The Holland Times edition January 2022 by The Holland Times

E!! FRE per spa new ats and xp ic for e plomat i d y the unit m com

CONTROLLED CIRCULATION | POSTBUS 2203 | 1500 GE ZAANDAM

JANUARY 2022

Open days overview

Health insurance information

Tips for the holidays

er 25 d in ov rite Feature s of your favo e s d w o o is h S ep tate TV ters Real Es g House Hun in d inclu tional! Interna

Check out www.27House.nl for more details and contact us for a FREE consultation or valuation – info@27House.nl

THT10_2021 _CS.indd 1

08-12-2021 17:51

LIFELONG LEARNING STARTS AT AMITY AMSTERDAM Amity International School Amsterdam is a young and vibrant school open to students aged 3 to 15. Accredited as an IB World School for the Primary Years Programme, it is currently a Candidate School* for the Middle Years Programme and the Diploma Programme. Amity’s students follow a globally recognised curriculum that challenges them to take responsibility for their own learning, fosters their curiosity and encourages them to become active world citizens.

Spaces available in various year groups. Enquire today! Our school is situated in a unique monumental building in Amstelveen surrounded by green spaces. The ideal environment for students to ﬂourish and thrive. * Only schools authorized by the IB Organization can offer any of its four academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), the Diploma Programme (DP), or the Career-related Programme (CP). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted.

For further information about the IB and its programmes visit www.ibo.org Learn more today via www.amityschool.nl

THT10_2021 _CS.indd 2

07-12-2021 21:56

JANUARY 2022 | 3

Contents Where an fin the o an imes The Holland Times is widely distributed for free, in the regions of Amsterdam, Amstelveen, Hoofddorp, Schiphol, Leiden, Delft, Den Haag, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Eindhoven, Maastricht, Wassenaar and Enschede. ou can ﬁnd The Holland Times at embassies and consulates, international organizations, internationally oriented companies, hospitals, medical clinics, sports clubs, international schools, housing companies, ﬁnancial services and banks, expatriate centers, restaurants, libraries, kindergartens, language schools, social clubs, movie houses and expat-oriented stores. ould you like to receive The Holland Times in your organization or become one of our distribution points? Please contact c.spraakman argomedia.nl

Shell’s move to London: a strategy for sustainability Political update: the coalition and Covid

UvA struggles with growing numbers of international students Shocking increase in mental health problems among students

Healthcare collapsing under Covid pressure? Amsterdam Light Festival celebrates anniversary with highlights

The eleventh hour? Only 30 percent of the Dutch trust their government Anger and unrest sweep across the Netherlands over Covid restrictions

13 Tutoring from home, away from home Tips for helping your child adjust to a new school 15 Open Days overview 17 Columns 19 Changing yur health insurance before 1 January 21 Spotlight on a contributor 23 Health & Foreign matters 25 Art & Culture 27 Nice spots 29 Tips & reviews 31 Sport

COLOPHON The Holland Times is an independent, English language newspaper with Dutch news, published by Argo Special Media B.V. Total circulation: 75,000 copies Argo Special Media B.V. Postbus 2203 1500 GE Zaandam Contributors Marla Thomson, Priyanka Sharma, John Mahnen, Nanda Jagusiak, Benjamin Roberts, Lorre Luther, Parul Sachdeva, Stephen Swai, Nicole Kerr, Molly Fitz, Maurits Seijger, James Victoria Luxford, GoStudent, Young Expat Services & Healthcare for Internationals Editor Roselaar Tekstadvies Visit our website for news updates: www.hollandtimes.nl For all editorial information and suggestions, please contact us at: c.spraakman@argomedia.nl Advertising and Inquiries Bert Versteeg 020-506 39 26 06-33 74 34 63 bert@hollandtimes.nl

Design & Layout Caroline Spraakman All Rights reserved by the publisher and/ or the author(s). ©2003 The Amsterdam Times The editors try to ensure the accuracy of all information contained within. However, mistakes and ommissions are possible. No rights may therefore be derived from material published. Would you like to receive The Holland Times in your organization or become one of our distribution points? Please contact c.spraakman@argomedia.nl Controlled circulation: international institutions, the diplomatic corps, and epicentres of the Netherlands’ international and expat community. The opinions of external authors in the Holland Times are published under personal title and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editors of the Holland Times. All photos: Depositphotos

Please send all advertising content to: traffic@argomedia.nl Distribution PostNL

THT10_2021 _CS.indd 3

Learn Dutch on the go! with a private tutor & blend into local culture

- Available in 100 cities - 7 days a week, 8AM - 10PM - Live & online sessions - Free language level check www.ﬂowently.com/expats

08-12-2021 16:12

The income tax return for EUR 390 incl VAT for regular private individuals

File online with BNC Tax Professionals

• Private tax return • Corporate tax services • M form Dutch tax return • Tax trouble shooters • 30% ruling in Dutch tax return

• Private tax return • Corporate tax services • FBAR • Foreign earned income exclusion • 30% ruling in US tax return

www.orangetax.com

www.bnctax.com

0023 Advertentie BNC - OTS.indd 1

THT10_2021 _CS.indd 4

23-12-2020 16:54 07-12-2021

21:58

JANUARY 2022 | 5

NATIONAL

Shell’s move to London: a strategy for sustainability On Sunday 14 November, Royal Dutch Shell informed the Dutch government of its intention to move its headquarters to London from The Hague. A shareholder meeting on 10 December will determine the final decision. Shell notes that this move is intended as a way to simplify its share offering, and thereby increase flexibility in regards to raising capital and acquisition efforts. As such, the company will not be moving its entire operation abroad. Rather, only about twelve of the company’s top managers, including the CEO and CFO, are going to be making the physical transition. Nevertheless, this move has far-reaching consequences, both economic and political, leaving many to question why the oil and gas giant has made this decision. A major concern regarding Shell’s departure from the Netherlands is related to the economic impact of such a large company leaving Dutch territory. However, the limited scale of the transition in terms of staff means that only time will tell what the long-term impact will be. Naturally, another primary concern of the demissionary cabinet was the dividend tax, which was introduced two years ago. On Monday 15 November, Parliament discussed the possibility of scrapping the dividend policy, in reaction to Shell’s announcement. This is not the first time that the cabinet has brought the proposal to abolish this left-leaning policy before Parliament. However, yet again, the idea of doing away with the tax was dismissed almost immediately. GroenLinks MP Tom van der Lee found the idea of scrapping the tax ridiculous, considering the number of jobs actually moving to the UK and the two billion euros in fines that Shell is liable to pay as a ‘vertrekboete’, or departure fine. This fine was introduced in 2020 to prevent multinationals leaving the

Netherlands without paying tax on unpaid dividends. This has, however, not been properly debated in Parliament for this case, and attempts to do so have been quickly pressed aside. Subsequently, it remains uncertain if this departure fine will even be applied in this case. On a more cultural note, Shell has also proposed changing its name by dropping the ‘Royal Dutch’ prefix in ‘Royal Dutch Shell’ alongside the move. Considering the pedigree of the company, which began in 1907 through the amalgamation of the Royal Dutch Petroleum Company and Shell Transport and Trading Company Limited, this change makes sense. The amalgamation of Dutch and British companies created a rather complicated share structure, which this move hopes to simplify by becoming a single British entity. Thus, leaving the name as it is would create an added layer of unnecessary confusion. On the other hand, Shell remains adamant that it will remain very closely connected with the Netherlands, and CEO Ben van Beurden has claimed that the move is a strategic decision for the benefit of the company’s positioning in the process of energy transition.

temperature rises to 2 °C is a commitment to which Shell is bound, as CEO Van Beurden acknowledged in an April 2020 speech. Shell has developed the socalled Sky scenario, that lays out its contributions to this aim that it deems technically possible. However, the EU has committed to the aim of restricting warming to 1.5 °C or less, by no later than 2050. Shell’s Sky scenario is designed only to stimulate its management to consider plausible events. The scenario is intended as a hypothetical case, but does not actually provide any real call to action on the part of the company. However, considering the recent environmentalist concerns that Shell is facing, the inability to adhere to regional goals on the climate front may endanger its third aim, to maintain a strong societal license to operate. As such, leaving the EU may limit the negative public perception of Shell’s environmentalist actions, or lack thereof. Written by Maurits Seijger

This statement, however, brings up more questions about the move: how does this move advantage Shell in the energy transition processes? The strategy that Shell has endeavored to take in the pursuit of net-zero emissions follow three base ambitions: the aim to be a worldclass investment case, the desire to thrive in the energy transition to a lower-carbon future, and to maintain a strong societal license to operate. The second ambition specifically may be an important motivating factor here. The 2015 Paris agreement, which committed to limit

Political update: the coalition and Covid It seems that just as we start to see the finish line of a very long marathon, there is another 10 kilometers added to the course. This analogy was used by Health Minister Hugo de Jonge to describe the latest wave of Covid infections that has hit the Netherlands and other countries. But this analogy can also be used to describe the state of the coalition formation for the next Dutch government. Well into December and beyond Sinterklaas – when the Dutch do the majority of their holiday gift giving – the political parties have still yet to reach an agreement that will produce a new government. Nine months have passed since the national election and the Netherlands is still operating with the last election’s government, making this the longest coalition formation in Dutch history.

While politicians from the current coalition parties let out signals here and there to the media that progress is being made, there is still no concrete evidence of this. Will the new cabinet be a minority cabinet? Will there be compromises between the VVD, D66 or CDA? Or will there be a broad government encompassing many more parties with a hyper-detailed coalition agreement? No one knows for sure. The tone in recent weeks has not been promising. First, the coalition party members were targeting the Sinterklaas holiday weekend to have the new government formation completed, but with that having passed, they are now shooting for Christmas. Still, Gert-Jan Segers of the Christian Union (CU) said it may take until January. This is an all-too familiar story: shoot for a date; miss the date; move the date; repeat.

And to be honest, at this time, it seems the country has forgotten the lack of agreement, since two other issues are dominating the news and our lives these days: the climate and Covid. The sudden and swift surge in Covid infections almost immediately stole the thunder from other national agenda items that were – and are still – urgent. Outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte has not been fully available for the coalition negotiations as he and De Jonge have been meeting with doctors, the Outbreak Management Team, regional health services (GGD) and their counterparts in other countries to figure out what to do about the alarming increase in Covid infections and hospitalizations. On top of that, a fumbling start to the Covid booster shot campaign and a new variant that is creating worldwide alarm make it clear that the Prime Minister and members of the outgoing government have their hands full.

THT10_2021 _CS.indd 5

Additionally to the spike in Covid cases, the Netherlands is currently under a housing crisis, with house prices and rents increasing to the point where people cannot afford to live, a shortage of student housing in most cities and a general shortage of affordable and social housing across the kingdom. Some cities and municipalities have initiated their own policies to help with the crisis, including point systems on apartments, banning foreign investors from purchasing more than one property and banning Airbnb-type vacation home investments. All of these are steps forward to help with the crisis, but the country needs leadership and policy at a higher level. However, the government is stretched for time and money at the moment due to its response to Covid. At this time there is no strong indication that the coalition party members will come to an agreement before Christmas, as they still hope they will. Recent history has shown that there is a point where no one is willing to compromise and move forward; it’s uncertain if the roadblocks are anywhere near being cleared. With the coalition negotiations going on behind closed doors, it’s not even entirely certain what the current roadblocks are or what the substance of the negotiation even is. For now, we’ll just have to wait, like we’ve done since the March election. And not to be a pessimist, but preparing for the parties to announce shortly before Christmas that January is now their target end-date for the new government is something the Dutch people should do – and may already have.

Written by Marla Thomson

08-12-2021 13:07

We provide worldwide moving services tailored to your requirements.

info@atlas-movers.com | +31 (0) 297 348 281 www.atlas-movers.com

The Relocation Professionals About us? Professional relocation company based in Haarlem, The Netherlands. The owner of the company is an expat herself and moved here 10 years ago. Why us? We don’t deal in problems we deal in solutions. Moving is in the top ten list of stressful life events. We know things don’t always go smoothly, we work to solve them quickly. How we work? One to one communication. Fast action and feedback. Competitive prices - no hidden costs. One offs or long term relocation projects our speciality. Get in touch? Call us to find out more on +31 (0) 23 549 2441 or; send an email to nadia@relocate-me.nl

Relocate Me BV Kruisweg 40, 2011 LD, Haarlem +31 235492441 www.relocate-me.nl

THT10_2021 _CS.indd 6

08-12-2021 12:56

JANUARY 2022 | 7

NATIONAL

University of Amsterdam struggles with growing numbers of international students This year, for the first time in its history, the University of Amsterdam (UvA) enrolled more than 40,000 students. According to university numbers, there were 39,051 undergraduate and master’s students attending the university last year. That number rose to 41,206 for the 2021/22 academic year, an increase of approximately 6 percent. This trend, according to university administrators, is largely driven by increased international student enrolment. University leaders are sounding the alarm, arguing that the pattern is negatively impacting the quality of education provided by the institution due to overcrowded classrooms, student housing shortages, overworked professors and overwhelmed employees who simply are too strapped for time and resources to effectively assist students. “We can’t and don’t want to grow anymore,” asserts Geert ten Dam, Chair of the university’s board. Over the past few years, the Netherlands has become a popular destination for international students due to the widespread availability of university programs taught in English, low tuition fees and the attractiveness of Amsterdam as a destination. “At the University of Amsterdam, we offer high-quality instruction, a Dutch- and English-language curriculum, a relatively low tuition fee for students from the EU and the city of Amsterdam is a magnet for many,” suggests Ten Dam. Out of this year’s matriculating class of 8126 undergraduates, more than 66 percent - 3,240 in total - come from outside of the Netherlands, an increase of more than 33 percent from the year before. Between the 2020/21 and 2021/22 academic years, on the other hand, the number of Dutch students starting an undergraduate course at the university dropped

by approximately 4 percent, with this year’s enrollment numbers topping out at 4,886. While more and more students from a variety of countries are coming to the Netherlands to pursue a degree, most international undergraduates attending UVA hail from countries within the European Union, with large numbers of students coming from Poland, Romania and Italy. Still, the number of Chinese students beginning an undergraduate course of study at UvA this year increased by 87 percent over last year’s numbers — there are currently 206 firstyear undergraduates from China studying at the university. On the other hand, drastically fewer first-year students from Canada and the United States are attending the university this year: enrolment from these two nations dropped by more than 67 percent this year. The number of master’s students at UvA increased this year as well, although the growth has been more restrained. New master’s enrollments only increased by 2 percent from the 2020/21 to the 2021/22 academic year. This year, 6,845 new master’s students started working towards a degree at the university, of which 1,695 were international students. Last year, in comparison, 1,466 international students matriculated into master’s programs. The majority of international first-year master’s students registered for the 2021/22 academic year are from the European Union, with this year’s total reaching 1,012. There were also striking increases in the number of students from the United States and China, with first-year enrollment in master’s programs by students from those nations rising by more than 61 and 37 percent, respectively. This year, 114 new master’s students from the United States and 272 from China are attending the university.

According to university leaders, the institution simply cannot withstand any more growth. “The limit has been passed. We need tools from The Hague to address the increase. This won’t stop on its own,” suggests Ten Dam. University leaders have spent the last four years asking the government to address the crisis. Progress on that front, however, stalled with the January fall of the Rutte III cabinet. The university, nevertheless, continues to press for change. “Instruments must finally be put in place to enable us to manage the influx; we also need structural investments in higher education,” argues Ten Dam. Meanwhile, the university has begun experimenting with ways to limit the explosion of international enrollees, including emphasizing the Dutch nature of the institution by requiring international students to become proficient in Dutch and advising those who cannot find housing in the city to consider attending another institution. Written by Lorre Luther

Shocking increase in mental health problems among students Many college and university students have suffered from mental issues in the past year, according to the joint study between Trimbos Institute, RIVM and GGD GHOR Netherlands.

students with a current student debt of €50,000 or more experienced a high degree of financial stress, compared to 24 per cent of students with astudent debt of less than €5,000.

The study, called “Monitor Mental Health and Substance Use Among Students”, was conducted among 28,000 students from fifteen participating educational institutions during the third wave of the Covid pandemic, between May and June of 2021. It was commissioned bye Minister of Education, Culture and Science, Ingrid van Engelshoven, and State Secretary Paul Blokhuis. It was the first time that such a study of this nature and magnitude was conducted among college and university students in the Netherlands.

Furthermore, more than three quarters of students felt lonely; a quarter felt a strong sense of loneliness. 80 per cent indicated that Covid was the major source of their loneliness, since most of them were taking online classes, while places for socialization like cafes and gyms were closed.

The study also sheds light on the issue of substance abuse among students. 27 per cent of respondents admitted to being excessive drinkers, with 41 per cent indicating that it was socially acceptable in their group of friends to drink more than ten alcoholic drinks on a night out. In terms of drugs, cannabis was the most consumed drug, taking into account that it is easily accessible. It was reported that a third of students had used it once in the previous year. Moreover, 13 per cent of respondents had used ecstasy in the same period, 9 per cent had used nitrous oxide and 4 per cent other medicines. Telling was the fact that these drugs were consumed especially during exam periods. International students, immigrants and those who identified as LGBTQ+ were reported to have a harder time during the pandemic. The results of this study shocked the authorities. Lisanne de Roos, Chair of the Inter-city Student Consultation (ISO), said: “It is shocking to see that so many students are struggling to keep their heads above water and that one in four students say that they wish to be dead now and then. After today, no one can say that mental problems occur only in a few students.”

26 per cent of students were so negatively affected that they sometimes wanted to take their own lives. Covid was the major factor, while student debt also affected the students’ mental wellbeing. For example, 50 per cent of

A similar sentiment was communicated by the Minister of Education, Ingrid van Engelshoven: “We are going to

One element of the study was stress. It was reported that 97 per cent of students experienced stress, while for half of all students this stress was due to Covid. More than half of the respondents reported experiences of psychological problems associated with exhaustion, loneliness and pressure to perform. 12 per cent of these problems were classified as serious. When it came to pressure to perform, it was highlighted that more than half of students experienced pressure to perform, with this pressure stemming from themselves or others.

THT10_2021 _CS.indd 7

work on this with the greatest urgency, together with students, colleges, universities, mental health providers and researchers.” Furthermore, the Minister elaborated that stress from pressure to perform among students came from more than just education. Financial problems and the bleak prospects in the labour and housing market played an important role. The National Education Program has started investing in improving the mental health of students. It aims to provide support to everyone experiencing difficulties by increasing a sense of connection and involvement between students and between educational institutions and students. The study will be followed up every two years in the coming years. Written by Stephen Swai

08-12-2021 12:40

HSV INTERNATIONAL PRIMARY SCHOOL Website: hsvid.nl

Admissions email: id-admissions@hsvdenhaag.nl; telephone: 070 318 4951

Global citizenship,

lifelong learning

NSL

LIGHTHOUSE SPECIAL EDUCATION

lighthousese.nl

KSS

VNS

VHS

PRESCHOOL THREE LITTLE SHIPS

Covid-19 19 safety measures are in place.

threelittleships.nl

Three Little Ships

The HSV International Preschool

Website: www.threelittleships.nl Admissions: infotls@hsvdenhaag.nl Telephone: +31 (0) 70 335 5698

*28th January*25th February*22nd March*22nd April*17 May*21 June*06 July THT10_2021 _CS.indd 8

07-12-2021 22:09

JANUARY 2022 | 9

NATIONAL

Healthcare collapsing under Covid pressure? The pressure on the hospitals in the region is distributed as fairly as possible, says Kramer, because other hospitals take over patients from those that are very busy. But all hospitals have to take on their share of Covid patients from parts of the country where the hospitals are overflowing, such as Limburg, Brabant and the Rotterdam region. “We are now also converting one of the recovery rooms into an ICU. Just like in the first wave, that department will become an ICU, so that we can deal more efficiently with staff. The numbers are rising very quickly,” explains vascular surgeon and head of the medical crisis team, Roos van Nieuwenhuizen.

As the Covid-19 pandemic continues, the healthcare sector is facing challenges in meeting the rising demand in patient. The healthcare industry is experiencing extreme pressure: patients that need treatment within a few weeks are already being denied. For example, in Amsterdam hospitals are currently able to provide emergency care, but semi-acute care – such as cancer and heart surgery – that has to take place within six weeks is no longer available. The chairman of the Regional Consultation Acute Care Chain (ROAZ) NoordHolland and Flevoland, Mark Kramer, gives more insight into the situation: “with the number of admissions, we are now almost at the maximum level of the second, third and fourth waves of last winter. If the number of infections continues to rise at this rate, then I do not know whether we will be able to continue to properly treat patients with emergencies and semi-emergencies in the future”.

To help aid in the increased demand for care, more healthcare staff are being called in on their days off, despite the fact that they have not even recovered from the endless work in the earlier waves . “We mainly call on anaesthesia and OR staff. I was very resentful of mobilizing them again, because of course no one wants to work so much. Nevertheless, I think that everyone is flexible again. They feel like: ‘We will manage this again’.” What is code black? As the pandemic seems to ease at some moments but heighten at others, some healthcare workers are questioning when it will end as they try to provide aid to the vastly increasing number of patients. “What’s going to happen? And how long will this continue? This great uncertainty gnaws at the staff. Yet we must respond stoically to it. We have to be ready and all efforts must be focused on preventing a scenario of code black,” adds Van Nieuwenhuizen. “Code black doesn’t mean ‘everyone save themselves’, but is rather a signal to society: do not count on healthcare always solving the problem,” explains Hans Meij, medical anthropologist, head of the Human Genetics department and division chair of the Outpatient Care department of Amsterdam UMC.

The Netherlands has one of the best performing healthcare systems on a global scale. As the Covid-19 pandemic began, however, the number of ward and ICU beds was not sufficient. This meant that some patients’ health conditions could not be treated or some treatments not being available at all anymore. Since the start of the pandemic, many hospital staff have left their jobs due to the extreme pressure – both timewise and emotionally – that they had to face. As a result, there are now even fewer beds available than at the start of the pandemic. Finding a solution In order to offer as many people as possible access to care, healthcare providers have to decide which patients need to be treated immediately. First, those in need of acute care (including Covid, accidents, heart attacks, strokes) are treated, followed by those who need urgent care (cancer, open-heart surgery). Finally, non-urgent but necessary care (such as hip replacements and cataracts) is carried out. However, due to the limited availability of beds, some people have been waiting for such nonurgent surgeries for more than a year. This may seriously damage their health in the long term and lead to higher medical costs in the future. “The demand for health care to catch up is too great. It requires a structurally different view of healthcare from us Dutch people. People should take more personal responsibility for their health and not assume care will always be available,” says Meij. He adds that these are times when everyone must take that responsibility and adhere to the collective Covid restrictions. “This is such a time. We have to realize that code black is not a storm for the sector, but rather a red card for society,” Meij concludes.

Written by Nicole Kerr

Amsterdam Light Festival celebrates anniversary with highlights from previous editions From 2 December 2021 to 23 January 2022, the tenth edition of Amsterdam Light Festival takes place. Sailing on or walking along the Amsterdam canals, you can enjoy more than twenty top works in Amsterdam’s canals: public favourites and the most special, inspiring and popular light art of the past nine editions. Amsterdam Light Festival has been organized in the past decade with 270 works of art, nine exhibitions and over six million visitors and has become one of the leading light art festivals in the world. For ten years, the festival has been lighting the dark winter months. Its light art, against the photogenic backdrop of Amsterdam, connects and enriches residents and visitors through its accessible art form. Celebrate Light The overarching theme this winter is Celebrate Light, a reference to the anniversary of the festival. Audience favourites and the most special, inspiring and popular works from the past nine editions return to the city. In the eastern part of the centre, more than twenty works will be placed, many of them made especially for the festival, which subsequently became part of our own collection. In recent years, these works have been showcased around the world, from London and Athens to Baltimore and Riyadh. In addition to these highlights, young and upcoming talent has been working in special education programs for the seventh year in a row. Students of the Breitner Academy have created a new light artwork under the supervision of curators and technicians from the festival. In addition,

THT10_2021 _CS.indd 9

850 primary school pupils in Amsterdam have attended workshops and participated in an art installation about child poverty. Both works are part of the route. Boating and walking You can follow the route along the artworks by boat and on foot.

Tickets can be ordered via the festival website. Due to the current Covid measures, the lights will be switched on between 7 AM and 5 PM only. Boat tours are available between 3 and 5 PM. These times may change after 19 December, so check the website for the latest news. www.amsterdamlightfestival.nl

Butterfly Effect (Masamichi Shimada)

08-12-2021 12:43

LYCEE FRANCAIS VINCENT VAN GOGH

International American Section from the 6th year (CE2) in The Hague and Amsterdam.

LOOKING FOR A BACHELOR’S OR MASTER’S PROGRAMME?

DEN HAAG

AMSTERDAM

Scheveningseweg 237 2584 AA Den Haag

Rustenburgerstraat 246 1073 GK Amsterdam

+31(0)70 306 69 20

+31(0)20 644 65 07

Dutch Language and Integration Classes

Learn about our 200+ English-taught programmes at our Bachelor's and Master's Online Open Days

10 - 12 MARCH 2022

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT LANGUAGE COURSE? Look no further. We are here to help prepare you for the state and integration exams in the best way possible while also offering a much broader learning experience. You will get the most out of your time in our virtual classrooms! www.discoverindutch.nl | info@discoverindutch.nl Sieger Timmerman 06-13054490 | Robert Pelgrim 06-20912404

Discover the world at Leiden University Ad-1 - Open Days of schools edition-04.indd 1 THT10_2021 _CS.indd 10

25-11-2020 13:02 08-12-2021 22:30

JANUARY 2022 | 11

NATIONAL

The eleventh hour? Only 30 percent of the Dutch trust their government

According to a recently published report about the social impact of Covid-19 in the Netherlands, at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic in April 2020, voter approval and trust in the Dutch government was at an all-time high of 70 percent. In September 2021, when the last poll of the study was conducted, that rate had plummeted to a frightening 30 percent. Historically, poor approval rates for a government are never a good sign. In 1672, when the Dutch Republic was invaded by foreign armies, instead of banning together, urban populations blamed the ruling municipal regents. In The Hague, an angry mob took to the streets where they brutally murdered the country’s leader, Johan de Witt, and his brother Cornelis, and strung their corpses from a tree where upside down, like carcasses. The recent study, a collaboration of the Erasmus University of Rotterdam, the municipalities of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague, and research agency Kieskompas (Election Compass) has been monitoring voter approval of the government. The investigation started in April 2020 at the onset of the pandemic and held regular updates in July 2020, November 2020, March 2021 and September 2021. Government failures One of the major conclusions of the study is that the drastic decline in approval rating

of the Dutch government is not due to its policies in managing the Covid crisis, but rather its political incompetence and failure to form a new coalition since the latest elections in March 2021. Moreover, the government’s negligence in solving the childcare allowance scandal is another cause of discontent for voters. Since 2015, Rutte’s government systematically accused of fraud thousands of recipients of a government allowance for childcare. Many were forced to pay back thousands of euros, causing financial difficulty for many families. After an earlier government report had disclosed the government’s responsibility for the fiasco, Rutte’s coalition cabinet finally resigned in January 2020. The parents were promised compensation for their financial losses, but the process is slow and many have still not received any money. However, the declining confidence in the current Dutch government is not helping in implementing government policies to halt the Covid pandemic. Lack of trust in the government is an important reason for many citizens to avoid vaccination. According to the report, 12 percent of the total Dutch population refuse to be vaccinated, and 23 percent of the nonvaccinated argue that they do not trust the government and its agencies.

correlation between educational level and trust in governmental institutions: the higher-educated have more confidence in the government. Those with a more vocational education background tend to be more hesitant, even doubtful, of government policies and regulations. There is also a noteworthy difference between age groups and trust in the government: young people trust the government the most and older generations the least. Those with the lowest confidence in the government during the period April and June 2020 were those aged 50 to 64 years old. The lowest confidence level of all was discovered in December 2020 among those 65 and older.

Education and age The report specifies

Hooligans Since the report was published in early

significant

November, discontent with the government has only grown. On 26 November, only hours after the Prime Minister announced new Covid regulations which included closing cafés, restaurants, gyms and theaters at 5pm, hooligans in Rotterdam flocked to the streets and taunted local authorities with fireworks, setting cars on fire. In the past, young men who have not yet established careers and families are usually the first to express their distrust in the government and its regulations. However, when law-abiding, educated citizens with nine-to-five jobs and mortgages take to the streets, then authorities should be alarmed.

Written by Benjamin B.Robert

Anger and unrest sweep across the Netherlands over new Covid restrictions

Hundreds took to the streets in various cities in the Netherlands as anger mounted over new Covid restrictions imposed by the government to tackle the recent surge in cases. From Rotterdam, Enschede to Leeuwarden and Langdonk, Covid protests turned violent in various cities in the Netherlands during the past few weeks. The riots erupted after the government announced semi-lockdown measures, including the closure of all businesses between 5 pm and 5 am. The decision came after a new Covid variant named Omicron emerged, trying to take the world in its grip. And soon after the new Covid rules came into effect, the bucolic country of bridges and bikes was swept by some of

THT10_2021 _CS.indd 11

the worst riots ever in the last 40 years. Rioters burned bikes and cars, destroyed street furniture and looted properties, while others blew up a pedestrian bridge in Amsterdam. People even clashed with police, especially in Rotterdam, leading to nearly 500 arrests. The rioters include anti-government groups, Covid skeptics, bored people who have been cooped up inside and criminals trying to take undue advantage of the chaos and create unrest in the country. This toxic cocktail created a spark and supporters were galvanized through various means such as Telegram, WhatsApp and other social media platforms.

Not just the big cities such as Amsterdam, The Hague and Rotterdam, but several smaller Dutch towns witnessed violence: rioters looted a supermarket, set off heavy fireworks, hurled stones at police and caused destruction in various parts of the country. Urk, a small fishing village in the northern Netherlands, has a substantial anti-government population. This was already shown several times during the Covid pandemic, for example when local youths burned down a Covid testing center. Emergency ordinances were also imposed in various municipalities in Limburg, after rioters took to social media for inciting violence and gathering more protesters. The protest took an ugly turn in Roosendaal, when a fire was set to a primary school. The police were already prepared for demonstrations, disturbances and protests in response to the new lockdowns. Police arrested dozens of protesters for disturbing public order. Emergency orders were issued in various parts of the countries, when demonstrations turned life-threatening. According to the reports, many police officials got injured in fighting the situation. There had been protests over many issues in the past too, but the scale and violence of these recent demonstrations have shocked the entire nation. Outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte condemned the riots and described them as pure violence under

the guise of demonstration. Many other government officials also expressed their shock about the protests. The outgoing Justice Minister Ferd Grapperhaus stated that “the riots are the results of highly organized violence and have nothing to do with social or political discontent”. Last week, the situation appeared a bit calmer as several protesters marched peacefully at Amsterdam’s Dam square, opposing Covid restrictions. Many protesters criticized the government’s plans to exclude the unvaccinated from entering restaurants and bars. Covid cases shot up to 22.000 average per day in the last week, the highest figure in the Netherlands since the pandemic broke out. The government is making every endeavour to contain the virus, but people need to follow the imposed restrictions. The government is walking a fine line between necessary measures and a population that is frustrated, fed up and reluctant to follow the continuously changing Covid restrictions. Frustration is understandable, but riots can never be a solution or answer. One helpful tactic could be marketing “moral responsibility” – creating a fine balance between people’s freedom and government’s policies. It is crucial to reiterate that we are “all in this together”. Written by Parul Sachdeva

08-12-2021 12:46

23 FEBRUARY 2022 ∙ COME & MEET US!

OPEN DAY ISD SECONDARY

Inspiring learning for a sustainable future

Why choose • IB World School • Small tight-knit community • Culturally diverse • Focus on Design & Technology

MORE INFO • Future oriented learning • • Supportive and dedicated international staﬀ • Great accesibility - between Rotterdam & The Hague

Starting school is a big step in your child’s life. Let’s take that step together. We enrol children all year round. britishschool.amsterdam +31 (0) 20 67 97 840

THT10_2021 _CS.indd 12

08-12-2021 13:01

JANUARY 2022 | 13

EDUCATION

Tutoring from home, away from home As an expat family, foreign schooling can be challenging without the right tutor. There’s a lot of pressure on parents to retain a sense of normalcy and routine for their children amidst the stress of moving countries. An integral part of this process is ensuring that their children transition into new schooling painlessly. To help with this, online tutoring has provided a way for expat children to connect with their learning journey comfortably from wherever they are, and to support them in their transition to school life in a new country. Here’s what Hélène Rombaut from GoStudent has to say about tutoring expat children in the Netherlands. Tell us about your tutoring journey thus far. Where are you from? How did you get into tutoring? HR: It all started when I offered to help an acquaintance with her daughter’s French lessons. As I was living in Luxembourg at the time, I ended up tutoring via video call and it worked out perfectly as my student ended up doubling her grades in French. I loved online tutoring from that moment on and jumped at the opportunity to join GoStudent. After completing an admission test, GoStudent paired me and my skills with students from all over Europe and here I am today, loving every second of it. What do you think expat kids struggle with the most? HR: I think their biggest struggle is learning how to communicate with their peers in a foreign language. Being an expat

child, you crave social connection more than before and so for them, learning the nuances and details of a new language they want to learn is really important to them. If you can find a tutor that really understands those cultural and linguistic nuances of the country they’re in, it can help kids learn about these things in a less pressurised environment. Why do you think tutoring is important for expat kids? HR: I believe that expat kids need a close circle of support they can trust and feel safe in, especially when it comes to learning. 1:1 tutoring is a great way to help kids find a safe space to learn in at their own pace and in a way that’s familiar to them. What’s the best thing about tutoring online? HR:The best thing about online tutoring is that there is hardly any stress for the kids or the tutor. You can learn from the comfort of your own home and there’s no juggling between timetables of work and tutoring and traffic stress. You don’t have to hike all over town with bags and laptops. It really is the most hassle-free way of learning. What’s the one thing you wish parents knew about tutoring? HR: I find that learning happens best when there’s some trust extended to the tutor and the child, as it’s important that we have the freedom to build a good learning relationship based on our own terms.

©Julie Cameron How do you manage stressful timetables with kids? HR: Unlike traditional school methods, everyone should feel comfortable and ready for the lesson.This means allowing room for flexibility and collaboration to lead your lesson. If a child is feeling stressed about their timetables, it’s important to let them know that they can extend some sort of control over their situation.

seeing a child’s progress is so rewarding and I love the personal relationships you can build up with those students. It is more than a rewarding job, I call it “my calling” and “my life’s work” - and as the saying goes a “life’s work is never done”. www.gostudent.org

What do you love about tutoring? HR: I love being able to transmit knowledge and enthusiasm to another person from the comfort of your own home. Secondly,

Tips for helping your child adjust to a new school Change can be difficult for kids and starting at a new school – in a different country no less – can be tough. Before sending them off for their first day of school, here are some tips to make the transition easier. Making the change easier Starting a new school in a new country (combined with a new language!) can seem like a daunting prospect. Thankfully, there are many things you can do to give your child a head start in adjusting to the changes and understanding the Dutch school system. Gather information ahead of time Try to speak with your child’s teacher before they start school so you can gather helpful information and help them prepare. Knowing what to expect will prevent unwelcome surprises, too. • Ask about the school’s plan to help international students adjust. • Find out how a typical day is structured and explain it to your child, as knowing what to expect makes things easier. • Enquire about rules for using the toilet. • See if your kid needs to bring a snack and/ or lunch. If they do, consider taking them to buy a new lunchbox at Hema, Blokker or another store to get them excited. • Check and see if they have physical education classes and whether they need to bring anything special, like shoes or sweatpants. • Research how drop-off and pick-up works. Can you come into the classroom, or do you have to wait outside? If you need to meet your child somewhere, show them where they need to go in advance.

THT10_2021 _CS.indd 13

Help your child socialise Meeting people and making friends is a big part of adapting to a new school. Once they have a few buddies, they’ll start feeling at home, so take some steps to help with socialising. • Try to arrange some play dates and meetups for your child. They can be a great way to start learning Dutch and will give them something to look forward to. • Invite other kids to your home, but remember that in the Netherlands, other parents typically don’t join play dates. • Take your child to a local playground and encourage them to interact with other kids while you chat with fellow mums and dads. You’ll find Dutch people are usually easy to speak with, especially if you tell them you’re new here. • Find after school activities by Googling “naschoolse activiteiten” and adding the area where you live, or check www. kidsproof.nl for fun ways to meet other children and practise Dutch.

they get enough sleep every night; Dutch kids between the ages of three and eight usually go to bed around 19:30. • Encourage your child to communicate openly, express themselves and share their feelings. Just talking with others can help relieve stress. • Remind yourself that your child is going through a big change and adapting can be hard. This period can be tough on parents as well, so go easy on yourself, too. • Take a deep breath and trust that everything will work out. Adjusting to a new environment takes time and can’t be rushed. Pressuring yourself (or your child) won’t make it happen any quicker.

Put on a brave face When you’re new in the Netherlands, try to be confident around your child. Moving to a different country can be intimidating (and a little scary), but if you’re brave and positive, chances are they will follow your lead. Learning Dutch can also make things easier – and it’s fun – so look into lessons and try to practise with your family. If you’d like to learn more about helping your family adjust to life in the Netherlands, Young Expat Services offers practical advice, resources and support to get you started. www.youngexpatservices.nl

Making life easier at home Helping your child adjust to a new school doesn’t stop when they leave the classroom, but there are many things you can do at home to ease the process along for you and them. • Establish a routine at home (for instance, determine a bedtime and stick to it) to give your child the stability of a schedule. • If your child is homesick for the place you used to live, discuss this with them. Explain that you understand and that this phase will pass. • Getting used to a new school can be tiring, so remember that your child might seem worn out. Try to make sure

08-12-2021 17:55

MYPS1T-E5R

REGI

NOW

BACKERSHAGENLAAN 5, 2243 AB WASSENAAR, WWW.INTERNATIONALSCHOOLWASSENAAR.NL

Connected

Curious

Nestled in the heart of leafy Wassenaar, within touching distance of The Hague and Leiden, the INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL WASSENAAR provides high quality international education in a warm, safe and supportive learning environment.

Follow the #ASHexperience on social media.

@AmericanSchoolofTheHague

CMY

Compassionate

www.ishthehague.nl

2022-2023 Admissions now open THT10_2021 _CS.indd 14

@AmericanSchoolofTheHague @AmericanSchoolofTheHague @AmSchoolHague

www.ash.nl

08-12-2021 17:33

JANUARY 2022 | 15

EDUCATION

Open days overview Most primary and secondary schools have a rolling admissions policy for incoming freshman students. This essentially means that students are free to apply at any time during the admissions process. For this reason most of them do not organize official Open Days. Some of the primary and secondary schools offer specific moments for getting to know the school. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, many schools do not offer open days at the school this year. Many offer an online event to get to know the school, or other online ways for prospective pupils and their parents to gather information. Please check the websites of the schools you’re interested in, to see how you can get in touch and learn more about them. Alliance Française de La Haye Emmapark 6 2595 ET Den Haag T: 070 362 15 23 W: .aflahaye.nl American School of The Hague Rijksstraatweg 200 2241 BX Wassenaar T: 070 512 1060 W: ash.nl Visit our virtual admissions experience. See our website. Amity International School Amsterdamseweg 204 1182 HL Amstelveen T: 020 345 44 81 W: amityschool.nl 13 January 2022 Virtual Open Day 25 January 2022 Early Years Stay and Play (3-6 y/o) Amstelland International School Asserring 93 1187 SM Amstelveen T: 020 820 90 91 W: amstelland-international-school.nl Open day 10 February 2022 15.30-17.30 Amsterdam International Community School Prinses Irenestraat 59 1077 WV Amsterdam T: 020 577 12 40 Darlingstraat 2 1102 MX Amsterdam Arent Janszoon Ernststraat 130 1082 LP Amsterdam W: aics.espritscholen.nl Thank you for visiting the AICS website. We will not be holding Open Days at this school for the foreseaable future, however, if you would like more information about the school, please visit our SECONDARY SCHOOL and ADMISSIONS pages. British School of Amsterdam Havenstraat 6 1075 PR Amsterdam T: 020 679 7840 W: britams.nl Sign up to receive our video tour and we are also able to offer visits in person or online. See our website to arrange a visit.

2134 CG Hoofddorp T: 023 563 1644 W: haarlemmermeerlyceum.nl HSV International and Dutch Primary School W: hsvdenhaag.nl NSL Location Nassaulaan 26 2514 JT The Hague T: 070 318 49 50 KSS Location Koningin Sophiestraat 24A 2595 TG The Hague T: 070 324 34 53 VHS Location Van Heutszstraat 12 2593 PJ The Hague T: 070 205 11 41 VNS Location Van Nijenrodestraat 16 2597 RM The Hague T: 070 328 14 41 Three Little Ships Int. Preschool Van Heutszstraat 12 2593 PJ Den Haag T: 070 335 56 98 International School Amsterdam Sportlaan 45 1185 TB Amstelveen T: 020 347 1111 W: isa.nl International School Delft Colijnlaan 2 2613 VZ Delft T: 015 820 0208 W: internationalschooldelft.com Open day ISD Secondary 23 February 2022 Open lessons 2 February 2022 International School Haarlem Schreveliusstraat 27 2014 XP Haarlem T: 023 220 0001 W: internationalschoolhaarlem.nl International School The Hague Wijndaelerweg 11 2554 BZ The Hague T: 070 328 14 50 W: ishthehague.nl

Eerde International Boarding School Kasteellaan 1 7731 PJ Ommen T: 0529 451 452 W: eerde.nl

International School Twente Johannes ter Horststraat 30 7513 ZH Enschede T: 053 206 8035 W: internationalschooltwente.nl

European School The Hague Houtrustweg 2 2566 HA Den Haag T: 070 700 16 00 W: europeanschoolthehague.nl Information mornings Early Years and Primary School (Location Houtrustweg) Information mornings Secondary School (Location Oostduinlaan 50) We hold regular information mornings for the Primary School and Secondary School, come and meet us and have a look around

International School Utrecht Van Bijnkershoeklaan 8 3527 XL Utrecht 030 870 0400 W: isutrecht.nl

Haarlemmermeer Lyceum Baron de Coubertinlaan 2

THT10_2021 _CS.indd 15

International Waldorf School The Hague 2e Messstraat 31 2586 XA The Hague T: 070 783 0030 W: internationalwaldorfschool.nl International School Wassenaar Backershagenlaan 5 2243 AB Wassenaar

W: internationalschoolwassenaar.nl T: 070 511 0400 29 January 2022 10.00-12.00 Please visit our open-morning page on the website. International Secondary Dept. at Het Rijnlands Lyceum Apollolaan 1 2341 BA Oegstgeest T: 071 519 35 55 W: rlo.nl Open day 22 January 2022 10.00-14.00 Information session 18 January 2022 Lycee Francais van Gogh Scheveningseweg 237 2584 AA Den Haag T: 070 306 6920 Rustenburgerstraat 246 1073 GK Amsterdam T: 020 644 6507 W: lfvvg.com Nord Anglia International School Rotterdam Verhulstlaan 21 3055 WJ Rotterdam T: 010 422 5351 W nordangliaeducation.com Virtual Open Morning Schedule on Friday 8 October 9.30 Please register on our website. Optimist International School Waddenweg 87 2134 XL Hoofddorp T: 023 303 59 24 W:optimist-international-school.nl 2 December online Open days 2022 27 January - 15 March - 28 June You can always book a quick chat for questions via the website openapply. The British School in The Netherlands Vrouw Avenweg 640 2493 WZ Den Haag T: 070 315 40 77 W: britishschool.nl The German International School van Bleiswijkstraat 125 2582 LB Den Haag T: 070 354 9454 W: disdh.nl UNIVERSITIES Nyenrode Business Universiteit Breukelen T: 0346 291 211 W: nyenrode.nl Livestream online open dag on our website Rotterdam University of Applies Science T: 010 794 4394 W: rotterdamuas.com University of Leiden Rapenburg 70 2311 EZ Leiden T: 071 527 27 27 W: universiteitleiden.nl Open days 10-12 March 2022

UWC Maastricht T: 0432 410 410 W: uwcmaastricht.nl Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam W: vu.nl VU Bachelor open day 5 February 2022 See for more information our website LANGUAGE SCHOOLS Most language schools do not have Open Days. By a lot of them you can follow trial lessons to decide if you like to follow further lessons. British Language Training Centre Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 328 E 1012 RW Amsterdam T: 020 622 36 34 W: bltc.nl BSN Language Center Lange Houtstraat 26 2511 CW Den Haag T: 070 315 4080 W: bsnlanguagecentre.nl Direct Dutch Institute T: 070 365 4677 W: directdutch.com Discover in Dutch T: 06 13 05 44 90 W: discoverindutch.nl Flowently T: 085 888 3012 W: flowently.com Heart of Language Nieuwe Parklaan 17 2597 LA Den Haag T: 06 4531 4750 W: heartoflanguage.nl Kickstart School Koninginnegracht 62 2514 AG Den Haag T: 070 360 7860 W: kickstartschool.nl 6 January 2022 17.30-19.30 8 January 2022 12.00-15.00 We offer online and face classes in line with Corona regulations Language Institute Regina Coeli T: 073 684 8790 W: reginacoeli.nl TaalBoost Marnixstraat 80 1015 XX Amsterdam T: 020 341 80 38 W: taalboost.nl Taalthuis Lorentzplein 25 2012 HH Haarlem T: 023 305 0305 W: taalthuis.nl Talenmeester T: 06 1006 4361 W: talenmeester.nl Ute’s International Lounge T: 06 5060 1984 W: utesinternationallounge.com

08-12-2021 21:35

At Kühler & Partners International Mental Health we provide psychological healthcare for Kids & Teens. We have a specialist team of child psychologists and a child psychiatrist, offering high quality care to children age 6-18 and their families. We are there to support children who experience psychological issues such as anxiety, depression, stress due to major life events, low conﬁdence and self-esteem, problems with attention, behaviour or emotion regulation. If these problems do not disappear by themselves and last too long, they may have an impact on different areas in the child’s life, such as family, friends and school. Therapy or counselling can help to ﬁnd a way forward. We work together with children and parent(s)/families towards a healthier and better personal wellbeing. After initial assessment, we offer individual therapy, parent- and family counselling. Our treatments are tailormade, short if possible and longer if needed. We are a multidisciplinary team of professionals with an international background.

If necessary or desirable, we advise or work together with schools.

Because sometimes you need a little guidance to ﬁnd your way.

Please contact us at +31 (0) 85 0660 500 Kühler & Partners International Mental Health | Kids & Teens Contact details +31 (0) 85 0660 500 info@internationalmentalhealth.nl

THT10_2021 _CS.indd 16

Clinics Amsterdam Den Haag

08-12-2021 13:03

JANUARY 2022 | 17

COLUMN

How to handle the holiday blues (& other variations) I would venture to guess that while most of us who grew up celebrating Christmas have heard that it’s the most wonderful time of the year, we know, in our heart of hearts, it’s just another month. But we feel sad about it all the same, as though we should feel that way. We spend the month longing and lacking, as though everyone else spends their December in a Coca-Cola Christmas ad. The holiday blues means temporary anxiety or depression during the holiday season. While there are some very real reasons to be sad right now, and for some, Christmas is always a difﬁcult time, the blues refer to a more general malaise that you cannot quite place. Poignantly, festivities only exist because our pagan ancestors knew that life was tough at the end of the year. To stay healthy, we needed to rely on our social bonds, our oldest evolutionary tool. However, it seems we’ve lost sight of this. Surveys show that over a quarter of us struggle with the festive expectation to be happy. The holidays do little more than act as a magnifying glass on our internal state, heightening our sadness and stress. So now, as the omicron variant erases most expats’ festive plans with etch-a-sketch speed, I asked clinical psychologist Talia Zamorano Macchiavello to help me understand how we can navigate the it-should-be-different trap. Are expectations the root of all (festive) heartache? Macchiavello explains that the blues are a common phenomenon, because the festive period “connects us with our feelings of when we were children and when holidays were felt to be a perfect time… there’s no happiness like the joy you

felt as a child”. Essentially, the holidays remind us of a childlike happiness that we think we’ve lost, which leads to a sense of melancholia. However, we all have different reactions to that loss. Some of us will cling to the past as the truth. Macchiavello notes that it is particularly common in people who struggle with anxiety, as we try to perpetually recreate that perfect happiness, only to feel let down that Christmas isn’t like it’s ‘supposed to be’. Others avoid festivities altogether, knowing only that they don’t want to face the feelings of loss. I can use a story from my own anxiety-driven life to help us understand this. When I was 13, my mum’s Christmas present to me was a GHD hair straightener (dead-straight hair was all the rage in Ireland circa 2009), and like a perfectly spoiled teen, I cried my eyes out. My mum was understandably annoyed with me, it was a great gift, and I was as upset at my own selfishness as she was. So, why? Why the crying? I wasn’t disappointed with the present itself; I had wanted it. I was disappointed with my own reaction to the gift. I had been expecting to feel a childlike sense of joy, and instead, I was met with a more adult watered-down version. And it is precisely in that gap – between what we thought there was and what there is – that we find the root of our heartache. But it could also be (or at least, it is to a Lacanian psychoanalyst) that what we do when we’re in that gap – how we deal with that difference between our fantasy and our reality – is where we find our life’s meaning and purpose.

Okay, so how do I navigate these feelings? Above all else, Macchiavello recommends trying to accept those negative emotions. She highlights that “when we tell ourselves not to feel a certain way, or that we are doing it ‘wrong’, all we’re doing is throwing our inner critic into an already painful situation”. It can also help to become curious about your own reactions. For example, the festive period invokes, in Macchiavello’s words, “primal feelings of comfort, love and fullness, which in turn connect us with a sense of loss and alienation”. Observing how you react to these feelings will give you signiﬁcant insights into your unconscious relationship with loss, change and endings. Poignantly, this is exactly what winter is all about. Written by Molly Fitz

Modern Dutch heroes: Sifan Hassan gold medal in both the 1500 meter and 10,000 meter races, as well as bronze on the 5000. This achievement, plus the two gold medals in the world championship in 2019 in Doha, elevated this Ethiopian-born athlete to being the only runner – male or female – to have won two of the middle- and long-distance categories in a single world championship or Olympics. Her Dutch and European medals, records and accolades are far too many to mention here, and to top it all off, Hassan is the current world record holder for the women’s mile, having broken a 23-year-old record.

Every country has its heroes – people who have made such an impact on the country that their inﬂuence and legacy go beyond themselves. Of course there is the father of the Netherlands, William of Orange; wartime monarch, Queen Wilhelmina, and incomparable troubled artist, Vincent van Gogh, who are world-renowned heroes of the Netherlands. But even today there are people making such an impact that they are like modern-day, living heroes destined for enduring legendary status. One such person is middle- and long-distance runner Sifan Hassan. For those of you who caught the 2020 summer Olympic games in Tokyo and subsequent reporting, Sifan Hassan was the golden athlete for the Netherlands – literally – winning the

THT10_2021 _CS.indd 17

Hassan’s two gold medals in the pinnacle events of Olympic track and field won the hearts of the millions of Dutch people and captured the eye of the world as they watched her perform. So amazing is her running, that when she took a fall at the beginning of the qualifying heats for the 1500 meter race, she was able to not only get up but was able to turn on the jets in her legs to make up over 20 meters lost and win her heat. It’s a feat that can only be described as a miracle, even at the Olympics! Seriously, do a search for ‘Sifan Hassan Tokyo 1500 meter fall’ to see the replay! On her athleticism alone, Sifan Hassan is a modern-day hero. Her jaw-dropping speed and perseverance put her in a class of her own. Her medals, accolades and records at every level of official competition have solidified her in the sporting history books. And her almost-shy, humble demeanor with a beaming smile of pride won over the hearts of her fellow Dutch citizens, who love their heroes – especially their sporting

heroes – when she made her rounds on the heavily-watched Dutch evening TV talk shows. But I think that Sifan will be a hero beyond her athletic accolades. She most definitely will be a role model to many track and field dreamers – here in the Netherlands and in her birth country, Ethiopia – but also a role model to many new immigrants coming into the country. She moved here when she was 15 and received utch citi enship five years later – which means she learned Dutch and was fully integrated into daily life in the Netherlands, including learning a new language with a new alphabet. And she only began to run when she started her nursing studies, aged 20. Three years later she made her debut on the European competitive stage in Belgium. For newcomers to the Netherlands, especially from countries and world regions that have different cultures, integration into a new culture can be daunting. Seeing a person who was once an immigrant integrate into a new foreign culture and succeed at such a level must be incredibly inspiring for newly arriving refugees and foreigners to the Netherlands. She is an incredible inspiration for me – and I moved to the Netherlands because I wanted to, not because I had to flee my home country. People like Sifan Hassan will inspire people beyond what they themselves do – for Sifan, this is running, but she will be a role model for many more people beyond our future track and field stars. Written by Marla Thomson Marla Thomson is a freelance writer

08-12-2021 11:34

Discover your talent

AVAILABILITY IN ALL GROU PS

Bringing out your child’s inner magic through excellent international primary education in small classes close to Amsterdam/Schiphol/ Haarlem... come and see us! www.optimist-international-school.nl 0245-OIS20 - Advertentie Holland Times (264x194mm) V2_defv1.indd 1 THT10_2021 _CS.indd 18

08-09-20 16:30 07-12-2021 22:18

JANUARY 2022 | 19

HEALTH

Changing your health insurance before 1 January If you have a mandatory Dutch health insurance (‘Basisverzekering’) then you have the option to change your health insurance policy and/or provider once every year. This article will help you in deciding whether to make a change or not. It covers the following subjects: - What will change in 2022? - To change or not to change your provider or policy? - Changing your current health insurance policy - Switching to another health insurance provider - Is it wise to increase your level of excess (deductible or ‘eigen risico’)? - What supplementary insurance do you really need? - Ways to reduce your healthcare costs - Is Basic Health insurance mandatory? How to get the best deal? As the information will show, this depends on your personal situation and that of your family members. From now on (Nov 12th) until the end of the year, you have the option to look for a better deal. You may switch for instance to another insurance provider or make changes to your current policy. If you decide to change, cancel your current policy no later than December 31st! After cancelling your policy, you have until February 1st 2022 to take out another health insurance policy, that will apply retroactively from January 1st. 2022: What will change Premiums show 3% increase All insurance providers have announced their new premiums for 2022. Premiums increase in average by more than 3 € per month, with a few policies showing an increase of 8 € or more. Some policies have reduced their premium for 2022. If you are entitled to receive a healthcare benefit, you may expect a maximum increase of 3 € per month to offset this premium increase. Mandatory excess unchanged The mandatory deductable (excess or ‘eigen risico’) for 2021 will not change and remains at € 385. The maximum personal contribution for medication will remanin unchanged at 250 €. Changes to coverage of the Basic Health insurance (Check changes with your insurance provider for details): - Coverage of recovery care after corona, in case of severe complaints is extended to at least August 1st 2022. Coverage includes physical therapy, occupational therapy and support by a dietician, - From 2022 mental health care will work with another billing model, that will reflect the actual care provided. There is a disadvantage, however. If treatment exceeds the calendar year limit, the deductible of both years is used. To change or not to change? This depends very much on what you would like to achieve: lower cost, better service, better coverage. If you are not satisfied about the level of service you get, such as ease of getting in contact, handling of claims, you may consider Changing your health insurance provider. If however, you are satisfied about the level of service of your current insurance provider, you may want to first look at making Changes to your current basic health insurance policy. Changing coverage: All basic health insurance policies by law cover the same medical services, treatments, diagnostics and medication. Changing this package is not an option. However, it is possible to take out supplementary insurance that will cover medical costs that are not covered by the basic health insurance, such as cost for dental or physical therapy. If you consider taking out supplementary insurance then you are advised to first check what insurance provider offers the supplementary package that fits your requirements the best. Then also take out your basic health insurance from this provider. If you decide to make changes do so at December 31st at the very latest. If you cancel your insurance by this date, you have until February 1st to sign up with another health insurance provider. If you sign up with a new provider no later than December 31st, this provider will in many cases take care of the cancellation of your current policy.

THT10_2021 _CS.indd 19

Changing your current basic health insurance policy Changes you may consider to reduce cost or have more possibilities of choice: - Cost & Choice: Change the type of policy you have: from a restitution policy to an in-kind (‘natura’) policy or even to a budget policy. A restitution policy offers a free choice of healthcare provider, while an in-kind policy limits your choice to providers that have been contracted by your insurance company. If however your healthcare providers of choice are contracted, a cheaper in-kind policy may be the better option. Check with your insurance provider whether they offer an in-kind policy and whether this would be an attractive option. Some providers offer a combination (‘combinatie’) policy. Read more about policy types. - Cost: Change the level of excess: You may opt for voluntary excess (deductible or ‘eigen risico’) on top of your mandatory excess of € 385. If you go for a maximum of € 885 (€ 385 + € 500 voluntary excess) you may save 1520% in premium (15-20 € per month) . Read ‘Is it wise to change your level of excess’ in this Newsletter to see if this would be sensible to do. Read more about excess. - Cost: Check if there is a special discount available: Many providers offer discounts to members of sport associations, people that are self-employed, entrepreneurs or students (if they require a mandatory health insurance). Check with your insurance provider. Generally they will be helpful to find the discount-package (‘collectiviteit’) that applies to you. The maximum discount that may be offered is only 5%, however. - Cost: Opt for a yearly instead of monthly payment: if you have the about € 1.500 it will cost available, you’ll save about 2% in premium. This is a return you likely won’t have at your savings account. Changing your health insurance provider Now that all providers have announced their premiums for 2022 it may well be attractive to switch provider to reduce your cost, to get better service or better coverage What should you take into consideration when looking for a health insurance provider: - Coverage: All basic health insurance policies by law cover the same medical services, treatments, diagnostics and medication. There are differences in the freedom to select specific healthcare providers, medication and aids. Read more. - Cost: Does your employer offer a corporate health insurance? You probably have done so before, but if not check it out. Even though the discount on the basic health insurance premium for ‘corporate deals’ will be maximized to 5% in 2022, a corporate package may offer other benefits. - Cost and Coverage: What supplementary insurance do you need? While coverage for the basic health insurance is identical at all insurance providers, coverage and premiums for other medical services like dental, physiotherapy or alternative medicine may differ. So before you change, check if the other provider offers the supplementary package you need at an attractive premium, otherwise a reduced premium for the basic package may be offset by a worse deal for your supplementary insurance. Also read the article: ‘What supplementary insurance do you really need’. - Level of service: When you are comparing health insurance providers, check reviews by their customers. Providers differ for instance in how easy it is to contact them. Some only allow contact via mail, chat or app. - Cost and Coverage: Check out the options, premiums and discounts other insurance providers offer for the type of policy and level of excess that you are looking for. Policy types and excess levels are described in the article ‘Changing your Basic Health Insurance Policy‘. Beware before you change: by law your new provider will have to accept you for the basic health insurance, but not necessarily for your desired supplementary packages. Your application may be subject to Medical Acceptance and a Waiting Period may apply. For instance if you opt for supplementary dental insurance there may be a waiting period of a year before you can claim any dental costs.

It should also be indicated what costs were subject to excess. These were costs you have ended up paying yourself up to the maximum of your excess level. Read more about excess and an example how this works in practice. If you expect that the level of claims for 2022 will not be (much) higher than the level of your current excess, it may be attractive to opt for a higher level of excess. Example If your current level of excess is 385 € and the total claims subject to excess in 2021 were 450 € you’ll save € 175 (= 240 € – € 65) in 2022 if you opt for the maximum level of excess (€ 385 + € 500 voluntary excess = € 885): You’ll save 240 € in premium (assumption) but will have to pay the extra costs not covered (450 € – € 385 = € 65) Beware however: You cannot predict for sure what may happen to you. If you incur considerable higher costs of healthcare, you should be able to pay the additional charges of € 500, being the difference between the maximum excess (€ 885) and the mandatory excess (€ 385). If other family members (over 18 years in age) are also insured on your policy your ‘risk’ increases as they all may have more healthcare costs than predicted. You can also opt for a lower level of voluntary excess in steps from 100 € to 500 €. Read more about the total costs of healthcare and insurance you and your family may incur. What supplementary insurance do you really need? Do you need the cover? If you have supplementary insurance, you may ask yourself if you need to be covered for all situations included in the package. For instance, you may be interested in coverage for physiotherapy, but the package you have may also cover contraceptives, glasses and alternative treatment, in which you are not particularly interested. Check if your insurance provider has a package that just covers your needs. Will it save cost? You may also check if the premium you pay for the supplementary package is likely to save you costs. For instance a typical insurance for dental care will cost you 240 € per year and covers up to 500 € in cost. If you have strong teeth and just have 1 or 2 checks per year and maybe a simple filling, the charges you will incur are most likely less than your premium. At the same time, if you really face some serious dental work, 500 € won’t get you far. Beware if you have children under 18 that may need orthodontics. To have this covered often requires one of the parents to have a supplementary dental package. As supplementary insurance is voluntary, only those persons that expect to have larger claims take out these packages. This forces insurance providers to increase premiums or reduce coverage of these packages. Other options to reduce your costs The cost you incur for healthcare is made up of different charges and contributions. Next to premiums, personal contributions and the deductibles (‘eigen risico’) there are the costs you incur for those health care services, medication or medical aids your insurance does not cover. - Check whether your health insurance provider (or any other for that matter) offers a supplementary insurance that partly covers those costs. Be aware however that a provider has no obligation to accept you for a supplementary insurance. Read more about options for supplementary insurance. - If you have a low (family) income you may be eligible for a healthcare benefit (‘Zorgtoeslag’) that covers part of the premium of your health insurance. In 2022 this benefit is expected to increase with ? € (individuals) to ? € (families) per month. - Some healthcare costs above an income dependent threshold are deductible from your income tax.

Is it wise to increase your level of excess? If you have been living for some time in the Netherlands, you should be able to check how much healthcare providers have charged you (or in most cases your insurance provider directly). Your insurance provider should be able to provide you with the total of claims made under your policy.

08-12-2021 17:48

TO DISCOVER THEIR TRUE POTENTIAL

TO PROVIDE THE PATHWAY

EERDE INTERNATIONAL BOARDING SCHOOL NETHERLANDS

curriculum:

• Day school, ﬂexible and full boarding options • Internationally accredited Primary and Secondary education • Unique and stimulating learning environment • Highly qualiﬁed educational staff accreditations:

ofﬁcial partner of:

www.eerde.nl • admission@eerdeibs.nl THT10_2021 _CS.indd 20

07-12-2021 22:19

JANUARY 2022 | 21

INTERVIEW

Spotlight on a contributor after every lockdown ended, people came out with new ideas, and the economy soared. That is one of the reasons why it was the golden age. I predict the same will happen after the current pandemic. We will experience a new golden age. Oh sorry…. I’m getting off track… yes, writing is more than a hobby for me. Who is your favorite writer? What genre do they write in? Or are they a journalist, scholar, etc.? Hands-down, my favorite writer and scholar is Simon Schama. His sentences are like Baroque architecture, ornate and grandiose. They should be read out loud like poetry. And his analysis of Dutch culture is still spot on. I highly recommend The Embarrassment of Riches. An Interpretation of Dutch Culture in the Golden Age. What do you like best about the Netherlands? It never ceases to amaze me how practical the Dutch are. It permeates all levels of society, from social interaction and being brutally honest to the sciences, with a group of students from the Eindhoven University of Technology coming up with the first solar camper van, and Boyan Slat’s Ocean Clean Up, to rid the world of its plastic soup. What is your name and where are you from? My name is Benjamin Roberts and I’m from the United States. What is your business or what do you do? I am a historian, translator and writer. I teach history and journalism for an international summer school program at the University of Amsterdam. Also, I write for tourist magazines and translate books. Next to my ‘sitting’ work, I also teach indoor cycling and yin yoga classes. It’s a little bit of everything, but I really enjoy the diversity. When was the first time you were in the Netherlands? Was it fun? Was it an adventure? My first visit was when I was sixteen years old. My family came for my grandparents’ 50th wedding anniversary (my grandparents are Dutch), and we took a candlelight cruise through the canals of Amsterdam. It was love at first sight. uring that two-and-a-half-hour boat trip, I decided that I wanted to live here and study this country’s fascinating history. Three years later, I arrived at Schiphol Airport with all my worldly belongings stuffed into two suitcases. How long have you been writing for The Holland Times? I have been writing for Holland Times since January 2013. What attracted you to be a contributor to The Holland Times? After publishing my last book Sex, Drugs and Rock ‘n’ Roll in the Dutch Golden Age, I wanted to write for a wider audience on being an expat in the Netherlands. Even though I’ve been here a long time (since 1985), if you haven’t grown up in this country, you can still feel like a foreigner. But it’s a good thing. I have the privilege of viewing things as an outsider, but with inside knowledge. The Holland Times is an ideal way to share that.

Do your friends/family in your home country read your articles? I don’t know, but more family members are asking me how they can move here. What subject is your favorite to write about? Writing about Dutch culture and art. I can literally go into trance staring at Vermeer’s paintings. Is writing a hobby or an aspiration for you? Do you write for your regular job or studies? I write every day. Currently I am ﬁnishing a history book entitled The Other Dutch Golden Age. Fatherhood in Times of War, Pandemics and Lousy Plumbing that I hope to publish next year. It addresses how fathers raised their children during the many wars and numerous plagues of the seventeenth century. The similarities with the plague in seventeenth-century Holland and the current Covid pandemic are uncanny. Amsterdam alone had 23 major outbreaks! And

What do you like least about the Netherlands? I know it’s a cliché, but it’s the endless months of overcast skies, when you look out the window and don’t know if it is 10am or 5pm. That gets me down. Maybe the tech students in Eindhoven can come up with something? Where do you recommend a new expat or visitor to see here in the Netherlands? The major cities are musts, but also the off-thebeat places like Hoorn and Enkhuizen are hidden jewels. Best kept secret in your city? Amsterdam, where I live, unfortunately doesn’t have any secrets, but I can tell you what is ‘the cherry on the cake’. Strolling at night along the Reguliersgracht when the houses are all lit up. Pure bliss… Looking back, what do you wish you knew before you moved to the Netherlands? hen riding a bike, stopping at a red trafﬁc light is optional. Having said that, look twice, three times, and even four times before crossing. What are a few things you recommend to new expats here in the Netherlands? With more than 400 museums in the country, get a Museumjaarkaart (Dutch museum card), and knock yourself out. This country is an art mecca. Not into art? Join a gym. In most major cities, classes are taught in English. Sports is an ideal way to connect with other people whom you would normally not meet. Interview by Marla Thomson

What is the best thing about writing for an expat magazine with such a wide circulation? Besides the diversity of getting to dive into completely different subjects, The Holland Times is a great opportunity to write more in-depth and informative articles. Unlike a daily newspaper, in which the journalist can only sketch the mayhem of the day, sometimes leaving the reader feeling helpless and bewildered, The Holland Times provides readers with more background information in its articles.

THT10_2021 _CS.indd 21

08-12-2021 17:42

BOOST YOUR HEALTH WITH HOLLAND HEALTH CLINIC

Today, 86% of disease is chronic and lifestyle driven. Our certiﬁed physicians and team of medical specialists are trained in functional medicine, meaning they use nutrition, stress endurance, lifestyle change, and cutting-edge testing to help you balance your health and lifestyle and prevent disease while thriving in today’s fast paced world.

We are a clinic for preventative health care. With doctors who listen and understand your needs. We offer state of-the-art Health Checks & Women Hormone Checks, personalised health, lifestyle and medical consults and monthly guidance programs to a healthier you.

BOOST YOUR HEALTH DEAL

Let us help you to start and boost your health and lifestyle: Book a Health Check and receive a free vitamin package (worth €75,-). Use code: HEALTHYTIMES2022 when you book your appointment. valid till june ’22.

Talk to us: 020 210 1230 Minervalaan 29, 1077 NL Amsterdam

www.hollandhealthclinic.com

HEALTH CHECKS - HORMONE CHECKS

THT10_2021 _CS.indd 22

07-12-2021 22:20

JANUARY 2022 | 23

HEALTH/FOREIGN MATTERS

“Care is not just focused on the child and the family, but also actively involves them” biggest change in mother and child care in the last few years? It has to be that we have centralised clinical obstetric care in one place: at HMC Westeinde. Instead of two teams of nurses and doctors in two locations, Bronovo and Westeinde, we now have one large specialist team. We have joined forces, which means we can do even more for mothers and prospective mothers in The Hague and surrounding areas. The new Mother and Child Centre brings all our ambitions together!”

The HMC Sara de Bronovo Mother and Child Centre at the Westeinde location opened its doors on Sunday 28 November. In this modern and comfortable building, care for pregnant women, those seeking to become pregnant, parents or carers and children aged up to 18 will be integrated as much as possible. Gynaecologist Kim Boers has been involved in female and child healthcare at

HMC for many years now. She has worked at HMC for almost two decades. Initially at the HMC Bronovo location, but in recent years also at HMC Westeinde. When the HMC Sara de Bronovo Mother and Child Centre opens at the end of November, Kim will spend much of her time there. She will also continue to work at the outpatient clinic at HMC Bronovo. According to Kim: “What has been the

Family Integrated Care The launch of the Mother and Child Centre marks another step towards Family Integrated Care, explains Kim. “This means that care is not just focused on the child and the parents, but also actively involves them. We want to ensure that the family stays together as much as possible and the parents remain in control wherever possible. This also helps smooth the transition to home. Previously, as professionals, we issued advice based on our areas of expertise. Now we involve the patient and family in the process from the outset. ‘Who do you want to have present at the birth?’ ‘What are your wishes in terms of your pregnancy and giving birth at our hospital?’ And in the case of older children: ‘What does the child need?’ We provide

objective information on the options and treatments, enabling our patients to make informed decisions. This includes pain relief during childbirth, or the options for the safest way to give birth.” One aspect that is strongly supported at the Mother and Child Centre is the option to give birth in a pool. Interest in pool births has risen sharply in recent years. The HMC Sara de Bronovo Mother and Child Centre will offer no fewer than six luxury, adjustable birthing pools. To ensure that every pregnant woman who wants to deliver their baby in a pool can do so. Home monitoring “We are also further expanding the possibilities for home monitoring”, says Kim. “Pregnant women with a medical indication who would usually be admitted can stay at home longer. They can record the baby’s heartbeat in the womb themselves at home. They speak on the phone every day to the HMC midwives, who monitor and assess the situation remotely in consultation with the doctor. It’s a lot less stressful than being admitted to hospital.” www.haaglandenmc.nl

The 200th Year Anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Panama excellent mutually beneficial long-standing diplomatic relationship. The countries are obvious partners considering similarities such as each country´s strategic geographic location, the extensive service center, the globally known logistics network that both countries have enviably developed, the international airports and maritime hub that serve as logistics hubs to the respective regions, amongst others. Amongst other related interests, both countries share a committed concern towards climate change and the devastating effects on our planet.

The Ambassador of Panama, H.E. Mrs. Elizabeth Ward Neiman

On 18th November as to celebrate the 200th year Anniversary of Panama, the Ambassador of Panama, H.E. Mrs. Elizabeth Ward Neiman organized in the Leonardo Royal Hotel in The Hague, a recital which was a tribute to the well-known Panamanian composer Eduardo Charpentier Herrera. Two of his compositions were performed by students of the Royal Conservatory of The Hague. It was a most beautiful concert. After the concert, the guests could enjoy the culinary creativity of Chef Roberto Torres, a well-known Panamanian Chef residing in the Netherlands. The menu was a unique culinary experience and very much appreciated by all the guests. Panama and the Netherlands share an

THT10_2021 _CS.indd 23

Beginning construction in 1903, the Panama Canal has been called one of humankind’s greatest engineering achievements. The Canal and its locks cover a route of about 80 km between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, providing a shortcut between two oceans, and one of the world’s most popular shipping zones. In 2016, operations began in the expanded set of locks allowing the neopanamax ships to transit through the canal. Every year, approximately 13,000 to 14,000 ships transit the Panama Canal. The Panama Canal is committed to sustainability, and therefore is laying the foundation, creating the tools, and identifying the changes needed to achieve efficiencies that will allow the organization to reach carbon neutrality. This is a fundamental strategy for the waterway’s long-term operation and sustainability. In 2020, it had contributed to a reduction of more than 13m tons of CO2 equivalent emissions. The Panama Canal can be visited at Miraflores Locks to view the passing of the ships.

The economy of Panama is based mainly on the services sector, which accounts for nearly 80% of its GDP and accounts for most of its foreign income. Services include the Panama Canal, banking, commerce, the Colón Free Trade Zone, insurance, container ports, and flagship registry, medical and health and tourism. Some highlights to visit in Panama are: Panama’s capital and largest city, Panama City is the most modern city in Central America, unofficially dubbed ‘the Dubai of Latin America’. High-end resorts, shopping malls, and glitzy skyscrapers line the city. Casco Viejo is the historic quarter with cobblestone streets and colonial buildings. Panama City is known for its excellent views surrounded by the

Panamanian rainforest creeping into the confines of the city. Bocas del Toro, Guna Yala Islands, Santa Catalina (a remote fishing village with unspoiled authenticity popular surfing and diving spot with fantastic beaches as well as a frequent gateway to the Coiba National Marine Park), The Chiriquí region (including coffee plantations, the Baru Volcano and jungle areas), the Pearl Islands and El Valle de Antón are all unique areas in Panamá. Whether the beaches or the abundant flora and fauna, all are marveled by Panamanians and visitors alike. Written by Nanda Jagusiak-Monteiro

The Panama Canal

08-12-2021 16:51

What the HMC Sara de Bronovo Mother and Child Centre has to offer The new HMC Sara de Bronovo Mother and Child Centre opened its doors on 28 November. Our modern building at the front of HMC Westeinde provides services to pregnant women, those seeking to become pregnant, parents or carers and children up to the age of 18. Here in the heart of The Hague, our care providers deliver the best possible care tailored to each person’s individual situation.

wherever possible. This also helps smooth the transition to home. ‘Who do you want to have present at the birth?’ ‘What are your wishes in terms of your pregnancy and giving birth at our hospital?’ And in the case of older children: ‘What does the child need?’ We provide objective information on the options and treatments, enabling our patients to make informed decisions. This includes pain relief during childbirth, or the options for the safest way to give birth. Care At the Mother and Child Centre we offer: + Delivery rooms + Obstetrics triage room + Family suites + Children’s ward + Children’s day care treatment

Mother and child Worry-free pregnancies, happy babies and healthy children. That is what we are committed to at the HMC Sara de Bronovo Mother and Child Centre. But we are also here to provide support and excellent care to those struggling to conceive. Or when pregnancies do not go smoothly, or a child needs treatment. Suites and facilities Our private suites at the Mother and Child Centre are adapted to each person’s circumstances and needs. Luxury suites are designed with a homely atmosphere, with plenty of daylight. Parent and child can remain together day and night. The suites also offer sufficient space and facilities for all medical care, so there is no need to leave the room to shower or to feed or wash the baby. Central areas offer 24/7 facilities to get something to eat or heat up food. And those staying at the Mother and Child Centre can choose when we come to clean the room. Family Integrated Care The launch of the Mother and Child Centre marks another step towards Family Integrated Care. This means that care is not just focused on the child and the parents, but also actively involves them. This way, the family stays together as much as possible and the parents remain in control

advertentie_holland_times_nov_2021_264x398.indd 1 THT10_2021 _CS.indd 24

Patients are admitted to these departments, including in the case of emergencies. For a scheduled check-up, such as a pregnancy check-up or a consultation with a paediatrician, pregnant women and patients can contact the gynaecology outpatient clinic (at the HMC Westeinde and HMC Bronovo locations) and the paediatrics outpatient clinic (HMC Westeinde, Bronovo or Wassenaar peripheral outpatient clinic). Specialists A specialist team is available at the Mother and Child Centre 24 hours a day. Giving birth Giving birth at the Mother and Child Centre means: + Several luxury birthing pools available + A wide range of pain relief options, with epidurals available 24/7 + The right medical care providers available 24/7 + Homely private suites fully equipped for parent(s) and baby + A partner is always able to stay to eat and sleep Child Advisory Board At the Mother and Child Centre we feel it is important to learn from the experiences of children in our department. We have a Child Advisory Board (kinderadviesraad) to help us view the care and processes in the department from the child’s perspective. The Child Advisory Board is made up of six children of different ages who are happy to advise us. The Child Advisory Board has provided us with input on issues such as the wall art in our new Mother and Child Centre and the toys and entertainment that are essential to a stay in the children’s ward.

Parking Patients and visitors can park in the car park at the back of HMC Westeinde. If labour is progressing very rapidly or in an emergency, you can park your car temporarily in an emergency parking space. To do so, do not go through the left barrier to the visitor car park, but instead the far right barrier to the disabled parking area. Confidence When the patient and/or family is ready to be discharged from the Mother and Child Centre, we will arrange a taxi if necessary and walk them to the exit. Everyone returning home from the HMC Sara de Bronovo Mother and Child Centre can do so with full confidence! More information? www.haaglandenmc.nl/giving-birth

Information for expats Information meetings for expats Would you like to know more about information meetings for expats? Contact Nanda Jagusiak-Monteiro, Expat Coordinator E n.jagusiakmonteiro@haaglandenmc.nl

Nanda Jagusiak-Monteiro Patients Administration Foreign Business Financial issues can be discussed with the employees of the Centrale Kas. E Foreign-business@haaglandenmc.nl Telephone hours of business: Tuesday and Thursday 10.00 - 12.00 am T +31 (0)88 979 29 00 T +31 (0)88 97 97 900 www.haaglandenmc.nl info@haaglandenmc.nl

02-12-2021 10:37 07-12-2021 22:22

JANUARY 2022 |25

ART & CULTURE

Contemporary surrealism | Gallery Persoon

Above: The Jester, 40 x 50 cm, oil on canvas ©Caroline Westerhout Left: Patchwork People, 76 x 76 cm, oil on canvas ©Caroline Westerhout Below: Jimmy©Miriam Meulepas

Caroline Westerhout’s oil portraits are so lifelike that her characters appear to be real people, not fictitious. Although they are loosely based on reality – esterhout often looks at her own face in the mirror – there are few existing persons to be discovered in her free work. She fully masters the techni ue of photo-realistic painting, but also dares to let go by covering large parts of her paintings with colour. By assembling various separate body parts into an alienating composition, the whole is abstracted in a way that is sometimes reminiscent of Francis Bacon, while retaining esterhout’s characteristic style and atmosphere. In order to capture the transparency of the human skin, esterhout uses a broad and idiosyncratic colour palette, but in the paintings’ textures she completely foregoes the realistic aspect. The most essential parts of the human being are always painted to perfection. This can be seen, for example, in shiny, veined eyes that express a soul, and fleshy, warm lips. Miriam Meulepas ulnerable, forgotten people with physical and mental health conditions are often the subject of Miriam Meulepas’ hyperrealistic sculptures. She shows us a confrontational and sometimes unpleasant reality, in which transience and psychological disorders play a role. Animal instincts in humans are given shape and context in her work. The pursuit of purity touches the edge of what is still comfortable. Her work raises uestions who are these people, what situation are they in and why The old skin of the sculptures looks vulnerable and transparent. Every detail is lifelike pigment spots, scars, hairs, wrinkles. In some sculptures the emphasis is specifically on the skin. She also makes bags and shoes from human leather, which, due to their absurdity, both attract and repel. For those who don’t shy away from confrontation and have a healthy dose of black humor, this is a great experience. 2 February – 16 March 2022 Gallery Persoon Hees 4d 5521NV Eersel www.galeriepersoon.com Open Wednesday to Saturday, 10 to 5

THT10_2021 _CS.indd 25

08-12-2021 22:27

We understand the highs and lows of living internationally At Kühler & Partners, we are experts in treating mental health issues. Our professionals understand the highs and lows of international living. We provide personlized care with a strong focus on quality of life. Our team of psychologists and psychiatrists offers treatment to adults and children

We are here to support you

from 6 years old in English, French, Greek, Spanish, Mandarin, Japanese, Dutch and German. Kühler & Partners look forward to welcoming and supporting you.

Because sometimes you need a little guidance to ﬁnd your way.

Please contact us at +31 (0) 85 0660 500 for more information or to schedule an intake. Contact details +31 (0) 85 0660 500 info@internationalmentalhealth.nl

Clinics Amsterdam Den Haag

FRÉ COHEN till 04 09 2022

graphic artist

Museum Het Schip Oostzaanstraat 45 Amsterdam info@hetschip.nl www.hetschip.nl

THT10_2021 _CS.indd 26

08-12-2021 13:05

JANUARY 2022 | 27

NICE SPOTS

Roompot Qurios Gulpen: Forest bathing in your treehouse At Roompot Qurios in Gulpen you can stay in one of the brand-new wooden designer lodges surrounding by nature. With Maastricht, Valkenburg and Liège around the corner, city delights are within reach, but you can still enjoy all the peace and privacy you could wish for. This fully equipped car-free holiday park in the hills offers ﬁfteen different designer holiday accommodations, including the three-storey Treehouse. A boiling water tap and underﬂoor heating are also available, because nature is nice, but cold feet are not. Whether you want to romp with the family for a weekend in the beautiful protected nature area Gulpdal, are looking for a base for a Burgundian outing with friends, or a romantic retreat: you can do it all from here. From €366 for 2 nights at The Abbey (detached double lodge with outdoor jacuzzi) Gulpen, South Limburg, Netherlands For more information www.roompot.nl

Lifestyle boutique hotel The Collector in the Haagsche Bluf Lifestyle boutique hotel The Collector is located in the bustling center of The Hague, in the Haagsche Bluf. The hotel is a base camp for explorers with an eye for adventure. An intimate place where personal stories are shared and where there is room for idiosyncrasy. Artwork by artist Julie Goindoin The diverse ideas and craftsmanship applied to the design of the room creates a mesmerizing effect. The Collector has a total of 57 rooms, ranging from comfort rooms to luxurious suites. Each room has its own character due to the handmade artwork by artist Julie Goindoin. The artworks are based on two classic portraits: one of the French Duchess Elisabeth of Austria, Queen of France, and an anonymous portrait exhibited in the Mauritshuis. Each artwork tells its own story and consists of several unique collections of cassette tapes, parts of Barbie dolls and quartet games. History meets modern in the Haagsche Bluf The Collector is located behind eight monumental facades in the Haagsche Bluf. This unique courtyard in the heart of the Hofstad is known for its eclectic architectural styles. This concept has been translated into The Collector’s interior, where vintage items from the 50s and 60s are combined with modern pieces to create a luxurious and surprising effect.

THT10_2021 _CS.indd 27

Base camp Base camp is the lobby of the hotel, where guests are ﬁrst introduced to The Collector. This is the place where explorers are welcomed for a luxurious stay and locals are invited for a cup of (specialty) coffee, a quirky lunch and special cocktails and bites in the evenings. The Collector’s Crowd The Collector welcomes explorers with a tireless curiosity for the world, the unknown, new cultures and stories. After all, the hotel itself also consists of individual collections: the mix of architectural styles, the historic facades, the eclectic design of the rooms and the diverse art objects make this place an intimate hub, celebrating colourful contrasts. Space to share Collecting is something everyone does. Even if it is not pinned up, published or framed, everyone has their own personal collection. Items symbolize moments and ideas that made us stop, think and sometimes even change direction. www.thecollectorhotel.com

08-12-2021 16:33

ORIGINAL GIFTS FOR THE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS SELECTED BY THE KRÖLLER-MÜLLER MUSEUM

In the heart of the Netherlands is where you’ll find the Veluwe, the country’s largest forest that houses something of its own in the heart of it: the art gallery and sculpture garden that goes by the name of the Kröller-Müller Museum. Named after its founder and art collector Helene Kröller-Müller, the museum opened in 1938 and gained a considerable international reputation since, primarily due to their second-largest Van Gogh-collection in the Netherlands, the masterpieces from other well-known modern artist such as Picasso, Seurat, Monet, Signac, Mondrian and the impressive sculpture garden that blends culture and nature beautifully and ‘serenity’ is hardly an understatement. The sculpture garden was designed with a landscape architect and artists were given every bit of space they needed to have their creations come to life. It was Bram Hammacher, who was appointed as the museum’s new director in 1948, that added the new dimension to the museum: exhibiting sculptures inand outdoors and experimenting with space, nature and the interplay of light and seasons. It’s one of the main reasons why so many visitors come to the Green Art Heart in Otterlo. Just like the Van Gogh collection with ‘The Potato Eaters’, ‘Bridge At Arles’ and ‘Terrace Of A Café At Night’ and the Futurist collection as the biggest crowd pullers. Especially for the Holland Times the museumshop selects the finest and most original features in the category of fashion and living, products that are inspired by the museum’s art collection. Special gifts for the Holiday season. With your purchase you support the museum in helping to realize new acquisitions and herewith ensure a dynamic collection that follows close on the heels of contemporary art history.

THT10_2021 _CS.indd 30

Use the discount code ‘HOLLAND TIMES’ for 20% discount to the complete online collection. Valid until December 31, 2021. Shipping costs not included. www.krollermullershop.nl/en

07-12-2021 22:29

JANUARY 2022 | 29

TIPS movie |

movie |

Encanto

Lamb

As the name of the movie suggests ‘Encanto’ literally translated Charm or Spell is the story of the Madrigal family whose members are all blessed with their own unique magical powers except our protagonist, Mirabel. The family lives in an enchanted house called Casita, not unlike the castle in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast except, this one is not cursed.

2021 has brought a number of ﬁlms that have pushed boundaries, from ‘Twitter Adaptation’ Zola to the intense French Horror/Thriller Titane. Even blockbuster franchises like James Bond and Marvel have innovated in their own way. Few, however, could match the individuality of new Icelandic ﬁlm Lamb.

Under the guidance of the matriarch Alma also known as Abuela (grandmother), the family is thriving (or so it seems) and making sure everything in the village is running perfectly.

Noomi Rapace plays Marie, who runs an isolated farm in the country, living with her husband Ingvar (Hilmir Snær Guðnason). The couple discover that one of their sheep has given birth to a human-lamb hybrid. Still mourning the loss of her only daughter, she takes in the creature and calls it Ada. Marie and Ingvar are content with their new family, but that bliss is disturbed when outside forces threaten to take the lamb away.

The magical powers granted to the family are the result of Abuela and her (now dead) husband’s sacrifice for the family. Hence, all anyone in the family wants to do is make Abuela proud and be as perfect as she expects them to be. Everything seems fine until on the eve her cousin is to receive her gift, Mirabel is sent a vision of cracks forming in the walls of the casita and the magical candle is flickering threatening to go out. By the Mirabel raises the alarm and gathers everyone, the house is back to normal and the whole thing is chalked up to Mirabel’s nerves. Wanting to know what the vision was all about, Mirabel starts her own investigation – turns out things are not as perfect as they seem. The strongest sister is on the verge of burnout, and Isabela who is capable of making beautiful flowers appear is burdened by having to be so perfect all the time. In short, the Madrigal family is crumbling. When the real cracks start appearing in the house Abuela blames the whole thing on Mirabel and calls her a disappointment. Fueled by the argument(negative energy) between Abuela and Mirabel, casita crumbles down and despite Mirabel’s best efforts, the candle is blown out. The family would have to reconcile their differences and mend broken bonds for them to survive this catastrophe. Encanto, the 60th movie of the Walt Disney Animation Studio is a colorful representation of Colombian culture, pressure of too-high family expectations, and the stress resulting from it – all glued together in upbeat catchy songs. Though the story may feel rushed and that the characters were not given enough time due to the high number of characters

Priyanka Sharma

resto |

Rasoi | Indian restaurant Indian restaurant Rasoi has recently opened its door in the Maasstraat in Amsterdam-Zuid. In a reﬁned setting you will discover the pearls of real Indian cuisine. Love tikka massala and biryani? Chances are you’ve fallen for a western fusion variation that is miles away from the original. Adapted to our tastes, but also to what is available here. In Europe, for example, Indian restaurants often use cream, while this is not common at all in India. Of course, a creamy curry tastes great, but can you imagine what this sweet addition does to the beautiful, exotic, perfume-like ﬂavours of the herbs. Not to mention what a shame it is to destroy all the work that goes into making homemade spice mixes with a load of cream. Enter: ready-to-use herb mixes. And with that, the essence of Indian cuisine, the craftsmanship, knowledge and pride of the chef, have been lost from many dishes.

Director Valdimar Jóhannsson's directorial debut is a unique premise, and given a tone similar to 2019's The Lighthouse. As well as themes of loneliness and mistrust, the filmmaker imbues every frame with a beautiful bleakness. Staring into the eyes of the animals, or following Maria through the fields, we are lured into a harsh world drained of colour, where the strangest of circumstances seem at home. While it avoids the traditional gimmicks of horror, it has an enduring unease that makes you squirm in your seat. While it is an unusual plot, there is enough humanity to make it compelling. This is a story of grief, second chances, and what we do when the things we want are threatened. It takes a special performance to prevent the visuals from appearing ridiculous, and Rapace brings a lot of maternal fire to her role. The growing desperation as her ‘child’ is threatened becomes the real terror, as she moves toward a confrontation with an unseen pursuer. Having drifted while making films in Hollywood, this sees a return to the actor who astonished in films like The Millennium Trilogy. Elsewhere, Hilmir Snær Guðnason is solid as Ingvar, while Björn Hlynur Haraldsson brings a degree of uncertainty as Ingvar’s brother Pétur, who uses his knowledge of Maria’s growing list of secrets to try and control her. While the animal visuals are the most striking, it’s the people in the piece that make the biggest impact. Strange, horrifying, and darkly comic, Lamb offers a story as bleak as the landscape Jóhannsson portrays. It's unlike anything you'll see this year, and sure to be a favourite for those who are fond of a twisted tale. James Victoria Luxford

Classics and signature dishes Indian cuisine has no right to exist without a tandoor, so the Asian clay oven, filled with charcoal, is also prominent in Maasstraat. Half of the menu consists of real Indian classics and the other half of signature dishes such as Kerala fish curry, Aloo Gobhi Paneer – a paneer with mashed potatoes and cauliflower tandoori – and a heck of a Laal Maas (slow-cooked lamb) based on a recipe from Rajasthan. Rasoi is divided into two areas, the lounge and the restaurant area, both of which exude the warm atmosphere of a fashionable, luxurious hotel environment. The lounge has its own menu with bites that can also be ordered as appetizers. From Tuesday to Sunday, Rasoi serves an (almost completely vegetarian) lunch menu from 12 to 5. Rasoi is also open for take-away and delivery from Tuesday to Sunday. You can order lunch from 12 to 5 and the regular menu is available from 4 to 10 pm. www.rasoiamsterdam.nl

The owners of Rasoi, Rajiv Mehra and his associate Ashish Sharma, could no longer bear this fusion dilution of their beloved cuisine and decided to open a restaurant to showcase the real India. All of India, because at Rasoi the entire Indian food culture is reviewed, from north to south and from east to west. With so much ambition, you obviously need a chef who can make this happen. Rasoi has not one, but two. Chef Ajit Athale and sous chef Rohit Singh both worked at Oberoi Hotels and elsewhere in the world. Executive chef Ajit gained experience in bucket-list star establishments such as Brae in Australia and 11 Madison Park in New York. Not only the delicious smells, but also the ambitions waft out of the kitchen here. They don’t use prefab seasonings and spice mixes: everything is roasted, ground and mixed in-house. The curry on your plate may take two days of work. And yes, you can taste it!

THT10_2021 _CS.indd 29

08-12-2021 16:31

FIT AND HEALTHY AT CAESAR FITNESS + SPA RESORT

Safe exercise and relaxation in The Hague 5000 m2 of wellness, health and fitness in the heart of the city of The Hague. At Caesar Fitness + Spa Resort you will find everything under one roof. This luxury resort is located in a beautiful building on the Mauritskade 10. Thanks to the high-tech ventilation system, you only breath in fresh and clean outdoor air which is definitely a pleasant idea, especially in these times!

FRESH, CLEAN AIR

Fitness & Sport

Body & Mind

Beauty & Health

Training Whether you are young or old, a beginner or advanced, at Caesar Fitness + Spa Resort everyone has the possibility to work on their fitness and health. So time to get in shape in this luxury environment! Get started on the Life Fitness equipment, choose to be guided by a personal trainer, or follow a challenging group lesson where the ‘fun factor’ is of paramount importance.

Spa & Wellness

you best and look inwards to find yourself. Do you not only want to look fit and healthy, but also beautifully taken care of? Then Caesar Fitness + Spa Resort is the right place as we offer different types of massages, high quality facials and other beauty treatments.

Spa & Wellness After a training, members can relax in the Spa & Wellness area. Even if you come as a day guest, you can spend a wonderful time relaxing. In addition to a fantastic swimming pool, you will find a variety of saunas, a hamam, sunbeds and a whirlpool.

Feel Good Want to feel good in your own skin? Come exercise, relax and enjoy in the centre of The Hague. Caesar Fitness + Spa Resort offers maximum comfort by combining everything under one roof. Furthermore, we are always looking for new ways to upgrade our facilities in order to serve our members even better. That is why we are now working hard on a new lunchroom and Kidsclub! Feel good by Caesar.

Beauty & Balance For an optimal balance between body and mind, visit our Body & Mind Studio. Choose a yoga class that suits

Would you like to become a member or spend a day exercising or relaxing? View the option at www.caesar-denhaag.nl

Healthy air has always been a part of the concept of Caesar Fitness + Spa Resort. The Fitness and Spa Resort is all about health, so as far as Caesar is concerned, creating a healthy environment goes without saying. This is why we opted for a ‘state of the art’ ventilation system. Fresh air is constantly brought in from the outside and filtered through high quality glass filters. In addition, present air is continuously discharged to the outside. At well over a million, this is a considerable investment, but an extremely important one. Training and relaxation has always, and will continue to be in fresh clean air. Thanks to this air treatment system, Caesar Fitness + Spa Resort guarantees that you only breathe in fresh and clean air.

MAURITSKADE 10 | DEN HAAG | T 070 820 99 10 | WWW.CAESAR-DENHAAG.NL

STANZA BOOKSHOP

FURNITURE

ARCHITECTURE

We are an international bookshop established in The Hague offering English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese and Russian books for adults, young adults and children. Additionally, we have a selection of International Law books in English, Spanish and French. We host literary events such as storytelling, writing & poetry workshops, and services for book launch. Opening times Mon: closed. Tuesday-Saturday from 10.30 until 17.00. During November and December we open twice per month on Sundays (please check the dates and opening hours through our social media) Noordeinde 98, 2514 GM, The Hague. T. 0031 (0) 702144117, www.stanzabookshop.com, Instagram: Stanza_Bookshop, Facebook/Twitter: @StanzaBookshop

DECORATION UPHOLSTERY

Counselling & Life Coaching Specifically, for Teenagers

mas interieur the ultimate way of modern living visit us at:

Frederikstraat 565 2514 LR Den Haag

THT10_2021 _CS.indd 28

T 070 345 09 03 winkel@masinterieur.nl www.masinterieur.nl

accredited by the Dutch Central Interior Design Industry Association

Over 20 years’ experience dealing with teenage wellbeing www.teenvitality.nl 07-12-2021 22:28

JANUARY 2022 | 31

SPORT

Jan Tilmans on the 25th anniversary of the Johan Cruyff Arena left? Tillman’s promised to get back to him with the answer and the man told him to put him down for a seat on whichever side was likely to see more goals!

In the topsy-turvy world of sports in the time of the Covid-19 pandemic, one of the milestones you may have missed was the 25th anniversary of opening of the stadium in Amsterdam now known as the Johan Cruyff ArenA. While a made for television celebration was broadcasted earlier this year; the affair was unable to welcome any visitors and may have escaped your attention. So as we close out 2021, we thought it would be interesting to ask the man who was the driving force behind the realization of the Amsterdam ArenA , Jan Tilmans, for some behind-the-scenes anecdotes from the early days of the project. While the concept of a skybox, a private in-stadium unit where the well-heeled can entertain their friends and business associates, was well known in other countries, it was a relatively unknown phenomenon in the Netherlands. In the old Ajax stadium De Meer, 15 container-like units had been fixed to the existing stadium to form the closest thing to a private box at that time. The owners of these units were invited to sign up for a skybox in the yetto-be built stadium but the reaction was lukewarm. The project was still too far off for anyone to make the commitment, but that commitment was seen as an important step to realizing the new stadium. Tilmans’ travels to the United States and site visits to modern stadia such as the Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami taught him that skyboxes were an important component of modern stadium funding. Back in Amsterdam, that message was falling on deaf ears until one of the members of the Board of Commissioners, real estate magnate Cor van Zadelhoff took the floor at the meeting for the Ajax box holders and said, “Listen up people! If we don’t act the new stadium will never come to be. I’m putting myself on the list to state that if the stadium is built - I want a skybox!” As he pointed to old acquaintances of his, van Zadelhoff called out, “And you, you and you are also signing up!” His battle cry worked as all 15 box holders signed up for a skybox in the yet to be realized stadium.

THT10_2021 _CS.indd 31

In 1991, Tilmans made a trip to the USA together with the contractor and the architect of record for the stadium project. The CEO of Joe Robbie stadium gave his Dutch guests a tour of the facility in Miami and inquired about the progress of the new venue in Amsterdam. Tilmans told him that they had signed 15 interested parties for a box in the new stadium the CEO asked how many they planned to build in total. Tilmans replied, “60”, to which his host told him he should be building at least twice as many. Considering that 15 parties had already signed up on blind faith alone he assured Tilmans that they would sell 120 with no problem whatsoever. As it turned out, the American was right: once the construction of the new stadium was underway the skyboxes sold like hotcakes and indeed, they could have sold more than the 60 they had planned. In fact, sales of the skyboxes were so successful that at least one “entrepreneur” made a handsome profit selling boxes on

to others. A famous footballer and player for the Dutch national team had just finished affixing his signature to a contract to purchase a box for two hundred fifty thousand guilders (approx. €115,450). When Tilmans told the soccer star just how well box sales were going, he immediately asked to buy two others as well. The fact that the famous midfielder could sell the boxes for some 800,000 euros bore witness to the success of the new stadium’s private loges. Sales of business seats also proved to be lucrative. One upstanding member of the Amsterdam business community attended a special evening where prospective buyers could choose which seats they wished to purchase. This chap, despite his full pockets could not reach a decision about which seats to purchase. Tilmans asked the man if he could be of service to which he replied, “I just don’t know. on which side of the midway line does Ajax score the most points in De Meer, right or

The stadium that has become such a prominent fixture in the Amsterdam skyline, almost never happened. During one of the most crucial meetings of the Board of Commissioners came a decisive go / no-go moment. The point had been placed on the agenda based on the disappointing results from sales of shares for individuals in the new venue. The budget had called for 25 million guilders to be raised through the sale of shares but during the meeting it was made known that roughly half had been sold. This shortfall formed a real dilemma and a spirited discussion resulted. The results were not encouraging: the city of Amsterdam was not prepared to close the gap in the budget, and neither were the so-called Founders (the first sponsor/ suppliers) of the stadium. The matter came to a vote and the gavel nearly fell on a decision to end the ambitious project altogether. The parties present at the meeting broke off to discuss the matter amongst themselves and when everyone reassembled in the meeting room one of the board members of Ajax suggested a last-ditch effort to engage the ABN Amro Bank. Those assembled in the meeting room concurred and the man from Ajax called one of the directors of ABN Amro. He brazenly asked if the bank was ready to step in and guarantee the amount that had not yet been raised through the sale of shares. The answer was yes and one phone call salvaged the plans to build the new stadium. The bank’s faith proved prophetic as the sale of shares later proved successful and were fully subscribed. The rest, as they say, is history and the unique multifunctional giant that serves as Amsterdam’s welcome sign on its Southern entry will continue to welcome and inspire and we’ll look in wonder and still not know on which side the most goals will fall for Ajax!

Written by John Mahnen

08-12-2021 12:51

Looking for help organizing your kid’s afternoons? We would love to have your child at our after school care. From building huts outside to playing an exciting game: while you are working or having some me-time, your child is having fun with friends.

Find a Partou location near you and register your child www.partou.nl/find

THT10_2021 _CS.indd 32

08-12-2021 10:43

The Holland Times edition January 2022

Articles inside

Tips & reviews

Art & Culture

Health & Foreign matters

Shell’s move to London: a strategy for sustainability Political update: the coalition and Covid

Columns

Changing yur health insurance before 1 January

Spotlight on a contributor

JANUARY 2022

Healthcare collapsing under Covid pressure? Amsterdam Light Festival celebrates anniversary with highlights

Open Days overview