

The traveling restaurant De Maaltuin has temporarily opened in the renovated first-class waiting room at Amsterdam Central Station for a two-month residency. NS is using this period to showcase the hi...

Hours-long queue for Norwegians wishing to pay final respects to King Harald

Norwegian citizens are waiting hours to pay their respects to the late King Harald, leading authorities to extend visitation hours before his state funeral on Wednesday. The event will involve the lar...

Colombian navy ship anchored at Amsterdam Central Station: "A piece of our homeland is here"

The Colombian flagship ARC Gloria is currently docked at Amsterdam's De Ruijterkade to celebrate 200 years of diplomatic ties between Colombia and the Netherlands. The vessel is hosting various cultur...

First major series made entirely with AI scores on Chinese television

Beyond Wukong has premiered on Chinese television as the first large-scale series produced almost entirely with artificial intelligence. The show has achieved strong ratings, though its reliance on AI...

Hooray for freebies! Here's what you get for free on your birthday in Amsterdam

Residents of Amsterdam can enjoy numerous free gifts on their birthdays by joining specific store loyalty programs in advance. Offers range from complimentary food and snacks at local eateries to beau...

Artist Job Koelewijn's unique take on reality: "I intensify what I see around me"

Amsterdam-based visual artist Job Koelewijn is celebrated for his conceptual, ever-evolving works that began with his breakthrough 1992 graduation project. His artistic vision was deeply influenced by...

Argentine couple must return Goudstikker looted painting to heir

An Argentine couple has surrendered a looted painting by Jacques Goudstikker to his heir, Marei von Saher, following media scrutiny. The painting, discovered in a home belonging to the daughter of a N...

Video | Freddie Mercury's 80th birthday marked with mural in London

A mural has been unveiled in London to commemorate what would have been the 80th birthday of Queen lead singer Freddie Mercury. The artist was born on September 5 and remains a celebrated figure in mu...

Gordon sworn in as wedding officiant

Entertainer Gordon has been officially sworn in as a wedding officiant, granting him the authority to legally conduct marriage ceremonies. He shared the news on social media, though he did not specify...

Corry Konings not looking for new love at age 74

Singer Corry Konings has announced that she is not looking for a new relationship as she approaches her 75th birthday. She expressed that she is genuinely happy living independently and holds no bitte...

Ten years of Verhalenhuis Haarlem: "There was absolutely nothing to do in the North"

Verhalenhuis Haarlem is celebrating its tenth anniversary as a vibrant cultural center located within the local Immanuelkerk. Since its inception, the venue has grown from offering a few activities to...

Explainer | How the new Harry Potter series will finally be like the books

The new Harry Potter series aims to provide a more faithful adaptation of the original books by including scenes that were omitted from the film franchise. Promotional material reveals iconic book mom...

LIVE Eredivisie | Top match in Amsterdam: Ajax hosts PSV at Johan Cruyff Arena

PSV defeated Ajax 3-1 in a high-intensity Eredivisie match at the Johan Cruyff Arena. Goals from Ricardo Pepi, Lutsharel Geertruida, and Esmir Bajraktarevic ensured PSV remains the league leader after...

Amsterdam has the climate of Southern France: figs, kiwis and olives growing from the sidewalk

Warmer climate conditions in the Netherlands are enabling exotic plants like figs, kiwis, and olives to thrive in urban areas. These plants are increasingly appearing in cities, sometimes growing spon...

The broad definition of 'kinda chic' dilutes this summer trend into total insignificance

Social media users have increasingly adopted the vague 'kinda chic' trend to label both mundane activities and major life events, a practice that critics argue has diluted the term's meaning. This mov...

To learn Dutch, Ukrainian Tetiana (34) watches Lubach and reads Het Parool: ‘And Eefje de Visser’s music has been a big help’

Tetiana Chupryna, a 34-year-old Ukrainian, moved to Amsterdam just as the conflict in her home country began. She is currently working to learn the Dutch language while struggling with the emotional b...

Ajax talent Abdellah Ouazane (17) wants to make his breakthrough this season: 'What I think in my head, my feet can execute'

Seventeen-year-old Ajax talent Abdellah Ouazane is pushing for a breakthrough season as he seeks more playing time with the first team. The young midfielder, who cites Abdelhak Nouri as an inspiration...

Have you spotted this Streetart Frankey artwork yet?

La Brochette is that quintessential Amsterdam spot you hope never changes – except for the kitchen

La Brochette has been a staple in the Buitenveldert neighborhood of Amsterdam for forty years, beloved for its unique atmosphere and classic decor. However, recent reviews suggest that while the envir...

The Amsterdam of radio DJ Joost Swinkels: Everything closes much earlier here than in Eindhoven, it’s so strange

Qmusic radio DJ Joost Swinkels shares his personal experiences navigating life in Amsterdam, from dodging traffic to visiting the Artis zoo. He reflects on the unique lifestyle differences in the city...

Illustrator Charlotte Dematons (68): ‘As a child, I felt like such a loner. Like there was no one else like me’

Children's book illustrator Charlotte Dematons reflects on her childhood struggles with reading, noting how she used fantasy as an escape. During the current Children's Book Week, she is demonstrating...

Review: 'Johan' – Elte Rauch has written an enchanting book about madness that is as grim as it is mundane

Elte Rauch's second novel, Johan, tells the story of Veere, a teenager from Zeeland who frequently experiences psychiatric hospitalization. The book is described as an enchanting yet grim exploration ...

Review: ‘The Golden Hour’ is a nice sequel to The Cazalets – at least for the die-hard fans

Louisa Young has penned The Golden Hour, a sixth installment of the popular Cazalet series that follows the family into the 1960s. While newcomers may find the complex web of characters challenging, d...

Bestselling author Lex Paleaux was homeless as a youth: ‘Without Giphart, I never would have become a writer’

Bestselling author Lex Paleaux reflects on his challenging journey from a troubled, homeless youth to a successful writer. Despite his professional success, Paleaux expresses a personal struggle to fi...

‘Here they eat Batavians’: The Gemeenlandshuis protected the land between Amsterdam and Muiden for centuries

Three hundred years ago, the Hoogheemraadschap van den Zeeburg en Diemerdijk built the Gemeenlandshuis to coordinate the protection of land located between Amsterdam and Muiden. This historic facility...

Being half-Israeli never used to matter to theater maker Dara Bazelet: ‘Now when I go to the hairdresser, I wonder how much I want to share about my life’

Theater maker Dara Bazelet, who grew up in both Israel and Amsterdam, explains how the perception of her dual heritage has changed over time. She now feels cautious about sharing her background with o...

Traveling through Europe by train with Van Rossem and Freriks: Maarten complains, I provide the comic relief

Maarten van Rossem and Philip Freriks have reunited for a new television series titled Maarten & Philip op het spoor, which documents their weeks-long train journey across Europe. While traveling, the...

Entrepreneur Fatimzahra Baba (48) helps women and girls in Nieuw-West: 'Of course this place is wow. The people here are wow too'

Fatimzahra Baba, a 48-year-old entrepreneur in Amsterdam's Nieuw-West district, provides support to women and girls to help them achieve independence. She advocates for collective community involvemen...

Letschert to speak Tuesday with director of heavily criticized broadcaster ON!

Minister Letschert is set to meet with the director of the broadcaster Ongehoord Nederland to discuss its potential removal from the public broadcasting system. This meeting follows intense scrutiny a...

Mega Christmas Circus Haarlem gets new producer

The Mega Christmas Circus in Haarlem has appointed Antonio Hendriks as its new producer for the upcoming season running from December 18 to January 3. The event will take place at the Burgemeester Rei...