Yesterday was the hottest 25 August ever recorded in the Netherlands since measurements first began in 1901 and temperatures reached 31.3 degrees in De Bilt. The hot weather is here to stay and a heatwave will be officially declared by Wednesday.
Two national heat waves in a year is quite rare given it has only happened three times in 1941, 2006 and 2018. However, the 2018 summer in the Netherlands was still far better than this years as 55 summer days were counted last year compared to 24 which have occurred this year. A “summer day” is declared when a minimum of 25 degrees is reached.
Today and tomorrow the temperatures will stick above 30 degrees around most of the country. Wednesday will be warm during the day but by the afternoon, clouds will develop with the possibility of a thunderstorm brewing by evening, Weerplaza reports. Temperatures will drop to between 21 and 26 degrees on Thursday. The weather for the weekend is unknown at this point.
Back in January this year, The Guardian stated that the Dutch Government was in conversation with over 250 companies about moving their businesses from the UK to the Netherlands. This increased to 325 over the course of the year and amidst the growing uncertainty of Brexit, 100 companies have already decided to take the plunge and transfer their offices to the Netherlands.
The Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency Commissioner (NFIA), Jeroen Nijland, believes the impending no-deal Brexit has attracted big companies to the Netherlands. Some of these companies include Sony and Panasonic and media companies such as Bloomberg who have begun moving some of their London staff to Amsterdam.
Hundreds of British firms in talks to move to Netherlands. "In a sign of growing anxiety in Britain about the prospect of a no-deal departure from the EU, the @NFIAHolland said it had already completed talks with a further 100 groups." via @thetimeshttps://t.co/n22PrJns3Z
Nijland comments to Invest in Holland “The ongoing growing uncertainty in the United Kingdom, and the increasingly clearer possibility of a no deal, is causing major economic unrest for these companies. That is why more and more companies are orienting themselves in the Netherlands as a potential new base in the European market.”
It’s not just British companies that are reconsidering their location due to Brexit. Many businesses based in America, Australia and Asia are pre-empting the knock-on effect Brexit will have on their access to the European market. Nijland says “Our experience shows that when a Brexit deal gets further out of sight, and the chance of a no deal increases, more companies contact us” reports Invest in Holland.
The NFIA believes the Netherlands is an appealing country for companies to move to as it has strong logistics facilities, digital infrastructure, and the Dutch are one of the best English speakers for a non-native English speaking country.
The UK intends to strike up a trade deal with the US once a no-deal Brexit goes through. US President, Donald Trump, stated that a “very big trade deal, bigger than we’ve ever had,” would be signed once the UK has been released from the chain of the EU around its “ankle”, the Guardian reports.
Source: Elionas2 on Pixabay
Could this be a good thing? and re-establish the UK’s respect? Or are you going to be one of the 50,000 people that sit on a beach and watch Brexit unfold across the ocean for entertainment?
The sun is shining and the temperatures are rising! We have already had two regional heatwaves this year and one national heatwave but another might be on its way!
The third regional heatwave
The east of the country saw temperatures of around 26 degrees arrive yesterday and temperatures of above 30 degrees are expected this weekend. If that happens, the third regional heatwave of the year may become a reality. Weerplaza predicts the chance of a regional heatwave occurring to be around 80 percent.
Gisteren werd het 25-26 graden in het oosten en zuidoosten. Zeer waarschijnlijk is daarmee de derde regionale #hittegolf van dit jaar begonnen. De onzekerheid is iets afgenomen, we sluiten nu zelfs een landelijke hittegolf niet uit. Lees meer: https://t.co/0R1CYjp38fpic.twitter.com/ci5y2msVT4
The Netherlands already had a heatwave this year from 22 to 27 July and faced record-breaking temperatures. This weekend is gearing up to be very hot across the whole of the Netherlands but it is unconfirmed whether the cool sea breeze blowing from the sea will decrease the temperatures and therefore prevent a national heatwave occurring. A heatwave is declared when there are five days in a row that reach 25 degrees with three of those days needing to top 30 degrees.
However, in preparation for the hot weather the RIVM has launched a national heat plan from tomorrow, AD reports.
Having more than one heatwave in the Netherlands is quite rare, so let’s remember this climate change is a worrying reality.
How are you going to enjoy the weekend? Popping to a swimming pool or beach near you? Having a barbecue with friends? We wrote yesterday about some of the events on this weekend to make the most of the sun!
Homelessness is on the rise in the Netherlands. Figures released by the Central Bureau of Statistics in 2019 show that people aged between 18 and 65 without a secure place to sleep has increased from 17,800 in 2009 to 39,300 in 2018.
What is the definition of “homeless”?
Someone is considered homeless if they are sleeping outside or seeking shelter in public facilities such as benches, community halls or sheds. People who do not have a secure residence but are bunking with friends, in a car or are being temporarily housed by a charity are also included in the statistics. However, people who are illegally staying in the Netherlands and are homeless are not included in the statistics.
The Statistics
From 2009 to 2012 the number of homeless people increased by nearly 10,000. The number of young people in the age bracket 18 to 30 age group tripled. After 2012 the increase began levelling out and the problem seemed to be improving. From 2014 to 2018 however, homelessness numbers grew by more than 12,000.
Source: Unsplash
CBS researcher Tanja Traag comments “It is very difficult to say anything about the cause of that increase, because we do not know much about these people,” to RTL news.
Out of the 39,000 people considered homeless, 57 percent were deemed to have a migrant background. Over half of the homeless people aged 18 to 65 years old also had a migration background.
A staggering 84 percent of the homeless people were also men.
In 2018, one in three homeless people fell in the 18 to 30-year-old age bracket. This is nearly quadruple the estimates of 2009.
Why is there so much homelessness?
Many of us walk passed homeless people without engaging or offering help. We may briefly recognise the harshness of a homeless person’s situation but do not extrapolate the human from the homelessness. We curtail empathy with judgments such as “they should get a job” or “they should stop substance abusing” which allow us to remain detached. In order to overcome the stigma, it is important to understand all the different causes for homelessness.
There are a myriad of reasons why people become homeless in the Netherlands. There are unprecedented financial pressures, severe addiction issues, relationship problems and mental health issues. NOS reports that the number of mental healthcare institutions has also reduced, despite mental health issues becoming more prominent. This leads people who need assistance coming to terms with their mental health ending up on the street.
Another contributing factor according to the Salvation Army is the shortage of temporary and emergency housing which allows people in need to live in a safe space before getting back on their feet.
We may have no stray dogs on our streets but the number of homeless people is on the rise. If you know anyone who is homeless in the Netherlands, it is important to know what support there is for them.
Eindelijk! Finally! Perhaps you can stop furiously googling holiday destinations in order to get your dose of vitamin D.. the sun has come back to the Netherlands and is forecasted to reach temperatures over 30 degrees!
Summer has reignited in the Netherlands with temperatures of around 21 degrees today. Tomorrow afternoon the temperature will be around 23 degrees in the northwestern coastal area, 25 degrees in the middle of the country and a whopping 27 degrees in the southeast of the country, Buienradar reports.
The heat is predicted to keep rising over the next few days and reach a delicious 29 degrees on Sunday! The east and southeast of the Netherlands may even see maximum temperatures of 30 or 31 degrees!
Due to a cool breeze generated from the sea that will blow across the Netherlands it is uncertain whether there will be a heatwave, like there was in July.
Weerplaza estimates the possibility of a regional heat wave being about 20 percent. Are you relieved about this? Or craving that balmy heat? Regardless, remember to gen up about climate change in the Netherlands and the effect it is having on our planet.
So what can you do this weekend to make the most of the weather?
Uitmarkt is on at Museumplein and Leidseplein in Amsterdam. This is one of the Netherlands most popular cultural events and attracts more than 400,000 visitors. Over this weekend, over 300 shows are performed ranging from Jazz to Hip Hop to kid-friendly shows – there is something for everyone to enjoy!
If you’re sick of Amsterdam, then consider the Noorderzon Performing Arts Festival held in Groningen. This event is a celebration of music, dance, literature, visual art and performance that turns the city park into a festival village for 11 days.
If you just want to get ahead on that fantastic book you’ve been reading and get a golden tan then check out one of the many swimming pools located all around the Netherlands or one of the top four Noord-Holland Seasides Off the Beaten Path.
We hope you enjoy the weekend! We know we certainly will! Tell us what you’re going to get up to in the comments!
The Netherlands coalition government is contemplating setting up a multi-billion dollar fund to secure economic growth over the next few years. This would be extremely beneficial because the interest rate is in negative meaning the state would earn money from borrowing.
The borrowed money would be invested in scientific research, building new infrastructure and developing artificial intelligence. The plan has been discussed multiple times already, The Telegraaf reports.
How much will go into the fund?
It is undecided how much will go into the fund but according to The Telegraaf, the people in charge at the Binnenhof have been discussing the amount of 50 billion euros.
Capitalising on the bleak economic climate?
The director of the Central Planning Bureau, Laura van Geest, told NOS that the difficulties around the world such as Brexit and the trade war between the US and China has given ammunition to the Dutch government to protect the Netherlands economy.
Van Geest doesn’t believe it is problematic to increase national debt. She explains to NOS “We have already considerably reduced the national debt in recent years, so the risk of borrowing something extra is a bit smaller again. There is a good chance that we will hear more about this on Budget Day” (aka Prinsjesdag)
New Houses to be Built?
The Central Bureau of Statistics reveals the number of permits being issued for companies to build new houses has drastically decreased in 2019. Comparing the construction costs for permits issued in the second quarter of 2018 the second quarter of 2019 shows a 15 percent decrease, nu.nl reports. This means far less houses will be built in the upcoming years which will only accentuate the current housing crisis.
Environmental complaints, a slow government, not enough profits for developers and a “not in my backyard” mentality are considered to be a couple of the contributing factors to the lessening permits for new houses in the Netherlands.
The Announcement
The Government will announce whether the plan will be initiated or not on Prince’s Day; which is Tuesday 17 September 2019.
It’s summertime and so we’re in the mood for salsa, cocktails, taco’s and bright colors. Since it’s safe to say that the Dutch Summer isn’t delivering on these things all the time, I craved for a place where I could enjoy summer vibes in Leiden, the hometown of DutchReview. Lucky me and lucky you, with Tabú! Something in Leiden finally opened up that delivers that lovely Latin feeling, so no surprise that this one was on our to-review-list for a long time.
Leiden is a lot of things and we love it but one can’t say it’s known for its Latin-American vibe. But Tabú is changing all that. It opened up near the University, alongside the picturesque canals in what used to be the old spot of the ‘Grote Beer’. Renovating the building took a while, but the results are totally worth it.
There aren’t many original and more eclectic interiors in Leiden than the one Tabú is rocking. It’s colorful, there are tons of nifty details, beautiful artwork, and two floors which are both equally awesome. With a cocktail bar, open kitchen and DJ booth, all the boxes for a funky night out are checked.
The terrace at Tabú
I didn’t even talk about the best part: the terrace at Tabú! There are canal views on two sides, colorful bean bags, great views of Leiden and rays of sunshine getting through in the afternoon till late in the evening (that’s important in the Netherlands).
Word about this one has already spread through Leiden and it’s always quickly filling up on warm days.
It’s one for those endless Summer nights…
Sit back, listen to the music and always, always enjoy a cocktail
Before we get to the food, we need to talk about drinking. Because if there’s anything you can’t get enough of it’s a good cocktail (disclaimer: you can totally have too many cocktails, but you know what I mean). And thank the lord, Tabú serves some delicious cocktails. I know, a latin-like place should, but good cocktails are hard to come by in Leiden and Tabú makes an effort and more.
From making and shakingTo drinking and loving it
You won’t be surprised that many of the cocktails on the menu are tequila and mescal based, but they’ve got the classics as well. What’s even better is that they’ve got cocktail madness every Monday till Wednesday from 5 till 7 pm – 2 of their daily special cocktails for 12 is a deal I like to come back to!
Time to start with dinner
Enough talk, let’s eat. Like so many other places nowadays, Tabú also supports you sharing your dinner with loved ones. You can pick any of the small starter dishes to share (go for the chili cheese fries if you’re hungry, can’t beat those) or go big straight away with their Tabú platter like we did.
Yes please!
The highlights were the ceviche and the empanadas – especially the one filled with pulled pork. I’m daydreaming about coming back for those cocktail deals and just stuffing myself with empanadas and nachos (I’m a simple man, this makes me happy).
That and Sangria, but to be fair – Sangria makes everybody happy
Moving on, we just couldn’t resist the Taco Platter (although the Picanha which we saw served at our neighbors table was looking tasty too). The Taco Platter is a solid choice since you get a little taste of everything. Plus, the colors and composition feel like a little holiday.
This tostada salmone was the best!
So besides colors – how did it taste? Absolute highlights were the tostada salmone and the quesadilla, kind of wondering now how that quesadilla pollo tastes – so that’s for next time. The tacos were good too, but the one filled with the pink sweet potato was a miss – let’s hope they replace that one on the Taco platter.
Time for a dessert
It’s the Netherlands, so things got chilly and we moved it inside. The Latin tunes started playing a bit harder and we ordered up dessert. For a good part because we’re a sucker for Pastel de Nata and there was this thing called Choco Loco.
Choco Loco
The Choco Loco was the winner of this round, they’ve put something crunchy in the choco mousse and ice and it was delicious. Another thing to go for would be one of the mezcal-cocktails and turn it into a late-nighter.
They’ve got the stuff for it 😉
So Dutch Summer letting you down? Missing the Latin vibe in your Leiden life? Hop over to Tabú for a little holiday – VAMOS!*
Roll up your sleeves and dip your favourite calligraphy pen in ink, because this is one event you won’t want to miss. A Dutch Facebook user has sent out an open invite to watch Brexit across the pond from the safety of North Holland beach.
Ron Toekook created the event “Gezellig op het strand de Brexit kijken,” literally translating to “Enjoy watching Brexit on the beach.” The event description suggests eating Dutch fries, drinking French wine and downing German beer ready for when Brexit wakes up as a closed country. To be honest, that sounds deeeeeelightful!
The event is scheduled for October 31st, the deadline for the UK to leave the EU. Boris Johnson has vowed to leave with or without a deal. The responses on Facebook have, of course, been pure gold. “I can’t do that day… could it be postponed?” said one user. “Might be nice to end up with a high tea!” suggested another.
The event is gathering attention across the globe. Image: Facebook/Ron Toekook [screenshot]Almost 8000 people have committed to attending the event, but it could get out of control with more than 57,000 other people interested.
Musical suggestions are being welcomed, with a band possibly playing ‘It’s quiet across the street’ and ‘We’ll meet again.’ Other people have suggested songs like “Somebody that I used to know” by Gotye, and “Sunday bloody Sunday” by U2.
Heading to the beach on October 31st? Got a song suggestion? Let us know in the comments below!
A visit to Groningen, the acclaimed capital of the north, is never a bad idea. However, if you decide to take a trip to the city within the next week you’re in for an extra-special treat. For the next week Noorderplantsoen, the city’s park, will be overrun by tents and outdoor stages all welcoming the international performing arts festival, Noorderzon.
Now in its 29th year, this celebration of music, dance, literature, visual art and performance turns the city park into a festival village for 11 days. What began as a small local festival nows welcomes some 135,000 spectators, from far and near.
This year’s festival presents a programme of over 150 events, almost half of which are stated as being suitable for non Dutch-speakers ?(hey, that could be you!). With so much on offer, narrowing down your choice and finding the right event for your taste can be tricky business. Yet, fear not, here at Dutch Review we’ve done the hard work for you and rounded up a number of acts that are sure to be a hit.
Groningen is a pretty nice place to be any time, but it is best in August – when Noorderzon Performing Arts Festival fills the park pic.twitter.com/3kMNw3hEMC
Taking place in a unique, custom-built inflatable tent this performance brings together Antarctic landscapes and their accompanying sounds. What does that mean? Well, we don’t really know, but it sounds awesome.
What: Music When: Friday 23rd August @ 16:00 and 21:30
Under the direction of Wang Chang, this 2012 play becomes a not-so-typical love story. This film works with the themes of time and space, creating infinite parallel universes in which the possible paths of one couple’s love story is told and retold.
What: Theatre When: Monday 19th August and Tuesday 20th August @ 19:30
No doubt you’ve never seen a dance performance like this. LudvigDaae takes to the stage with his partner Alex as together they seek to find out what it means to be human. The catch? Alex is a robot!
What: Dance When: Monday 19th August @ 21:00, Tuesday 20th August @ 19:00 and 21:30, Wednesday 21st August @ 20:30
Music Booth at Noorderzon. Image: Bart on Flickr, CC2.0.
Created by Groningen visual artist Nina Wijnmaalen, this act involves seven performers and two musicians, and tackles the search for love and security. At its heart, this is a piece about the complexity and delicacy of human interaction, ultimately serving to prompt the audience to reflect on how we treat one another.
If sci-fi is your thing (Interstellar or StarTrek anyone?), then this is one you definitely don’t want to miss. A dance performance based around a trip to the moon forms the basis for a closer look at loss and transformation.
What: Dance When: Thursday 23rd August @ 18:00 and 21:00, Friday 24th August 18:00 and 21:00, Saturday 24th August @ 16:00 and 18:00
Groningen welcomes world famous pianist Vicky Chow to this year’s Noorderzon. Surface Image will explore the interaction between 1-bit electronica and classical piano music. Sound strange? We think so too, but we can’t wait!
What: Music When: Monday 19th August @ 20:00 for Surface Image
Noorderzon 2018. Image: Mark Vletter on Flickr. CC2.0.
Free Events
Of course the festival also plays host to range of free concerts and performances, so even those of us on a budget can join in the fun 😉
Image: Noorderzon 2019 – Gravity & Other Myths. Pierre Borasci (supplied)
Concerts on Podium op Zuid
Everyday from 15:30
Top-pick:UHG( Urban House Groningen), Saturday 24th August
Finally if you thought this festival was just about performance, think again. In amongst the stages and impromptu theatres you’ll find a host of delicious food vendors, tempting cafes and lively bars. And with plenty of seating areas Noorderzon in the Noorderplantsoen is the perfect place to spend one last summer day.
Will you be heading to Noorderzon? What are you looking forward to the most? Leave your tips in the comments below!
In the first known instance of the ‘burka ban’ in action, a woman wearing a niqab was denied access to a public bus yesterday. While attempting to board the driver asked the woman to remove her face covering twice, or leave the bus. When she refused, police were called.
The Arriva bus driver refused to continue driving the route until the woman abided by the rules. When the police became involved, the woman eventually decided to step off the bus and find her own way home.
The bus company Arriva have told NOS the bus driver did not follow the protocol of public transport companies. While the driver may ask the wearer of the niqab to remove it or leave the bus, the driver cannot refuse to continue to drive the route.
The ban requires faces to be visible when in public places like schools, hospitals, public transport and government buildings. Wearers of the niqab and burka are those primarily affected, but also people wearing motorcycle helmets or ski masks.
In the event of a violation, the offender can be charged up to 150 euros. Fortunately for the woman, this case eventuated in no fine being issued. A police spokesperson said that this is because police often try to resolve the matter by talking instead of fines, comparing it to the ban on using a phone while cycling.
What do you think of the burka ban? Let us know in the comments below!
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