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An important reminder: Amsterdam displays destroyed Russian tank on the Leidseplein

Naomi Lamaury
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An important reminder: Amsterdam displays destroyed Russian tank on the Leidseplein

A destroyed Russian tank from the Battle of Kyiv is on display at the popular Leidseplein in Amsterdam. It serves not only as a reminder of the war but also the fragility of democracy. 

The tank is part of the Forum on European Culture, which is focusing on democracy in Europe this year, reports Het Parool.

Speaking from the square on Thursday, Amsterdam’s mayor, Femke Halsema, along with the Ukrainian ambassador, reminded people not to take the freedom we have for granted.

A Russian tank as a symbol of democracy

As part of her speech, Halsema pointed out that “numerous Amsterdammers and visitors come here every day to sniff out culture, to discuss, to be entertained, to meet each other. This Russian tank is the symbol of the opposite of this freedom”.

“When you see this tank here in this place, the cold beats you to the heart. And that is exactly the intention,” she tells the curious onlookers.

She goes on to say, “Placing this tank is not a gesture of triumph, but a gesture of pain, sorrow and broken democracy. It reminds us that we must defend democracy every day.”

The T-72B tank was destroyed by Ukrainian soldiers almost a year ago and has since been travelling through Europe. After making stops in Warsaw, Berlin, Prague, and Groesbeek, the tank will be in Amsterdam until Sunday, June 4.

Controversy erupted on Leidseplein

The initiative to display a Russian tank in Amsterdam triggered both support and anger from the crowds.

A Ukrainian student studying in Amsterdam, Vlodomyr Kutsyi, was deeply affected by the broken down tank: “I think it’s good that the tank is here. I’ve seen photos and videos, but a real tank from the battlefield gives a much more real feeling,” he tells Het Parool.

READ MORE | Here’s how you can help Ukraine from the Netherlands [UPDATED]

However, “Get rid of it!” and “This tank should not be here!” could also be heard from the crowd. Dozens of demonstrators against the war felt that the tank had the opposite effect and glorified Russia’s role in the war.

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A guide to Dutch hand gestures: 5 things you need to know

Heather Court
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A guide to Dutch hand gestures: 5 things you need to know

As if it wasn’t hard enough to move to another country, learn the language, and integrate yourself — someone thought it would also be fun to use hand signals along with the Dutch language (oh, and don’t get me started on getting familiar with Dutch expressions.)

Learning Dutch is doable, it takes time to figure out what they are saying and why the grammar is wonky, but once you have mastered (or at least have figured out the basics), you can add in some fun hand gestures to really blend in.

Here are five hand gestures that I come across on a regular basis. A short description is added because some are not always obvious. 😉

Yummmm

A gesture that was taught to me from a young age — even my two-year-old uses this one. It’s the most common hand gesture, the lekker wave. 🤤 Possibly evolved as a polite way to say something was delicious while still chewing a mouthful of food. The hand is placed to the side of the face and waved back and forth.

READ MORE | 15 weirdly cute things Dutch people do

So, next time you’re at a restaurant, and you want to acknowledge how scrumptious the food is, perform the lekker wave (Dutchies will understand you, and it’s a fun way to integrate into Dutch culture). 😌

video-1477992262

Easy peasy

The two fingers up the nose move. It’s used when you say so easy you can do it ‘with two fingers in the nose’ (met twee vingers in je neus.) Simple and straightforward. 👃

2-fingers-in-nose

Are you stupid?

Generally easy to understand, a tap to the centre of the forehead with your index finger, as if you’re asking the question, ‘Are they stupid?’ or ‘Is he/she stupid?’. Sometimes, depending on the situation, you can substitute crazy for stupid. 🚨

ben-je-gek

That’s nuts!

A grasping of the hand in front of the nose gesture. This translates to ‘that’s nuts!’ and is used when someone suggests something silly. 🤪

dutch-hello

Hellooooooo

The last commonly used hand gesture is more popular in the Northern part of the Netherlands. We’re not sure if it’s a go-to while backpacking around Amsterdam.

READ MORE| Dutch Quirk #22: Give everyone three kisses to say hello

This can be done while passing someone you know in the car or on the bike. It’s basically a Dutch hello, 👋 that is generally accompanied by a verbal mooooooooi or can be used alone.

pas-erop

All in all, I tend to see the middle three gestures as sarcastic ways of saying Dutch things, and I’m generally impressed that you can actually bring sarcasm into a conversation using hand gestures — the Dutch certainly are an innovative bunch.

There you have it! Five hand gestures that will help you navigate your way through a Dutch conversation. Feel free to use them at will: there is no real limit to where or when you can use the gestures.

The Dutch will most certainly appreciate you taking the time to learn not only their language but also their sign language!

Have you seen these Dutch hand gestures, or used them yourself? Tell us in the comments below!

This article was originally published in November 2016 and was fully updated in May 2023 for your reading pleasure.

This Dutch company has created urns that grow into trees!

Julia de Oliveira Moritz
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This Dutch company has created urns that grow into trees!

Loop Biotech has launched a new product, and this one gives us the chance to become trees. Their clean, white design almost makes us forget that we’re talking about one of the most goth objects in the world: urns.

Mushrooms are truly going through their moment in the spotlight, from being trendy home objects to a new-found love for their mental health benefits. Just as it grows in every aspect of our daily lives, it was only a matter of time until they moved on to the next stage.

READ MORE | Six Dutch innovations that change the way we live

And it’s mushrooms that we can thank for this new innovation! Loop Biotech’s products include easily degradable coffins, funeral carriers, linen shrouds and linings, and biodegradable paint. The latest of their mushroom-y designs? Urns that allow your ashes to grow into trees. 

How does it work?

You? A tree? Eventually! According to RTL Nieuws, you can choose to grow into one of three local species: apple, birch or douglas fir. Because why limit yourself to taking care of your garden when you can become the garden?

READ MORE | 13 forward-thinking things Dutch people do

Just like the other products, the urns are grown in seven days from upcycled hemp and mycelium, the part of the fungus that allows for their reproduction (those high school biology classes are coming in handy now).

Loop-Biotech-urn-indoors
A tree in the garden or a really unique house plant, it’s your choice. Image: Loop Biotech

As explained by Loop Biotech themselves, “Mycelium, the underground root network of mushrooms, is known as nature’s biggest recycler. The unique power of mycelium is its ability to share nutrients, communicate with the forest floor, and enhance soil quality.” So turn your urn into a tree!

READ MORE | 8 weird things about dying in the Netherlands

The products fully decompose in just 45 days, when new plants grow in your place. But this only happens when they’re buried, so you can also keep the tree urn as a somewhat morbid house plant.

The world’s most sustainable collaboration

Loop Biotech is collaborating with Natuurbegraven Nederland, which provides nature burials. The collaboration offers a package with a coffin or urn and an eternal natural grave in a nature reserve.

There are six public nature areas to choose from through Natuurbegraven Nederland’s collaboration with the Dutch nature conservation organisation, Natuurmonumenten.

You can schedule a tour by appointment at the Loop Biotech factory in Delft or one of the six nature cemeteries in the Netherlands.

However, if you opt for the urn, you can be planted wherever your loved ones wish! (Ok, maybe not, like, in front of your favourite takeaway — but you get the picture.)

To be fair, this feels nicer than imagining ourselves rotting away. At least now, when we’re gone, there will be new life in our place. It really puts our existential dread about the pointlessness of life at ease.

So how committed are you to the mushroom trend? Are you willing to become one? Let us know in the comments below!

Ajax cancels celebration of its own women’s football team

Ellen Ranebo
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Ajax cancels celebration of its own women’s football team

For once, Ajax has decided to tone down the festivities — for women, though, not men. 

When it comes to gender, the Netherlands probably strikes you as an equal opportunities kind of country. After all, “going Dutch” is literally named after them, the decreasing gender pay gap seems optimistic enough. And that’s not all: 

The Amsterdam Football Club Ajax have had an ass-kicking team of vrouwen for over a decade. Earlier this month, they claimed the national title they’d spent the past five years fighting for. 

Naturally, supporters of the team were all set to party out the victory in Leidseplein, Amsterdam next Monday. 

Sounds too good to be true? That’s because it is

That is, until their plans were brought to an unexpected halt. 

Ajax decided to cancel the festivities honouring the women’s team’s image because… well, because it would be bad for their “image”? *eyetwitch* 

Yep, you read that correctly: Ajax has deemed a celebration of women “unwise”, because the “momentum” of their win has supposedly died down since the championship (which happened on May 7) and people are just over it. 

A men’s team, on the other hand…

“Unwise”, they say. As opposed to the oh-so-wise “Feyenoord fever” from May 12, which saw a mob of sweaty hooligans blocking trains, belly flopping into the Hofplein fountain, setting random objects on fire, or possibly sacrificing animals, all in celebration of the Rotterdam men’s team winning. 

@jordivdam could barely breathe and see anything but it was worth it #feyenoord #rotterdam #coolsingel #huldiging ♬ original sound – Jordi

But hey, a bit of chaos is needed sometimes — and shouldn’t the women’s team at least be given the chance to be celebrated in the same way? 

READ MORE | King Willem-Alexander breaks coronavirus rules during football frenzy

Cancelled by Ajax, not Amsterdam

According to the NOS, the mayor of Amsterdam, Femke Halsema, and Sofyan Mbarki of Sport were all set to give the Ajax vrouwenteam official, public recognition — that is, until Ajax butted in and the mayor and alderman were forced to cancel the ceremony without the club’s support. 

Turns out, men are also partly to blame for the overall “lack of joyful mood” surrounding Ajax, the club said. Due to the failings of Ajax men 1 this spring, venerating the success of the women’s team is decidedly “not a good signal” to put out. 

Heaven forbid we uplift women in any way if it means hurting some widdle egos. 🙃 

Does this reasoning make sense to anyone out there — Ajax included? Share your thoughts in the comments below. 

It’s official guys, you can no longer publicly smoke weed in Amsterdam’s city centre

Francesca Burbano
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It’s official guys, you can no longer publicly smoke weed in Amsterdam’s city centre

Want to be able to smoke a joint while strolling alongside the beautiful old city centre of Amsterdam? Sorry to burst your smokey bubble, but as of today, it’s prohibited. 

That’s right, the smoking ban in Amsterdam, which was announced in February earlier this year, has officially come into effect. 

Why? You may be wondering. Well, for those living in Amsterdam, it’s quite obvious. The measure is intended to decrease the nuisance caused by drug use in public spaces — an activity that’s enjoyed by many tourists. 

Caught with a joint? Pay up

While you’re not allowed to smoke in the city centre, you’ll still be able to enjoy a joint on the terrace of a coffee shop, reports RTL Nieuws. 

Not as exciting, perhaps, as lighting up with your legs dangling over the side of a canal, but hey, at least you’re not breaking the law. 😉

If you do decide to be cheeky and break the new law, you’ll regret it. A fine of €100 will be slapped into your hands by agents and enforcers. 

However, you do have one chance to right your wrongs. If you’re not familiar with the rule (to be fair, many people will likely be surprised by it), you’ll only get a fine if a first warning is not followed through, explains the municipality of Amsterdam.

READ MORE | Smoking weed in Amsterdam: ultimate guide [Updated 2023]

However, the municipality is certainly making sure that people are aware. Large signs have already been put up in the areas of the city centre where the ban applies. 

So, which areas are included in Amsterdam’s new smoking ban?  Make sure not to light it up throughout the Red Light District, on Dam Square, Damrak and the Nieuwmarkt. 

Desperately needed in the Red Light District 

One area in desperate need of this ban is the Red Light District. In the past year, crowds and tourists have taken it too far while partying in the popular area, causing a commotion and disturbing residents. 

READ MORE | It’s official: Amsterdam is completely overloaded with tourists

Residents are fed up with the things they hear and see (noise pollution, people urinating in public, and throwing up in canals, to name a few). This smoking ban, along with the Stay Away campaign deterring British men, is all part of an effort to combat this nuisance. 

And if the commotion continues? “If the municipality does not decrease sufficiently with the smoking ban, the possibilities of banning smoking on terraces at coffee shops in the area will also be examined,” warns the municipality to RTL Nieuws. 

Alcohol sales have also been tightened to discourage tourists from going on all-night drinking benders, as well as closing times for catering and prostitution. 

Keep it chill, guys, and enjoy your joints, just make sure to do so in the proper places. 

What do you think about this smoking ban in Amsterdam? Tell us in the comments below!

Sharing your Netflix account? That’s going to cost you extra in the NL

Lyna Meyrer 🇱🇺
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Sharing your Netflix account? That’s going to cost you extra in the NL

Doomsday has come: American streaming giant Netflix has started emailing Dutch customers who are sharing their accounts with people outside of their households.

And what do these emails contain? Slecht news. In the future, sharing a Netflix account with someone who doesn’t live with you will cost you an additional €3.99 per month. This regulation is part of Netflix’s new policy to crack down on the popular practice of password sharing.

To all of you that still use their ex’s Netflix: this is the time to get your own account. Or reach out and get ’em to send a monthly Tikkie of €4 — your pick. 🤷‍♀️

Password sharing tolerated for years

If you had read Netflix’s Terms and Conditions when you signed up (don’t worry, we didn’t either), you’d know that sharing an account has never been allowed.

For years, it was tolerated (even encouraged!) by the streaming service. But those days are over.

How will it work?

According to the NOS, Netflix will use IP addresses, device ID numbers and account activity to determine the main location from which people watch (…or binge, let’s be real here) their shows.

If the system detects that viewing regularly takes place elsewhere, a lovely notification will pop up, saying that the device is not part of the Netflix “household”.

In those cases, watching will be blocked unless action is taken (cough, cough — money is paid). Thanks for nothing, Netflix. 😤

Frustrated customers

It’s estimated that over a third of frugal Dutchies share their passwords with people outside of their households. Netflix now hopes that at least some of them will bite the bullet and create their own accounts.

READ MORE | Video streaming services in the Netherlands: the complete guide

Netflix had previously launched the policy in other countries, including Canada and some Latin American countries.

Many (previously loyal) customers have taken to social media to share their frustration, some even saying doei to Netflix for good. In Spain, where the monthly fee was introduced in early February, Netflix has lost over a million customers, according to BusinessInsider. Yikes.

What do you think about Netflix’s crackdown on password sharing in the Netherlands? Tell us in the comments.

Top! Amsterdam is once again the most attractive Dutch city to live in

Julia de Oliveira Moritz
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Top! Amsterdam is once again the most attractive Dutch city to live in

For the second year in a row, Amsterdam ranks as the most attractive Dutch city to live in. Maybe that makes up for all the overpriced coffee and clueless tourists on the bike path!

Complaints aside, Amsterdammers really are a lucky bunch. According to the Atlas for Municipalities (an index created by Atlas Research), Amsterdam is the top-ranking city out of a whopping 50 that were surveyed.

These 50 cities are ranked based on more than 50 indicators, including employment opportunities, universities, cultural facilities, and house prices (mice included). 

Blue and green, plus a scene

The emphasis of this year’s survey was “blue and green.” What on earth does that mean? It’s quite simple actually, this refers to the amount of trees, parks, canals, and ponds that Dutch cities have to offer. 

READ MORE | Why are there so many mice in the Netherlands?

While there are many things to deny about Amsterdam (no, not all houses look like they were made out of gingerbread), you can’t deny that even a moment of distraction on the bike will land you in either a canal, a park, a pond (puddle), or some poor tree.

Yep, turns out there’s an appeal to sitting at the Sarphatipark sharing a picnic with the rats, Cinderella-style.

But it’s not just trees

While nature is great, the city also offers many other reasons for why it’s such an attractive stad.

In the words of researcher Marten Middeldorp for the NRC, “Amsterdam is the largest city in an area with many jobs and many facilities. Where else can you find a Rijksmuseum and Concertgebouw and a cafe on every street corner? Where else can you find two broad universities?”

Go off, king. 

It’s true, biking around Amsterdam gives you beautiful buildings at every corner. The UvA campus buildings are scattered around the city, each with its own personal style. 

And, rats or not, it seems there’s a big park always near. Why limit yourself to Vondelpark? Go for a walk at Rembrandtpark, Westerrpark, Oosterpark, Erasmuspark… the list goes on.

Even though we’re all busy enjoying the same 20 amenities (the ever-chaotic Rembrandtplein, the gorgeous Museumplein, and the canals), there’s so much more to do. 

READ MORE | 33 best things to do in Amsterdam in 2023 [UPDATED]

How about a pint and live music at Mulligan’s Irish pub, the oldest in the city? (Ask for Seán, and tell him we sent you). Or maybe enjoy some puppy yoga, or mug painting. Then go dancing at Radio Radio or Club NYX.

Even with the risk of your bike getting stolen, the tourists on the bike path, and the clouds of marijuana smoke, we just can’t seem to stop loving Amsterdam. Are we biased? Never! The truth is in the stats.

Do you think this is a fair ranking, or do you think Amsterdam is overrated? Let us know in the comments below!

FlixBus announces “exciting experiment” launching international trains in NL

Ellen Ranebo
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FlixBus announces “exciting experiment” launching international trains in NL

We’ve all been there. Stranded on the side of the road with a kebab post-night out in Berlin after interrailing with a friend. 

It sounded like a good idea at the time, but now you can’t go home. Or can you? Strap in. FlixTrains could be the solution to our inconveniences, as well as our spending. 

The company FlixBus has decided they want to launch FlixTrains, ideally between Rotterdam and Oberhausen, Germany (with several stops in between), according to the NOS. 

Translation: FlixTrain wants to run in the Netherlands between Rotterdam and Oberhausen from August 2024. There are two trains per day in each direction. The trains will stop in The Hague, Amsterdam, Utrecht and Arnhem; a special international route.

Bank accounts can breathe a sigh of relief

The German company is already recognised for its travel bargains. An average international journey costs a mere €21 — while a domestic trip is €10. Gasp.

Regular FlixTrain riders in Germany often mention how ridiculously budget-friendly the train line’s offers are. 

Like, what’s the catch? Being jam-packed like sardines with sweaty strangers? Whatever it is, we’ll take it. 


READ MORE | Public transport in the Netherlands: the complete guide

But that’s not all. FlixBus stops are expanding into a larger network, as the company was recently granted permission to pass through Amsterdam Central Station. 

Described as an “exciting experiment” — which we’ll happily be the guinea pigs for — the stops would include The Hague, Amsterdam, and Utrecht, to name a few, with trains running twice daily. 

READ MORE | The ultimate guide to taking a train in the Netherlands: from OV cards to saving money

Today the Netherlands, tomorrow the world — well, Europe, anyway

There is also talk of “new routes” across the Netherlands, Germany, the UK, France, Sweden, Italy, you name it. Being able to run away to Paris on a whim but also on a budget? Revolutionary. 

Still, the company has said if their application for a FlixTrain is approved, it will take about a year or so to build the necessary tracks between the Netherlands and Germany. No need to blow full steam ahead. 😉 

In the meantime, we may have to make do with good old reliable European sleeper trains.  

Would you use this new train route? Share your thoughts in the comments below. 

Hoera! Amsterdam public transport becomes free for children up to 11 years old

Naomi Lamaury
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Hoera! Amsterdam public transport becomes free for children up to 11 years old

It’s official — from 22 July until 30 November 2023, public transport in Amsterdam will be free of charge for children aged four to eleven. 

During these four months, children can make use of free transport in all GVB (Amsterdam’s public transport operator) buses, trams, and metros, reports Het Parool. 

This decision aims to make travel more accessible for families in Amsterdam who sometimes are not able to go much further than their neighbourhood.

How to use the free travel discount

From 1 July, Amsterdammers can request to put the travel product on their personal public transport card or ask the municipality for help on how to do this. 

An important note, children must have a personal OV-chipkaart to get the discount. 

Tip: You can purchase a personal OV-chipkaart through their website for €7.50!

But that’s it — once the travel product is on the card, you’re all good to go and explore every inch of Amsterdam.

Efforts to make public transport more accessible 

At first, the city proposed to make public transport free for children on Saturdays, but the measure was quickly expanded to cover the whole week.

The city council also hopes that this travel product will increase public transport use back to pre-COVID-19 levels which is essential to maintain the transport network, according to Amsterdam’s deputy mayor, Melanie van der Horst.

READ MORE | Public transport in the Netherlands: the complete guide

The GVB has said that they will take on the additional costs of the new discount.

While the city of Amsterdam discussed the possibility of making public transport completely free — something that many of us would love, they concluded that it’s not financially possible. 

In the meantime, we’ll have to be content with existing efforts, which also include plans for cheaper travel to the centre for residents in the New West, North or Southeast in 2025. 

What do you think about the new measure for children? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

Chilly spring day in the Netherlands ahead — but at least it stays dry

Francesca Burbano
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Chilly spring day in the Netherlands ahead — but at least it stays dry

For those craving days out in the sun, the Netherlands is on our side. In the coming period, the weather is looking good with regular sun and best of all, it will remain dry. 

This morning, however, starts out chilly due to a northerly wind. While the sun makes us believe it’s a warm day ahead, clouds will start to form, especially towards the east, reports NU.nl. 

Cloudy afternoon 

In the afternoon, we’ll be greeted with periods of sun and clouds. It will be hard to catch a tan outside, but on the bright side, the day remains dry, and there are only small chances of rain in the southeast. 

Translation: Forecast today and tomorrow: alternation of sun and clouds with a chance of a single shower in the southeast later. Thursday is dry and fairly sunny.

The maximum temperatures will vary today from 14 to 15 degrees Celsius. While the climate average normally comes out at around 19 degrees Celsius this time of year, we’re a bit on the cool side. 

But there is no need to start complaining about the weather just yet, as tonight, the clouds will say goodbye, and the sun will come out nicely. 

Here comes sun

Tomorrow we can enjoy a beautiful spring day with lots of sunshine, and barbecues outside in the garden, anyone (without a snake, please)? While some clouds will also form in the southeastern half of the country, it will remain sunny along the coast. 

As for the next few days ahead, sunshine will continue to be in our favour with no rain in sight (knock on wood). 

On Friday, temperatures will increase up to 18 degrees Celsius and will rise up to about 22 degrees Celsius just in time for Whit Monday. 


How will you be spending your sunny days? Tell us in the comments below!

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