If you’ve ever visited, lived (or still live) in the Netherlands, then you know that the weather can be a bit hit-and-miss. Whether it’s rainy, windy, stormy, freezing, snowing, or rainy again, there always seems to be something to complain about.
Some people say it rains so much here because it gives Dutch people something to talk about!
But seriously, why does it rain so much in the Netherlands? And does it actually rain that much more than in other places? What is up with the weather in the Netherlands?! Let’s find out!
The Dutch climate
As you probably know, the Netherlands is located next to the North Sea, and the wind direction usually blows southwest, which means it has what’s known as a ‘moderate maritime climate.’
Fun fact: in Dutch, this is known as het zeeklimaat (sea climate).
This means that the Netherlands experiences warm (but not hot) summers and fairly mild winters, without any really big temperature changes during the seasons (which is certainly not how it feels to us during winter, or summer for that matter).
Snow is quite rare in the Netherlands, so when it comes out, it’s time to play! Image: Freepik
But compared to places such as, say, Canada, the Netherlands doesn’t actually get that cold.
Rain in the Netherlands
While it seems like it rains a lot in the Netherlands, in actuality, the average rainfall isn’t that high.
The main reason that it seems to rain so much is that the weather can be very unpredictable, and the lack of mountains in the Netherlands means there is nothing to block any incoming depressions from the sea.
The Netherlands actually only receives about 700 millimetres of rainfall a year, which is fairly similar to places such as San Antonio, Texas, just without any of the really extreme temperature changes, floods, and tornadoes!
But while we can tell you that it doesn’t actually rain that much here, it doesn’t change the fact that the unpredictability of the weather can still be annoying.
A bike seat cover is a Dutch essential (or a plastic bag — that’ll do the job too)! Image: Depositphotos
Even if the weather seems nice and sunny in the morning, by the afternoon it might be raining; so you should always take an umbrella or jacket with you, just in case.
And when you go out during the middle of summer, expecting a lovely warm sunny day, but instead you get RAIN (again!), it sure does feel like it’s always raining!
How to survive the weather in the Netherlands
While it might not rain a huge amount, the rainfall does come fairly often in small amounts.
And even those small parts can be annoying when you are trying to get to work or school, sight-see or travel around the country.
Here are our top tips for surviving the Dutch rain:
Always carry a decent umbrella with you — preferably one small enough to fit in a bag but sturdy enough not to turn inside out as soon as it’s windy, which it usually is here in the Netherlands!
If you’re getting into the Dutch habit of biking everywhere, make sure you cover your bike seat with a plastic bag (secured with a rubber band) when you’re leaving it outside — this will save you having a wet behind when you have to get back on it after a rain shower!
Check the weather apps, but don’t always trust them. Sometimes mine has told me it’s snowing when it’s sunny, so at least look outside as well.
If it is raining (or pouring), take advantage of some of the country’s great indoor attractions, such as museums, art galleries, and breweries. Every major city in the Netherlands, like Amsterdam, Leiden, and Tilburg, has great museums you can go to!
For more tips on surviving the Dutch weather and to learn some new Dutch words about rain, make sure you watch this amusing video by the Survival Guide to the Dutch!
How do you survive the weather here? Let us know in the comments below!
Live music venues in Amsterdam are everywhere, and there’s one of every kind: big, small, famous, underground. But how can you know where to go?
Well, we have the ultimate list for all your live music needs, from old Irish sea shanties to full-on raves.
I’ve lived in Amsterdam for the past five years, and I’ve spent my time scoping out the best of the best music venues. Here are my favourites.
1. Paradiso: Heavenly music
It may look like a church, but choirs aren’t the only performers taking the stage! Image: Depositphotos
We had to start with a city staple. Paradiso is bang on the famous Leidseplein and is home to all types of music. Whether you love DJs or intimate acoustic shows, Paradiso has it all.
This classic Amsterdam venue used to be a church, and the big windows still give off that vibe. The place doubles as a concert venue or just a club. Either way, you’ll feel like you’ve ascended into heaven.
Just a hop and a skip away from Paradiso, you have Melkweg. This music venue is more modern than its godly neighbour and has a similar intimate feel to it, despite being able to hold 1,500 people.
Amsterdam’s Melkweg hosts everything from club events to full-on concerts, and all are worth checking out.
Plus, it’s a top venue to check out rising artists before they rise to the arena-show level.
This tiny, cluttered, warm, cosy, loving, lively pub dates back to 1913. The current owner (Miriam, who you can find behind the bar or in her designated spot with a glass of white wine) has owned Mulligans for over 30 years.
Twice a week, local Amsterdam musicians from around the city gather around a table and play old-school Irish music. There are few things like it, and many Irish guests confirm it feels like a slice of home.
I’ll admit it: I only realised where this music venue was after I had lived in Amsterdam for years. It hides in plain sight, just 500 metres from Amsterdam Central Station.
Bitterzoet is another small venue where you can enjoy some great up-and-coming live music. Local and international artists alike will put on a great show here, and you can catch them before they’ve made it to the big leagues.
Café Soundgarden has something for everyone. Comfy leather couches, tables by the water, a pool table, a pinball machine, and a foosball table. And let’s not forget the most important part: live music every Thursday.
You can sit in this bar for hours, chatting with your friends or the friendly staff. It has so many entertainment options — from games to gigs — and still keeps that laid-back vibe.
Grab a drink, sit on the sand, and enjoy the view! Image: Freepik
For this one, you’ll need to get to Amsterdam Noord, which has a lot of gems of its own! Pllek specifically will feel like a day at the beach. The sandy area right by the water outside is perfect on a sunny day.
Do you like DJs? They’ve got them! How about laid-back acoustics? Done!
This venue boasts all genres of live music, welcoming Amsterdammers of all ages. Plus, it’s one of the few venues in Amsterdam that resembles a tropical getaway.
If it looks like you shouldn’t be there, you’re in the right place. Image: Wikimedia Commons/Daniel Zimmel/CC2.0
Now, this music venue does kind of look like you shouldn’t be going there because it doesn’t really have the world’s most welcoming front door. But trust us, it’s a good time. OT301 is a space for the arts, politics, and subculture.
If your live music preference is usually a performer with a guitar onstage, maybe skip this venue. It focuses more on DJ sets than acoustic sets. But for electronic music lovers, this is the place to be!
If you want a reliable venue with live music every single night, then head over to Bourbon Street. The music is always good, and chances are you can befriend the bands, too!
There’s no backstage, so musicians will be in the crowd with you when they finish playing.
It’s not the biggest live music venue in the world, but it’s got plenty of space to boogie to the sweet, old-school tunes of the performers. 🕺
This music venue doesn’t mess around. Every night since 1953, Jazz Café Alto has hosted live jazz jams.
Who’s welcome? Everyone! Surround yourself with photos of iconic musicians and let yourself be inspired by the local jazz music scene. You’ll leave wanting to play the saxophone.
There’s enough there to keep you busy for the whole day. Image: Wikimedia Commons/FredRomero/CC2.0
Tolhuistuin is a melting pot for all things art. The venue has everything from live music to full-on political debates.
Because it’s dedicated to all types of art, it’s also got all types of music — from established art rap performers to low-key string sessions.
The venue is in Amsterdam Noord, and it’s a gorgeous garden to watch some local Amsterdam live music. It’s open daily, so just stop by and see what’s happening!
That section at the top? Yep, you can jam out up there! Image: Wikimedia Commons/FredRomero/CC2.0
Amsterdam’s very own A’DAM TOWER hosts DJs and live acts alike, but where it really shines is the 360º view of the entire city of Amsterdam.
Usually, this venue hosts planned events, so you probably need tickets beforehand (as opposed to a lot of these other music venues, where you can just rock up).
But there is live music every Friday and Saturday, so you’ll never have a dull weekend again!
Walking around Toekomstmuziek feels like an old house one second and an old warehouse another. But one thing is clear: the venue has got some really great DJs. (Sometimes, even with some hypnotic dance performances.)
It has a very “Amsterdam” feel to it: an industrial, gezellig inside area to enjoy the live music and a cute, quirky garden to catch some fresh air or have a chat with your buddies.
Radio Radio is the place to be if you’re looking for a straightforward club with an overall easy vibe and reliably banging DJs.
Located at Amsterdam’s Westerpark, you can enjoy a day in nature and end the night by dancing to some live sets in this exciting, youthful-in-nature venue. What more could you want?
Your dad (and you!) will love this venue. But let’s be real: acoustic live music and artisanal beers are for everyone — and so is Bierfabriek.
This venue is right behind Amsterdam’s bustling Rokin, with some pretty exciting local live music. Best of all, you’ll get delicious food and a cheap litre of beer while you enjoy the tunes. Proost! 🍻
If you know the Kriterion bar across the street from the University of Amsterdam, it’s time to check out its little brother. ‘Skek was started by a group of five Amsterdam students in 2006 who used to work at Kriterion.
Now, ‘Skek hosts events multiple times per week. Their DIY ethos translates into their music taste, hosting local punk bands and live music workshops.
But if you’re a theatre kid, they’ve got your back, too, because they aren’t strangers to a cabaret performance.
Amsterdam is a very creative city, so these places aren’t just good for music. It attracts many people, so you always have the best conversations. Whether with the musicians or other audience members, it’s always easy to make a new friend.
Plus, there’s the added benefit of it being a major city, so pretty much every artist will have a show there! Especially the rising artists, who usually play in Amsterdam’s local bars rather than big arenas or festivals.
How to find the best live music venues in Amsterdam
The thing that everyone says about Amsterdam is that there’s always something happening. And it’s true. While this list covers some favourites, chances are you’ll stumble into a bar (no pun intended), and someone will be playing music.
There is no secret to finding the best live music in Amsterdam (other than hanging out at these venues, of course).
Paris Texas put on a hell of a show in Bitterzoet. Image: DutchReview
The best way is to just go to events, talk to artists, follow Amsterdam-based creative collectives on Instagram and see what they’re up to. The most exciting things are usually discovered through word of mouth.
Once you get in touch with the local creative culture, a whole new world will open up to you, and you’ll only find more exciting things from there.
What’s your favourite music venue in Amsterdam? Tell us in the comments below!
Did you take the speaking exam as part of the Dutch inburgering process on August 13? Well, your result has been declared invalid.
Authorities have discovered that someone leaked the exam’s questions and answers on WhatsApp groups. As a result, participants will have to take the exam again.
A spokesperson from the College for Tests and Exams (CvTE) tells De Telegraaf that around 900 candidates across six different test locations will be affected by the decision.
How the exam works (and how it was cheated)
The B1-level speaking exam, part of the inburgering (civic integration) programme, is computer-based and requires candidates to respond to everyday situations by speaking into a microphone.
It typically lasts 25 minutes: includes short questions which can be answered quickly and an assignment where the examinee talks about a theme for a couple of minutes.
Since it’s prohibited to bring phones or paper inside the examination room, investigators believe that fraudsters took the exam themselves, memorised the assignments that you can’t practice online, and later shared them.
The leaked material, which included sample answers, was then widely shared among hundreds of participants through WhatsApp.
People are not happy about it
The revelation has left many honest test-takers frustrated, especially those who studied for months in preparation.
For many, the stakes are high: completing the integration exams within three years is a legal requirement, and delays can result in government fines.
Although CvTE announced that all affected candidates will be able to retake the exam free of charge, participants still face additional burdens such as travel costs, childcare arrangements and the lost time spent preparing.
Would you have taken the shortcut, or are you team “study the hard way”? Drop your thoughts below.
The times when trading crypto was a niche hobby are long gone. As more Dutch people are buying digital currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, banks are slowly warming up to blockchain tech, and regulators have finally figured out how to embrace innovation without letting things go completely mad.
Gone are the days when crypto was just for tech bros and libertarians ranting about central banks. Today, around 32% of Dutch adults own some form of cryptocurrency, according to Statista.
So what’s driving this surge? Platforms like Amsterdam-based Bitvavo and international giants like Coinbase have made buying and selling cryptocurrencies feel as easy as checking your balance on your banking app.
Banks are finally dipping their toes in the crypto pool
Dutch banks used to treat crypto like it had the plague. But 2025 tells a different story.
Amsterdam fintech Mollie is helping merchants accept crypto payments, showing that businesses are willing to experiment with digital currencies.
Even more telling, Dutch institutions are exploring tokenised assets and blockchain custody services, signalling that crypto is no longer viewed as a fringe experiment.
Businesses across the Netherlands are willing to experiment with digital currencies. Image: Freepik
Payment systems are evolving too. Remember iDEAL, the system we’ve all used for years to pay online? It’s being replaced by Wero, a new pan-European platform.
While Wero itself isn’t crypto-focused, its rollout shows how Dutch banks and fintech companies are preparing for a more digital future, one where crypto might eventually fit right in.
This institutional interest is significant. When Dutch payment systems evolve, it usually means the country is serious about staying ahead of the tech curve.
How do Dutch regulators see crypto in 2025?
Here’s where things get properly Dutch: methodical, thorough, and absolutely no-nonsense.
Legal but not legal tender
Crypto is completely legal in the Netherlands but it’s not seen as money in the traditional sense. You can own it, trade it, and even pay with it where accepted, but the taxmen treat it like property. It falls under the infamous Box 3 in your income tax statement, meaning you pay 36% on presumed gains.
MiCA: the new big player
The big regulatory news is MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation), the EU’s new rulebook for digital assets. Think of it as Brussels finally getting serious about crypto.
MiCA dropped in phases. Rules for stablecoins kicked in on June 30, 2024, while full licensing requirements for crypto service providers began on December 30, 2024.
In plain English: crypto firms now need proper licences to operate, and these licences work across all 27 EU countries.
Regulatory bodies take cryptocurrencies seriously. Image: Freepik
The Netherlands is taking MiCA seriously. The Dutch Financial Markets Authority (AFM) has already issued the first MiCA licences to companies like MoonPay and BitStaete, with a tough-but-fair approach that forces firms to get their compliance in order or face being booted from the market.
Dutch regulators mean business
The Netherlands operates a “twin peaks” regulatory system. The AFM handles licensing and supervising crypto firms, while the Dutch central bank (DNB) focuses on financial stability and anti-money laundering controls.
Unlike some EU countries that gave crypto companies 18 months to get MiCA-compliant, the Netherlands opted for a much shorter transition period. Most existing providers had until mid-2025 to secure their licences.
By the end of the year, only properly authorised firms will be allowed to operate. This applies regardless of whether they’re dealing with Bitcoin, Ethereum, or the latest new crypto coinsentering the market.
This isn’t regulatory hostility, it’s regulatory confidence. Both the AFM and DNB allow carefully controlled pilot projects, so blockchain innovation can happen under proper supervision.
Why this matters for internationals in the Netherlands
The crypto revolution isn’t happening in a vacuum. For people living in the Netherlands, this shift means several things.
Firstly, more of your Dutch colleagues, friends, and neighbours likely own or trade crypto now.
Your Dutch colleagues and friends likely own or trade crypto. Image: Freepik
Secondly, payment options are slowly changing, even if most shops still prefer traditional methods. While you won’t be buying your bitterballen with Bitcoin anytime soon, the infrastructure is being built for broader acceptance down the line.
Last but not least, the Dutch government isn’t ignoring crypto or trying to ban it. Instead, it’s creating a framework designed to protect consumers while keeping the Netherlands competitive in digital finance.
Will crypto become as common as iDEAL?
iDEAL revolutionised how the Dutch pay online, becoming so embedded in our daily life that it’s hard to imagine shopping without it. Could crypto achieve similar ubiquity?
Right now, crypto remains primarily an investment vehicle and occasional payment method. But with MiCA providing regulatory clarity and the Netherlands building a solid compliance framework, the groundwork is being laid for crypto to grow responsibly in the coming years.
The Dutch are characteristically cautious about new financial technologies, but they’re also pragmatic. If crypto proves useful and trustworthy, there’s no reason it can’t find its place alongside the country’s other financial innovations.
For now, the Netherlands is taking a measured approach, watching closely to see whether digital currencies can earn a permanent spot in the famously forward-thinking Dutch financial ecosystem.
What’s your take on crypto going mainstream in the Netherlands? Are you already dabbling in digital currencies, or are you waiting to see how it all plays out?
A lot of us are familiar with homesickness: the lurching, grapple-at-your-heart ache when you long to be somewhere else. Moving abroad can sure be challenging, but we’re here with some tips to make the transition a little bit easier.
Whether you moved away temporarily for university or long-term for a job, after the initial excitement of exploring and getting to know a new place has worn off you, only to be left with the unnerving reality that you have to “start again”.
Homesickness can manifest itself in different ways, some people isolate themselves and try to curb their loneliness with TV programmes or podcasts. Others may spend all their time communicating with family and friends back home.
Each individual deals with being homesick differently, and you have to find a coping mechanism that suits you. To help you do just that, we prepared a list of useful tips for combating homesickness.
What is homesickness?
Homesickness is that feeling of longing for your home, the distress and functional impairment caused by a separation from home. You crave your home or the people there.
It’s a lonely feeling to move somewhere new. Image: Pexels
The feeling can last a day, or sometimes, people can go through a longer period of homesickness lasting a few weeks.
Sounds familiar? You’re not alone, lots of other people feel the same way.
Who gets homesick?
Basically, anyone who is in a non-home environment for a prolonged period of time.
This could even include kids at summer camp, people who have been hospitalised for a prolonged period of time, or even people taking a long vacation when they find themselves just craving the comfort of their own bed.
Anyone could become homesick, but there are ways to combat it! Image: Depositphotos
Typically, homesickness affects immigrants, foreign students, foreign employees, refugees, displaced people, or military personnel.
Anyone can experience it in such circumstances, and the way homesickness manifests varies between children and adults.
For example, children are more likely to experience social or behavioural problems when homesick. Adolescents in an academic setting are more likely to experience absentmindedness, nontraumatic ailments, low self-esteem or obsessive thoughts or behaviours.
Adultsmay experience depression or anxiety symptoms, have difficulty focusing or concentrating, or withdraw socially.
What can you do to prevent being homesick?
Maybe you’re moving somewhere new, away from the people you love. Maybe you’re just going on a long trip.
Being homesick is not easy to beat, so it’s better to come prepared as much as possible. We’ve gathered some tips and tricks to help you stop homesickness in its tracks.
Initiate social contact with others before arrival
There are plenty of Facebook groups, for example, that help you accomplish just that. Sure, maybe Facebook is a little bit dead, but these kinds of groups can be helpful.
Try to find your community online. Image: Freepik
But if that’s not your cup of tea, you can also have a look at Reddit. Both there and on Facebook, a quick search for “[your nationality] in the Netherlands” can give you some groups to choose from. (Tip: if an English search doesn’t work, try your native language!)
Make friends with a mixture of homeland buddies and locals
Of course, having someone from your native country can bring that comfort and understanding that you might lack when you move somewhere new.
They speak the same language as you, understand what the moving process is like, and feel like a little piece of home.
But be careful not to stick exclusively to them. Limiting yourself to solely homeland friends can get in the way of acculturation and intensify feelings of homesickness.
So if you’re already in the Netherlands, go out there and make some new Dutch friends — they’ll teach you words (and concepts) of gezellig and borrelen in no time.
Maintain healthy lifestyle choices
Yeah, yeah, we’ve all heard it: “Go for a walk, drink some water, eat well, get some sleep!” As annoying as it can be to admit, sometimes the most simple advice does work.
Your physical health impacts your mental health. Image: Pexels
It can be challenging sometimes, but eating and drinking well, sleeping enough, and getting regular exercise can make a big difference.
Take, for example, how increased exposure to unhealthy behaviours may develop into unhealthy coping behaviours such as binge drinking or drug use among university students.
Healthy behaviours can go a long way in support of mental and physical health. So just try it out: start with the basics. Food, fresh air, movement, sleep. If this doesn’t work, don’t beat yourself up. There are plenty of other resources out there to get help!
Just take it one day at a time. Soon you’ll feel right at home.
Develop your sense of self-compassion
Negative thoughts and self-criticism are so easy and potentially even automatic to fall into. Remember to be kind and forgive yourself for the variety of hurdles you’ll inevitably encounter.
Spending time alone can also be fun! Image: Freepik
It’s always a work in progress. Try to notice when you’re having some negative thoughts and maybe call a loved one, forgive yourself for thinking them, and let them go away. We know this is much easier said than done, but practice makes perfect.
How can you treat your homesickness?
Even if you pull out all the stops to cope with homesickness, sometimes it just doesn’t work. But there are remedies to make you feel a little less separated from your home.
Talk to others about your feelings of missing home
Homesickness is a very common feeling, so most people will relate to or at least understand it. Especially if you are in an international environment like a university, chances are most students aren’t Dutch, so they know what it’s like to be far away from home.
Don’t feel too ashamed to reach out to people. Image: Depositphotos
Maybe it’s a bit intimidating or scary to talk about how you feel at first. But as lonely as you may feel, people around you could feel the same way.
Talking to someone who knows what you’re going through can be a relief – for you and for them. While you’re at it, maybe you end up sharing some fun things about your cultures, and before you know it, you have a new friend!
Find ways to reduce acculturation stress
This can mean getting more information about your new environment, finding community groups that share your interests, and potentially finding community groups that celebrate your homeland’s traditions.
Sitting by water is shown to reduce levels of adrenaline and cortisol (the stress hormones). Image: Depositphotos
Connecting with other expats, such as through social events organised for expats, is one way to help with developing both personal and professional networks.
Recognise when to ask for help
This goes for anyone, but especially for international students. Knowing what your options are for professional or lay resources, on or off-campus, can be an important way to address more difficult issues.
For expats, finding helpful resources through an expat centre, health insurance, or an occupational health physician (bedrijfsarts) can be a potential option to look into.
Mental health note: If you or a loved one are experiencing psychological problems or suicidal thoughts in the Netherlands, please call the suicide prevention hotline 113 or refer to www.113.nl for resources and assistance — DutchReview loves you. 💓
Finally, remember that treatment for homesickness is a gradual process, not an immediate fix. Be kind to yourself. 💪
Have you ever experienced homesickness in the Netherlands? Let us know in the comments!
Last Saturday night, participants across 19 different locations in the Netherlands walked and cycled through the streets to raise awareness for violence against women.
While there were many wholesome moments, with people cheering on the participants, there were also several concerning incidents.
Spat at, booed, and harassed
The Limburg branch of the Dolle Mina’s reports that participants of the “Wij eisen de nacht op” (“We claim the night”) protest experienced sexual harassment and other unwanted behaviour.
According to the NOS, women reported being spat at, and chased by men.
The Amersfoort branch of The Dolle Mina’s wrote on Instagram that they had cans thrown at them and were heckled during their speeches.
In Leiden, the procession of cyclists and walkers was booed, and an egg was thrown.
Meanwhile, in Eindhoven, organisers tell the NOS that men shouted misogynistic comments at both the men and women taking part and one woman was grabbed by the hips by a man.
Individuals will file charges
Overall, disturbing reports came in from no less than nine cities: Eindhoven, Maastricht, Leiden, Amersfoort, Zwolle, Groningen, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Utrecht.
Dolle Mina Nynke van Zwol tells the NOS that individual activists will file charges. However, the organisation is also looking into whether it can do this too, saying “We are currently investigating whether this is feasible.”
Interested in a Dutch history lesson without the tourist crowds of the capital? Head to the city of Zaandam for an educational stroll in the footsteps of world-famous figures.
That’s right; this oh-so-Dutch city just north of Amsterdam has rich connections with notable names like Claude Monet and Tsar Peter the Great. 🤩
Find that hard to believe? Well, you can see for yourself! Zaandam’s streets are lined with legacies just waiting to be explored — here’s how to find all the must-see spots.
Want to get ahead of the game? Find all the information you need on Zaans.nl, so you don’t miss a single fun fact or special sight during your historical day trip.
A snapshot of Dutch history, all in one place
Everyone — though we’re especially looking at you, history enthusiasts 👀 — can enjoy following Zaandam’s unique evolution.
Back as Tsar Peter the Great (a.k.a. the first emperor of Russia), and world-famous French painter Claude Monet knew it, the city’s milling and shipbuilding culture was thriving.
Zaandam oozes history. Image: Zaans.nl/Supplied
Zaandam is known for its groundbreaking industrial roots, with over 600 active windmills and 26 shipyards at its peak.
The city was the centre for commercial shipbuilding in Europe in the 17th century, as well as a hub for budding entrepreneurship and creative culture.
This special blend is still prominently felt when exploring the city today.
Walking in the footsteps: key sites to visit
Some worldly greats might have left their mark on Zaandam, but Zaandam sure left its mark on them, too!
So, if you want to see the city through the eyes of historical figures such as Tsar Peter and Claude Monet, these are the spots you absolutely cannot miss. 👇
Claude Monet himself described Zaandam as having “enough to paint for a lifetime”. Want some of that inspiration? Zaans.nl helps you explore all the ways art and culture thrive in this creative city.
Explore Claude Monet in Zaandam
When French Impressionist Claude Monet visited Zaandam in the late 19th century, he brought more than just his paintbrush to the city; he brought international attention too.
The traditional mills, boats and houses provided Monet with plenty of inspiration for a whole Zaanse collection: 24 landscapes and one portrait to be exact. 🤯
Capturing the beauty of Zaandam before the Industrial Revolution, paintings like “The House of the Old Mill” preserve the old city as it was, just as Monet admired it.
If this sounds like something you want to see for yourself, head to the MonetAtelier and explore their fantastic replica collection of all Monet’s Zaanse works.
Monet painted the streets you can still walk through today! Image: Zaans.nl/Supplied
You can take your pick of inspiring ways to learn about Monet’s time in Zaandam, as the studio offers workshops, lectures, a knowledge centre and even Monet-themed walks around the city. 🗺
💰 Price: Free for children aged 11 and under, €5 for everyone else 🕐 Opening times: Friday to Sunday from 12 PM until 5 PM 📍 Location: Westzijde 14G, 1506 EE Zaandam
Tsar Peter the Great’s connection to Zaandam
Now let’s travel back to 17th-century Holland, when one Russian Emperor’s seven-day stay made a humble woodsman’s cottage world-famous.
Warning: this building may make you motion sick. 🤪 Image: Zaans.nl/Supplied
This is the incredible story of Tsar Peter the Great, who used what he learned of shipbuilding and industry in Zaandam in 1697 towards reforming and modernising Russia.
His grand stature and title not only attracted local but global curiosity. Throughout the centuries, tourists and royalty (including Napoleon!) have visited the preserved house where the tsar stayed.
That’s right, in the city centre of Zaandam, you can step inside the wooden walls themselves, now one of the oldest houses in the Netherlands, and its second-oldest museum.
You’ll find the wooden house inside of this glorious building. Image: Zaans.nl/Supplied
The Tsar Peter House is full of treasures and information of the utmost historical importance, offering profound insight into his lasting effect on Zaandam.
💰 Price: Free for children up to 3, €3 for children aged 4 to 17, and €6 for adults 🕐 Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday from 10 AM until 5 PM 📍 Location: Krimp 23, 1506 AA Zaandam
It’s special to find a city as deeply connected with its rich cultural heritage as Zaandam, so the city is perfect for a historical day trip.
Simply taking a stroll leads you to discover art that’s easy on the eyes and history that’s heavy on the brain (in the best way). You’ll certainly leave with stories to tell! 🧠
Did you know about Zaandam’s impressive history? Have you visited these sites? Let us know in the comments.
Here’s something the Dutch don’t like to talk about: for a brief stretch of time in the 17th century, the Netherlands dominated the global slave trade over all other European empires.
Say, what? The land of tolerance, liberation, and modernity used to be a European colonial superpower dabbling in slavery, exploitation, and land grabs?
Yes, indeed. The Dutch did not publicly recognise their historical involvement until the late 1990s, almost 130 years after the abolition of slavery in Dutch colonies.
What is it?
It’s not so much that the Dutch don’t talk about their colonial heritage at all; it’s just that the more inconvenient parts (cough, slavery, cough, violence) are left out.
These ships did not only carry spices and gold. Image: Depositphotos
Until recently, the Dutch colonial era was praised for bringing riches and cultural exchange to such a small country.
The Dutch Golden Age was built to a large part on the operations of the Dutch East India Company (VOC), which specialised in the trade of spices, sugar, coffee…oh, and slaves from Dutch colonies.
Turns out, the Dutch Golden Age was not golden for everyone. Here are some facts that might give you a rough idea of what went down during the Dutch ‘Golden’ Age:
The Dutch constituted 4.4% of the entire volume of documented slave exports from Africa, with about 500,000 enslaved Africans leaving the continent on ships under the Dutch empire’s flag.
In stark numbers, the Dutch are estimated to be the fifth-largest trader of slaves in all of Europe, following Portugal, England, France, and Spain.
Dutch colonial governance tended to be bloody and repressive. From 1899 to 1909 alone, 22,000 Indonesians were killed under the rule of the formerly celebrated Dutch coloniser J.B. van Heutsz.
During the Indonesian Independence War (1945-1949), over 100,000 Indonesians died. The Dutch government only apologised for the “extreme violence” committed by the Dutch in the conflict for the first time in February 2022.
Okay, so, to wrap it up, the Dutch have committed horrific colonial atrocities like almost any other European Empire. But why don’t they talk about it?
Why do they do it?
There are different ways to explain why the Dutch are struggling to come to terms with the whole breadth of their colonial past.
For one, there seems to be a lot of shame involved. The acceptance of the Netherlands as a formerly repressive colonial power clashes with Dutch self-identification as tolerant, modern, and fierce human rights defenders.
After all, the Peace Palace is situated in The Hague for a reason.
Another argument says that the Dutch tend to identify as victims rather than perpetrators when examining their history. The Spanish occupation, followed by the Dutch revolt, and the time spent under Nazi occupation are key narratives that shape the idea of Dutch victimhood.
In fact, the Dutch seem to reject the idea of their colonialism to such an extent that some turn a blind eye — even if it’s right under their noses!
A good example is the Zwarte Piet controversy. Is Santa’s little helper representative of slavery, or is his skin just blackened from the chimney smoke? (Hint: it’s the former.)
Why is it quirky?
Even though the Dutch government has started officially recognising its colonial past by, for example, erecting public monuments commemorating slavery or taking down those of colonial governors, it’s not actually the Dutch that is driving this change.
Instead, it’s the descendants and governments of those who were affected by Dutch colonialism, such as the Surinamese or Indonesian communities, that are calling for recognition of their history.
Should you join in?
Nowadays, several initiatives aim to illuminate the Dutch involvement in slavery, enslavement, and colonial violence over the past couple of centuries.
If you’re interested in participating, you could attend the Keti Koti celebrations that take place on July 1 every year to celebrate the abolition of slavery in the Dutch East Indies.
A 66-year-old man has died after being attacked by two dogs at his home on Nieuwe Hamelstraat in Rotterdam’s Oude Noorden neighbourhood on Saturday, August 30, at around 9 PM.
The animals, both American Bully XLs from the same litter, were about nine months old and weighed around 60 kilograms each.
The attack reportedly unfolded when the man tried to break up a fight between the dogs, but instead of calming them down, the dogs turned on him.
Fight between pets turns fatal
According to the victim’s daughter, who spoke to AD Nieuws, one of the dogs was the victim’s, while the other belonged to his granddaughter.
A police spokesperson tells AD Nieuws that the neighbourhood residents called the police because “there was a lot of tumult.”
Police officers who entered the house found the man still being mauled. In an attempt to free him, they shot one of the dogs inside the home.
Despite efforts to resuscitate the victim, the man died of his injuries.
According to RTL Nieuws, both dogs were shot and killed in the garden of the home following the incident.
A photojournalist at the scene tells the paper that the house was “covered in blood.”
A beloved neighbour
Neighbours and family describe the victim as a kind and generous man who was always ready to help others.
“Our neighbour was a man of gold. He was always ready for everyone. A big loss,” shared one person on social media.
Police have classified the case as a tragic accident and do not plan to launch a criminal investigation.
The victim’s granddaughter shared a post on Facebook, “I don’t wish this on anyone. For people who have ready judgments, I want to say: shame on you deeply. This is terrible enough for us.”
Last Saturday night, I was taking the train back home from Utrecht. The journey was initially quiet and sleepy. However, at one point, I started hearing loud banging noises over my music, accompanied by one word: “moord” (murder).
The woman sitting across from me looked worryingly over my shoulder, the man next to me started turning around in his seat, and I pulled out my AirPods and followed suit.
Just in time to hear a young man shout (in Dutch), “There was a 17-year-old MURDERED last week. “Kanker” asylum seekers.” As I finished my pivot to see what was happening, he punched another young man in the face.
Some context
Two weeks ago, the Netherlands was shaken by the murder of 17-year-old Lisa while she was cycling home from a night out with friends. She deserved to arrive home safe, but she didn’t.
The suspect involved in Lisa’s murder case was staying at an asylum centre nearby, which means that two major discussions have now broken out across the Netherlands:
One is about asylum seekers. The other, about violence against women.
As a young woman who has been living in this country for eight years (and on this planet for 28), I have one thing to say to this: I’m not scared of asylum seekers, I’m scared of men, period.
If your outrage involves punching people, you’re part of the problem
Now, I can’t speak to what exactly led this man to punch another young man (who looked just as Dutch as him) in the face — although I imagine there was some alcohol involved.
But as I walked home from the station (thankful that he didn’t get out at my stop), I couldn’t help but think about his outrage. Specifically about the fact that his outrage towards violence against women manifested as more violence.
Ultimately, he will probably look back at his actions and say he was justified in responding this way towards a young girl’s murder. He might even see himself as the hero in this scenario.
However, for every woman on that carriage, he was precisely the problem. He couldn’t control his emotions, he turned violent, and our journey home suddenly didn’t feel safe anymore.
One every eight days
I think many men will look at cases like Lisa’s and use them to fuel their outrage towards asylum seekers, but they won’t think to look at their own behaviour.
In the Netherlands, a woman is killed every eight days. The perpetrator? Often their partner.
As Jens Van Tricht from Emancipator, an organisation dedicated to gender equality, tells the NOS, “This is a man’s problem, and men need to address it.”
Making this a discussion about asylum seekers takes away from the larger issue at hand here: men in this country are hurting women.
I, like many women, am not thinking about a man’s nationality if I come across him during a late-night commute home.
I’m thinking about whether or not he’s going to hurt me — and right now, the odds of that happening are not low enough.
Do you feel safe as a woman in the Netherlands? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.
