The Holland Times January 2023

by: Julius Horsthuis

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The Holland Times is an independent, English language newspaper with Dutch news, published by Argo Special Media B.V.

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Contributors

Marla Thomson, Nanda Jagusiak, Molly Fitz, John Mahnen, Zuzanna Kuffel, Benjamin Roberts, Priyanka Sharma, Bárbara Luque Alanís, Tracey Martin, Young Expat Services & GoStudent

Editor

Roselaar Tekstadvies

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New law to house refugees under debate

A new Dutch immigration law slated for February installment is making its way through the review with the involved organizations and municipalities. The socalled “distribution law” law seeks to solve the current immigrant overflow crisis and address the increasing number of asylum seekers at Dutch borders and entry points. The law, drafted by Eric van der Burg (VVD), the State Secretary for Justice and Security, has been a hotly debated piece of legislation since its inception, since it allows the national government to step in at the municipal level and require local governments to take in immigrants. And now, in the final stages of this new law, it’s being criticized yet again by both immigrant organisations as well as municipalities for being too vague in how the law will actually be implemented and managed. Municipalities also argue that it’s unclear how many people they will actually receive.

The current immigration crisis in the Netherlands is a multi-faceted “perfect storm” of conditions that include an overflow of immigrants at several asylum receiving centres throughout the Kingdom, notably at the reception centre at Ter Apel, a backlog of applications with the Dutch Immigration Service (IND) and an increasing number of people seeking refuge in the Netherlands due to the global migration crisis being brought on by war, climate change and other global crises. All of these factors appear against the backdrop of municipalities that are already stretched thin with their own housing crises and who are unable – and some unwilling – to house a larger number of refugees.

The current situation has been building for more than a year now and has reached a boiling point with refugees sleeping outdoors at the Ter Apel reception centre and 500 unaccompanied refugee children urgently in need of support. The government has made little progress in finding a solution over the past year. In the parliamentary debates, few proposals proved viable, since most political parties – particularly the far-right parties – could not agree to any legislative solution, as they could not agree whether the number of immigrants entering the Netherlands should be reduced altogether. Thus, this problem will continue to exist beyond solving the current overflow situation.

Minister Van der Berg’s law faced strong opposition within his own party VVD, the largest party in the current coalition government. The law would allow the national government to step in and require municipalities to create space for a certain number of immigrants in an effort to more evenly distribute asylum seekers over the country, receiving €2500 per refugee they accept. The party in general was skeptical about the law, but in early November a faction within the VVD prepared actual motions against the law. The group, who called themselves the ‘Classical Liberals’, argued that the national government forcing its policies on to lowerlevel municipal governments went against the tenets of ‘decentralized government’ for the sake of protecting failed national policies.

The debate within the VVD went as far as having the Prime Minister, Mark Rutte, step in at the November party meeting to convince party members to back the new law. According to Dutch political protocol, having the Prime Minister essentially convince party members to back

legislation is unprecedented, attesting to the gravity of the situation. In the end, Rutte was able to convince his party to back the law, promising to work towards also decreasing the total number of immigrants as a part of the proposed solution. These promises of reducing the number of immigrants were also made to other coalition parties (CDA and CU), while also promising all coalition parties to put blocks on granting automatic entry for family members of those who have already been granted asylum in the Netherlands.

It’s unclear how the next months of debates and revisions will ease the trepidations of many against the law, but one this is for sure: until the government – and indeed, the EU and other Western nations – collectively address the causes of the global migration crisis, the Netherlands will continue to be burdened with a large number or immigrants and the concomitant debates and opposition.

Written by Marla Thomson

The Netherlands is struggling to deal with its role in slavery past

With the 150th anniversary of the emancipation of slaves in the former Dutch colonies upcoming in 2023, the Dutch government is seriously looking back at its colonial past.

As a maritime country, the Netherlands were involved in the transatlantic slave trade. For over 300 years, hundreds of thousands of Africans were abducted and shipped across the Atlantic in inhuman conditions to the former Dutch colonies of Suriname and the Caribbean islands of Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint Eustatius and Sint Maarten. In 1814 King Willem I banned Dutch ships from participating in the transatlantic slave trade. On 1 July 1863, the Netherlands abolished slavery in Suriname and the former Dutch Antilles as the government passed the Emancipation Act. This is celebrated annually on 1 July during the Keti Koti Festival, which translates as Broken Chains Festival. However, it was not until 1873 that all slaves in Suriname and the Antilles were actually free.

The Cabinet’s apology

This issue of The Holland Times was prepared before 19 December. On that date, the Dutch government plans to apologize for the role of the Dutch in the slave trade. Prime Minister Mark Rutte is expected to speak in the Netherlands, Minister for Legal Protection Franc Weerwind in Suriname, and State Secretary for Kingdom Relations Alexandra van Huffelen in Curaçao. Cabinet members are also planning to travel to Aruba, Bonaire, Sint-Eustatius, Saba, and Sint Maarten. The first official confirmation that the Netherlands would apologize for slavery was made by Minister Weerwind in early November. However, it had taken a while for the Dutch

government to come to this point. In 2020, Rutte was not in favour of offering an apology, saying that it would come with a risk of further polarization in the society.

Initiatives to commemorate slavery

The Cabinet’s stand on the apology, however, has changed over time. On 1 July 2021, Kajsa Ollongren, at the time Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, received a report prepared by the Dialooggroep Slavernijverleden (Discourse Group on the History of Slavery). The report was the outcome of a year’s work by the committee, which had been appointed by the government to investigate the Dutch colonial past and effects it has had on modern-day society. The report, titled “Chains of the Past”, provided recommendations specifying how the Netherlands should deal with its history of slavery. Recognition, apology and reparation were deemed necessary.

Besides the Cabinet’s apology, the Netherlands commissioned a Slavery Memorial Year that will run from 1 July 2023 to 1 July 2024. The government will use this time to reflect on the country’s past and raise awareness of the Dutch role in slavery. The Cabinet will make available two million euros for activities and initiatives that contribute to commemorating and celebrating the abolition of slavery. Raising awareness is necessary, as the public support for an official apology is still small. According to a recent report by NOS and Trouw, only 38% of Dutch people support it. Still, the municipalities of Amsterdam, Utrecht and Rotterdam, as well as the Dutch Central Bank and the province of Noord-Holland have already apologized for their role in slavery.

The King’s speech on slavery

Notably, King Willem-Alexander also acknowledges the slavery past of his country. In his yearly address to the Cabinet and House of Representatives on Prinsjesdag, he said: “If we want a society where there is no place for racism and discrimination, where everyone feels heard and appreciated, we must openly reflect on the less pleasant chapters in our history. Not to judge our ancestors through the prism of modern values, but to understand what our history means to various groups and cultures that form part of our society. That goes for the entire Kingdom, and for all the countries with which we share special historical ties.” The monarch further stated that the Dutch view of the past cannot remain static.

There is still some debate about the exact way in which the apology should be offered. According to the Foundation for Honour and Reparations to the Victims of Slavery in Suriname, the King should be the one to make the apology. Rutte disagrees with this; according to him, the King is the ‘symbol of the unity of the country’ and should not be ‘drawn into political debates’. Others suggest that reparations should be paid, although there are as yet no clear ideas on how this should be done. Right-wing parties find the apology pointless and think any money should be spent on the future rather than the past. At the time of writing, however, the apology is still planned to go ahead on 19 December.

Written by Zuzanna Kuffel

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Increase in number of government vacancies

reforms and budget cuts for years, which meant fewer vacancies. According to Stef Molleman, labour market advisor at the UWV, this changed in 2016, when municipalities, provinces and water boards started receiving larger budgets and new tasks due to changes in the care sector, the energy transition and climate change, as well as challenges like the Covid crisis, which increased employment.

Minimum education

government must compete with other market sectors to bring in new talent with professions that are scarce nationally. Molleman says: “It is a pond of specialist professions in which both companies and the government fish.”

The problem of automation

In recent years, the government has grown considerably, becoming one of the largest growers of the Dutch economy, increasing its number of employees by 9% since 2019. This situation represents an increase of approximately 50,000 jobs compared to 2019, to a total of roughly 570,000 government jobs by March 2022.

What is the reason for this growth? According to the UWV, it is mainly due to the increase in the number of government tasks and the financial opportunity to hire more staff. And this situation is affecting almost every branch of the government. For example, the Defense organization grew in personnel thanks to extra financial

resources from the government. Also, municipalities have increased their workforce after being given more work and new tasks to perform. Furthermore, replacing civil servants who retire represents a boost in government labour demand. Approximately 27% of employees are over 55, more than in other sectors. After a record number of vacancies in 2022, it is estimated that by 2023, the number will likely increase further.

The government’s financial scope and size depend on economic and political decisions. After the 2008 credit crisis, there was a considerable decrease in the number of government jobs due to

Professions that require at least a higher education level have grown significantly. Many jobs require HBO level at minimum, particularly as work in government has become more complex, and therefore the need for highly educated staff is rising. “Not only are jobs being created, existing positions are also changing in terms of content and becoming more comprehensive, requiring more and different knowledge and skills. Causes of this include digitization or changed laws and regulations, but also newly assigned tasks for positions,” says Stef Molleman, labour market specialist at UWV. Which vacancies are there to fill? The majority of openings consist of ICT professionals, policy advisers, spatial planning specialists, structural engineers, HR specialists, security personnel, lawyers and financial specialists.

Labour market competition

The fact that a higher education level is needed in government means an increase in labour market competition between different business sectors. UWV estimates that for now, and in the coming years, the

Only in administrative and accounting jobs is the number of vacancies declining. The enemy of administrative and accounting positions has become automation, not by replacement but by increasing productivity. Automating tasks means that the same amount of people can do more, thus decreasing the need to hire more staff in these fields.

Bas ter Weel, general director of SEO Economic Research and professor of economics at the University of Amsterdam, explains this idea further: “You see the same thing in healthcare: every new gadget leads to higher demand. Which wishes do we fulfill and which do we not? That’s what the discussion should be about.” Ter Weel analyses the need to find a new balance when requiring the same number of people to do more tasks. Eventually, this situation could lead to a more significant tightness in the labour market. The peak in the ageing of the Dutch population, which is yet to come, should also be considered – this will further constrain the labour market.

by Bárbara Luque Alanís

Enjoy the Holiday Season at Gelderlandplein!

Looking for the perfect outfit or gift for the Holiday Season? Do you want to get in the mood for Christmas with the famous Winter Parade? Or do you just want to go for lunch, dinner or grab a coffee? Check out shopping mall Gelderlandplein close to Amsterdam’s Zuidas business district in Amsterdam South. The modern and sleek shopping mall with international allure is home to over 90 shops and restaurants and various art pieces by world famous artists.

Gelderlandplein is a place where you can get anything from your daily shopping to luxury items. Check the website for the upcoming Holiday events.

Fashion, food and more Gelderlandplein houses a variety of shops. There is a great mix of local, national and international shops, ranging from high street to high end brands. If you are looking to treat yourself or find that special gift you might want to check out Siebel jewellery or the recently renewed Rituals. At Skins Cosmetics you can discover their carefully curated collection of refined, exclusive perfumes and beauty brands.

Or get inspired by all the latest trends in living and interior design at Total4Living, Riviera Maison, Sissy Boy and Bröring.

You might find that perfect outfit you have been looking for at Pauw, Modehuis Blok, Bronwasser Woman, Cotton Club, Rogge Amsterdam, Costes, Mango, Rick Moorman House of Men, Maestro Men’s Dresscode or many of the other fashion shops. And your new favourite shoes at Zwartjes 1883, Van den Assem, Nelson or Ecco.

But Gelderlandplein is not just for shopping. You can go for a beverage at Coffee Company at the centre court whilst the kids play their hearts out at Kiddieland or go ice-skating at the ice rink. The ice-rink is suitable for kids up to twelve years. The ice-rink has extended opening hours during the Holidays. Furthermore, the halls of

Gelderlandplein are a continuous exhibition of art pieces by Erwin Wurm, KAWS and Joel Morrison.

Just like within the mall, the outside structure of Gelderlandplein also accommodates many restaurants and terraces. Whether you’re in the mood for French (Bistro G.P. by George), the best seafood (Mr. Crab), Italian (Gusto di Casto), quick food (Febo and Tjin’s) or delicious artisanal bread (Le Pain Quotidien) you will find a hearty meal and a place where you can catch up with your friends or just enjoy a drink, a real Dutch ‘borrel’ at one of the restaurants.

Asian cuisine lovers will enjoy the hip Vietnamese restaurant Saigon Càphê, Japanese Izakaya Tanuki or Japanese and Korean food market Shilla which also offers lunch options. For Asian tapas try Ruby’s Oriental Restaurant. Delicious!

If you need more time to explore the mall, you could elongate your experience by staying at Hotel Element Amsterdam.

Gelderlandplein wants you to have a great experience, therefore the centre is open seven days a week, and you can park up to 2.5 hours for free. Gelderlandplein even offers a free bus service that takes you to and from the shopping mall to the Zuidas and station Zuid. With the possibility for endless shopping, breakfast, lunch, drinks or dinner, you’ll love Gelderlandplein!

Gelderlandplein is open 7 days a week.

Monday 12.00-18.00 hours

Tuesday till Saturday 09.30-18.00 hours Sunday 12.00-17.00 hours

Please note that some shops and restaurants have slightly different (extended) opening hours, so if you’re looking for times for a specific store, please contact them directly.

See you at Gelderlandplein!

Written

The International School of Amsterdam is a globally-recognised leader in educating for international understanding.

Founded in 1964, ISA was the first school in the world to offer all core IB programmes. Located in the green city of Amstelveen, ISA offers state-of-the-art facilities to students between the ages of 2 to 18, representing 60 nationalities.

ISA believes in developing minds, character and communities. Our students are lifelong learners who value inquiry, critical and creative thinking, take informed risks, and act with integrity and compassion.

Treasure hunting –De Kringloopwinkel

Early this month on the Dutch TV dating program “Blind Dates” on NPO3, a young woman complimented her ‘blind date’ from Friesland for how ‘cool’ he was dressed. With a big smile, the 23-year-old man proudly replied “ik kringloop”, which means he buys from recycle shops in the Netherlands known as ‘Kringloopwinkels’. (If you are reading this right now, it is probably not hip and happening anymore… but pretty damn close).

Today, there are thousands of secondhand and vintage shops, but according to the last count, only 1,175 are exclusively known as ‘Kringloopwinkel’. Unlike other second-hand and vintage shops, the ‘Kringloopwinkel’ is based on an altruistic concept that people can donate their old clothing, furniture, household appliances and goods, books, tools, records, CD’s, electronic equipment, and even building supplies, so that they can be resold for an affordable price, especially for people with a lower income. It’s a win-win idea. Things do not get tossed in the garbage and end up in landfill, and people with low incomes (or anyone else) can afford goods without paying the full amount in a regular store. Moreover, the Kringloopwinkel also discourages people from unnecessary overconsumption. Last month, while many shops had Black Friday sales, the Kringloopwinkel had ‘Green Friday’ offers. In the old days, wearing second-hand clothing and having a home decorated

with old furniture was stigmatized with poverty. But not anymore. What once started out as an ideology to help save the environment has turned into a new fashion trend, first among hip twenty- and thirtyyear-olds whose clothing style is retro, based on the 1970s and 1980s. The older generation, who had saved their clothes for so long and are now donating them to Kringloopwinkels, offer an ideal treasure trove for the younger generation who have made their clothing style fashionable again. Besides Kringloopwinkels having a young clientele, or those with a low income, other visitors shop there for the fun of it. One client is Tim, an expat from Great Britain, residing in Amsterdam with his wife and two children. The 40-year-old visits his local store at least once a week, hoping to find vintage 1960s Danish design furniture to finish decorating the couple’s home. Tim says: “shopping at the Kringloopwinkel is something of an excitement…you never know what you are going to find.”

Another regular is Rena, who discovered second-hand stores when she was a teenager in Thessaloniki. At first, she had an infatuation for stylish clothing, costumes and old lamps – the only things she could bring home as she was living with her parents – but now the 45-year-old Greek has discovered early-twentieth0century wooden furniture such as cabinets and buffets. She adds: “the Kringloopwinkel is like a treasure hunt”.

Another patron of the Kringloopwinkel in Amsterdam-West, name withheld, has been shopping at the Kringloopwinkel and other thrift shops for more than 25 years. He is usually on the hunt for art deco lamps and furniture. For years, his partner was not aware of what he calls his ‘guilty pleasure’, as he would buy items and have them delivered home in the middle of the day, where he would ‘integrate’ them into the rest of the interior without his partner noticing them. However, when his partner

Climate change at home

When the plains of Serengeti dried up – it was too far for us to fathom. When typhoons and torrential rainfall caused havoc in Philippines and Haiti – it was too exotic for us to care. When the millions-of-years-old glacial ice started melting with record speed – it was too unreal for us to believe.

For the longest of times, scientists have struggled to convince people of the ongoing climate change and its adverse effects. It is always something happening in faroff lands, events that seem too far and wide in between to be seen as part of a phenomenon. But not anymore. For the last three decades, the accelerating effects of climate change all around Europe. Temperatures all over the continent have gone up by +0.5 degrees Celsius per decade. Alpine glaciers have lost 30 meters in ice thickness, resulting in floods downriver, including in the Netherlands and Belgium. The melting ice in Greenland is causing the sea levels to rise.

Climate change in the Netherlands

We don’t have to look too far, nor very far back in time. The frequency and intensity of natural disasters in the Netherlands is more than enough to believe in the reality of climate change: it is happening all around us.

Floods

In July 2021, the south of Limburg received more than 150 millimeters of rain in just two days causing the streams and river to overflow. The floods displaced 700 families, damaged 2300 households and cost over 400 million euros in damages. Nearby areas in Belgium and Germany were even worse hit, with several people being killed by the water.

Heatwaves

Globally, in last 130 years, the average temperature has risen by 1 degree Celsius. In the Netherlands, however, the increase in temperature is 1.7 degrees!

Heatwaves have become more frequent and intense. The worst in recent memory, in 2019, pushed the thermostat to over 40 degrees Celsius, causing 400 deaths in the country. The Royal Netherlands Metrological Institute (KNMI) has been keeping records of the weather phenomena for the last 121 years. In that time 30 heatwaves have been recorded – 21 of which occurred in the last 21 years, with five of them in last three years alone, with 2018 and 2019 having two heatwaves in one year.

Droughts

As a country that feared drowning for the longest of times and has had to take vast measures to prevent flooding, the Netherlands has been facing water shortages and multiple years-long droughts in 2018, 2019 and 2020. July 2018 became officially the driest year since the measurements started – drier than the infamous 1976. The lack of precipitation not only threatens crops, but is also resulting in cracking of dykes.

The famous wooden stakes that support Amsterdam houses are rotting due to severe drought, putting at risk thousands of homes, as well as the Rijksmuseum. The cost of rescuing these buildings: about 100 billion euros. On 2 August this year, the Dutch government officially declared a water shortage in the country. Farmers were told not to spray crops with water and many small ferries couldn’t operate due to low water levels. Shipping on the major rivers was delayed and nature areas were suffering because toxins could not be drained from the soil.

Climate change is expensive

Not so secretly, climate change is driving inflation. Failing crops all over the world are driving up food prices. The damage caused to infrastructure by flooding and extreme heat, and the fact that workers are less productive in hot weather, leads to supply-chain breakdowns. Dairy and meat prices go up as maintaining the health of farm

started working full-time from home during the lockdown, life became difficult for him. Nowadays, he is trying to restrain himself, but the temptation is great.

So try your local Kringloopwinkel – who knows, you may get hooked too!

www.allekringloopwinkels.nl

Written by Benjamin Roberts

animals becomes increasingly difficult with the shortage of grain caused by droughts. Furthermore, according to the UN, more than a third of world’s agricultural land is no longer usable due to persistent drought, heatwaves and unsustainable farming methods.

Dutch climate policy

Climate change is happening as we speak, and is affecting us every day on macro and micro levels. It is no surprise that the Netherlands has signed the Paris Agreement and is part of the plans like “Fit for 55”. The authorities are also cracking down on big corporations, forcing them to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions – one of the reasons Shell left the Netherlands. But climate change is a global problem and should be solved worldwide. Still, whether something will happen as a result of these conferences and debates is yet to be seen.

Written by Priyanka Sharma

Study in the Netherlands

education institutes will attract students and teachers from around the world to create an international environment. By now, almost half of all Bachelor courses in research universities are entirely taught in English; the majority of for Master courses is in English.

hub in the world.

The International Waldorf School of The Hague distinguishes itself through the integration of cognitive and artistic education. Children have a natural capacity to wonder and marvel at what they experience. The basis of our educational approach focuses on that curiosity in all areas.

Value

for money Studying in the Netherlands has become increasingly

The Dutch government wants to attract knowledge and retain talent. International graduates can therefore apply for an orientation year. This includes a residence permit for one year to find a job or start a business within three years of graduation.

We consider physical education, handicra s, art and respect for the natural world to be of equal importance to proficiency in mathematics and literacy. Our balanced educational approach addresses learning that occurs with the head, heart and hands.

Our school, founded in 2018, has been growing every year with the addition of one to two grade levels per year.

In 2023-24 we expect to have grown to a complete primary school with two Kindergartens and Classes 1-6. Even throughout our growth, the school has and will remain small, with Kindergarten class sizes of 15 (up to 18 children on a temporary basis) and Class 1-6 sizes of 15 children (up to 17 on a temporary basis). Due to our small groups we are able to provide sufficient time, space and a ention for everyone.

Open days overview

ost primar and secondar schools have a rolling admissions polic for incoming freshman students. This essentiall means that students are free to appl at an time during the admissions process. or this reason most of them do not organi e official pen a s. ome of the primar and secondar schools offer specific moments for getting to know the school. an offer an online event to get to know the school, or other online wa s for prospective pupils and their parents to gather information. lease check the websites of the schools ou re interested in, to see how ou 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 .a aha e.nl

American School of The Hague Rijksstraatweg 200 2241 BX Wassenaar T: 070 512 1060 ash.nl isit our virtual admissions experience. See our website.

Amstelland International School Asserring 93 mstelveen T: 020 820 90 91 amstelland-international-school. nl Open days: 11 February 2023 22 April 2023 . - .

Amsterdam International Community School Prinses Irenestraat 59 msterdam T: 020 577 12 40 arlingstraat msterdam Arent Janszoon Ernststraat 130 msterdam aics.espritscholen.nl Thank ou for visiting the website. e will not be holding pen a s at this school, however, if ou would like more information about the school, please visit our and ADMISSIONS pages.

British School of Amsterdam Havenstraat 6 msterdam T: 020 679 7840 britams.nl See our website to arrange a visit.

Eerde International Boarding School asteellaan 7731 PJ Ommen T: 0529 451 452 eerde.nl

European School The Hague Houtrustweg 2 2566 HA Den Haag T: 070 700 16 00

europeanschoolthehague.nl nformation mornings arl ears and rimar chool (Location Houtrustweg) nformation mornings econdar chool ocation ostduinlaan e hold regular information mornings for the rimar chool and econdar chool, come and meet us and have a look around

Haarlem Institute for Higher Education e oepel oepelpleinaarlem

T: 020 24 431 42 haarlem-campus.com 21 January 2023 25 February 2023 can code op page

Haarlemmermeer Lyceum aron de oubertinlaan oofddorp T: 023 563 1644 haarlemmermeerl ceum.nl

HSV International and Dutch Primary School hsvdenhaag.nl

NSL Location assaulaan

T The ague T: 070 318 49 50

KSS Location oningin ophiestraat T The ague T: 070 324 34 53

VHS Location Van Heutszstraat 12 The ague T: 070 205 11 41

VNS Location an i enrodestraat The ague T: 070 328 14 41

Three Little Ships Int. Preschool Van Heutszstraat 12 2593 PJ Den Haag T: 070 335 56 98

International School The Hague i ndaelerweg

The ague T: 070 328 14 50 ishthehague.nl ook online tour on the website

International School Utrecht an i nkershoeklaan trecht 030 870 0400 isutrecht.nl

International Waldorf School The Hague 2e Messstraat 31 The ague

T: 070 783 0030 internationalwaldorfschool.nl Saturday 28 January 2023 Saturday 25 March 2023 Saturday 3 June 2023 all . - .

International School Wassenaar ackershagenlaan 2243 AB Wassenaar internationalschoolwassenaar.nl T: 070 511 0400

International Secondary Dept. at Het Rijnlands Lyceum pollolaan 2341 BA Oegstgeest T: 071 519 35 55 rlo.nl Open day 11 February 2023 egistrate via code on page

Lycee Francais van Gogh cheveningseweg 2584 AA Den Haag T: 070 306 6920 Rustenburgerstraat 246 msterdam T: 020 644 6507 lfvvg.com

Nord Anglia International School Rotterdam erhulstlaan otterdam T: 010 422 5351 nordangliaeducation.com

University of Leiden Rapenburg 70 eiden T: 071 527 27 27 universiteitleiden.nl 20-24 February Master’s Experience Week (online) 25 February Bachelor’s Open Day (on campus) 13 March Master’s Experience Week (on campus)

UWC Maastricht T: 0432 410 410 uwcmaastricht.nl

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam vu.nl

VU Bachelor open day 11 February 2023 ee 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 ieuwe i ds oorburgwal msterdam T: 020 622 36 34 bltc.nl

BSN Language Center Lange Houtstraat 26 2511 CW Den Haag T: 070 315 4080 bsnlanguagecentre.nl

Direct Dutch Institute T: 070 365 4677 directdutch.com

Discover in Dutch T: 06 13 05 44 90 discoverindutch.nl

Flowently T: 085 888 3012 owentl .com

International School Amsterdam portlaan T mstelveen

T: 020 347 1111 isa.nl

International School Delft oli nlaan elft

T: 015 820 0208 internationalschooldelft.com

Open day ISD Secondary 22 February 2023 . - .

International School Haarlem chreveliusstraat aarlem

T: 023 220 0001 internationalschoolhaarlem.nl

Optimist International School addenweg oofddorp T: 023 303 59 24 optimist-international-school.nl ou can alwa s book a uick chat for uestions via the website openappl .

The British School in The Netherlands Vrouw Avenweg 640 2493 WZ Den Haag T: 070 315 40 77 britishschool.nl

UNIVERSITIES

Nyenrode Business Universiteit reukelen T: 0346 291 211 n enrode.nl

Heart of Language ieuwe arklaan 2597 LA Den Haag T: 06 4531 4750 hearto anguage.nl

Kickstart School oninginnegracht 2514 AG Den Haag T: 070 360 7860 kickstartschool.nl 7 January 2023 12.00-15.00 12 January 2023 17.30-19.30

Language Institute Regina Coeli T: 073 684 8790 reginacoeli.nl

Taalthuis orent plein aarlem T: 023 305 0305 taalthuis.nl

EgyZone & Green Hub Food Security Forum

On 23 of November, more than 10 of the main importers of fruits and vegetables in The Netherlands and EU and number top and highly qualified producers from Middle East were all gathered in EGYZONE, the first international food security forum in the Netherlands. The main aim was to focus on the mutual cooperation between the Netherlands and Arab countries, in many different fields.

Being attended by His Excellency Mr. Hatem Adelkader, Ambassador of Arab Republic of Egypt), His Excellency Dr. Khaled Hanafy, (secretary of the union of Arab Chambers), Mr. Ahmed Nasr (Founder and general manager of Egyzone) and many decision makers and businessmen added special spirit of success on our first event.

On his side, H.E Mr. Hatem Abdelkader) shed lights on trade between Egypt and The Netherlands and the importance of such kind of events that contributes in expanding trade exchange base and cooperation between the companies of both Egypt and The Netherlands.

Mentioning the role of The Union of Arab Chambers, H.E Dr. Khaled Hanafy general of he confirmed on supporting cooperation between The Netherlands and Egypt, especially and between The Netherlands and Arab countries in general. He also suggested creating The Dutch Zone Egypt that allows making and manufacturing products by Egyptian hands in Egypt according to Dutch specifications, and to be ready for exporting directly.

After welcoming the guests, Mr. Ahmed Nasr started to present Egyzone’s different services such as Import & export, translation, different workshops, e- commerce, exhibition management and business development. He also presented an agenda in all manufacturing sectors such as the pharmaceutical sector, as it is one of the oldest strategic industries in Egypt, as it goes back to 1934.

Egypt has given great attention to the priority of achieving self-sufficiency in medicine, and has also adopted policies focusing on developing medicines at the various stages of industry, at the level of raw materials used in medical preparations, basic chemicals, manufacturing and packaging, as well as marketing, selling and exporting and furniture sector as it is considered one of the large sectors in Egypt.

The furniture industry is a labour-intensive and dynamic sector dominated by small and medium and large sized enterprises. Egypt furniture manufacturers have a good reputation worldwide refers to their creative capacity for new designs and responsiveness to new demands. The industry is able to combine new technologies and

innovation with cultural heritage and style, and provides jobs for highly skilled workers. Mr. Nasr also talked about many other sectors in 2023.

Mr. Shahid Qari (representative of Hanos Netherlands) greatly welcomed the cooperation with Egyptian companies. It is worth mentioning that Hanos is more than an international catering wholesaler, it doesn’t only present catering supplies but it is a place where craftsmanship and gastronomy come together. It has eighteen branches in The Netherlands and two branches in Belgium.

Furthermore Mr. John Van Adrichem (CFO) representing World Horti Center showed the centre’s willingness to cooperate with Egypt by offering the Egyptian human element all the training needed to be well qualified. As known World Horti Center is the knowledge and innovation center for international greenhouse horticulture. A leading platform where business, education, research and government jointly innovate, connect, inspire and share knowledge. Every year, World Horti Center is visited by 25,000 international professionals, who are looking for connection, knowledge and innovations in horticulture. They connect parties who want to contribute in sustainable food supply and greening the world. World Horti Center is a unique collaboration between education, research, entrepreneurs and the government with an international focus.

Finally, to weave threads, a lecture about “How new technologies could play a key role for food security in Arab countries” by Martin Van Tol took place, shedding lights on the concept that science and technology can make a major contribution, by providing practical solutions. Securing this contribution requires that high priority be attached both to research and to facilitating the real world

deployment of existing and emergent technologies.

At the end Prof. Atwa Ahmed, member of The Digital Egyptian Farmer Platform for the Future Success Story Egypt gave a lecture about Smart Agricultural Clinic, the benefits of smart farming, and how it makes farming more connected and intelligent, and how precision agriculture helps reduce overall costs and improve the quality and quantity of products, the sustainability of agriculture and the experience for the consumer. Increasing control over production leads to better cost management and waste reduction. The ability to trace anomalies in crop growth or livestock health, for instance, helps eliminate the risk of losing yields. Additionally, automation boosts efficiency. With smart devices, multiple processes can be activated at the same time, and automated services enhance product quality and volume by better controlling production processes. He added that Smart farming systems also enable careful management of the demand forecast and delivery of goods to market just in time to reduce waste. Precision agriculture is focused on managing the supply of land and, based on its condition, concentrating on the right growing parameters – for example, moisture, fertilizer or material content – to provide production for the right crop that is in demand. The types of precision farming systems implemented depend on the use of software for the management of the business. Control systems manage sensor input, delivering remote information for supply and decision support, in addition to the automation of machines and equipment for responding to emerging issues and production support.

Finally, the event was crowned with success and won the satisfaction of the attendees.

by MeaZone Media

Written

From the left: Mr.Jan Enthoven, Martin van Tol, John van Adrichem, H.E Mr. Hatem Abdelkader,, The Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt., H.E Dr Khaled Hanafy,, Secretary General of the Union of Arab Chambers Mr. Sherif AbdelAziz, Mr. Ahmed Nasr

Mesaed Al Kharafi and John van Adrichem

H.E Dr Khaled Hanafy

Martin van Tol

UWC Maastricht is the leading international boarding school (for students 16-19 years old) in the Netherlands and is one of the 18 United World Colleges around the world. Our graduates receive an International Baccalaureate Diploma (diploma programme / career-related programme), which is recognized and respected by the world’s leading universities.

Event by the ASEAN Ladies Circle

The ASEAN Ladies Circle, or ALC in The Hague, organised the first ASEAN Coffee Morning at the beautiful Kasteel de Wittenburg in Wassenaar on Tuesday, 22 November 2022. This event was organised to honour the solidarity and togetherness of ASEAN’s women, as indicated in the ASEAN motto “One Vision, One Identity, One Community,” and introduce the Netherlands’ international community to the rich culture of ASEAN nations.

ASEAN, or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, is a regional organisation presently comprising 10 Southeast Asian nations. The ALC comprises spouses of ASEAN Ambassadors and diplomats, and female diplomats and staff members of 5 ASEAN Embassies based in The Hague, namely, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. Present were 60 persons, being the members of the Ambassadors’ Spouse’s Association (ASA) and the friends of the ALC.

When seated, we started with singing The ASEAN anthem with the following text “we dare to dream, we care to share, together for ASEAN” which is a perfect summary of the ASEAN Identity and Unity.

The words of welcome were spoken by the spouse of the Thai Ambassador, Mrs. Nataya Archjananun, who is the

current President of the ALC for the term 2021-2022. In her presentation, Mrs. Archjananun mentioned that ASEAN nations are rich in cultural diversity, friendly people with natural charms, many beautiful sites to visit, and delicious food, and is on track to become 4th largest economy in the world. In her speech she said “All of these reflects the strength of Southeast Asia as a region amidst diversity in cultures, languages, and religions. Yet, despite all these differences, we are united as one. Today, ALC would like to invite you to experience and see the uniqueness of our ASEAN countries. Imaging yourself taking a tour for holiday to visit ASEAN. So, fasten your seat belts and please enjoy your “trip” today to see we are united as one ASEAN Community. ASEAN nations is rich in cultural diversity, friendly people with natural charms, many beautiful sites to visit, and delicious food, and is on track to become 4th largest economy in the world. Kopkun mark ka.”

The event featured a fashion show, cultural entertainment, and delicious Southeast Asian cuisine. Guests were introduced to performances of Panyembrama Dance from Indonesia, Wan Bulan dance from Malaysia, Igorat Cordillera Dance from the Philippines, and Rum Plern Dance from Thailand.

In addition, they were also introduced to the traditional attire of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. The fashion show became even more spectacular as the spouses of ASEAN Ambassadors and H.E. Dato’ Nadzirah Osman, Ambassador of Malaysia paraded in their exquisite attires.

All ASEAN country’s celebrations include delicious food, a warm ambience, and entertaining activities. Guests were invited to sample unique dishes from each ASEAN

country, such as Nasi Lemak, Sa-te, Chendol, Pad Thai, Goi Cuon, Palabok, and Ube Macapano cupcakes. All those present enjoyed the delicious Asian dishes.

The celebration ended on a high enjoyment, thanks partly to ASEAN Line Dance, performed by ASEAN women present and all the guests. The solidarity as ASEAN women is celebrated and cherished through this dance.

Written by Nanda Jagusiak-Monteiro

The life of a digital nomad: the best tips & tricks to earn money while discovering the world

Millions of people are currently enjoying the digital nomad life: a lifestyle that offers you the opportunity to earn money wherever you want, as long as you have a laptop and a good internet connection. GoStudent online tutor Isa Witteveen is such a digital nomad. She is currently in Southeast Asia, where she provides online tutoring to students in the Netherlands during her travels.

After her first trip to Central America in 2021, Isa got the hang of it and decided to trade her gap year for a fulltime nomadic existence. And Isa is not the only one: more and more professionals are exchanging their permanent job or place of residence for a more independent, often temporary option. This trend that has been on the rise since the outbreak of the pandemic, because permanent employers are now also allowing remote working, making travelling and working at the same time possible for many employees.

A digital nomad is someone who mainly works online and regularly changes residence. . The lifestyle is mainly about having the freedom to do what makes you happy, in a location where this is possible. From her hostel in Bangkok, a few days before travelling to Cambodia, Isa is happy to share some tips that will enable her to live this idyllic lifestyle.

1. Make a global plan and set an associated budget Making an overall plan and setting an initial budget is essential before you start your journey. Of course you will have to deal with both fixed and variable costs while travelling, just like at home. Some people like to have a daily budget, others prefer to think per week or month. You can divide the budget into, for example, accommodation, food and drinks, tours, travel expenses, insurance, clothing and unforeseen costs. Find out more about the country or part of the world you are going to and look especially at the local culture, prices and exchange rate. This will help you determine approximately how much money you will need and how much you will have to work. A buffer is of course always a good idea! If something unexpected happens, you can be sure that you can at least deal with it financially. And when you finally travel, give yourself some time to get used to the customs of the country and the prices.

2.

Provide a good basis for income

The ten most popular jobs for digital nomads are: programmer, copy editor, online coaching, virtual assistant, photographer, videographer, content creator, consultant, recruiter and website developer. But of course there are many more options. Just like Isa, you can do online tutoring and at the same time share your experiences with the world via a blog or vlog. To help yourself on your way, gather information from an experienced digital nomad, Facebook group or travel blog. It may be a good idea to become familiar with the work you will be doing prior to your trip. This way you know what to expect in terms of time needed and you will not be faced with surprises or disappointments during your trip.

3. Get a fast and stable internet connection

For the digital nomad life, a good internet connection is crucial. A bad or onstable connection is definitely the biggest obstacle for anyone doing online work. Once you know where you will be working, it is advisable to test the speed of the internet there. You don’t want the line to be delayed and your customers confused during live sessions. It is also smart to always have an internet cable with you, in case the wireless network does not work. Another option to ensure good internet is to use the mobile hotspot on your phone. Make sure that you have enough data so you don’t end up with an unexpectedly high bill. If you are staying in one country for a longer period of time, buy a local SIM card.

4. Use a VPN for safe internet

The biggest cyber threat for digital nomads is the use of unsecured internet connections. In order to prevent malware attacks and guarantee security for yourself, but also for your clients or students, the best solution in the specific case of online tutors is to install a VPN. A VPN (Virtual Private Network) encrypts all data that you send and receive and prevents monitoring of location and online activity, thus ensuring privacy, anonymity and security.

5.

Prevent stress

Especially when you are traveling, the last thing you want is stress from work. Therefore, it may be useful to determine in advance how much time you think you will spend on

your work and during which part of the day you want to do work, and to stick to it. By making such agreements with yourself, you can better manage your expectations in terms of managing your schedule and prevent stress or disappointments.

6. Get the right equipment and accessories

As a digital nomad you will often work in places where other people are also present. To ensure that you can do your work somewhat quietly and that you are not too distracted by ambient noise, it is advisable to purchase good headphones with a microphone. That way you can also communicate discreetly with your customers or coworkers. It is also useful to always have a full power bank with you, so that you can always charge your mobile devices if there is no socket.

7. Good preparation…

Is really half the work and ensures that you can spend more time on the beach, the terrace or on that mountain. Isa’s advice is therefore to look for a nice workplace as soon as possible upon arrival in every new place. This could be a coffee bar, library, lunch café, co-working space or hostel, for example. A pleasant and quiet working environment ensures that you can do your work better and as efficiently as possible. And if, like Isa, you give tutoring lessons, it definitely pays off to prepare lessons well in advance. Perhaps you can even use the country where you are at that moment, the language or the culture for your tutoring. Create fun for your students too!

8. Don’t be too hard on yourself about your budget

Sometimes your plans don’t turn out the way you planned, that’s the beauty of being a nomad after all. Changing your plans can have an effect on your budget, both negatively and positively. Don’t be too hard on yourself in this; eventually you will find that balance. And if you notice that you are still short of money, you may also be able to discuss this with your client. Who knows what is possible!

9. Book that one-way ticket and enjoy!

Written by GoStudent www.gostudent.org

In defence of being unknown to yourself

s our on- and of ine personalities merge closer together, personal branding has become more and more of a hot topic. owever, while consistenc is ke when it comes to selling products, it can lead to numerous issues when we force it upon ourselves.

f there were ever a word to describe me, it would be inconsistent. wake up ever morning with an almost entirel new set of wants, wishes and thoughts. s a result, can never reall be certain that what think about something is what actuall think about it. ure, have m core set of principles and values that are unwavering, but for the most part, am a new person each da , connected b a name and routine. friend circle is as varied as the come, and m interests are contradictor potif rapped revealed that m most pla ed artists were irvana and Ta lor wift, for e ample .

or ears have been tormented b this lack of uniformit . ne reason is that living unknown to ourself makes ou feel like a prett big imposter. ickle and unreliable are not personalit traits one holds in high esteem for themselves. f onl could know ever thing about m self. f could ust collect each thought, idea and e perience have ever had and then anal se m emotional reactions to them, could know m self. can create a kind of mental image of m self, which can then use as a structure to live in relation to. o more chameleon living am a leopard now.

ut, of course, m decade-long uest for consistenc proved futile. The older get, the more inconsistent seem to become. o, what e actl is the point of consistenc when it comes to our identities

What does it mean to be consistent?

ountless articles will tell ou that consistenc is a crucial habit. or instance, if ou want to develop a skill or improve on a pro ect, ou need

to consistentl show up and practice. thers will argue that consistenc is crucial for a functioning societ how could we all live together if we could not predict each other s behaviours Then, of course, there is the argument that we will not foster deep relationships or have a particularl enriching career if we are not perceived to be reliable.

completel agree with these statements. owever, consistenc in action is not the same as consistenc in thought. ou can show up for our ob ever da while still leaving space in our mind to uestion if ou want to be there. hen we start to e amine our lives from a place of uncertaint , each action becomes a choice. This will, inevitabl , provoke a certain degree of an iet , but it could also help us feel more in control.

What does it mean to know yourself?

The standard definition of knowing ourself means that ou understand ourself full . t re uires self-awareness, which is the capacit to look at ourself ob ectivel . r, in other words, through the e es of another. hen ou t pe into oogle the importance of knowing ourself , ou will find an endless stream of articles arguing that if ou work on figuring out who ou are, ou will find fulfilment. The idea behind this is that if ou know who ou are, ou can make decisions that are better for ou, which will lead to more happiness. ence, if ou know who ou are, ou will be less swa ed b other people s ideas of ou.

owever, human beings are ever-evolving creatures, highl interconnected to their environment. f we were to decide that we know for certain who we are, we reduce ourselves to nothing more than a cardboard cut-out of ourselves. e do precisel the opposite of what those articles claim because we reduce ourselves to other people s images of us, which, being

born of another s mind, will favour predictabilit and minimise agenc .

Okay, so what do you propose?

think it is important to think about who we are, what we want and how we are perceived.

owever, at its core, think self-awareness involves practising the art of being oka with surprising ourself. t means tuning into our emotional responses to e periences and ideas, which will most likel change dail . n some da s, it might even be ever hour.

hen we free ourselves from the idea that we must be who we think we should be, we can e amine our lives from a place of curiosit rather than certaint . n other words, when we accept how unknown we are and will alwa s be to ourselves, we finall gain insight into the patterns of behaviour however contradictor the ma seem that make us who we are.

Written by Molly Fitz

Four reasons why you need a Museumkaart in the Netherlands

reaming about visiting famous works of art, beautiful castles, and ancient dinosaur bones hether ou ve recentl moved to the etherlands or have lived here for ears, ou need to get a useumkaart The useumkaart etherlands useum ass is an annual membership card that gives free entr to man museums in the etherlands.

Unlimited access to over 450 museums es, ou read that right urchasing the annual membership card gives ou free or discounted entr to over museums in the etherlands, with around museums in msterdam alone. hether ou re interested in art, culture, histor or science, there s something for ever one ost larger cities in the etherlands provide at least one place where the useumkaart can be used. ome of m personal favourites astle e aar near trecht, auritshuis in The ague, the pace po in oordwi k and aturalis iodiversit enter in eiden.

It’s cost-effective ith an annual fee of around euros per ear for adults and euros for children, the useumkaart provides e cellent value for the mone . ntrance fees at individual museums can be uite e pensive, with some costing upwards of euros. The one-time investment in the useumkaart will pa for itself in about three to four visits. The useumkaart can be purchased

online if ou re a utch resident. ust visiting ou can purchase a temporar useumkaart valid for da s at most museums. This temporar card, however, can onl be used at five museums in a -da period.

See masterpieces up close ou ma have seen famous works in our te tbooks as a child, on television or on social media, but how incredible would it be to see these masterpieces in person ith the useumkaart ou can visit The ight atch b embrandt, The irl with the earl arring b ermeer, a -million- ear-old T- e skeleton and artifacts from the ncient g ptian world. ith all these wonders so close b , wh wouldn t ou take the time to see them

Feel closer to Dutch culture eing an e pat can make ou feel as if ou re an outsider in a strange countr . To feel a bit closer to the culture of the etherlands, ve found that visiting museums and other cultura sites can be helpful. epending on our interests, ou can learn about artists from the utch olden ge, award-winning utch scientists, medieval castles and even the life of nne rank. ne short museum visit has the potential to better understand the utch. ne of the best parts of living or visiting the etherlands is that in such a small countr , ou re alwa s onl a short distance awa from an ama ing museum visit.

o matter what our interests are, ou re sure to find a museum for ou

or more information on the useumkaart, and to see what museums ou can visit with the card, visit museum.nl

Written by Tracey Martin

International BRAFA ART FAIR is back in January

Clockwise from top left

- Aert van der Neer (1604 - 1677), Skaters and ‘kolf’ players on a frozen waterway. Oil on panel, 33.6 x 49 cm. Collection Floris van Wanroij Fine Art.

- Frank Stella (*1936), Illustrations after El Lissitzky’s ‘Had Gadya’: A. Had Gadya: Front cover, CTPVI, 1985. Acrylic/vinyl paint and various print media on collaged paper, 108 x 86 cm. Collection Baronian Gallery.

- Karel Appel (1921 - 2006), Untitled, 1974. Oil on canvas, 75 x 100 cm.

Collection Gallery Delaive.

- Christian Krohg (1852 - 1925), The climbing plant, circa 1880. Oil on canvas, 36.5 x 30.5 cm. Collection Van der Meij Fine Arts.

- Marisa Merz (1926 - 2019), Untitled, 2009. Mixed media on paper mounted on plywood, 70 x 125 x 5 cm. Collection Bernier/Eliades Gallery.

The Brussels Art Fair (BRAFA) will take place from 29 January to 5 February 2023, traditionally the first major art fair of the year to visit. A strong and rich line-up of 130 international art dealers offers an eclectic array of great quality with works spanning art history, from applied classical to contemporary fine art.

With 67 editions to look back on, BRAFA has more than established itself as a major meeting place for art collectors from all over Europe. Thanks to rigorous vetting, the art fair has met the highest expectations of collectors and art lovers over the years. For the first time in BRAFA’s history, a record number of ten Dutch galleries will participate in the fair. Besides familiar faces, visitors can meet newcomers Van der Meij Fine Arts, VKD Jewels, Delaive Gallery and Galerie Van den Bruinhorst.

A walk along ten pioneers in art history

At Old Masters specialist Floris van Wanroij Fine Art (Dommelen), an ice scene with golf players by the important landscape painter Aert van der Neer (16041677) catches the eye. The Dutchman became best known for his remarkable nocturnal landscapes and his ice scenes, of which this is a fine example.

Norwegian artist Christian Krohg (1852-1925) is one of his country’s most important 19th-century painters and is widely recognised as a pioneer of social realism. His surprising perspective, a view of fields past a green creeper in the foreground, is offered by Van der Meij Fine Arts (Amsterdam).

Sunday 29 January to Sunday 5 February 2023

Open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Evening opening on Thursday 2 February until 10 p.m.

Brussels Expo Heysel, Palaces 3 (entrance)

Place Belgique 1, 1020 Brussels, Belgium

Information and entrance tickets on www.brafa.art

The Belgian neo-impressionist Theo van Rysselberghe (1862-1926) is among the artists who played a key role in the European art scene of the late 19th century, partly for his active involvement in the rebellion against outdated, prevailing academism. Studio 2000 Art Gallery (Blaricum) presents his atmospheric 1906 ‘Setting Sun near Veere’.

Pioneering design is on show at Galerie Van den Bruinhorst (Kampen). The gallery provides an avantgarde crate table from the 1930s by Utrecht designer and architect Gerrit Rietveld (1888-1964). This simple furniture of the free carpentry method, consists of genuine construction in which nothing is hidden and preferably remains unpainted.

At colleague MORENTZ (Waalwijk), a rare cabinet is on display with a subtle decorative character. Conceived by Italian designer and architect Paolo Buffa (19031970), it embodies a surprising modernity for the 1940s. The front is composed of vertical and horizontal slats placed on top of each other.

Intrigued by how quickly he could create ceramic works and the idea that they were both aesthetic and functional, Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) made a breathtaking collection of original ceramics between 1946 and 1973. His 1958 vase shaped like a proud tawny owl is a highlight at Dr Lennart Booij Fine Art Rare Items (Amsterdam).

Good contrast provides the colour explosion of Karel Appel (1921-2006), whose 1974 oil painting is shown by Gallery Delaive (Amsterdam). The Dutch painter is

known worldwide for his turbulent, colourful and semiabstract compositions and as a co-founder of the 1948 COBRA group of Northern European expressionists.

Frank Stella (*1936) is best known for his work in the field of minimalism and post-painterly abstraction. Baronian gallery (Brussels) exhibits one of his twelve Had Gadya etchings, on the traditional Jewish Passover song, which emerged from Stella’s fascination for the eponymous gouaches by the Russian avant-garde artist El Lissitzky (1890-1941).

Marisa Merz (1926-2019) is one of the central figures and the only woman artist involved in the Arte Povera movement. She employed unusual materials to create sculptures and drawings that reflected a poetic sensibility, while also challenging the elite status associated with artworks in the consumer culture of modern capitalism. Discover her work at Bernier/Eliades Gallery (Athens/ Brussels).

A masterpiece of antique Qianlong porcelain can be seen with Galerie Bertrand de Lavergne (Paris). The large, three-dimensional animal sculpture from ca. 1750-1770 is a naturalistic representation of a Chinese gold pheasant. Introduced to Europe in the early 18th century, this colourful animal became very popular with aviary keepers - including Madame de Pompadour.

Art Nouveau

in the spotlights

Art Nouveau has been chosen as BRAFA 2023 theme in conjunction with the Brussels Capital Region’s initiative to dedicate the new year to this wonderful art style. BRAFA will highlight this movement in various ways.

BRAFA - Brussels Art Fair

Interview with an expat

meet people, etc.

Do you have a favourite restaurant in your city?

To be honest, I don’t! I’ve eaten at some really good places, but nowhere where I’ve frequented often or been a regular.

What’s your favorite Dutch store? I’d probably say the Jumbo! I love the vibe in that grocery store, it just always feels so clean and welcoming to shop in.

What do you like to do on the weekends? On the weekends, my two favourite things to do are either hang out with my girlfriend and her family or to make YouTube videos. That’s pretty much where my time goes on the weekend. But also hanging out with friends or just simply relaxing at home is nice as well!

What’s your name and where do you come from? Can you tell us something about your hometown/country?

My name is Samuel (most people call me Sam) and I’m from California. Originally born in Los Angeles, I moved to the suburbs when I was 10, to a city called Fontana. Growing up in Southern California, I was always surrounded by a good mix of cultures and ethnicities. I really liked that; I feel it made me more open to people from all walks of life.

Where do you live in the Netherlands? What is one of your favorite things about where you live?

I’ve been living now in Amsterdam for 5 months and prior to that, I lived in Den Bosch for a little more than a year. My favourite thing about Amsterdam is the diversity, and not just in people, but also in events going on, things to do, etc. In Den Bosch I really loved the small town, “gezellig” vibes, where it felt like everyone knew each other.

What’s your job or business?

currentl work for a finance consulting compan , so get put on different pro ects, and right now m pro ect is a financial reporting position.

When as your first time in the etherlands What ere your first im ressions or hat as s ecial about that first tri first time in the etherlands was for a weekend trip in msterdam in the spring of , when was stud ing abroad in arcelona. first impressions were how old the architecture looked and how beautiful the canals were, I felt like I went way back in time! Coming from the US, especially California, you’re just used to modern and plain architecture, so seeing the buildings and city setup in Amsterdam was very different for me.

What is the nicest thing about the Netherlands? How does this compare to your country?

I think the nicest thing about the Netherlands is the organization in the country. It just feels like everything in society is intentionally structured and everything is arranged to have a properly functioning society. Whereas in the US, sometimes it feels more like a free for all when it comes to survival.

Besides the weather, what is your biggest pet peeve about the Netherlands?

Haha, funny that you already prefaced with the weather. But I’d say my biggest pet peeve about the Netherlands would be customer service, especially when eating out. I’m currently visiting the US while writing this, and in the times that I’ve gone out to eat here, or gone grocery shopping, or any other activity that involves me being a customer, it’s been so apparent the difference in customer care and attention. For example, in the Netherlands, if you go out to eat, sometimes it feels like you have to chase after your waiter, but in the US, you’ll be checked on multiple times to ensure that everything is going okay with your meal.

Do you have Dutch friends? How do you meet Dutch people?

I have some Dutch friends, yes. I would say, all or most of them, though, I met through a foreigner in the country!

What do you like about Dutch people? What don’t you like?

What I like about Dutch people is how they can be more to the point in terms of communication and don t have as much uff as we do as mericans. What I don’t like is that perhaps they can be a little more reserved if they don’t know you personally.

What’s your best advice for new expats to make friends?

My best advice for expats to make friends would be to learn conversational Dutch and to not be shy with putting yourself out there. Learning a bit of Dutch makes Dutch people more willing to want to have you around, because if you’re with a group of Dutch people, they’re not going to enjoy having to switch to English just for you, and that makes developing friendships harder. And as far as not being shy, as I said in the previous questions, Dutch people might be more reserved if they don’t know you, so it helps a lot if you make the extra effort to build relationships with people,

Who is your favourite Dutch historical, cultural or famous person? My favorite Dutch person is Sergio Vyent! He was the host of this show called “First Dates” where Dutch people go on a blind date. And for me, that show was instrumental in helping me learn utch when first moved here, and he himself just always seemed like a really cool and nice guy. I ended up meeting him at a concert that he had. Shout out to my girlfriend for organizing that.

What would you recommend a visitor to do and see in your city and in general in the Netherlands? In Amsterdam, I’d just recommend in general for a visitor to go beyond the tourist ring in msterdam. know when first visited there, that s all that saw. I thought I saw Amsterdam and the Netherlands, but now that I live here, I know there’s soooo much more. Go to the Utrecht, go to Den Bosch, go to Dordrecht, etc. I think it’s really important to keep in mind that if you just stay in that tourist bubble of Amsterdam, you really haven’t seen the Netherlands.

What is your favourite Dutch food? And what Dutch food do you dislike? My favorite Dutch food is 100% Dutch fries. There’s nothing like a tray of fries with mayo on top. What I dislike the most would be drop, that to me is disgusting.

Do you celebrate Dutch holidays? Which one is your favourite? eah definitel , tr to integrate as much as possible and e perience the cultural things here. favourite would probabl be arnaval, specificall in Den Bosch. It’s just a vibe in the city that you can’t really experience elsewhere.

Where do you like to go out in your city? Like with friends or co-workers? I like going out in De Pijp area, but I’ve also gone to quite a few events around Leidseplein.

What famous utch lace should ne isitors or ex at definitely go see?

I think this is one people usually don’t think of, but I would 100% recommend the Open Air Museum in Arnhem. That’s the most impressive museum I’ve been to in my life. You have all of these outdoor exhibits and they’re all or mostly authentic items that make you feel like you’re traveling back in time. would definitel recommend it.

Best-kept secret in your city?

I know this isn’t a secret for locals, but I don’t think tourists frequent this often, and that’s Vondelpark. If you’ve ever been to Central Park in NYC, then you’d love this park as well, if it’s a sunny day that is. It’s just so peaceful there, people just laying out in the grass, maybe vibing out to some music, ponds throughout the park, etc. It’s beautiful.

Looking back, what do you wish you knew before you moved to the Netherlands?

I wish I knew that most cars were manual. I only know how to drive automatic, but my girlfriend’s car is manual and if something happened where I needed to drive, we’d be screwed haha. So I need to learn.

What are a few things you recommend to new expat here in the Netherlands?

recommend first ust be open to what the countr culture has to offer. Don’t arrive with expectations of what’s to be or expectations that things will be the same as wherever you come from. My rule of thumb when moving to or visiting a new country is to just accept that there are different norms and customs, and I don’t mean accepting in the sense of you have to agree with them, but just be aware that there will be differences. Secondly, I’d recommend to really make an effort to not just surround yourself with expats or stay in an expat bubble. I feel by doing that, you’re limiting the integration you can have within the Netherlands and you’d also be missing out on what the country truly has to offer. I’m not saying don’t have expat friends, but just be cognizant to not only hang out with expats or only go to places where expats go.

Written by Marla Thomson

Dying in beauty |

Higlights from Pompeii and Herculaneum in Drents Museum

Till 26 March 2023 the Drents Museum in Assen presents the exhibition Dying in beauty - The world of Pompeii and Herculaneum with highlights from the Museo Archeologico Nazionale in Napels and the Parco Archeologico Ercolano in Herculaneum. This major archaeological exhibition focuses on life before the devastating volcanic eruption, and the art and beauty with which the inhabitants surrounded themselves. On display are more than 100 archaeological art treasures, including colourful frescoes, marble statues, a bronze fountain and golden jewellery.

In 79 AD, the Italian port cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum were buried when the volcano Vesuvius erupted. As a result, they became the best preserved cities from Roman times. Archaeologists have been uncovering large parts of the cities since the eighteenth century. The archaeological finds feature in the collections of the Museo Archeologico Nazionale in Naples and the Parco Archeologico di Ercolano in Herculaneum. For this exhibition, the Drents Museum is bringing the highlights to the Netherlands.

Living in beauty

The focus of the exhibition is on life before the eruption. Beauty and art were important to

the omans, something that is re ected in the exhibition. On display are personal items such as tableware and jewellery, as well as the statues, frescoes, mosaics and fountains that decorated the homes and gardens of rich and poor alike. The Romans admired the culture of ancient Greece, and placed statues that had previously ornamented Greek temples in their gardens. The statues thus gained a new context and were seen as art. The exhibition also focuses on the role of art in public space.

A unique fresco

For the Romans, beauty played a major role in identity formation. People had themselves depicted in idealised fashion on frescoes, wearing chic clothes and shown in elegant surroundings. An example is a mural from a home in Pompeii from the 1st century AD, showing the baker Terentius Neo and his wife – one of the highlights of the exhibition.

Publication and activity programme

The exhibition is accompanied by a publication of the same name by Waanders Uitgevers. There is also a special route for families, an activity programme, an accompanying offering in the museum shop, and guided tours for primary and secondary schools. For the duration of the exhibition, the museum will be open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 am to 5 pm.

For more information and tickets: www.drentsmuseum.nl

The Drents Museum won the Museumtijdschrift’s exhibition award for two of its previous major archaeological exhibitions (Iran: Cradle of civilisation, 2019; and Ararat: Treasures from ancient Armenia, 2022).

Eleventh Amsterdam Light Festival invites you to a world of imagination

From 1 December 2022 to 22 January 2023, the Amsterdam Light Festival will take place for the eleventh time. The popular winter event, one of the leading light art festivals in the world, connects all residents and visitors of the city and showcases top class light art against the backdrop of photogenic Amsterdam. The theme of the eleventh edition, with twenty inspiring works of art, is Imagine Beyond.

In its eleventh edition, Amsterdam Light Festival takes visitors into the world of imagination using the Imagine Beyond theme. The world is in motion, nothing seems obvious anymore. Imagination makes it possible to transcend the here and now, to imagine tomorrow without limits and to dream ahead. Let yourself be taken to places beyond what is known. Stare through the portals and let your imagination run wild. What do you see? Are we talking to lamps? Are there only have virtual bridges left? Does water ow up oin us on a ourne into the world of the imagination, along twenty specially selected works by national and international artists.

Vision

The Amsterdam Light Festival believes that art should be widely accessible and brought as close to people as possible, because they believe that interventions in familiar environments provide new energy and insights. By presenting light art in urban public space, it makes an impact with a broad target group: in the city and in the digital world. In this way, the festival makes a positive contribution to contemporary challenges faced by residents and visitors to the city.

Education

Young talent is participating in new light art projects for the festival for the eighth time, with special education programs. Students from the Breitner Academy will create a new light artwork under the supervision of the festival curator and technicians. In addition, a thousand primary school students in Amsterdam are working together with Studio Toer on a work of art called Bridges of a 1000 Dreams.

Tickets

The light artworks can be experienced from the streets or the water. Tickets for the boat and walking tours can be ordered via the festival website. With an audio tour onboard and a digital route map, the festival takes visitors into the theme of Imagine Beyond and the power of imagination.

www.amsterdamlightfestival.com

Marble statue, 1st century AD, Herculaneum, Parco Archeologico Ercolano in Herculaneum

Portrait of the baker Terentius and his wife, 1st century AD, Pompeii, Museo Archeologico Nazionale in Naples

Absorbed by Light - Gali May Lucas (Copyright Richard Rigby)

NAARDEN the Art fair celebrates its jubilee edition

For 25 editions, the Naarden the Art fair has been a household name, ust like its base the ancient, fortified town of aarden. The fair for old, modern and contemporary art celebrates its anniversary in the Grote Kerk in aarden from to anuar , . ore than renowned galleries, anti ue dealers and art dealers will be presenting their finest works in this jubilee edition

Like a fortress

The ver first fair was started b ohan and dith issik from nter vent in anuar under the name rt nti ues eekend aarden. raised for its intimate setting and hospitable reception, aarden grew, over two decades, into one of the most important art fairs in the etherlands the rt fair. ince its foundation, the rote erk aarden, a monumental church from the 15th century, has been a beautiful backdrop for the event, which annuall attracts thousands of art lovers from all over the etherlands.

Eye-catchers

n , the galleries, anti ue dealers and art dealers will once again present an e e-catching collection of paintings, sculptures, art ob ects, furniture, ewelr and photograph . efore the opening of the fair, the works on offer are inspected b independent appraisers to guarantee their ualit and authenticit . rare rench travel clock with da , date and moon indication can be seen at i sbers . nti ue. t is a large model from around , e uipped with a grande sonnerie striking mechanism. unsthandel gmalion features a ower still life in oil b eanne ieruma osting - . er noble famil preferred to see her marr and have children, but osting trained as an artist, went to aris on her own and an eventful career followed. kker rt aller is bringing photographic work b former dockworker idier ngels, including t s m pleasure . is fascination for the maritime world alwa s brings ngels back to the port of ntwerp. lbert ei dens finds his inspiration in the rench renees, where he lives and works for a large part of the ear. e likes to e periment with materials his urge to escape from the at surface is e pressed in relieflike representations. is work elodie , , is on displa with alerie rt

positions. in in hun is a member of the u ian rtists ssociation, a leading group of artists in hanghai. is landscape will star with alerie unstbroeders. The creations of ewelr designer ar van der luis are characteri ed b a non-conformist st le and colorful gemstones. n her collection, elegant lliance rings da le in carat gold with brown, ellow and greenish diamonds all around.

Festival information

aarden the rt fair is open on Thursda , aturda and unda anuar from to and on rida anuar from to . rote erk aarden, arktstraat , aarden- esting. Tickets and information: www.naardenartfair.nl

Jennifer Tee: Still Shifting, Mother Field | Kunstinstituut Melly

ennifer Tee s e hibition till hifting, other ield includes ceramic sculptures, te tile installations, performances and collages. s part of the e hibition at unstinstituut ell , Tee presents a performance developed together with orean improvisational choreographer and dancer iri ee.

entral to the work of ennifer Tee rnhem, is her interest in the state she calls the soul in limbo . The soul in limbo is restless and alive, trapped in an unnamed place, which she describes as a conceptual, mental, ps chological and ph sical space on the border between the present and the possible. Tee also e plores contemporar life with all its cross-cultural identities and narratives, instabilit , comple it and the potential loss of identit and language. n addition, she e plores various ideological concepts and their potential for creating a new, more beautiful and more animated world. er work stimulates re ection on the fragile connections of life, evoking spiritual atmospheres with active material e periments.

central element in the e hibition is the Tampan Tulip series. This consists of collages made from pressed tulip petals, with motifs borrowed from tampan fabrics. Tee These fabrics can be found in the ampung region of southern umatra, which has been part of an important trade route for hundreds of ears. The area has long been a crossroads of cultures and artistic traditions. The s uare-shaped woven tampans were e changed during rites of passage. The motifs often include a ship carr ing human souls, animals and plant-

like forms in motion to the ne t life references that create a connection between diasporic stories and the famil tree, genealog and the ancestors.

anuar to a unstinstituut ell Witte de Withstraat 50, Rotterdam www.kunstinstituutmelly.nl

It

PLACE TO WORK OR STUDY!

Dr Judy Leonard

Light show | Ouwehands Zoo Dutch Ice Sculpture | Zwolle

Massive light artworks take you to the deepest secrets of the water world, from colourful coral reefs, a basking shark and gigantic octopus to the most special aquatic creatures. Ride one wave of amazement to the next through breathtaking entertainment, the dazzling family theater show and the catering specials that will make your mouth water. Light Nights AquaLuna is an unforgettable light spectacle and a special night out. Want to make it an unforgettable day too? Then stay for a day at the zoo. The light show is open until 7 January.

www.ouwehand.nl/nl/light-nights-aqualuna

Nice Christmas Fairs

What to do during the Christmas holidays? Visit the Dutch Ice Sculpture Festival! Every year the best ice artists in the world come to Zwolle for this festival. This year, they have translated the theme ‘What a wonderful world’ into a magical space of ice and snow sculptures up to 6 meters high. In a large, freezing hall they get to work with 275,000 kilos of ice and 275,000 kilos of snow. Imagine yourself living in a world made of ice and be amazed. Open 17 December to 5 March.

www.ijsbeeld.nl

December vibes in the Netherlands! Thousands of lights, fire baskets, carol singers, decorated stalls with mulled wine, chowder and hot chocolate... The warm mood of Christmas markets and winter fairs make a cold December a lot more pleasant. There are very nice Christmas markets in various towns in the Netherlands. Magical Maastricht is the largest, but the Country & Christmas Fair in De Haar Castle, Winter Heerlyckheid, the Royal Christmas Fair in The Hague and are also worth a visit.

www.royalchristmasfair.nl www.magischmaastrichtvrijthof.nl www.countrychristmasfair.nl www.winterheerlijckheid.nl

Winter vibes | Paleis Het Loo

From animals in the palace and exuberant greenery to set tables, the palace is getting ready for the holidays. Experience the warm winter mood and taste the atmosphere of the past. The palace is decorated for winter like it was in the time of the 18th-century residents. What did the palace look like in winter and what was needed to keep the palace and its residents warm? Various items from the collection are highlighted in the palace, pieces that were used to keep the palace warm.

From set tables to delicious delicacies: what was needed for a great party? And what did a festive palace look like? You can also follow the Orange Walk in the wintry gardens. Now just wish for a little snow to create the ultimate winter picture! There are numerous winter activities on Stables Square throughout the holiday season.

www.paleishetloo.nl

Winter Paradise |

Amsterdam

Skating under a blanket of lights on an indoor and outdoor skating rink while nostalgic Christmas music sounds from the speakers: at the Amsterdam Winter Paradise in RAI Amsterdam you will enjoy a fun day of ice fun for the whole family. Ride on the speedskating track or try your hand at curling. There’s a separate children’s skating rink for the little ones. From 15 December to 1 January, open daily from 9 AM to 10 PM. www.hetamsterdamsewinterparadijs.nl

Dining in the coach house | Soestdijk Palace

How cool! Until 22 January you can dine royally in the temporary restaurant De Maaltuin in the coach house at Soestdijk Palace and in the winter castle Muiderslot – including royal elements, such as the red carpet that was used during the wedding of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima. The chef prepares a delicious five-course dinner with matching wines.

www.demaaltuin.nl

At Caesar Fitness + Spa Resort we have 5000m2 of fitness, wellness, and health facilities. Caesar is located in the city centre of The Hague on the Mauritskade.

Our motto at Caesar is: “Your body is your temple.” We offer a variety of activities for a healthy balance between sports and relaxation. Our members can train and relax in a safe and healthy environment. Thanks to our state-of-the-art ventilation system, our visitors always breathe in fresh and clean air. This system supplies us constantly with fresh outdoor air filtered through glass filters. Good air keeps us all in a good mood.

Our Body & Mind studio is a place to bring balance to your body, mind and spirit. We give different types of yoga classes. For example: Hatha yoga, Vinyasa yoga, Yin Yang yoga and many more. We can help you find the yoga class that suits you best. As a member you are free to explore all of them.

Next to yoga classes we also give different group classes in our aerobic studio, spinning studio and our swimming pool. They are fun, energetic and they keep you fit. We also have various Fitness & Sports activities. There’s a range of fitness equipment for beginner and advanced athletes, so there is always something to do for everyone.

At the Spa & Wellness area you can ease yourself in a soothing atmosphere. We have a hot whirlpool, a lovely swimming pool and different types of saunas to calm down. Our Beauty & Health offers a variety of massages that add to your well-being.

Did you know that we also have a Kidsclub?

Our Kidsclub is for young children from three months old till four years old. If you have kids as a member, they are taken care of during your visit at Caesar Fitness + Spa Resort.

Caesar offers the perfect environment to encourage a healthy lifestyle. A place where you can take a moment to yourself or to have quality time with friends. We are open every day of the year. Being a member at Caesar Fitness + Spa resort adds to your well-being and health. Come and experience it for yourself. For more information, visit our website www.caesar-denhaag.nl.

Fitness & Sport Beauty & Health

Spa & Wellness Body & Mind

Exhibition ‘Pristine Seas’ and large-screen film ‘Secrets of the Sea’ | Museon-Omniversum

Fom 16 February to 30 June 2023, Museon-Omniversum in The Hague will show the National Geographic exhibition ‘Pristine Seas’ and the large-screen film ecrets of the ea with narrator laudia de rei . The e hibition and large-screen film show the breathtaking beaut and incredible diversit of the underwater world and the great importance of protecting the oceans and keeping them health .

ational eographic s ristine eas e hibit features impressive images of worldwide ocean conservation e peditions over the past decade. About sixty photos by Enric Sala, among others, show how the National Geographic Pristine Seas team supports indigenous peoples, local communities and governments in creating protected marine areas. ince 2008, the team has conducted 36 expeditions and helped establish 27 protected areas covering more than . million s uare kilometers of ocean, from tropical coral reefs to icebergs. This e hibit is a testament to the Pristine Seas team’s unwavering commitment to protecting the blue heart of our planet, sa s ational eographic s athr n eane. The goal is to immerse visitors in the beaut of the seas and oceans while showing wh we need to preserve them.

The m dome screen of the useon- mniversum transforms into a grand, e otic underwater paradise during the breathtaking large-screen film ecrets of the ea, narrated b laudia de rei . The strangest and most spectacular ocean inhabitants pass b , from adorable p gm seahorses and smart s uid to manta ra s, tiger sharks and a coconut octopus all ama ing marine creatures ou ve never seen before. The large-screen film b directors onathan ird ncient aves and oward all nder the ea , oral eef dventure was shot in the hilippines, e ico, Tahiti, ndonesia, alau, awaii and alifornia, among others. howing over sevent marine species, ecrets of the ea reveals the man wonders and m steries of the oceans, and the fascinating wa s in which these creatures interact with each other and their environment. an marine animals depend on each other for survival. The film shows the crucial importance of marine biodiversit in keeping our oceans health .

“Life is a cabaret, old chum, come to the cabaret….” | Queen’s English Theatre

conomic crisis, political unrest, social upheaval. The eimar epublic and specificall erlin in was a turbulent time in erman histor . To ee the stress of dail life, residents sought out the man nightclubs that spouted up throughout the cit , including the seed it at lub. There, liff radshaw, a oung nglish writer from a good famil who had ed subdued reat ritain, would discover himself.

re uented mainl b prostitutes, homose uals, communists, and everthing else bourgeois societ considered lowlife, the guests at the it at lub were welcomed b an and other performers who lifted their spirits with songs such as illkommen , Tomorrow elongs to e , and abaret - what good is sitting alone in our room ome hear the music. ife is a cabaret, old chum, come to the cabaret . the time the clients left for home, they literally returned with a song in their heart and a dance in their step. nfortunatel , their escape from ever da life was onl temporar . The looming political unrest in erman onl mounted and after the a is came into power in , the fate of man of the it at lub s clientele and performers was sealed.

The stor , based on hristopher sherwood s novel oodb e to erlin , was later turned into the roadwa musical abaret and a ollwood film in starring i a innelli. ow msterdam s ueen s nglish Theatre ompan T is staging seven performances in ecember, directed b artistic director ark instanle and choregraphed b arolien anters at the mstel Theatre. The lead role of all owles is wonderfull pla ed b - ear-old ophie de rui n, who has a phenomenal sin-

ging voice according to sherwood, the real-life all owles could not sing at all . liff radshaw, the sh oung nglishman who at the it at lub discovers his homose ualit after having a ing with one of the dancers, is pla ed b draig Turle . The - ear-old actor and singer pla ed a oung prince harles in the utch musical iana en onen iana and sons . The role of is marvelousl performed b onas ouckaert, whose humor and stunning voice guide the audience from scene to scene, and ultimatel to the last unforeseen one, which most abaret audiences who onl know the roadwa and oll wood versions are unfamiliar with. owever, T s director instanle chose the sherwood original, and draws a clear parallel with the state of toda s world. ven more reason wh we need abaret in our lives.

ueen s nglish Theatre ompan T mstel Theater, msterdam www.qetc.nl/detail.cabaret/

Written by Benjamin Roberts

Wear it on your sleeve

Of all the story lines emanating from the FIFA World Cup, it was sometimes easy to forget that soccer was the name of the game. So many different parties where shouting and screaming to have their message heard, we could barely hear the drumbeats of Senegal or the boisterous signing of the national anthem by Moroccan supporters.

One of the stories that generated the most column inches of press coverage here in the Netherlands was the One Love captain’s armband but it was not until the story of the Dutch company that was producing the armbands became so swamped with orders that the story hit the pages of the international media outlets as well. Once again, that little country that always seems to punch above its weight had found its way into the international spotlights.

The One Love armband was the creation of the Dutch Football Association or KNVB. The campaign itself pre-dated the World Cup. Launched in 2020, it was an answer to the thorny problem of discrimination in and around Dutch football - homophobic and racist slurs still find their way into the beautiful game. The KNVB launched a comprehensive plan to combat discrimination on all fronts and the One Love campaign was just one part of that more extensive initiative backed by not only the top divisions of Dutch professional men’s and women’s football but a range of clubs, the Dutch government and other stakeholders such as media partner ESPN. “One Love” was part of a bigger statement made as an extension of the Ons Voetbal slogan of the KNVB. Ons Voetbal of course means “our football” and One Love was added to the complete slogan of “Our Football is for Everyone”.

Other key elements of the action plan were the establishment of the Mijnals Committee (which included national television talk show host Humberto Tan and former footballer Ruud Gullit) and DiscriminatieMelder, a hotline app designed to register discrimination incidents in professional and amateur football. As part of the activation of the campaign, the colorful One Love logo was developed and for numerous KNVB and Eredivisie matches, captain’s armbands were made so that the campaign could be fully felt on the pitch. All in all, a very good campaign not just for the goal but for the execution as well. So good, in fact, that the captain’s armband was adopted by Belgium, Denmark, Germany, England, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Wales, Sweden and Switzerland.

Those captain’s armbands bring us to the city Utrecht and the company entrusted to produce the vinyl pieces emblazoned with the now famous logo. When FIFA insisted that their own armbands be worn by the captains as per their own bylaws, the publicity surrounding the colorful One Love accessory made them a soughtafter souvenir of the 2022 World Cup. Orders flooded into the offices of Badge Group. The heavy-duty custom printing presses had to be turned on 24/7 to meet the demand and still could not keep up with the orders coming in from near and far. Demand for the bands had been only “so-so” until this summer, Heerkens said. An order for 500 of the coveted armbands was placed by the European Parliament. Badge Group owner Roland Heerkens had more than his own 15 seconds of footy fame as the world’s press scrambled to cover the story of the sold-out armbands. From Tokyo to Toledo and points in between, the story of the run on armbands hit the newsstands, airwaves, internet and social

media. Even the mayor of Utrecht could not resist a factory visit to show her pride in some hometown entrepreneurship.

The self-proclaimed “Professor of Merchandising” is certainly no stranger to event-fueled demand. They also have dealt with noteworthy images before having conceived and launched the iconic Champions League round logo some 30 years ago. Badge Group is also the partner of the KNVB in KNVBShop.nl as well as the popular fan merchandise site voeltbalshop.nl. A 40-year veteran and pioneer of merchandising for professional leagues from around the globe, Heerkens claimed he had not seen the likes of the interest in the One Love armband. Never short on words, Heerkens quipped, “While One Love did not get around the arms of the team captains at the World Cup, many people around the world got their arms around One Love!”

So much has been written about who should have worn what where and the missed opportunities and the many different sides of the story. One Love is more than just a slogan. Those of you old and lucky enough to think of Bob Marley and the Wailers when you hear One Love, know how darn powerful those two words can be when they fall together. For anyone who is lamenting the missed opportunities of the World Cup 2022 to project the right message, I submit to you that players embracing on the pitch after the United States defeated Iran was a good story that deserves more attention. It was a moment of true sportsmanship and yet we by and large missed it amidst the tumult and the shouting. Often, when we scream at the top of our lungs, we miss the subtle notes that really matter.

Written by John Mahnen

Roland Heerkens and the mayor of Utrecht Sharon Dijksma

Taking ownership of your health

Preventitive health check.

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