Society

The life of the slaves in the Dutch colonies

On July 1, 1863, the Netherlands abolished slavery in Suriname and the Netherlands Antilles. In the Netherlands,...

Gay conversion therapy in the Netherlands: yup, it’s still a thing

Despite the Netherlands being known for its liberal and accepting culture, unfortunately, there are still remnants of...

How the pandemic pushed sex workers into the shadows

When it comes to progressive attitudes around sex, Amsterdam shines as the forerunner of tolerance and pride....

It takes a village: Dutch community initiative helps raise children

Since corona hit our shores, I became painfully aware of our small expatriate family's isolation, without extended...

Book swapping in the Netherlands: how you can read, save money, and recycle

Take a book, leave a book! Whilst the “little free library” tradition originated in the US, the...

The blanket battle in bed: is it time to learn from the Austrians?

I have never paid a lot of attention to sleeping arrangements until I got a Dutch boyfriend....

Communication breakdown: understanding the Dutch approach to conversation

Dutch communication, eh? Now, I know what you are thinking. As the infamous stereotype goes, just go...

A forgotten hero: how a Philips director saved 6,000+ Jews during WWII

Ever heard of a man called Jan Zwartendijk? We didn't think so, but you should definitely know...