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

Guided tour of the Atlantic Wall bunkers in Wijk aan Zee
The association Rondje Wijk aan Zee will host its first guided tour of the season on April 26, featuring World War II bunkers along the Atlantic Wall. These defensive structures are part of a historic...

Council of Churches calls on Senate for humanity
The Dutch Council of Churches has called on the Senate to prioritize humanity during upcoming debates and votes on new asylum legislation. Representative Derk Stegeman expressed concern over the poten...
Haarlem tower clock running five minutes slow in July 1896 delayed delivery of Opregte Haarlemsche Courant
In July 1896, the delivery of the Opregte Haarlemsche Courant was delayed because the central tower clock in Haarlem was running five minutes behind schedule. This incident highlighted the significant...

Private funeral for Sonja Barend
The funeral of Dutch television icon Sonja Barend, who passed away on Saturday, will take place in a private ceremony. Broadcaster BNNVARA reported that the date and location of the service will not b...
'Dunes Tell War Stories' cycling tour in Zuid-Kennemerland National Park
National Park Zuid-Kennemerland is hosting a guided bicycle excursion this Wednesday focused on the history of the Atlantic Wall. Participants will explore various World War II remains, including bunk...

Reactions to the death of Sonja Barend: 'In every conversation you felt a heart beating'
The Dutch media world has responded with widespread tributes following the death of television icon Sonja Barend at the age of 86. Her passing was announced on Sunday, highlighting her significant leg...

HBC secures crucial win against Ajax as Jasper Ketting’s side closes in on playoff spot
HBC moved up to fourth place in the league standings after securing a 2-0 home victory against the Ajax amateur team. This result puts Jasper Ketting's squad in a strong position to qualify for the pr...

The muscular livestreamer providing a counter-narrative to the manosphere
Journalist Sam van Opbergen profiles a Dutch Twitch streamer who offers a counter-narrative to the toxic 'manosphere' trends. The article explores how this creator provides a positive alternative to t...

Russian rock legend plays for a thousand compatriots at Patronaat; Boris Grebenshikov: 'I don't see myself as an exile'
Russian rock legend Boris Grebenshikov performed for a crowd of one thousand compatriots at the Patronaat venue in Haarlem. During the event, Grebenshikov stated that he does not view himself as an ex...

Video | DJ Charlotte de Witte gets 20,000 fans dancing in the center of Genoa
My mother probably understands you, but wants confirmation from me
The article discusses the importance of clear communication in healthcare when patients have limited proficiency in the Dutch language. It highlights how family members often act as interpreters to en...

Marco Borsato breaks years of silence with Belgian TV interview
Dutch singer Marco Borsato will break his years of silence regarding allegations of sexual misconduct in an upcoming interview on the Belgian television program 'Sergio in Italië'. Airing this Wednes...
These are the 10 best books right now
Raymond wins money in Miljoenenjacht but doesn't live at the winning address
Raymond and Francisco from Amsterdam won 89,000 euros on the television show Miljoenenjacht, which will help fund their difficult home renovation. The win was particularly unusual because Raymond had ...

Britney Spears admitted to rehab after DUI
Britney Spears has voluntarily admitted herself to a rehabilitation facility following her arrest for driving under the influence last month. A spokesperson confirmed the 44-year-old singer's admissio...
Hanneke Groenteman always looked up to Sonja Barend: ‘I was a gnome, she was a princess’

No Doubt guitarist Tom Dumont shares Parkinson's diagnosis: 'Every day is a struggle'
No Doubt guitarist Tom Dumont has announced on Instagram that he is living with a rare form of Parkinson's disease. The 58-year-old musician revealed that he began experiencing symptoms before the age...
‘Censoring books in the US, land of the free, is absurd’: fear of long blacklist due to bill

Video | Royal couple lands in Philadelphia for much-discussed US visit
Sonja Barend (1940-2026) was the queen of talk shows who always put her guests at ease first

She could 'tease and prod': this is what made Sonja Barend so unique
Dutch television icon Sonja Barend has passed away at the age of 86, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneering talk show host. Former colleagues and industry peers praised her for her intelligence, shar...

Is it 'ten thousand troops' or 10,000 soldiers? Or neither?
Readers Co Nanne and Engbert Vos have raised questions regarding the media's frequent use of the term "10,000 troops" in news reports. They suggest that terms like "soldiers" or "military personnel" m...

Strong Ajax wins 'training match' at Heracles Almelo in Eredivisie
Ajax secured a 0-3 victory over Heracles Almelo in an Eredivisie match that highlighted a significant gap in strength between the two sides. Following a disappointing performance last week, the Amster...

Telstar fails to recover from 2-1 setback: ‘Then something snapped’
Telstar suffered a heavy defeat against FC Utrecht after a controversial goal put the opposition ahead 2-1. Despite an equalizer from Danny Bakker, the team was unable to recover following an unpenali...

Ajax can smile again after much-needed win over Heracles
Ajax secured a crucial victory over Heracles Almelo with goals from Mika Godts and Steven Berghuis. The win earns the Amsterdam-based club three important points in their pursuit of a European footbal...

Presenter apologizes to Soundos El Ahmadi for remark about women
Belgian presenter Bart Schols has apologized to Dutch comedian Soundos El Ahmadi following a controversial interview about women's safety. The apology addresses Schols' claim during the conversation t...

Blauw-Wit korfball coach calls for Amsterdam cooperation after relegation
The Amsterdam korfball club Blauw-Wit has been relegated from the Korfbal League following a 20-18 loss to Deetos, ending their streak at the highest level since 2005. Coach Dennis Doves responded by ...

Ajax start Gloukh and Itakura against Heracles Almelo
Ajax will feature Oscar Gloukh and Ko Itakura in the starting lineup for their away match against Heracles Almelo. This marks Gloukh's first start under coach Óscar García, while Itakura returns to ...

No haunted houses or thrill rides, but children's laughter at the nostalgic fair in Heemskerk: 'I didn't know what to expect, but this is very fun'
A nostalgic fair is taking place this weekend behind restaurant Bleij in Heemskerk, focusing on traditional entertainment rather than loud modern attractions. The event offers a quieter atmosphere fil...
Seville during Holy Week: People in high pointed hats everywhere
Journalist Lisanne van Sadelhoff shares her experience visiting Seville, Spain, during the traditional religious festival of Semana Santa. In her weekly column, she describes the unique atmosphere of ...