The Holland Times February 2023

Where can I find the Holland Times?

The Holland Times is widely distributed for free, in the regions of Amsterdam, Amstelveen, Hoofddorp, Schiphol, Leiden, Delft, Den Haag, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Eindhoven, Maastricht, Wassenaar and Enschede.

You can find The Holland Times at embassies and consulates, international organizations, internationally oriented companies, hospitals, medical clinics, sports clubs, international schools, housing companies, financial services and banks, expatriate centers, restaurants, libraries, kindergartens, language schools, social clubs, movie houses and expat-oriented stores, as well as Kellys Expat Shopping in Amsterdam, The Hague, Wassenaar and Utrecht.

Would you like to receive The Holland Times in your organization or become one of our distribution points?

Please contact c.spraakman@argomedia.nl

5 New laws per 1 January 2023

7 87 million assigned to artificial intelligence research

Dutch government takes action to combat fake news

9 Airline tickets are getting more expensive

11

13

Baggage chaos continues at Schiphol Airport

Cinema attendance is increasing, but not yet at pre-Covid levels

It’s not just those who live in Amsterdam-tourists hate crowds too

Rental prices higher whilst home prices continue to drop

COLOPHON

The Holland Times is an independent, English language newspaper with Dutch news, published by Argo Special Media B.V. Argo Special Media B.V. Postbus 2203 1500 GE Zaandam

Contributors

Marla Thomson, Nanda Jagusiak, Molly Fitz, John Mahnen, Zuzanna Kuffel, James Turell, Nicole Bea Kerr, Priyanka Sharma, Raphaek Perachi Vieira, Tracey Martin, Juan Álvarez Umbarila & Parul Sachdeva

Editor Roselaar Tekstadvies

Visit our website for news updates: www.hollandtimes.nl

For all editorial information and suggestions, please contact us at: c.spraakman@argomedia.nl

Advertising and Inquiries

Bert Versteeg

020-506 39 26

06-33 74 34 63 bert@hollandtimes.nl

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

Distribution

PostNL

Design & Layout

Caroline Spraakman

All Rights reserved by the publisher and/ or the author(s).

©2003 The Amsterdam Times

The editors try to ensure the accuracy of all information contained within. However, mistakes and omissions are possible. No rights may therefore be derived from material published.

Would you like to receive The Holland Times in your organization or become one of our distribution points? Please contact c.spraakman@argomedia.nl

Controlled circulation: international institutions, the diplomatic corps, and epicentres of the Netherlands’ international and expat community.

The opinions of external authors in the Holland Times are published under personal title and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editors of the Holland Times.

Photo left on cover: Kees van Dongen, Liverpool Light House, 1907, oil on canvas, 100 x 81 cm, private collection. Geneva, c/o Pictoright

The one-stop-shop for all obligations in regard to an employment in the Netherlands

We make it fastand simple for companies,contractors, and expats to set up all their payroll administrationand tax issues.

Why choose us?

IND Recognized Sponsor

Personal andspecialized advice Fair and clear communication

Through us you can work at 100% of the Dutch companies, even the non-IND registeredones.

New laws per 1 January 2023

Three significant changes to the basic healthcare allowance package will commence in 2023. Firstly, the prenatal combination test is removed from the basic package. The test was hardly used any more, since most pregnant women now choose the non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT), introduced in 2017. The NIPT will therefore be covered by the basic insurance package beginning this year. Everyone with a medical indication will be eligible for a free NIPT. Furthermore, from 1 January, vitamin D supplements will no longer covered by insurance.

The use of nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for leisure purposes is now prohibited. The government warns using nitrous oxide can lead to serious health problems, as well as reducing people’s ability to drive. The professional use of laughing gas for technical and medicinal reasons, as well as a food additive, is still legal.

The average price of a pack of cigarettes will rise from €8 to €9 starting on 1 April, rising to €10 on 1 April 2024, due to the increase in cigarette excise duty.

Childcare allowance and parental authority

In 2023, the childcare allowance will rise. Instead of being based on the number of hours worked, the allowance will be determined by the number of months worked. The government made the decision to raise the maximum hourly rate for childcare fees a second time in 2023 in mid-December 2022, as a result of the high inflation rate. As a result, parents will be compensated more for childcare costs.

As we enter a new year, changes will take place within various sectors in the Netherlands. From the beginning of 2023, several new regulations have come into effect, mainly relating to transportation, environmental sustainability, parental authority, childcare allowance, healthcare policies, income and mortgage. Furthermore, numerous subsidy schemes will be implemented.

Vehicles and transport

Regarding safety, while on the road, the national government details that all moped riders and any accompanying individuals must wear an authorised moped helmet or an authorised speed pedelec helmet starting on 1 January. The frequency of road fatalities and injuries among moped riders should decrease as a result of this. Failure to wear a helmet may result in a €100 punishment for drivers and passengers.

Additional measures unveil that municipalities can request financial assistance for hiring and training public transportation ambassadors as of 1 January. These ambassadors are volunteers who, among other activities, help the elderly and others with disabilities become more comfortable using public transportation. The subsidies can also be used by municipalities to extend ongoing public transportation ambassador initiatives. There are 1.5 million euros available in total.

Private individuals can once again receive a subsidy when buying an electric car. The incentive is worth €2,950 for new electric automobiles and €2,000 for used ones. For 2023, there is a total of more than € 99 million available. Furthermore, in 2023, the stipend for business owners to buy an emission-free (hydrogen or electric) car or van is continuing. An amount of 32 million euros is available for this. This also applies to nitrogen-free building equipment, for which a €36 million subsidy is available for 2023.

As of 1 January, the General Periodic Inspection (APK) for cars must include the particulate filter test. This test must be passed by all diesel cars that are obliged to have particulate filters, 1.2 million automobiles in total. The environment and human health are harmed by diesel vehicles that have a removed or damaged soot filter. The new test will have a structurally positive impact on the environment by reducing particulate matter emissions by 121,000 kg annually.

Regarding air travel, to cut CO2 emissions, the air passenger tax will increase by €18.48 commencing in 2023, rising from €7.95 to €26.43 per flight ticket.

Environmental endeavours

From the beginning of this year, packaging manufacturers are responsible for gathering and processing the packaging that is released in industrial waste. Previously, only household waste was subjected to this obligation. Beginning on 5 January, manufacturers of some plastic goods, including balloons, wet wipes, tobacco products, bags and drinking cups, must also help with litter removal. Additionally, these producers must encourage customers to avoid littering. As a result of this responsibility, there is less litter, limiting dangers to the environment and human health.

The solar panel VAT rate will drop from 21% to 0% this year. This ‘zero rate’ only applies if the solar panels are placed on a house or one of its outbuildings, such as a shed. As a result, citizens are no longer required to file a reimbursement with the tax authorities for the VAT.

Through the MIA/Vamil program, businesses will have a greater opportunity to invest in new environmentally friendly methods and assets in 2023. The program allows businesses to write off sustainable investments against their taxes. For example, this applies to investments in biogas generators for local power supply during festivals, investments in machinery for producing fish and dairy alternatives, and investments in environmentally friendly building materials like wooden insulating boards made from residual flows. The budget for this is set at 217 million this year. To add to this, from 2023, offices can only be used if they have a C or higher energy label. Small offices, offices located in monumental buildings, and offices serving auxiliary purposes are excepted from this rule.

Homeowners and owners’ associations (VVEs) will now qualify for a subsidy if they implement at least one energysaving measure this year. Up to now, only two or more methods could get a subsidy. Measures such as floor or roof insulation can receive a 15% subsidy. If two or more measures are implemented, the subsidy will remain at 30%.

Cleaner water and healthcare policy measures

New standards for tap water will go into effect throughout Europe on 12 January. Better monitoring of contaminants that can affect the quality of drinking water will be the result. In areas with a high child population, the existence of lead drinking water pipes should also be more strictly monitored, the government states. If the lead pipes are removed, this information should be recorded. To reduce the hazards connected with legionella, new policy is implemented based on research in the last 20 years.

From this year onwards, parental authority will automatically belong to both parents. When a newborn is registered at the municipality, both parents will immediately acquire joint parental responsibility. They no longer need to ask the court for shared custody. There are some exclusions; for instance, parents who do not want parental authority to be created automatically can specify this when registering the child.

Pay increases and benefits

The basic income tax has been lowered to 36.93%, from 37.07%. This rate applies to incomes up to €73,031. The maximum benefit that people in work may reap from this is €102. Increasing the tax credit for the employed is another step to encourage employment. That sum is subtracted from the amount of income tax you must pay.

The pay amount of certain benefits will increase on 1 January, such as the dole (bijstand), IOAW and IOAZ, IOW, AOW, ANW, Wajong, WW, WIA and WAO. This is due to the fact that these benefits are tied on the legal minimum wage, which is also rising to €1.934,40 per month for those aged 21 and up. After 1 January, residents under the age of 27 will no longer be considered costsharing housemates under the new cost-sharing criteria. This will benefit anyone in the household who is receiving benefits (for example parents on benefits, whose adult children live in the same house and are in work), as they now no longer get reductions in their benefits if their housemates have an income.

Regarding the transition compensation upon dismissal, the government states that if an employee is dismissed, the transition payout will not surpass €89,000 in total.

Housing and mortgages

In 2023, the mortgage interest deduction will drop from 40% to 36.93% for those whose income is above € 73,031. If individuals earn less than the average income, this modification will not have an impact on their deductible items. Furthermore, from 1 January, the tax-exempt gift that parents can give their children to help them buy a house has dropped from €106,671 to €28,947. For homes costing between €75,000 and €1,200,000, the notional rental value will be lowered to 0.35%. For houses costing more than €1,200,000, the proportion stays at 2.35%.

The 2023 rent liberalization cap is € 808.06. This threshold determines if you reside in a private or a social renting property, and thus whether you can receive rent support (huurtoeslag).

Written by Nicole Bea Kerr

million assigned to arti cial intelligence research

in the field of Computer Vision. ICAI is working on Computer Vision to support decision-making in healthcare, that is, better understanding the images that are used in cancer treatment or in diagnostics. ICAI is also working on the reduction in energy consumption by using algorithms. Sometimes, the reduction is more than 90 percent.

170 PhD candidates

ROBUST, a new project of the Innovation Center for Artificial Intelligence at the University of Amsterdam, aims to develop trustworthy AI technology for the resolution of socially relevant issues. Some studies show that 34 percent of people are afraid of AI, while 24 percent think AI will be harmful for society. Maarten de Rijke, Professor of AI and Information Retrieval at the University of Amsterdam (UvA) and director of the Innovation Center for Artificial Intelligence (ICAI), acknowledges that technological development creates opportunities, but also fears. We have seen that also in the past, not just with AI, but also with the arrival of electricity, the steam engine, etc. The question of potential job loss also comes up. Typically, with all those

technological changes, more jobs were created than lost. Jobs change and that is why it is important to give people a lot of transparency about what the changes might be and transparency about how they could be part of the change rather than being pushed aside.

Building trustworthy AI

ICAI focuses on the joint development of AI technology through industry labs in collaboration with the business sector, government and knowledge institutes. It was launched in 2018 and has run projects with a strong focus on tech development. De Rijke says that he is most proud of the people ICAI has attracted from all around the world. Secondly, in terms of tech, some projects have already been finished, mostly

Now, ICAI’s new initiative, ROBUST, will focus on tech development with a clear societal goal. All the labs at ROBUST have signed up for one of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, such as reduced inequality, sustainable infrastructures and solid societal organizations. ROBUST is supported by the University of Amsterdam and 51 government, industry and knowledge-sector partners. Seventeen new public-private labs will be set up under the ROBUST umbrella and form part of the ICAI, thus bringing its lab total to 46. The programme aims to strengthen the Dutch artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem by boosting fundamental AI research, focusing primarily on the development of trustworthy AI technology for the resolution of socially relevant issues, e.g. in healthcare, logistics, media, food and energy. “The new labs will still build algorithms to help solve a problem, but the focus is especially on making these algorithms trustworthy. In some cases trustworthiness means that the data doesn’t leak, for instance in the medical setting. In other cases it means that the methods are resilient against changes in the world and against attack,” says De Rijke.

ICAI focuses on AI talent and knowledge development. In the coming year, ROBUST will recruit no fewer than 85 new PhD candidates, followed by another 85 in five years’ time. Why hire PhD candidates instead of recruiting experienced specialists from around the world? “There is a big shortage of talent, so there is just not enough specialists around. We need to create a next generation of those specialists,” says De Rijke.

The new labs within ROBUST have a strong emphasis on technology development, but they all work in context. In some of the labs the focus is, for instance, on technology development in the medical setting. Hence, the ideal PhD candidates have a mixture of medical background and demonstrate knowledge in computer science, AI or statistics. However, part of the research agendas in each of the labs is devoted to figuring out how the technology can be put in place in such a way that people trust it. Hence, in each of the labs there will also be a PhD student with a background in Humanities or Social Sciences.

ROBUST is sponsored by the Dutch Research Council (NWO), which has earmarked 25 million euros for the programme for the next ten years. The total ROBUST budget amounts to €87.3 million, of which 7.5 million comes from the Ministry of Economics and Climate.

Written by Zuzanna Kuffel

utch go ernment ta es action to com at a e news

‘Fake news’ is a term that has become so ubiquitous in political discourse it now induces the eye-rolling normally reserved for centuries-old cliches. There was even a short-lived comedy panel-show in the UK called The Fake News Show. However, the problem of fake news or misinformation is creating a fractured social discourse, fostering divisive political and personal interactions in the Netherlands and across the globe.

Misinformation is not a purely 21st-century phenomenon. Ordinary people, news sources and governments have always intentionally lied at certain points in history. Of course, the central difference between now and any other historical point, is the omnipresent use of social media, and the hyperactive, algorithmic, individualised information universe it creates for us.

The Dutch government, alongside general EU policy directives, is creating initiatives in an attempt to counter the effects of disinformation across Dutch society. According to research by the Reuters Institute, 37% of the Dutch public use social media as their central source of news. This means that a third of the Dutch population are receiving their news via platforms such as Facebook without any editorial firewall between them and the stories they read.

It is well-documented that social media or online sites such as Facebook, Twitter or YouTube present their users with content driven by their previous viewing choices. So if you were a consumer that mostly clicked on stories published by NOS, then the algorithm will present you with similar content from comparable sources. However, should a user begin to click on stories from less reputable news providers or those with a conspiratorial angle, the algorithm will begin to present similar stories, and the more you click, the more dangerous the misinformation

presented. Research by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue - a UK based counter-extremism group - found that Facebook’s algorithm would readily recommend Holocaust denial material to users. The New York Times also conducted an investigation that showed how YouTube’s recommendation service can lead a user from standard conservative content to outright racist material.

It is with this backdrop, and that of Covid- and 5G-based social unrest that has plagued the Netherlands for the last three years, that the Dutch government is setting out its policy initiatives to combat disinformation. Children at some schools are already learning digital skills directly related to understanding fake news, including how to search the internet intelligently and understand the online information they encounter. Games company DROG has created a video game that tests players’ skills at spotting misinformation.

The government would like to extend this education to the wider public to improve the media literacy of society generally. Every year, Dutch municipalities will receive £60 million to fund digital skills workshops for those who struggle with all aspects of digital literacy. This includes consultation sessions, where members of the public spend time with media coaches to improve their information literacy, and learn skills to understand how misinformation manifests in a digital context.

Alongside this, the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations has published a range of material online to help people understand this problem. This includes basic explainers on how algorithms function, motivations for why a person or organisation would post disinformation and the different types you might encounter, whether that be deepfake videos or intentionally misleading articles.

Prime Minister Mark Rutte hopes that these initiatives will help people to autonomously spot and reject the fake news they see. Rutte himself has been subject to numerous fake news stories, the most serious of which was a viral screenshot of a false news article from American broadcaster CBS stating he had declared a national state of emergency. This was untrue, and those with sufficient media literacy would have understood that.

However, until social media companies face actual repercussions for allowing disinformation on their platforms, they will continue to host it. Press freedom activists Reporters without Borders have filed a lawsuit against Facebook for ‘deceptive consumer practices… and allowing disinformation and hate speech to flourish on its network.’ If the suit wins, Facebook will not be required to make any long-term changes to their system, but will face a fine of up to $8.6 billion dollars – a hefty sum considering its profit in 2021 was $46 billion.

Written by James Turell

We are here

support you

We understand the highs and lows of living internationally

THE WORLD IN YOUR CLASS ROOM!

Partners, we are experts in treating mental health issues. Our

At

understand the highs and lows of international living. We provide personlized care with a strong focus on quality of life. Our team of psychologists and psychiatrists offers treatment to adults and children from 6 years old in English, French, Greek, Spanish, Mandarin, Japanese, Dutch and German. Kühler & Partners look forward

welcoming

supporting you.

Education for a peaceful and sustainable future

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.

Airline tickets are getting more expensive due to environmental measures

The time of dirt-cheap tickets is behind us. Flying to Barcelona, Paris or other European cities for a few bucks will no longer be an option. The increase of ticket prices does not come out of the blue, according to Metro Nieuws. Airlines have warned that price increases are imminent due to environmental measures that will be introduced in the coming years.

For example, the trading rights to emit greenhouse gases are being tightened up by the European Commission. Since 2005, airlines, like other polluters, have had to hold emission rights in order to be allowed to emit CO2. Until now, the vast majority of those allowances were free, but that will be phased out from 2024 until there are no more free allowances at all in 2027, reports newspaper Het Parool. Companies will have to buy their allowances at an annual auction from the European emission authorities or from other emitters. Because Brussels is reducing the number of emission allowances by 4.4% annually, the price will rise considerably.

“Based on the current situation, this will result in a surcharge of €20 to €50 euros per ticket. For example, the SchipholBarcelona flight will be €47 more. At the same time, companies such as Ryanair and Easyjet will continue to sell low-cost tickets as a marketing tool,” explains Stef Driessen, tourism economist at ABN AMRO. Thus, a flight to the French Riviera could cost almost €21 euros more,

to Lisbon €30 and to Athens €34.

The main idea behind the new measures is to force emitters to become more environmentally friendly. For decades, airlines have not had to pay taxes for the use of kerosene, the fuel used by aviation, while the electricity used by a train has to be taxed. The difference between a train ticket and an airplane ticket will become smaller due to the measures, reports NOS. “Kerosene has been tax-free since 1944. Thanks to the new environmental measures, the burden on the environment is also included in the price of an airline ticket,” explains Driessen.

Flying to Turkey becomes a good option

An unintended effect of the European emission measures is that the price of air travel to popular holiday countries outside the EU, with Turkey in the lead, will be more favourable than those to Spain, Portugal and Italy. After all, EU emissions trading only applies to flights between European airports. “Companies have to pay emission allowances from Amsterdam to Rome, but not for a flight to New York,” says a spokesman of the Dutch Emissions Authority, which is responsible for the allowances.

The question is whether the higher prices will also lead to fewer flights. The main hope is that there will be more conscious flying, says Driessen. “In general, a holiday is the last thing that is cut from people’s

budgets, but perhaps more attention will be paid to longer stays instead of short city trips.”

Holidays within the Netherlands on the rise

Dutch people will continue to show more interest in holidays in the Netherlands, as compared to the last year before the Covid crisis. This is what the Netherlands Bureau for Tourism & Congresses (NBTC) expects on the basis of its

International Holiday Monitor. According to the NBTC, the Dutch booked more than 28 million overnight stays in their own country in 2022, 11% more than in 2019. For 2023, the bureau expects an increase of 2%. In addition to the increased prices for airplane holidays, respondents also indicate that they choose the Netherlands because of the possibility to stay in a quiet place.

Written by Raphael Perachi Vieira

Baggage chaos continues at Schiphol Airport

The frightening scenes of four-hour long waits and queues that snaked around the cavernous halls of Amsterdam Schiphol from last summer may be overfor the most part - but the chaos isn’t over yet. Several facets of the complex disaster that was the summer of 2022 at Schiphol Airport have been solved, but there are still problems with the baggage handlers - a problem that may not be as easy to solve.

A little backstory: the airline and travel industries were hit particularly hard by the Covid lockdowns. Even when general restrictions were lifted around the world, people were still cautious about traveling. Then after Covid, when just about everything opened up, many countries and industries suffered from severe personnel shortage.

Among the affected industries was the already hard-hit travel industry, and at the frontend of that industry are the people who work at the airports.

Across the world, but particularly at Schiphol Airport, long lines and extended wait times began to form. There were shortages in security, immigration and general airport personnel, and there was a large shortage of baggage handlers. Many airport-related employees had found new employment when the airports were closed during Covid, and the low wages, hard work and job uncertainty made it unattractive to return to the airport. Especially baggage handlers jumped ship, having complained about their working conditions long before Covid. After all, finding a better-paying job that is less demanding isn’t difficult after Covid.

To remedy the chaos, a huge hiring campaign was initiated. Most of the sectors - security and general airport personnel - were able to staff up and meet the demand of the busy airport. But not the baggage handlers; this is the sector that is at the heart of the continuing chaos at the airport. Looking a bit further into the problem, it’s not difficult to understand why.

Other than the employees of the individual shops and restaurants, most of the staff at the airport is hired by and works for the airport itself. With strong ties to and backing from the national government, and its financial resources, solving the staffing problem was a relatively simple task. After all, being the Netherlands’ only worldscale international airport for people and cargo, Schiphol facilitates and contributes significantly to the Dutch economy.

However, staffing for the baggage handlers isn’t as easy, since they work for one of six individual baggage handling companies, which in turn are contracted by the airlines. The larger airlines usually have their own in-house handlers. It’s up to the baggage handling companies and airlines to hire more handlers; if those companies ask for government assistance, it’s an entirely different ballgame than a major airport asking for the same thing.

Compounding the problem is the fact that baggage handlers in general, around the world have long been asking for better wages, less strenuous work and better benefits. This makes the current problem at Schiphol - and indeed many other airports worldwidelarger than the fallout from Covid and the subsequent general personnel shortages. The problem lies with the job itself; with the amount of work versus the low pay these positions receive; with the strenuous working conditions, including the number of hours worked; and with insufficient benefits and bonuses.

Thus, without a careful solution at the root of the problem, the bottlenecks at the airport, and indeed all airports, will continue. The issue may not be easy to see since the long lines and four-hour waits are a thing of the past summer, but the persistent problem of the baggage handling may create more serious issues downstream. Perhaps it’s a good time for airlines, baggage handlers, airports and governments to completely overhaul the baggage handling side of their operations, but steps in this direction have not been taken as yet.

Written by Marla Thomson

Cinema attendance is increasing, but not yet at pre-Covid levels

During 2022, people in the Netherlands went to the cinema on average 1.4 times per person, a figure almost doubling the per capita attendance of 2021 (0.8 times). The latest statistics of cinema and audiences, released in January by Film Distributors Netherlands (FDN) and the Dutch Association of Cinemas and Film Theaters (NVBF), show that the industry is finally recovering after two years of dramatically low numbers due to the Covid crisis and lockdown measures. Although attendance levels are not still as high as they were before the pandemic (in 2019 attendance was 2.2 per capita), they point to a slow stabilization, with an outlook to 2023 that promises exciting releases and a renovated enthusiasm for cinema outings, as well as new economic challenges.

An FDN report declared that 2021 was a “historically bad year for Dutch cinemas and film theaters,” with attendance numbers that had not been so low since 1992. This is not surprising, given that during 2020 and 2021 lockdowns, cinemas were closed for a total of 39 weeks. While in 2019 cinemas and film theaters received 38 million visits, for 2020 that number was only 16.8 million, and by 2021 it lowered even further to 14.2 million visits - a decrease of 62.3% in 2021 compared to 2019.

For 2022, attendance went up to 25 million visits. Dutch cinemas sold 75% more tickets than the year before, and in exchange received 258 million euros, an 81% improvement (which in reference to attendance is explained by a price increase of 3%). According to FDN, other European countries such as Germany, France and Spain also saw lower numbers in 2022 compared to pre-Covid years, but, as pointed put by Leo Bankersen in Cultuurpers, Dutch cinemas and film theaters recovered slightly faster in 2022 than other countries in Europe and even the United States. Bankersen also notes that the cinema calendar of 2022 had only 11 months instead of 12, given that the last lockdown was lifted by the end of January and during February some restrictions still remained, so the recovery could have been even stronger than the numbers alone seem to suggest.

Major international film releases helped bring attendance back during 2022, like Top Gun: Maverick, which by itself brought 1.3 million visits to cinemas, followed by Minions: The Rise of Gru and Spiderman: No Way Home. The holiday season was mostly carried by Avatar: The Way of Water, bringing 877.000 visitors to theaters. Dutch films also contributed to the recovery, and attracted 4 million visits to cinemas (a market share of 16%), with titles like Soof 3 (440.000 visits),

Bon Bini Holland 3 (440.000) and Costa!! (261.000). For the Christmas holidays, the Dutch comedy De Tatta’s managed to bring in 192.000 visitors in quite a short time.

According to FDN, from the point of view of major releases, 2023 promises to be very positive, with international titles like The Super Mario Movie, The Little Mermaid, Dune: Part Two, Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning, The Fabelmans and The Whale hitting theaters throughout the year, as well as Dutch titles like Klem and Grenzeloos Verraad. However, 2023 also promises to be challenging for the industry, with consumers having less money to spend, which may still precent many to return to the cinemas. Perhaps the biggest challenge ahead is that the

energy crisis is tripling electricity costs, and most businesses in the film sector are not eligible for government compensation. With increasing wages and general prices, economic balance will be overall tougher for the industry to achieve.

Nevertheless, a cinema outing remains one of the cheapest outings in 2023. Long ago are the golden ages of cinema attendance records of the 1940s and 1950s, but even in the current time of flooding streaming services and cultural media options, going to the cinema is proving to be a competitive source of entertainment, solace and interest for mass audiences today, and most likely for a long time to come.

Written by Juan Álvarez Umbarila

It’s not just those who live in Amsterdamtourists hate crowds too

After a brief period of calm during the pandemic, Amsterdam will most likely host more than 20 million visitors in 2023, according to the city’s Research and Statistics unit. Post-pandemic tourist numbers in the Netherlands steadily rose last year. More than 14.6 million visitors stayed in hotels and other short-term accommodations in the third quarter of 2022, a full 15% more than the year before, according to data published by Statistics Netherlands. Around 5.4 million of those vacationers came from abroad. Amsterdam, as usual, was the most popular destination in the Netherlands for foreign tourists. But many Amsterdammers are less than enthusiastic about the return of mass tourism, which has long been a major concern for residents and businesses. Noise, crowds and rowdy behaviour are some of the most common complaints. But it’s not just Amsterdam’s denizens who’ve had enough of the crowds - it turns out tourists could do without them as well.

A recent study by researchers at the Experience Lab of Breda University of Applied Sciences, Tilburg University, and KU Leuven used virtual reality (VR) technology to evaluate tourist responses to crowds and crowded locations. Several Amsterdam hotspots were included, including Kalverstraat, Prinsengracht and Dam Square. Participants’ emotional reactions were measured while they viewed images depicting these popular locations with different crowd densities. It turns out that tourists really don’t like

crowded places. Many participants were particularly sensitive to the feeling of being surrounded by masses of people; the sensation triggered flight-like brain responses in some subjects. Around 84% of participants would be willing to pay entrance fees up to €5 to enjoy less crowded attractions. The study also found that tourists are willing to change plans and adjust their schedules if provided with real-time information about crowd levels.

Overtourism has long been an issue for those who live and work in Amsterdam. The rise of short-term and party tourism has fundamentally altered the character of many of the city’s historic neighborhoods. Noise and rowdy behaviour from bachelor parties and pub crawls are common irritants, particularly in De Wallen, the city’s famous Red Light District. City council members regularly field complaints about rowdy tourists from constituents.

Amsterdam already has regulations in place to address tourism-related overcrowding. The city’s Tourism in Balance ordinance, adopted in 2021, establishes a limit of between 10 and 20 million overnight tourist visits per year and requires the city to take action if it appears that number will be exceeded. However, that’s not enough to keep Amsterdam a nice place for residents and visitors.

Sofyan Mbarki, Amsterdam’s Deputy Mayor of Economic and Inner City

Affairs, introduced a comprehensive program to address several overtourismrelated issues raised by constituents, stating it “has become clear that everyone cares about the city and that intervention is needed to counter the nuisance and overcrowding”. Mbarki’s plan calls for restrictions on organized pub crawls and bachelor parties, as well as limits on the number of canal cruise docking points in the Red Light District. Earlier closing hours for bars and clubs in the area have been proposed.

A ban on smoking marijuana in public spaces is under consideration. Furthermore, the plan calls for transforming some hotels into offices and living spaces. Mbarki also hopes to encourage some tourist attractions to relocate to areas outside of the city centre, such as Amsterdam North and Zuidas.

The program includes plans for a public service campaign to educate tourists about behavioural expectations, which is expected to be rolled out in the spring of 2023.

The proposals are part of Mbarki’s Visitor’s Economy 2035 program designed to manage economic growth while responding to the tourism-related concerns of those who live and work in the city. “If we want effective and forwardlooking cooperation, both a long-term vision and appropriate measures are needed. Amsterdam is a metropolis and that means a lively and bustling city, but to keep our city livable, we now have to opt for limits instead of irresponsible growth,” explains Mbarki. Debate on the measures is continuing in the municipal council.

Written by Lorre Luther

At Kühler & Partners International Mental Health we provide psychological healthcare for Kids & Teens. We have a specialist team of child psychologists and a child psychiatrist, offering high quality care to children age 6-18 and their families.

We are there to support children who experience psychological issues such as anxiety, depression, stress due to major life events, low confidence and self-esteem, problems with attention, behaviour or emotion regulation. If these problems do not disappear by themselves and last too long, they may have an impact on different areas in the child’s life, such as family, friends and school. Therapy or counselling can help to find a way forward. We work together with children and parent(s)/families towards a healthier and better personal wellbeing.

After initial assessment, we offer individual therapy, parent- and family counselling. Our treatments are tailormade, short if possible and longer if needed. We are a multidisciplinary team of professionals with an international background.

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

Rental prices posing a new inflation threat whilst home prices continue to drop

Netherlands house rental prices are set to accelerate this year to a pace not seen in many years. The soaring rentals are choking affordability and crippling many lives. In 2022, housing rental prices were up by 3% on average compared to the previous year, the steepest rise since 2014. These figures and data have been released straight from the horse’s mouth, Statistics Netherlands (CBS).

The authority examined both the prices in the private sector and those in social housing. Rent in the former category rose 3.8 percent whereas residents of social housing shelled out an average of 2.6 percent more. The figures certainly are worrisome and clearly raising rental price development concerns, with or without a change of residents. Landlords are bound to increase the rent with every new tenant. The figures show the average rent increase due to change of residents. Of the four large municipalities, rents in Amsterdam topped the list with a rise of 3.6%, followed by Utrecht with 3.5%, the slowest being Friesland at 2.5%. The tenant association Woonbond is worried about inflation, as higher rent is accompanied by higher energy bills. These figures are making it clear that housing is quickly becoming unaffordable for tenants.

Extending some relief over the mounted tension, Housing Minister Hugo de Jonge announced that over 500,000 renting households with low incomes and highs

rent can expect a rent reduction in 2024. But these assurances are not convincing for Woonbond: it is demanding immediate implementation of the announcement made by the minister. It also advocates that these rent reductions should also be applied in the commercial sector as well. Furthermore, it argues that the cabinet should intercede to prevent tenants from paying high rents due to poorly insulated homes. For instance, single glazing should be considered a defect, as these windows let in a lot of cold air, making it difficult to heat your home. This will ensure that the replacement costs of single glazing is borne by the landlord. If the landlord turns a blind eye to this obligation, rent reduction is the only way out until the inefficient windows are replaced.

On contrary, as per Rabobank, home prices are expected to fall by 3% this year and by another 1.5 % in 2024. Despite the fall, the bank does not see houses become more affordable in general. The everincreasing interest rate is surely breaking the back of the common man. Therefore, it is apparent that higher interest rates are crimping affordability, especially for first-time buyers. Interest rates have an overpowering effect on the value of residential properties; it determines the cost of a loan. Still, the extremely heated market seen in the last decade seems to be cooling down, making the housing supply larger, and thus providing more choices for the buyers. According to the chairman of NVM, the Dutch estate agents’

association: “The average house price is still over 400,000 euros. Then you have to earn quite a lot and with the increased mortgage interest, the monthly costs are so high that it is becoming increasingly difficult for starters.”

The Amsterdam region experienced a major fall in house prices, of more than 9%. There are also regions where the prices rocketed. South Limburg and Twente are still experiencing rising prices. The prices even rose by 15% in Delfzijl (northern Groningen) and surrounding areas. However, economists forecast that demand is going to decrease in the housing market. High energy and food prices pushed Dutch inflation to

Climate anxiety

Do you lay awake at night scrolling through the photos of the devastation caused by calamitous natural events: floods, wildfires, heatwaves, droughts? Does every piece of news about world hunger, food shortages, unseasonably warm winter, melting glaciers, and rising global temperatures make you question every decision of your life? Does the amount of plastic and nonbiodegradable products in your shopping basket fill you with guilt and shame?

And yet, like a deer caught in headlights with a dry mouth and palpitating heart, you keep reading, keep watching –because you want to know – what is it you are headed into? What is your future going to look like? Should you invest in ski gear or forget about seeing snow on the Alps any time soon? You want to know how bad it will get and if there is any hope at all.

Those feelings of despair, hopelessness, and sometimes even anger, that are becoming increasingly frequent with each passing day - you are not the only one facing them. What you are experiencing is climate anxiety, also known as eco-anxiety. Climate anxiety is stress related to worries about the effects of climate change. It is deeply rooted in uncertainty about the future and the effects of climate change.

Climate anxiety is experienced by people of all age groups, but is more prevalent in young adults. According to a study conducted by The Lancet, 84% of children and young adults ages 16 to 25 are at least moderately worried about climate change, and 59% are very or extremely worried. This makes perfect sense: it is them and their future that is most affected by the environmental changes.

While we can observe the effects of climate change on our physical surroundings, in our food and water resources, agriculture, wildlife, our entire ecosystem and our

physical health, its effects on our mental health often go unnoticed. Rest assured, its effects on our minds are as real as on our bodies. The consistent visible, and sadly rapidly accelerating deterioration of our environment and depletion of resources is enough to make anyone question the purpose of our day-to-day life. What is the point in doing well at school, holding down a job, having a financial portfolio, buying a house, or a car for that matter, when it will all soon go up in flames or be inundated with water?

All is not lost

Yes, climate change is our reality, and yes, it is affecting us both physically and mentally, but we cannot give into despair. We have to keep going, and continue to do our part - all is, and cannot be lost.

In a way, it’s good that we have all those fears and worries, and that the future of our planet is keeping us up at night. It means that now we can do something about it.

But what can we do?

There is a lot that you can do. Here is a simple list:

5.7%, meaning people have less money to spend on a new home. All these factors are leading to an additional drop in demand. However, the NVM has some more fresh challenges: demand in the country is expected to rise by more than 900,000 houses by 2030. These still have to be built, but the high cost of land, difficulties in planning permission, energy-efficient building, and inflated prices of raw materials means developers are procrastinating or even cancelling projects.

Written by Parul Sachdeva

And when all the negativity starts to overwhelm you, use the power of nature around you – come rain or sunshine, go take a walk in nature.

Climate change is the single biggest challenge of our times, but there is still hope. Together, with our every conscious action taken to help the planet, we can stop global warming. Do not let that anxiety cripple you - use it as a weapon to empower your actions.

Written by Priyanka Sharma

Revolutionary weight loss method

A new weight-loss medicine has recently become available in the Netherlands. The method has been found safe and effective by the Department of Health and its results are nothing short of revolutionary. The medicine is administered daily by the client with mini-injections. Combined with dietary adaptions and medical supervision, the method appears particularly effective. At last, losing excess weight and maintaining a healthy weight has come within the grasp of many.

Overweight in the Netherlands

Who hasn’t struggled with extra weight? Shedding the pounds is a process fraught with obstacles and many fail in their attempts to attain and keep a healthy body weight. Excess weight and obesity have become major problems in today’s society. We are liberally exposed to unhealthy food everywhere and all the time. As a result, no less than 50% of the Dutch population is now overweight. Losing weight with the use of injections appears to be the solution to the problem. The injections, it turns out, offer beautiful results, both physically and psychologically.

Weight Loss Injections

The medicine that we prescribe as part of our weight loss program works in the same way as the body’s own GLP-1 hormone, which regulates hunger and satiety sensations. The medicine thus regulates appetite: it reduces hunger pangs and makes you feel satiated. As a result, you eat less and lose weight. It is easy to self- administer by means of mini-injections. They have recently become available on the Dutch market but have already taken the United Kingdom, Denmark and the United States by storm. Based on the action of the satiety hormone, the injections help people lose weight both effectively and sustainably. The medicine is minimally invasive and participants can administer the injections independently and easily. The results of our weight loss program are absolutely revolutionary.

Groundbreaking results

The SmPC (Summary of Product Characteristics) study shows that the use of the prescription drug in combination with a lifestyle change achieves an average weight loss of 8%. These results are nothing short of groundbreaking. Notably, most of the weight loss occurred in the first 4 months. In addition to weight loss, a decrease in abdominal circumference and glucose levels and a steep decrease in blood pressure was noted in the participants. In addition the drug lowered the risk of developing type II diabetes. SmPC studies are used by the Medicines Evaluation Board (MEB) when approving medication.

Possibility to lose weight under supervision

The Body Clinic offers their weight loss program under the supervision of doctors. Typical weight loss of the patient population at the Body Clinic ranges from 4-6% per month and the treatment is in 95% of the cases effective so far. To determine a participant’s weight loss trajectory, a consultation with a doctor is always the first stop. For any medically related issues or complications during the weight loss program the client continues to have access to his/her own doctor. In addition, a nutrition coach at The Body Clinic offers primary support. However, the combination with a healthier lifestyle is crucial for success. This makes sense because a healthier lifestyle is always the first step in tackling body weight issues permanently. It should be noted that participants considered the switch to a healthier lifestyle much easier with the use of the medicine. The Body Clinic offers four weight loss programs. Prices start from €395 per month.

Testimonial Ellis

“I’ve been trying to lose my stubborn pregnancy pounds for 2 years now. When I read about losing weight with injections, I did extensive research and decided that I would make one last attempt. I am now 4 weeks into the program, I’m down 5 kilograms and I feel so much better in my skin. The injections really deliver on their promise: they take away your hunger pangs and make you feel full.”

Testimonial Jaap

“In my life I have been really overweight for long periods at a time. During those periods I always want to lose weight and feel more comfortable in my skin. I really enjoy my food and drink - after all life’s more fun that way. I don’t take things in moderation then. From day one, I’ve had no side effects at all except for a dry mouth. I must admit I was a bit skeptical about the results but I’ve already managed to lose 8 kilograms. I have been feeling a bit weak and sometimes nauseous for a few weeks now. But it’s all worth it for the results people see and say that I have lost weight.”

Owner Judith Bakker has been guiding fitness enthusiasts of all ages with custom-made workouts since 2006.

Besides Semi-Private and Small Group classes you can contact Judith for a Personal Training where you have the entire studio to yourself. Clients come to PT Plus for the more intensive tailor-made guidance, the small scale and the low threshold of the training sessions.

PT Plus also offers a solution for chronic pain and injuries. Judith is one of the few specialists qualified to apply the MAT®-Technique. A unique neuromuscular approach to strengthen muscles and correct imbalances in the human body. Herculesstraat 28, 1076 SM Amsterdam

Newly available in the Netherlands: medical weight loss with injections

“Primaduta Award” from Indonesia awarded to the Dutch Company Koas Foods BV

The Primaduta Award 2022 awarding ceremony was held at the Indonesian Embassy in The Hague on Monday, 16 January 2023. The Primaduta Award is a prestigious award granted by the Government of Indonesia to loyal importers of Indonesia’s best products and have shown growth in import value over the last five years. More than 300 companies from 70 countries competed for this prestigious award, however only 16 companies from 16 countries received the award. Koas Foods BV from the Netherlands was appointed by the Indonesian Ministry of Trade as one of the winners. The Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Mayerfas representing the Government of Indonesia handed over the Primaduta Award to Mr. Menno Janki and Mr. Sjoerd Koeber from Koas Foods BV.

During the opening speech of Ambassador Mayerfas, he reiterated the significance of bilateral trade between Indonesia and the Netherlands. As a trade partner and a hub for the distribution of Indonesian products throughout Europe, the Netherlands is the main partner for Indonesian export goods. In 2022, trade value between both countries was estimated around USD 5.8 billion. Indonesia exports value to the Netherlands was around USD 5 billion and Indonesia import value from the Netherlands was around USD 767 million, these figures show that Indonesia enjoys trade surplus around USD 4.3 billion with the Netherlands. He urged the implementation of more commercial

partnerships and cooperation, particularly in light of the current turmoil in the world economy caused by high inflation rates and growing logistics costs.

Ambassador Mayerfas also emphasized the Dutch market’s enormous potential as way to expand Indonesian products due to the country’s close cultural ties to Indonesia and the sizable Indonesian diaspora, which makes up around 10% of the Dutch population. There are over 420 Indonesian restaurants in the Netherlands that can be captive market for Indonesian products. This fact undoubtedly benefits Koas Foods BV and other Dutch companies doing business with Indonesia.

Additionally, Menno Janki, after receiving the award, expressed the company’s gratitude to the Indonesian Embassy, through its Trade Attaché, for continuous assistance in implementing several investment and purchasing agreements. He also mentioned that the business is expanding to USD 10 million on new purchasing contracts, with the first shipment expected to leave this month. Additionally, the company makes a roughly USD 350,000 investment in honey beans plantation and fish processing facility in Indonesia.

During the award ceremony, some Indonesian companies who joined virtually also had the chance to speak about their cooperation and recent efforts, particularly those directly related to the

empowerment of SMEs. Mr Nandhika Tama, CEO of PT Artha Jaya Marindo, Mr Indra Dwi Hartanto from Bafain Haridra Indonesia, and Mr. Triyanto, Head of CSR Astra International, provided their viewpoints on the ongoing collaboration. Other Indonesian farmers and fishermen enthusiastically joined this event, expecting to obtain success stories and expected to be able to produce high-quality export products for the European market.

Finally, closing the awarding ceremony, the Indonesia Trade Attaché, Mr. Sabbat Christian Jannes, conveyed his appreciation to Koas Foods BV for establishing their business with Indonesia. This new investment and purchasing projects are expected to contribute in increasing the livelihood of small farmers and fishermen in Indonesia.

Written by Nanda Jagusiak-Monteiro

Exhibition ‘The Classic Connection Groningen - Riga’ at the Embassy of Latvia in The Hague forms a new symbolic link between the two countries

Shortly before the last Christmas, the contemporary art exhibition The Classic Connection. Groningen – Riga was opened at the premises of the Embassy of Latvia in the Hague.

Nineteen Dutch artists - graduates of the Classical Academy of Fine Art in Groningen visualized the historical trade link between the Dutch and Latvian people. Originally with more than 70 works of art the artists have each made their own translation of the theme ‘Classic Connection’, each with his/her own style and technique and a variety of subject matter. In a smaller size but still with an important part of these works at the Latvian Embassy in The Hague, this exhibition has made the last stop in the Hague.

For some Dutch artists the theme of exhibition was a journey of discovery on unfamiliar ground. The Veenkoloniaal Museum in the Dutch town of Veendam was an important source of inspiration with countless objects and historical trade documents, evidence of the centuries-old connection between the two countries. The very diverse palette of works of art tells the fascinating story of the peat, of maritime between the peat colonies and the Baltic ports but also the emotional experiences of sailors and their families. Artist and curator of the exhibition Diane Brodie explains: ‘’For artists it was an investigation into their own family history, tracing their forefathers whose nature was shaped by the land they lived on, as peat digger, as labourer or as barge worker – secretly dreaming of sea voyages to faraway places. For others, mother nature was a source of inspiration; ancient trees, the silent witnesses of times gone by, fallen, uprooted or broken in the storm…. The same storm in which many Baltic seafarer stranded.’’

Commercial contacts between the Netherlands and the Baltic region date almost a millennium ago. Shipping has been the vehicle for the close economic and cultural relations. The Dutch people know quite well

the stories about the maritime trade along the Baltic Sea which played an important role in the prosperity of Amsterdam, as example. A route for the Baltic Sea was regularly set and hundreds of objects, documents, photos and souvenirs in the Veenkoloniaal Museum in Veendam serve as a reminder of this time.

The Ambassador of Latvia to the Netherlands H.E. Mrs. Aiga Liepina feels very touched by this artistic inspiration which has resulted in a wonderful art project. With the first opening in June 2021 at the Veenkoloniaal Museum in Veendam, the exhibition also marked the centenary of diplomatic relations between Latvia and The Netherlands. After a successful start, a year later, the exhibition has travelled to Latvia to the Museum of Mencendorfa Nams in Riga. The exhibition was also a resounding success there. It’s opening on 29 April 2022 and the Dutch national day – the King’s Day were celebrated in the museum in the presence of the Latvian and Dutch Ambassadors, the artists of this exhibition along with others.

In the Hague the exhibition concludes its wonderful journey from the Netherlands to Riga and back. As it was emphasized at the opening in The Hague by the Latvian Ambassador Mrs. Aiga Liepina: ‘‘This is the first time, when the Latvian Embassy at its premises hosts a non-Latvian art exhibition. The fact that the embassy offered its most beautiful rooms to these works of art is an appreciation of the close ties between our countries on a people-to-people level.” The Ambassador expressed gratitude to the Veenkoloniaal Museum in Veendam and its director Heinrich Hachmer for his longstanding commitment to promote the people-to-people contacts between Latvia and the Netherlands which results in such wonderful projects like this exhibition.

The exhibition at the Latvian Embassy in the Netherlands (Koninginnegracht 27, The Hague) is open to public until the end of February 2023, every Friday from 10:00

to 15:00 and by appointment from Monday to Thursday.

Participating artists:

Sonja van Beuzekom - www.sonjavanbeuzekom.nl

Mineke Gravers - www.minekegravers.nl

Margriet Kroeze - www.margrietkroeze.nl

Erna Kroezen - www.ernakroezen.nl

Sieuwke Ronner - www.sieukeronner.nl

Beitske Sikkema - www.beitskesikkema.com

Gerrit Velthuis - www.gerritvelthuis.nl

Hana Vendlová - www.hanavendlova.com

Antoinette Vunderink - www.antoinettevunderink.nl

Koosje Summer - www.koosjezomer.nl

Written by the Embassy of Latvia in the Hague

Mr. Sabbat C. James - trade attaché, Ambassador Mayerfas, Mr. Menno Janki and Mr. Sjoerd Koeber from Koas Foods BV.

Primaduta Award

MALAYSIA, an Unforgettab

On 14 November, I left with Turkish Airlines from Amsterdam via Istanbul to Kuala Lumpur. The service on board was excellent, good meals and spacious seats. I was invited for a Turkish Airlines Familiarization Media trip, via the Embassy of Malaysia, in collaboration with Turkish Airlines, Tourism Board Malaysia and the Sabah Tourism Board from 14-21 November.

When arriving in Kuala Lumpur, we went to visit the KLCC Park - At the heart of the mammoth KLCC development, (behind the Petronas Twin Towers and the luxury shopping mall), the park offers a 1.3 km soft-surface jogging track, a great children’s playground and paddling pool. Crowds gather here in the early evening to watch the towers punching up into the night sky and the Lake Symphony fountains play in the evening at 8, 9 and 10 hrs. in front of the Suria KLCC. We had dinner in the Dome Café KLCC opposite the fountains. After dinner we checked in at the Park Royal Collection Hotel, a five-star hotel. The hotel is a welcome haven for the modern-day traveler, who respects the environment. Gorgeous greenery, earthy tones and sleek wooden finishes within the hotel make it the perfect hideaway from skyscrapers, shopping malls and city streets teeming with activity. The hotel committed to caring for the environment and the wellness of the guests, we had filtered drinking water in the room and I noticed a variety of air-purifying plants and trees serving as natural humidifiers.

The next day we visited the twin towers. The twin towers were originally proposed to be built at a height of only 1400 feet (427m). Thankfully, Dr. Mahathir saw greater potential in the building as the world’s tallest structures, and pressed architects and engineers to include a few more meters in height, in every way possible. To meet his ambitions, many structure elements were recalculated and retested in wind tunnels. This has resulted in the addition of a dome with an integrated pinnacle atop of the towers, successfully

reaching 183 feet (452m) tall, surpassing the Sears Tower is the USA. When the building was inaugurated in 1998, it was the tallest building in the world. We all enjoyed the splendid view over KL. Then, we visited the Batu Caves: a series of caves located about 15 km north of Kuala Lumpur, in the Gombak district of Malaysia. The largest cave, the Temple or Cathedral Cave, is 400 meters long and 100 meters high and reached by a high staircase with 272 steps. At the bottom of the stairs is a large statue of the war god Murugan. It is a holy place. The cave hosts the annual Hindu Thaipusam festival.

After the visit, we enjoyed our lunch at Restoran Rebung of Chef Ismail where we could taste the Malaysian Cuisine. Chef Ismail is quite known as he came several times to the Malaysian Residence in The Hague to give workshops and tastings. We were very pleased to see each other again as I had the pleasure to be present several times at his workshops. Chef Dato’Ismail Ahmad is a renowned celebrity Chef from Malaysia specializing in Malay cuisine. His passion for cooking brought him to Cannes and New York before returning to Malaysia to open his own restaurant “Rebung”, Chef Ismail uses only the finest homegrown ingredients. He also won several awards for best Asian “cuisine”, He has travelled around the world to conduct cooking demonstrations and to promote the Malaysian cuisine.

After lunch, I visited some highlights of KL with my friend Linda who lives here. She showed me the Perdana Botanical Garden. Strolling around KL’s oldest public park, established in the 1880s, you will admire native and introduced flora, including 800 species of orchid, mahogany trees more than 300 years old and countless hibiscus blooms (the country’s national flower) Ferns, edible and aquatic plants each have their own gardens, all prettily arranged with a gazebos and a boardwalk around a lake with fountains; the National monument, on a palm-fringed plaza, with fine views of KL skyscrapers there is a huge monument.

Commemorating the military sacrifices in the name of the Malaysian freedom, the National Monument’s center piece is a bronze sculpture of soldiers created in 1966 by Felix de Weldon. A royal-blue pool and curved pavilion heighten the grand impression; Sultan Abdul Samad Building, a historic building. One of KL’s most distinctive colonial buildings, this grand 1910 train station (replaced as a transit hub by KL Sentral in 2001) was designed by the British architect AB Hubback in the Mogul (or Indo-Saracenic) style with an imposing porch, graceful arches, shiny copper domes and a 412m high clock tower. The building was named after the reigning monarch at the time. The stately edifice served as the government administrative building during the

British era; Merdeka Square, the huge open square, where the Malaysian independence was declared in 1957, is speared by a 95m flagpole, one of the world’s tallest. The square is surrounded by heritage buildings including the magnificent Sultan Abdul Samad Building and St. Mary’s Anglican Cathedral. And then we went to China Town (Petaling Street) which is a lively stretch of shops, restaurants and hawker stalls. It is a best place to enjoy the outdoor shopping experience while browsing through an assortment of items from watches, bags, clothes, fresh fruits, craft and souvenirs. The streets are lined by buildings, temples and clan houses, which stand as testament to the city’s architectural heritage.

From the Twin Towers looking over Kl KLCC Park

The Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur

gettable Ultimate Experience

In the evening I had dinner at Jalan Alor The great common denominator of KL’s food scene is the collection of roadside restaurants and stalls lining in Jalan Alor. From around 5pm till late evening, the street transforms into a continuous openair dining space with hundreds of plastic tables and chairs and rival caterers shouting out to passers-by to drum up business. You can find all kind of Malay Chinese dishes imaginable from grilled fish and satay to kai-lan (Chinese greens) in oyster sauce and fried noodles. You can imagine the street is full of locals and tourists, and sometimes difficult to find a table, but there is a nice ambience.

The next day we took an early domestic flight to Kota Kinabalu, Island Sabah (Borneo). After arriving, we had lunch in a restaurant with typical Sabah dishes, followed by a Klias River Cruise. Located on the Klias Peninsula is the Klias Wetland, a Mangrove Forest Reserve, where you can find the bizarre-looking proboscis monkey (with long tall noses), or also called Dutch monkey. (In the past, when the Malay people met the Dutch people for the first time, they thought that the size of the Dutch noses looked a bit alike the noses of these monkeys). The Klias Westland with its large population of this wildlife is fast becoming the latest ecotourism destination in Sabah. By boat we spotted quite some proboscis monkeys. After diner, we took the same boat as to watch the fireflies, it was quite special, to see the bushes lighten up. Then we checked in at the Hotel Hyatt Centric, a beautiful 5-star hotel, where I had a beautiful spacious room.

The next day we walked through the valley over a hanging bridge over the Kiulu River to the Kiulu Farmstay. This was an unique and completely off-the-tourist radar experience, worthwhile for any travelers interested in becoming immersed in the local life of the Sabahans. This beautiful “Farmstay” is a community-based ecotourism project that acts as a catalyst for community development and capacity building. Tucked away in a beautiful valley with a selection of activities offered, we had a cooking workshop with some local women and it was fun to prepare our warm lunch, with all the local ingredients. Believe it or not, the dishes we made, were quite tasteful.

After lunch we went to the Linangkit Cultural Village in Tembara Tuaran for a cycling tour. No steep slopes or dangerous descents, but a flat route along rice fields and local villages. Although it remained dry in the beginning, we could fully enjoy the green countryside around us and the sun occasionally poked through the clouds, at a certain moment, it started to drizzle. The drizzle quickly turned into thick drops, and then the rain came pouring down from the sky. We were wet down to our underwear and gave up. That is part of the rainy season in Malaysia.

In the hotel we were warmly welcomed by the general manager for a sunset cocktail in the Sky Bar on the 23rd floor. After the drink, she gave us a tour through the hotel which was opened last October. We were shown spacious rooms, all nicely decorated with materials all made by locals. Then we were offered a dinner in the restaurant, with exquisite fine dining Malaysian dis-

hes, it was excellent.

Next day, we checked out and by boat we went to the Buga Raya Island Resort There are two resorts. We were received by the general manager and he gave us a tour of the two resorts. Gayana Marine Resort rests serenely at the edges of Gaya Island off the coast of Borneo. 45 over water villas designed to enhance the soothing sounds of the surf, while capturing the enduring vistas of Mt. Kinabalu on the distant horizon. At the heart of the resort is the protection and regeneration of the island’s precious marine environment – the on-site Marine Ecology Research Centre, the only of its kind on an island resort, propagates endangered giant clams and coral reefs. The resort’s dining venues present palate-pleasing and soul-satisfying local and international cuisine, while the spa beckons with an array of pampering treatments.

We checked in at the Bunga Raya Island resort. My villa was superb, large and nicely decorated. As sensual and exotic as the hibiscus flower that bears its name, Bunga Raya Island Resort is a luxurious jewel set on a coral reef island. Cocooned in pristine rainforest, this award-winning, secluded resort features 48 timber villas in traditional Bornean architecture overlooking a beautiful, white-sand beach. The resort astounds at every turn – whether you’re lazing on the beach, relaxing at the hilltop spa, sampling local and international cuisine.

You can also be quite active on Gaya Island. The jungle is very close to the resort. A path takes us to a canopy walk. Here, wobbly suspension bridges hang between the trees. We walk one after the other from tree to tree, with the sounds of birds around us. For the real adventurers there is another exciting activity to do, namely a zipline tour. We are firmly connected to the thick iron cables. From a platform we glide through the air to another platform further on into the jungle. And then on to the next tree, several times in a row. A great experience for anyone who likes a bit of adventure. You can also go canoeing and snorkeling at the resort. All necessities such as paddles, snorkels and life jackets are provided. We glide over the azure blue water and see the fishes swimming around us. Time to take a closer look! We moor at a deserted beach and dive into the water. Beautiful corals and lots of small fish swim around us.

For those who want to relax, you can take a massage, which I did and enjoyed very much. The dinners in the resort were excellent, fine dining Malaysian, Chinese and Western cuisine. I experienced my stay at the Bunga Raya Island Resort as a dream, it is a real paradise. No wonder that many couples spend here their honeymoon.

After our stay we flew back to Kuala Lumpur, via Istanbul and then to Amsterdam. I want to express my great gratitude to the Embassy of Malaysia, the Malaysian Tourism Board, the Sabah Tourism Board and the Turkish Airlines. They made this beautiful trip possible.

Written by Nanda Jagusiak-Monteiro

Buga Raya Island Resort

National Monument in Kuala Lunpur

Gayana Marine Ecology Research Center

Buga Raya Island Resort

Batu Caves

The Proboscis monkey

MALAYSIA, 65 Years of Bilateral Relationship between Malaysia and The Netherlands

€13.8 billion for the total approved investments comprising approx. €10.7 billion in FDI and €3.1 billion in Domestic Direct Investments (DDI). These have created 588 new projects and 58,141 new jobs in Malaysia. Manufacturing sectors including electrical and electronics (E&E), transport equipment, petroleum industry, non-metallic mineral products and machinery and equipment were the main contributors to FDI flows to Malaysia, followed by services sector which was largely in financial & insurance/takaful activities. Main countries for FDI flows were China, the United States of America, the Netherlands, Germany and Singapore.

On November 17, 2022 the District Court of The Hague, sitting in the M17 criminal case, sentenced the accused Kharchenko, Dubinskiy and Girkin to life imprisonment for causing the crash of Flight MH-17 and the murder of the 298 persons on board. What are your feelings about this verdict?

or visiting Malaysia for work, as well as those who have had experience holidaying in Malaysia. The association acts as a platform for an exchange of knowledge about Malaysia. Based on its statutes, the association also aims to contribute to the promotion of “understanding and knowledge about Malaysia in order to thereby contribute to friendly relations between the Dutch and Malaysian population”. VNM has participated in many of the Embassy’s activities and vice versa. VNM has also jointly organized programs with the Embassy over the years. Recently, the Embassy and VNM jointly organized a Lecture Series in conjunction with the 65th anniversary of bilateral relations featuring distinguished speakers on the topic of Malay historical items in Dutch museums and Dutch shipwrecks from the Second World War located in Malaysian waters.

Nanda Jagusiak-Monteiro interviews the Ambassador of Malaysia, H.E. Mrs. Dato’ Nadzirah Binti Osman

Former posts: Deputy Secretary General for Multilateral Affairs from 2019 to August 2021; Undersecretary for Multilateral Political Division from 2017 to 2019; Ambassador of Malaysia to Czechia (Czech Republic) from 2014 to 2017; from 1994 to 2014 various positions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and at the Malaysian Embassy in Mexico City and High Commission of Malaysia in London

On September 8, 2021 you took up your position as Ambassador of Malaysia to the Netherlands. What is your experience of the Netherlands and the people?

The experience so far has been wonderful.

I have met with officials not only from the government and business sector but also those from the agriculture sector and locals who have been friendly and helpful since I arrived in the Netherlands. I enjoy talking to the farmers/growers who are always ready to share about their activities. I love spending time in the amazing museums and adore the quaint villages in the Netherlands. And of course, I cycle as much as possible!

Malaysia and the Netherlands have a bilateral relationship for 65 years. How would you describe this relationship?

In 2022, we celebrated the 65th Anniversary of Malaysia-Netherlands bilateral relations. Indeed, bilateral relations between the two countries began more than 400 years ago when the Dutch reached our shores in 1602. The Netherlands is among the first countries that established bilateral ties with Malaysia on 31 August 1957, the day Malaysia gained its independence. Bilateral relations between Malaysia and the Netherlands remain strong with substantive cooperation, both at the political and economic level. Through the years, both countries have nurtured our close ties through various cooperation and exchanges of visits by leaders and officials. Last year, four Federal Ministers and one Chief Minister made a working visit to the Netherlands focusing on hi-tech agriculture, water management, science and technology and renewable energy.

From the Netherlands, the Vice Minister of Public Health from the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports led a trade mission to Malaysia in June 2022. The Netherlands is Malaysia’s largest export destination and the second largest trading partner amongst the EU countries. From January to October 2022, Malaysia’s trade with the Netherlands increased by 36.2% to reach €8.03 billion, which is even higher than pre-pandemic levels. Malaysia’s exports increased by 37.4% to €7.3 billion.

In terms of Foreign Direct Investments (FDI), the Netherlands was the largest approved FDI into Malaysia with a value worth more than €17 billion in 2021. Currently, there are more than 250 Dutch companies and businesses with operations or investments at various levels and sectors in Malaysia. Several Malaysian companies also have investments here in the Netherlands.

Malaysia has been receiving a steady flow of tourists from the Netherlands. Pre-pandemic, Malaysia welcomed more than 80,000 Dutch tourists, the fourth largest arrivals from the EU. The number of Malaysian students pursuing higher education and Malaysian visiting this country is also on the rise.

Which are the main import and export products between the two countries?

The main export products to the Netherlands are electrical and electronic products, palm oil and palm oil-based agriculture products, palm oil-based manufactured products, petroleum products and manufactures of metal. The import products from the Netherlands are petroleum products, chemicals and chemical products, electrical and electronic products, processed food and machinery, equipment and parts.

Are there many countries investing in your country. If so, in which field are they investing?

Malaysia continues to be among the top global investment destinations for foreign investors and a hub for business growth, as evidenced in the recently released approved investment figures for the first nine months of 2022. During the period, Malaysia registered approx.

Malaysia is satisfied with the verdict of the MH17 trials. Malaysia had worked closely and constructively with the Netherlands, Australia, Belgium and Ukraine within the ambit of the Joint Investigative Team (JIT) to pursue truth, justice and accountability on the downing of MH17. The conclusion marks a significant milestone towards finding the truth and establishing justice for all the victims and their next of kin. I would like to express my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims of MH17. I hope that the decision will be able to bring some measures of comfort and solace to the families of the victims.

What are the objectives of the “ASEAN Committee the Hague” (ACTH)?

Established in October 2015, the ACTH consists of Ambassadors accredited to the Netherlands and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), with residence in the Netherlands. They are the Ambassadors of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam. The ACTH works closely with Ambassadors from the remaining ASEAN Member States accredited to the Netherlands and the OPCW, with residence in Brussels, Belgium.

The ACTH aims to promote ASEAN’s interests and identity in the Netherlands in line with the ASEAN Community Vision 2025. We have participated in various activities in the Netherlands, including engagements with Dutch Ministers, top officials as well as leaders in the business sectors. ACTH has been actively organizing the ASEAN Village during the annual Embassy Festival held in The Hague where we showcase our cuisine, handicrafts and culture.

The ACTH Chairmanship is rotated among ACTH members every 6 months. Malaysia will assume the Chairmanship of the ACTH on 20 January 2023.

Is there any cooperation with the “Vereniging Nederland-Maleisië” (VNM) and your embassy?

The Embassy has very close cooperation with VNM since its establishment in 2005. VNM is an association where people from various backgrounds meet on the basis of a shared interest in Malaysia. Some are interested in the country because of the common history and cultural ties that exists, others because they were living in

What can you tell me about the cooperation between Malaysia and the Netherlands as to protect the maritime cultural heritage?

On 26 June 2019, a Letter of Intent was signed between the Netherlands and Malaysia to officially execute a joint expedition and to explore future collaborations on a joint management plan of Dutch shipwrecks in Malaysian waters. The Joint Diving Expedition was conducted in 2019 with participants from various agencies in Malaysia and Cultural Heritage Agency (RCE) and Royal Netherlands Navy (RNN) from the Netherlands. A research vessel, named “RV Discovery” from the University Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) was used during the expedition. The survey at the two sites of the wreck namely 0-16 in the waters near Kelantan, and K-XVII in Sarawak was done by the RNN using the “Remus”, an Automated Underwater Vehicle (AUV). The Netherlands also provided trainings during the expedition which includes underwater forensic marking, 3D Photogrammetry, and deep-water diving. Discussions are ongoing with regard to two more Dutch shipwrecks in Malaysian waters.

Are there many tourists coming to your country? And what about the Dutch people?

Pre-pandemic, Malaysia received 25 to 26 million visitors annually and the tourism sector was the 2nd highest contributor to the Malaysian economy. The last few years have been an extremely challenging period for the Malaysian tourism sector. Prior to 2020, Dutch tourists’ arrival to Malaysia annually surpassed 80,000 arrivals, and was the fourth-largest arrival among European travellers. Following the reopening of Malaysia’s border in April 2022 and close cooperation between Tourism Malaysia Office in The Hague with Dutch travel sector and media partners, we are confident that tourist arrivals from all over the world including from the Netherlands will return to Malaysia in big numbers this year.

If you could describe your country in one sentence, what would you say?

A dynamic and vibrant economy with its enchanting multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-religious society in the heart of Southeast Asia.

Written by Nanda Jagusiak-Monteiro

H.E. Mrs. Dato’Nadzirah Binti Osman

When women speak back: Why Miley Cyrus’s new single is a more than a breakup anthem

Disclaimer: I use the words women and men throughout this article for clarity. However, these terms refer to how someone identifies and orients themselves within societal power structures; it has nothing to do with biological mechanisms.

Ever since Miley Cyrus released her new single Flowers, the internet has been ablaze with support and admiration for Cyrus and the song. While it isn’t exactly Franklin’s Respect and I am pre-emptively cringing at myself for even taking it so seriously, I think it speaks to something more profound than just another generic popsong.

pecifically, with a backing track that sounds eerily similar to Robin Thicke’s infamous Blurred Lines, this song is one of many circulating the internet, each with a similar backing track and message. Within them, something remarkable is happening: the male gaze is being turned onto men. As Cyrus’s song is the most well-known and in uential, ll focus on it alone.

The story behind the song

For those with the mental resilience and inner peace needed to not spend hours a day stuck in the TikTok vortex, here is a run-down of events: Miley Cyrus was in a relationship with Liam Hemsworth for a decade or so. They broke up, and amid rumours about affairs with other women, he dedicated Bruno Mars’s ‘When I was Your Man’ to her on a radio station, amongst various other ‘I’m really sorry’ acts. In response, Cyrus released her new single Flowers, which samples the Bruno Mars song and turns the lyrics around.

For example, in Mars’s song, the chorus goes, ‘I should have bought you owers should have gave you all my hours When had the chance. In Cyrus’s song, the lyrics are ‘I can buy myself owers talk to myself for hours say things you don’t understand.’ In the music video, there are

also countless ‘easter eggs’ that suggest the song is directed towards Hemsworth. For example, rumour has it the house she uses for the video is the same house he had affairs in, the suit she wears is the same suit he wore at an event when he told her to ‘behave’ and on the list goes.

Okay… and what is the male gaze again?

The male ga e theory first gained popularity in Laura Mulvey’s 1975 text Visual pleasure and narrative cinema. Mulvey argued that art forms depict the world from a masculine point of view. Because the dominant perspective is that of a heterosexual man, women are typically presented as passive and submissive objects. From The Wolf of Wall Street to Led Zeppelin songs or Orwell’s 1984, art as we know it is typically told from the male perspective.

While Mulvey is usually credited as the term’s inventor, its origins lie in the psychoanalytic works of reud and acan. pecifically, it is the psychoanalytic understanding of how gender informs our experience that enabled Mulvey to theorise the gaze as involving psychoanalytic concepts such as scopophilia (the pleasure of looking). Scopophilia focuses on the aesthetic joy and unconscious sexual pleasures derived from looking at someone or something. So, the male gaze enjoys turning women into mere objects to look at, so that their subjectivity (which is inherently anxiety-inducing because if we are both subjects, you cannot control how I perceive you) is excluded from the image. The pleasure is narcissistic, found in being the only subject and creator of the image.

And… how does this relate to Miley Cyrus?

Firstly, the easter eggs and references to Hemsworth are integral to your experience of the song. So, as a spectator, Hemsworth is present in your mind, but he-as-subject is absent. He exists as simply an object, unable to comment or speak, just a passive presence. But more than that, by reframing the lyrics he dedicated to her (which

were already loaded in male-gaze material), the gaze here is distinctively different from the the male’s; it is not about sexualising Hemsworth but about speaking back to his ob ectification of her.

Thus, in a sense, Flowers is a song about a woman declaring her subjectivity; a man dedicates a song to a woman about how he failed to meet her needs. In other words, he is the subject, and he realises that, being the main character, he should have done more. But she responds by saying, no, that was not the point, I can meet my own needs, thanks. Cyrus subtly shattered the illusion of being a mere object within his control, and with that, she poked at that male narcissism saturating popular art.

The best part

What I love most about this whole saga is that every single theory out there is almost entirely concocted by fans yrus has affirmed nothing. So, in other words – if celebrity exists for us mere mortals to use as inspiration, I think we love this song because, in a sense, we are creating its meaning. Women across the world are using it as a way to express the fact we are starting to gaze back.

Written by Molly Fitz

How to beat the post-holiday blues

After weeks (or maybe even months) of shopping for the perfect gifts, baking, entertaining, and decorating, it can feel like - once the holidays are officially over and the calendar ips to January - things come to a screeching halt. Getting motivated and back into the swing of the normal day to day may be difficult once the pretty lights have come down, the gifts are put away, and tables are emptier, as loved ones are not around. People who suffer from post-holiday blues may experience lethargy, irritability, or even just a general lack of joy or enthusiasm over anything. It’s even more challenging if you spent the holidays away from friends and family that are far away, or as an expat in a foreign country. Know you’re not alone - it’s incredibly common to feel sadness after the busy holiday season. Here are a few ways you can feel happier this January!

Take care of your body

The holidays typically mean indulgence for many of us: rich foods and alcohol, not enough time to get proper exercise, and just going non-stop to get everything done. This is not limited to just physical health - those who are more introverted typically need a reprieve from the craziness of the holidays too. Although it can feel impossible, doing things like exercising (even just a quick walk around the block) can help! Finding a way to experience nature can also put your mind at ease. Take your bike to a local trail or take a hike in your favourite local park. The fresh air will

make you feel much better.

Look forward

After the holidays, the start of a New Year is the perfect time to start anew and look forward to considering all the new opportunities that are coming your way. When you are looking forward instead of backward, the shift to the day-to-day drudge won’t feel nearly as intense. Making both short and long-term plans can bring some excitement into your life, whether it’s daydreaming about your perfect vacation, trying to make a dish you’ve been dying to make, or something as simple as looking forward to spending time with friends. One of my favorite ways to get excited? Explore all the Netherlands has to offer! Visiting new cities can be very rewarding! Plan a day trip to Gouda, a weekend trip to Maastricht, or a getaway to one of the Wadden islands. A change of scenery can help you reset.

Practice gratitude

One of the best ways to unwind after a long day and encourage better rest is to reframe the mind and focus on the things in life that you are grateful for. Buy yourself a beautiful journal (HEMA has such pretty ones!) and each night, write down three to five things that you appreciate in your life. The post-holiday blues can make it hard to find meaning in life and can make you feel like there is no point in trying to achieve anything, but by shining a spotlight on the positive things

in your life, you’ll also be able to better see all that you have to be thankful for. Perhaps you’re grateful to be in a country that feels safer than your home country, or even something as silly as a portion of bitterballen at your local brown bar. Practicing gratitude daily may help your mind relax as well, which is ideal right before bedtime, and we know that a good night’s sleep can work wonders!

Written by Tracey Martin

Taking matters into your own hands

Joost Hermsen, entrepreneur, had a preventive health examination done at Prescan, which changed the course of his life. He was suffering from fatigue and some aches and pains here and there, and was curious to know what could be causing it. He had heard of Prescan from friends who had undergone the examination and were enthusiastic about the insight they gained into their health. Joost decided on a Body Scan Plus, consisting of five focused scans, blood and urine tests and a cardiological examination. The examination showed that everything was fine, except for a spot on his bladder that looked suspect. Joost was referred to a specialist and successful treatment was started. Joost is now more aware of his health and is making changes to ensure he lives a long and healthy life. He has stopped smoking, started working less and is enjoying life and his family more. He describes the screening as a wake-up call. Things he enjoys he no longer puts off and he enjoys every moment.

Preventative health check

n , rescan started offering preventive health examinations using and dermatological, cardiological and blood tests. Since then, it have given more than 150,000 people insight into their health. n recent years, preventive screening has taken off. ore and more people want to take matters into their own hands and be sovereign over their own bodies. The examinations offered

at Prescan are also a form of preventive screening.

Transforming habits for a healthier you

An important task for Prescan’s specialists is to provide advice for a healthier lifestyle, also known as Lifestyle intervention. The advice is aimed at transforming your diet, exercise and behaviour to improve your health. You would think we would all like to be healthy. Yet in practice, it often turns out to be very difficult to follow advice and to stick to it - simply because the effect is not immediately visible. So that one cigarette, that one beer, that bowl of chips makes little difference, right?

Uncovering the hidden health risks t is very easy to say stop those unhealthy lifestyle

habits. t is only when you actually see with your own eyes what is happening inside your body that many people make the switch. And that is where rescan s scans are essential. or instance, many people have a lot of fat around the organs in their abdomen, known as visceral fat or organ fat. Having a lot of organ fat increases the risk of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Also, the organs themselves start working less well. We often see visceral fat in overweight people, but even people with a normal weight can have a lot of it. Adjusting your lifestyle (more exercise, healthy food, enough sleep) is important. There may be not much happening on the outside, but the inside of our body is definitely in need of change.

www.prescan.nl

Losing weight with injections has proven to be extremely effective

Weight loss medicine Saxenda has been available on the Dutch market for some time now. ore effective than predicted, the injectable medicine is considered a revolution in weight reduction. We talked to Simone Kouwenberg about this new and effective weight loss method. Simone specialises in lifestyle and preventive medicine and works as a medical weight loss specialist at The Body Clinic. Furthermore, she is also a general practitioner.

What makes losing weight with injections so effective compared to other weight loss approaches?

“What we see at our clinic is that people who use Saxenda are less obsessed with food and lose weight more easily. n fact, many of our clients feel liberated. With other weight loss treatments, people are often plagued by weight loss resistance or become frustrated. As a result, losing weight becomes increasingly difficult. don’t see this happening with Saxenda. Saxenda works in a unique way. The injections contain the active substance liraglutide.

Liraglutide stimulates the pancreas to produce insulin, which helps keep blood sugar levels constant. This reduces appetite and makes you feel fuller for longer. Liraglutide is a synthetic version of the hormone that is produced in our intestines, and provides the same effects. This is truly a breakthrough in the battle against excess weight and obesity.”

Why does The Body Clinic require its clients to see a doctor before starting with injectable weight loss medication?

“First of all, Saxenda is a prescription-only medicine. This means a consultation and prescription are required before you can use this treatment. Secondly, weight loss injections are a medical treatment which requires proper guidance and should be done under medical supervision to prevent complications. As a doctor, help determine the right dosage and administration technique to get the most out of

the treatment. also review the client s medical history to avoid any risks. As a specialist, understand that clients have questions about the use of axenda, which is why find it important to make time to address any concerns. support clients during their treatments and make adjustments where necessary. This ensures the treatment is safe. am assisted by our own Saxenda nutrition coach, who acts as point of contact for our clients. Our strategy is not only very effective, but also makes losing weight a lot easier and safer.”

Does healthcare insurance cover Saxenda?

axenda is the first weight loss medicine that has been included in the basic healthcare package, on the advice of the Dutch National Healthcare nstitute. However, the conditions for reimbursement are very strict, so insurance coverage is not guaranteed for everyone. The basic health insurance package only reimburses the medicine for people with a body mass index of or higher, participating in a combined lifestyle intervention programme. Although this is good news for those who are eligible for reimbursement, the majority of people who want to use Saxenda will have to pay for it themselves. You can find a lot of information online about axenda and where to buy it. n any case, strongly advise against buying Saxenda online via websites without a physical consultation by a registered doctor. Saxenda should only ever be used under the supervision of a medical professional, so it is vital that you obtain it from a doctor. What’s more, ordering Saxenda online isn’t cheaper and there’s also the risk of getting a counterfeit product, which could lead to harmful, even life-threatening, consequences.”

Can you tell us a bit more about the guidance that is offered during the weight loss programme?

“What many people underestimate is that axenda is not a standalone medicine. t should be used in conjunction with lifestyle changes in

order to be effective. This is where support from a specialised doctor and nutrition coach comes in. Therefore, it is advisable to go to a clinic that has knowledge and experience with Saxenda and can offer the right guidance. The Body Clinic only employs specialised doctors who have experience with this weight loss medicine. During the programme, all clients receive primary support from a nutrition coach who monitors their weight loss journey and offers support. Our nutrition coach Annelieke van Woerkom helps clients build a new relationship with food - one with which they can maintain a healthy weight. The injections make this process a lot easier. By combining support from a doctor and nutrition coach with weight loss injections, The Body Clinic helps people achieve sustainable and effective long term weight loss. have seen clients not only reach their target weight but also stay there.”

Book a free ‘Losing Weight with Injections’ consultation at The Body Clinic

Schedule a doctor’s appointment at The Body Clinic now to discuss if weight loss injections are a solution for you.

www.bodyclinic.nl

Interview with an expat

local groups and events. Join a language class, in-person if possible. Get out of your comfort zone and just get out. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and express your interests too. or example, was able to find basketball groups by just asking around and letting people know that I enjoy playing basketball.

Do you have a favorite restaurant in your city?

Heertje Friet (fries).

What’s your favorite Dutch store?

Albert Heijn. I went there every day during the Covid lockdowns just to walk around and amuse myself. I love their bonus and 35% off deals - I guess I’m very Dutch in that sense (being frugal).

What do you like to do on the weekends?

Hanging out with friends. Traveling; I love being able to hop on a plane and get anywhere in urope within a few hours. eading nonfiction. aking YouTube videos. Getting lost wandering around the city - I love walking.

Who is your favorite Dutch historical, cultural or famous person?

André Rieu! I’d never heard of the guy before coming to Maastricht to study, but he’s a big deal in Maastricht. And I started listening to his music while studying. He also seems like a nice and friendly guy; I’d love to have dinner with him one day and hear about his life story!

What’s your name and where do you come from?

Hey there! I’m David from California. I grew up in San Francisco and spent 10 years in Los Angeles. Fun fact about San Francisco is that it looks like a square from above: 7 x 7 miles (11 x 11 km).

Where do you live in the Netherlands? What is your favorite thing about where you live?

I currently live in Amsterdam; before that I lived in Maastricht for one year. My favorite thing is walking along the canals at night, it’s like walking in a fairytale. I lived in Centrum during Covid and looking back I feel fortunate to have lived there at such a unique time without tourists.

What’s your job or business?

I work in Learning & Development. It’s a function within HR that works on the growth and development of employees - think manager/leadership/ team/employee development.

When as o r first time in the etherlands? What as s ecial a o t that first tri ?

I studied abroad in Spain in 2010 and traveled to Amsterdam with a group of friends. I remember being the typical tourist and almost being run over in the bike lane. Now I’m the one shouting at tourists to get out of the bike lane! But it was a really fun trip; I was mesmerized by the beauty of the architecture (I still am).

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

I’ve come to love the “doe normaal” (act normal) mindset of not showing off. This is drastically different compared to US culture, where one is taught to stand out. I used to work in Hollywood and in the tech scene in San Francisco where you see people “showing off” at the highest level, while I felt grateful to be surrounded by some of the most career-driven people I’ve ever met. It felt like a big comparison game. My identity was attached to my work, and I always felt judged by it (and to be honest, I also judged others). Here in the Netherlands, I don’t feel that pressure. My identity isn’t attached to work as much as it used to, though I still very much have that American work mentality ingrained in my head.

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

Customer service. Especially coming from the US and having worked in customer service, do find the level of customer service in the to be more service-oriented. Now, I know everyone has a different preference for what “great” customer service is; I’m just used to service being faster and more attentive (time is precious).

Do you have Dutch friends? How do you meet Dutch people? Yes, I’ve met some through work and through friends.

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

I’ve come to appreciate Dutch directness; it’s all about honesty. I don’t like scheduling lunch 3 months in advance (kidding but not really). I do enjoy planning for important events but appreciate the spontaneity of just doing something the day of.

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

I work for an international company with a lot of expats, and I’ve been grateful to have made friends through work. Also check out eet p to find

What would you recommend a visitor to do and see in your city and in general in the Netherlands?

Most people will just visit Amsterdam, but if you have time, get out of the city. Visit some of the smaller towns like Delft or Leiden or Maastricht. If the weather is fine, cycling is the best way to see the country. ent a bike and cycle south along the Amstel River towards Ouderkerk. My favorite bike ride is cycling north towards Marken. Take the ferry from Amsterdam central to Noord and cycle towards Durgerdam and then towards Marken.

What is your favorite Dutch food? And what Dutch food do you dislike? Dutch fries with joppiesauce. Dislike? I’ve tried herring and don’t think I will go back.

Do you celebrate Dutch holidays? Which one is your favorite?

like ing s Day not so much the partying but the ea markets. ust think it’s so cool to see families and children selling anything and everything in parks and in the streets. I haven’t bought anything (yet), but I could walk for hours just browsing. It’s a beautiful sight to see.

Where do you like to go out in your city, with friends or co-workers? Usually the West side, but there isn’t a particular place. I’m still exploring and getting to know the city. I moved right before Covid so I still feel quite “new”. I usually enjoy exploring different restaurants with friends, so that could be anywhere!

What amo s tch lace sho ld ne isitors or e ats definitel o see?

Do you know about the Dutch islands? I spent a few days on Texel, and it was a beautiful experience to cycle around the island, down a Texel Skumkoppe beer watching the sunset, and stargaze at night.

Best-kept secret in your city?

Amsterdamse Bos (Amsterdam Forest). It’s three times the size of New York’s Central Park, and it feels like a true escape away from the city while being in the city. I go there quite often to just “get away.”

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

remember my first Dutch meal in the etherlands. ust got off a plane from California and went to Orientation Day for my Master’s program at Maastricht University. It was lunch, and I was starving. I raced to the cafeteria where bagged lunches were lined up on the table. I grabbed my sandwich but realized something was missing…I went back and tried to exchange it for another sandwich. I was denied and told that the slice of cheese between two slices of brown bread was my “sandwich”. I wish I would’ve done some research and managed my expectations! But hey…it’s a great memory looking back now.

What are one or two things you recommend to new expat here in the Netherlands?

Keep an open mind. You will experience culture shocks and things different from where you are from, and that’s part of the experience. It may very well be difficult at the beginning change is difficult. uilding a new community is difficult. Adapting to a new culture is difficult but you re not alone. t s OK to feel the lows along with the highs; it’s all part of the experience so have fun with it! (Oh yeah…invest in a good rain jacket - you’ll need it!)

Written by Marla Thomson

Kees van Dongen | Singer Laren

“Watch me, I’m going to be famous” - the ambitious words of young Kees van Dongen (1877-1968), born in Delfshaven. The exhibition Kees van Dongen, the Road to Success highlights how this Dutch painter became one of the most famous artists of the twentieth century, exhibiting alongside Matisse and Picasso. Van Dongen is known as a celebrated portrait painter. He belonged to a vanguard of artists who sought artistic innovation in Paris at the beginning of the last century. Guest curator Anita Hopmans, senior curator at the Netherlands Institute for Art History, researched previously unknown paintings from his avant-garde period, which together provide a surprising and more complete picture of Van Dongen’s development. The exhibition, with more than 100 works in seven rooms, shows a fascinating reconstruction of the steps of the young Rotterdammer towards his crucial role within the avant-garde movement. Special loans from the Netherlands and abroad are on display.

Prominent leader

Around 1900, talent, commitment and artistic ambition, a studio high up in Montmartre, a healthy dose of self-worth and, above all, a keen sense for networks and opportunities brought Van Dongen into the environment of the avantgarde, first as an anarchist draftsman and then as a painter. In the footsteps of Jongkind and Van Gogh, Van Dongen quickly made a name for himself as a promising artist. His work was acclaimed for its personal and modern style. His breakthrough quickly followed with a debut as a painter at Galerie Vollard. Van Dongen managed to win over progressive French art critics and galleries such as Berthe Weill and Eugène Druet, took part in high profile exhibitions, and in 1906 joined a famous leading group of the avantgarde, known as the fauves. In Montmartre, center of artistic innovation, he moved into a studio in the Bateau-Lavoir at the invitation of Picasso.

Innovation through colour and touch

In a subsequent studio in the Rue Saulnier, close to the olies erg re, an Dongen was the first artist to use the new electric light. With the bright white glow with which he illuminated his

models, he modernized his palette. It inspired him to express colors such as bright orange-red and intermediate tones such as light green and phosphorous yellow. Van Dongen made his name in the avant-garde circuit of Galerie Kahnweiler alongside Picasso and Braque and pulled in the crowds at Galerie Bernheim-Jeune, alongside Matisse. Thanks to his exceptional daring and talent, artistic struggles, personal setbacks, his exchange of ideas with other artists, his travels and an expanded international art market, Van Dongen developed into an innovator through touch and colour. xotic themes, a at decorative style and virtuosity brought Van Dongen both to the top of international expressionism and into the circle around fashion king Paul Poiret and up-and-coming elites.

Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen | Rotterdam

Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen is the first publicly accessible art depot in the world. The depot is located next to Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Museumpark in Rotterdam. The depot shows the result of 173 years of collecting. ore than , works of art are stored together, arranged and structured in fourteen depot spaces with five climate ones. n addition to the objects, all activities involved in the management and maintenance of a collection can be seen.

n the museum moved to its current location, the Museum Park. Many decades and millions of visitors later, the building was exhausted and in need of major maintenance. The museum building itself will therefore be closed until 2026 and renovated by architecture firm ecanoo. n the new museum, the art will be shown in exhibitions. The new museum building will not have a depot and storage

function; instead, the storage and care of the art takes place in the adjacent, publicly accessible Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen.

The rich and versatile collection of the museum originated from the passion of 1,700 private collectors, who have donated more than , art ob ects. The collection owes its name to Frans Boijmans and Daniël George van Beuningen, who donated many top pieces, from visual art, applied art to design. The museum’s collection of drawings is one of the most important in the world. Overall, Boijmans Van Beuningen’s collection offers an overview of Dutch and European art, from the early Middle Ages to the 21st century. The collection includes Bruegel’s ‘Tower of Babel’, Rembrandt’s ‘Titus’ and Salvador Dalí’s ‘Lipsbank’.

Kees van Dongen, the Road to Success Singer Laren, until 7 May www.singerlaren.nl/keesvandongen

Kees van Dongen, Deux yeux (Two Eyes), 1911, oil on canvas, 65 x 54 cm, JK Art Foundation. C/o Pictoright Amsterdam 2023

Kees van Dongen, La Tour Eiffel (Eiffel Tower), 1904, oil on canvas, 44 x 54 cm, private collection. C/o Pictoright Amsterdam 2023

Kees van Dongen, Liverpool Light House, 1907, oil on canvas, 100 x 81 cm, private collection. Geneva, c/o Pictoright Amsterdam 2023

Depot Boijmans van Beuningen © Ossip van Duivenbode

The Winning Ticket, Silver prizes in the historic

Dutch Lottery | Nederlands Zilvermuseum

From 16 February 2023 to 24 September 2023, the exhibition ‘The Winning Ticket, Silver prizes in the historic Dutch Lottery’ can be seen in the Dutch Silver Museum in Schoonhoven. Lotteries were a form of crowdfunding in the 16th and 17th century.

Traditionally a disaster took place which prompted people to start a lottery and raise money for charity. Think of a ma or fire, a war, destruction by looters or arranging a shelter for orphans, the sick, the elderly or the poor. ich and poor could participate. And who doesn t like the chance to win erhaps it fulfils the wish for a better life or the desire for something you could not otherwise buy. At the same time you help a good cause. n the th century lotteries came up in the etherlands and taly at about the same time, with silver as the main prize.

n the exhibition, visitors discover more about the history of the Dutch ottery and can en oy th and 7th century silver ob ects from the etherlands. roups can book a guided tour in nglish or erman. hildren can entertain themselves in the workshop and practise their smithing skills. Watch the gold and silversmiths at work in our museum omplete your visit with a walk around the historic fortified town choonhoven, which is still called the ilver ity of the etherlands.

ebruary eptember a erneplein , choonhoven

More information and tickets: www.zilvermuseum.com

Photography Carla Leijen

Exhibition Indonesia & The Amsterdam School | Museum Het Schip

Until 27 August, Museum Het Schip is presenting an exhibition on the relationship of the Amsterdam School with Indonesia, the former Dutch ast ndies. sing film and photographic material, drawings, prints and applied arts, the exhibition shows how the Dutch architectural movement was in uenced by the forms, colours and materials from the former colony.

Indonesian shapes, colours and materials made a deep impression on the innovators of the Nieuwe Kunst and the Amsterdam School. The temple complexes, folk architecture and crafts in particular were studied by them with great interest and appreciation. Some travelled to the Dutch East Indies, but most gained impressions at international world fairs. In Brussels in 1910, for instance, Indonesian crafts like batik and braiding were shown.

The exhibition Indonesia and the Amsterdam School showcases the ndonesian in uence on buildings, sculptures and applied art of the Amsterdam School. A great example are the undulating roofs of Minangkabau houses from Sumatra. These can be found as pictorial rhyme in the Amsterdam chool houses of the s. ther ndonesian forms, such as the gunungan and the mythical naga dragon snake, were also incorporated into furniture, masonry dressings and artefacts by Amsterdam School designers.

The exhibition does not only provide a Dutch perspective. n film clips, Indonesian experts on art and architecture talk about the Indonesian in uences on the Amsterdam chool.

Tickets and information: www.hetschip.nl

The Rembrandt House Museum reopens with 30% more Rembrandt

n the heart of Amsterdam, you will still find the house where Rembrandt lived and worked for nineteen years. t is the house where he started full of ambition, but which he had to leave due to financial problems. early years later, The embrandt House useum is the only museum in the world entirely dedicated to this artist. Each room in Rembrandt’s house has its own story. Where he experienced oy and sorrow, collected art and rarities from all over the world, educated his students, and received his customers. From the house he looked out over a rapidly changing city. t is the place where he made his masterpieces. Where he became the greatest.

owhere in the world can you get closer to Rembrandt than in The Rembrandt House Museum. This spring, on March 18th, the museum will reopen with 30% more Rembrandt. As many as five new museum spaces will be added, including an epilogue room, an etching attic, and a third exhibition room. Get to know the artist and his contemporaries via the new multimedia tour where you will follow embrandt s life story, from his arrival as an ambitious celebrity artist to his forced departure due to an accumulation of debts. The museum centers around craftsmanship and visitors are invited to participate in etching and painting demonstrations. In the exact place where Rembrandt created his masterpieces, in his studio, you are invited to discover how the artist made his paint. It’s like looking over the artist’s shoulder.

Over the master’s shoulder

To celebrate the re-opening, the museum will showcase The Peck collection, a spectacular

world-class drawing collection. In 2016, the Pecks donated their remarkable collection to the Ackland Art Museum in the United States. o less than 7 drawings from the collection, including several by embrandt, are exhibited here for the first time in urope, in the very place where Rembrandt made his drawings.

These seventeenth century Dutch drawings enable us to look as it were over the shoulder of Rembrandt and his contemporaries. This unique exhibition will be divided into seven chapters, which together answer the central uestion Why did a seventeenth century artist make drawings?’

A son, a father, a masterpiece

In 1655, Rembrandt painted his son Titus in his studio now part of The Rembrandt House useum. embrandt portrayed his son ust as he observed him, staring dreamily, his thumb pressed into his cheek. Rembrandt’ captured him in loose brushstrokes, almost as a sketch.

Titus It is one of Rembrandt’s most famous masterpieces and loved by the public. ow, four hundred years on, and especially for the re opening of the museum, Titus is back home for the first time.

Titus is Back Home was made possible thanks to the uitenkans pro ect of the Turing Foundation and the Vereniging Rembrandtand a loan from useum oi mans an euningen in otterdam The painting fits perfectly with the drawings in the exhibition, Ih are also direct depictions of what the artist observed.

www.rembrandthuis.nl

Hoogstraten Mannelijk Naakt

Forest retreat De Kastanjehof | Lage Vuursche

De Kastanjehof (‘Chestnut Court’), which has a rich history as an exclusive restaurant and retreat for guests of the Royal family, reopened on 1 December, after receiving a completely new look in recent months.

For the new owners, who had already completed a series of successful hospitality pro ects in Amsterdam, this is the first pro ect outside the city. In addition to fourteen rooms and suites, the renovated Kastanjehof has a restaurant and private wellness area, so that guests can relax in peace and luxury, in the middle of the woods.

The creative kitchen team seamlessly adapts the menu to the seasons and the surrounding woods, from game dishes to vegetarian, while three sommeliers advise guests on the choice of wines. Wine and whiskey tastings are planned, billiards or darts can be played in the lounge and outside, jeu de boules and mini golf on Europe’s most beautiful course are among the possibilities. And with Baarn and surrounding villages within cycling distance, many day trips are possible. www.dekastanjehof.nl

Pillows Maurits at the Park | Amsterdam

After a five year transformation, illows Hotels opened its first five star hotel on 1 November: Pillows Maurits at the Park. Like the other hotels in the illows Hotels collection, this hotel is housed in a monumental building. n collaboration with the renowned architect ri ilad of ffice Winhov and the equally reputable interior architect Paul Linse of Studio Linse, the former university building dating to 1908 was transformed into a luxury hotel.

The impressive building, located on Amsterdam’s Oosterpark, has been transformed with great attention to detail into a wonderful place with international allure. n addition to 88 rooms and suites, it houses fine dining restaurant VanOost, Cafe Brasserie Spring, with a terrace in the park overlooking the open aviary, cocktail bar Fitz’s, led by bar manager ick rielink, who recently ualified as Dutch champion for the A World Cocktail Championship in Rome, a private guest lounge, an urban spa, a state of the art gym and a rooftop bar.

Art plays a prominent role in all illows Hotels, as aurits at the ark is no exception. The public areas enjoy pieces by renowned artists such as Gustav Klimt, Pablo Picasso, Constant and Jasper Krabbé. The hotel rooms feature works by apha l Hermans, specially created for the hotel and inspired by the park, the hotel and the local ora and fauna.

pillowshotels.com

vanoostrestaurant.com

springcafebrasserie.com

BlueBlood continues to rise | The Hague

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 8th 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.blueblood.nl

Egypt: Antika World More Than Certi ed Replica

into the process of mummification. You can also scarab in many different colors, it is known that scarabs were popular amulets and impression seal in ancient Egypt. Key of life, goddess bastet, Egyptian scribe, mummy sarcophagus coffin, queen Nefertiti, priest statue and much more.

Greco roman, as it’s known that the conquest of Egypt by Alexander the Great, the independent rule of pharaohs in the strict sense came to an end.Under the Ptolemies , whose rule followed Alexander’s profound changes took place in art and architecture. Alexander the great bust sculpture is made with his head details which make it a significant piece.

Egypt is a well-known for its ancient civilization and the monuments of the majestic pharaohs, such as the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, the Egyptian Museum, the GEM (The Grand Egyptian Museum), Sakkara, and Dahshur, and it is the home to some of the most recognizable monuments from the ancient world and a trove of modern cultural treasures as well – so you won’t be hard-pressed to find a replica or two! But what should you look to buy in Egypt? Mmmm …. still thinking so it`s time to know more about ANTIKA ….

What is ANTIKA? It is a unique platform for certified replicas trading. We simply brought Egyptian replicas to your door. Yes, we are invading the world now, we started by our showroom at the Netherlands and then we headed to Brazil and still more and more to come.

How we got the idea? Ahmed Nasr (ANTIKA founder and general manager) has got the idea when he discovered the hidden gem (Konouz Egypt), first Egyptian factory that is producing and replicating the historical Egyptian antiquities and decided to cooperate with them to show the whole world our special products that are made by Egyptian talented hands. We started our first actual steps in Egypt then moved worldwide.

You can pick your piece by visiting one of our showrooms or order it online via our app. Each piece of our products is an identical replica of the original antiquity, not only that but it also comes with a certificate of verification issued by the Egyptian council of Antiquities.

Now let`s look about ANTIKA’s steps to success in Egypt and around the world:

ANTIKA organized the YMCA delegation visit to Egypt to enjoy watching the Egyptian handmade replicas. Then In cooperation with Association of Egyptian organizations in the Netherlands, ANTIKA participated in the cultural event “Egypt Day in Amsterdam”. The event covered many activities including Lecture for writing in ancient Egypt, Replica exhibition and cultural discussion.

ANTIKA also signed an agreement with Arab Chambers Union in Cairo. The agreement included Antika’s participation in the Union’s activities around the world, supporting cultural activity, and organizing handcrafts and certified replicas exhibitions as well. The cooperation expanded to cover organizing workshops related to the culture and arts sector. This agreement also contributed to support tourism sector through localizing virtual (VR) trips (will talk about it later in details) techniques and marketing for touristic destinations in different countries using 360 imaging technology.

Antika participated in the economic forum organized by the Arab Brazilian Chamber (ABCC) that took place on July 4 in São Paulo among seven companies from EGYPT and UAE .Appointments provided a better understanding of the market, information on investments, and a network of contacts, and was also a part of the Economic Forum Brazil & Arab Countries that was attended by 600 business people, diplomats, scholars, and leaders of private companies from Brazil and the Arab countries, with some 3,000 viewers. Companies like EFIC, SCFP, Modern Living, and Pantanal Trading were some of the sponsors of the event, and it was very successful event.

Antika also joined the celebration of the ninth anniversary of the Coptic orthodox Diocese of Netherlands and the feast of the ordination of His Grace Bishop Arsani, Bishop of the Netherlands. The celebration was held in the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary with Unique and exclusive icons were displayed in the celebration and our Egyptian certified replicas also as well.

Then finally our first international showroom was opened in a great ceremony at the Netherlands in March 2022, followed by our branch in G Experience hotel at Amsterdam, then adding 6 more selling points at the Egyptian Church in the Netherlands& Belgium and Opening an exhibition at Den Haag 2023. And still more and more success to come.

Not only that but out of taking the responsibility to let new generations know more about the great Egyptian civilization, Dr. Rasha Saif (head of arts & cultural department at ANTIKA) organizes workshops for learning ancient Egyptian writing, artistic handmade porcelain accessories, wooden simple crafts and organizes also cultural lectures online and offline through periodically events inside and outside Egypt. She also organizes VR trips for school students. She started working on the Egyptian accessories line which added a great value to ANTIKA’s products.

Mentioning the online lectures, that would take us to know more about MAVELL, it’s a virtual tours app, for example: lecturers can make their lectures in a historical place with add value to their words and take the lecture to more interesting levels. Also virtual field tours can be easily organized, it allows students to collaborate across boundaries, learn about far- off places and work with people from other regions, that kind of trips also provides opportunities for students to develop social emotional learning skills and reflect on their experiences, on the other hand, the app is very interesting for tourists to visit the world from their hometown.

And that was another successful step for ANTIKA to merge between ancient Egyptian civilization and latest technologies around the world, now you can visit many museums and many other places while you are enjoying your drink on your comfy sofa through 360-degree camera to enjoy every tiny detail.

Moving back to ANTIKA’s app; you’ll find seven categories:

Ancient Egyptian - Greco roman – Coptic – IslamicAntika Lapidus - Paintings - Egyptian t-shirts

Let’s talk briefly about each category and you can find in it:

Ancient Egyptian or Pharaonic in which you can find Tutankhamun mask, tutankhamun is the most famous pharaoh of all time, his fame comes more from the discovery of his nearly intact tomb, his mummy was important for Egyptologists to conduct valuable research

Coptic category, the Coptic era in ancient Egypt was defined by the religious shifts in Egyptian culture to Coptic Christianity from ancient Egyptian religion, until the Muslim conquest of Egypt. Luxurious and significant Christ paintings are found in this category. Antika Lapidus is the category that contains the Egyptian colorful unique accessories. Painting category, this category is full of freehand paintings made by Egyptian talented painters. Egyptian t-shirts that are made from finest Egyptian cotton which is handpicked and guarantees the highest levels of purity. In addition, hand picking puts no stress on the fibres leaving the fibres straight and intact. All these factors have resulted in Egyptian cotton being by far the best cotton in the world. What are you waiting for ...go and check our Egyptian significant scenes printed on the finest Egyptian cotton t-shirts.

At last, you have to know that if you are fond of the Egyptian replicas and can’t find your object, we can make it as a special order and send it to your door. Reaching the end ANTIKA promises her fans to expand more and more all over the world and to achieve more success.

For more information: www.antika.world

His Grace Bishop Arsany of the Netherlandsand Ahmed Nasr”Founder& Managing Director Of Antika”

Antika Showroom Zaandam

Antika Showroom Zaandam

H.E Dr. Khaled Hanafy, the Secretary General of the Union of Arab Chambers and Ahmed Nasr

YMCA Munich at Konouz Egypt

Movies that Matter Festival | back in town from 24 March – 1 April

After previous adapted editions due to Covid-19, Movies that Matter Festival is back in Filmhuis Den Haag and Theater aan het Spui this year. During the th anniversary edition, compelling, moving and inspiring films can be seen in The Hague and satellite locations throughout the country. Special screenings will also be shown in other venues like Amare, Theater en Filmhuis Dakota and Theater De Nieuwe Regentes.

This year’s Movies that Matter Festival presents more than eighty beautiful, exciting and moving feature films and documentaries and there are countless inspiring conversations, performances and Q&As. Like every edition, different directors, activists, thinkers and experts are present at the festival and are eager to meet and connect. This year’s selection includes films on international topics such as the situation in ran and the war in Ukraine. But attention is also paid to, for example, the commemorative year of the History of Slavery.

Competitions

The Movies that Matter Festival presents a total of seven awards in different competitions. The first competition program, Activist, shows documentaries about the work and life of human rights defenders. Camera Justitia zooms in on the importance of the rule of law and the fight against impunity. The third competition program is Dutch ovies atter, with Dutch feature films and documentaries that draw attention to human rights.

Awards

Furthermore, international juries will select winners for the Grand Jury Documentary and Grand Jury Fiction, where cinematography and content go hand in hand. Three films are eligible for the tudents hoice Award, chosen by a student jury from Leiden University. In addition, the Shorts Award, for the best short film, will be presented. All visitors can vote for the films they have seen. The film with the highest score wins the Audience Award and can be seen again during the Best of #MtMF23 day on Saturday 1 April.

museum |

Themes

Take on Future shows the dilemmas of the transition to a sustainable future. Take on Love is a colorful, diverse and sparkling theme program about the right to be yourself and love who you want. In Take on Power, films are presented about une ual power relations and about people who take on forces and structures that seem bigger than themselves. This year, the theme Take on ental Health has been added, with films and documentaries focusing on many facets of mental health.

For more information and tickets: www.moviesthatmatter.nl/festival/

Re-opening of the renovated monumental Egyptian Residence, where the Dutch writer, Louis Couperus lived

On Thursday 12 January a reception was hosted by the Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt, H.E. Mr. Hatem Elsayed Kamaleldin to mark the newly renovated monumental Egyptian Residence at Surinamestraat 22 in the Hague. This house was built by the parents of the great Dutch writer, Louis Couperus who lived in this house.

The guests were welcomed by the Egyptian Ambassador and in his welcome words he mentioned that, a few days after his arrival to The Hague, he received an assignment to begin the restoration and renovation process of the residence and that the process took almost one year. Moreover, he was proud that the building status returned to its original state as it was since the overnment of gypt bought in it 7. The Ambassador affirmed the monumental value to the Netherlands as it was built in the 19th century and it was owned by the prestigious Dutch writer Louis Couperus.

The next speech was given by the Mayor of The Hague, Mr. Jan van Zanen. The mayor mentioned that the re-opening of the Egyptian residence is an important moment. After all, the building is one of great cultural and historical value. The heritage represented by this house goes well beyond The Hague. t was here that ouperus wrote the first part of line ere in 888. The novel first appeared as a serial in the newspaper and in the form of a book. line ere is not only renowned as being among the best of Dutch literature but Couperus also gives a glimpse of life in The Hague in the late 19th and early 20th century, as in his other books. And if there is one place in The Hague that could be described as the backdrop for his novels, his own life and The Hague of his times, it is the Surinamestraat. Couperus travelled to various European countries, as well as Japan and today’s Indonesia, for example where he lived as a child. A country which he did not visit but which he certainly celebrated in literary for, is Egypt. n his novel Antiek toerisme the tour a story of Ancient gypt he had a wealthy oman visit gypt in the first century of our era. That this building, so closely associated with Couperus houses the Egyptian residence, could thus also be said to be symbolic. t is all the more fitting that this house has now been restored to its former glory. We are indebted to the Egyptian

government and Ambassador Kamaleldin in particular. The mayor ended his speech with the following words ay this restoration be an example for other embassy buildings in The Hague that are also in need of restoration. The last speech was given by the Director of the Couperus Museum, Mrs. Josephine van Mortel. She mentioned that Couperus’s father called the house uriname Hotel where the family was always welcome. The house was sold a year after Couperus’ father passed away to the family van Deventer who sold the property to the Government of Egypt in 1927.

line ere is ouperus first and most famous book. t was so popular that people in the tram would whisper to each other Have you heard it yet Eline is dead.’ In ‘The Small Souls’ Couperus describes the Surinamestraat as follows The two rows of fa ades ran along with a fine independency of chimney-stacks, zinc roofs, little copper westhercocks and balconies, as though the builders had conspired to produce something artistic. Couperus is still very much alive. This year we commemorate the fact that Couperus died 100 years ago. In the Louis Couperus Museum just around the corner you can visit the intriguing exhibition ‘Louis Couperus non-binary avant la lettre’. The exhibition is about the person behind the writer and the characters in his books. rs. van ortel ended her speech with the words to-night is a real party in Couperus’ style. He would have loved this. Let us raise the glass to drink on Couperus, Egypt, The Hague and the beautiful Surinamestraat.

Afterwards we were treated with drinks and Egyptian delicacies, which was much appreciated by the guests. There was a great ambiance.

Written by Nanda Jagusiak-Monteiro

Ambassador Mr. Hatem Elsayed Kamaleldin, Mayor Mr. Jan van Zanen and Mrs. Josephine van Mortel, Director Louis Couperus Museum

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.

STANZA BOOKSHOP

We are an international bookshop established in The ague offering nglish, French, panish, erman, Italian, ortuguese and ussian books for adults, young adults and children. dditionally, we have a selection of International aw books in nglish, panish and French.

e host literary events such as storytelling, writing poetry workshops, and services for book launch.

Opening times on closed. Tuesday- aturday from 0.30 until .00. uring ovember and ecember we open twice per month on undays please check the dates and opening hours through our social media oordeinde 98, 25 4 , The ague. T. 003 0 02 44 , www.stan abookshop.com, Instagram tan a Bookshop, Facebook Twitter tan aBookshop

A PLACE TO WORK OR STUDY!

Are looking for a place to gather and work, or just to be a time alone to read, write to have private meetings? the perfect place is Maris House, and just located in the heart of The Hague in The Royal Street.

Maris House has a unique history & magical atmosphere!

It is an outstanding national monument in The Hague. In 1944, J Altorf (1876), sculped the three natural stone portrait reliefs of the Maris brothers in the façade.

For further information kindly send an email to: info@marishouse.com

Noordeinde 96A Second Floor, 2514GM The Hague, Netherlands (visits only by appointment) www.marishouse.com

2023: Back to normal, oddly enough

We’ve been in the habit over the years of looking at the upcoming year’s sport calendar and zooming in on the events that warrant a closer look. Admittedly, 2023 is an odd number year and the global pandemic is far enough behind us that we are not getting any residual events. Much of the focus will be on the various World Championships that will be our sneak previews to next year’s Summer Olympic Games in Paris. There are some events both here and abroad that peaked our attention we will take a closer look at.

The 2022 football calendar was dominated by the men’s game with the World Cup in Qatar seeing Lionel Messi and his Argentina side lift the trophy at tourney’s end. 2023 will see the women’s game garner plenty of headlines with the World Cup being held in Australia and New Zealand. The opening match down under will be contested between New Zealand and Norway at Eden Park, Auckland on 20 July 2023. The final will take place on 20 August 2023 at Stadium Australia, Sydney.

The United States are the defending champions, having won the previous two tournaments. There will be plenty of attention in this country paid to not only the Dutch side but to the English side as well. The Dutch Lionesses, who were the runners up in the last World Cup, share not only a nickname with the England side, but the English Lionesses are coached by Sarina Wiegman. Wiegman, who is Dutch, piloted the Netherlands to their recent success before being lured across the channel by the FA. For the Netherlands, the accent on women’s soccer is not limited to the World Cup. On 3 June, Eindhoven will host the final of the UEFA Women’s Champions League. While the field of potential opponents does not include a Dutch team, the matchup promises to be stellar with traditional powerhouses vying for a slot in the PSV Stadium. Given the recent successes with sellout audiences at such matches, do not wait too long to secure your place at what should be a fantastic event.

The Orange Army will once again be mobilizing for what promises to be another a banner campaign for Dutch Formula One driver Max Verstappen. His entourage will be travelling the world again to follow the exploits of the Red Bull team and the favorite son of the Netherlands. The F1 circus will once again pitch its tent in the seaside village of Zandvoort for the third running (in the new era) of the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort. Verstappen has won both previous editions of the seaside race and as the circuit has received the accolades of both fans and drivers, its future on the racing calendar seems to be cementing itself rather firmly.

The fact that the Dutch like their competitive cycling has not escaped anyone who has taken a ride in the countryside only to be buzzed by a pack of lycra-clad middle-aged thugs whizzing by on their carbon stallions. Those weekend warriors are just as likely to be watching the action as they are to be emulating their heroes and this year a treat for cycling fans is in store in in province of Drenthe. The European Championships of road cycling will be held in September on and around the Dutch Mountain. Yes, you read that correctly and it is singular. Just outside the town of Wijster is the manmade “mountain” known as the Vamberg and dubbed for the cycling with the chique-sounding moniker of “Col du VAM”. The racing, men’s and women’s, will be held daily from 19 until 23 of September. The Col du Vam will be free of charge for visitors so here’s a great chance to see some of the biggest names in professional cycling do battle for the star-studded UEC European Champion jersey.

If you really mad about cycling and not just mad at cyclists, you might consider a trip to Scottland this summer as the World Championships of Cycling will be held in and around Glasgow between 3 and 13 August. One of the unique features of this year’s event is the fact that both the road and track championships will be held

at the same place and time with the indoor action taking place in the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome.

Rugby fans won’t have to travel far to get a healthy dose of their favorite physical sport. The Rugby World Cup will be held this year in France for the first time since 2007. South Africa were the winners then and the Springboks will visit France as holders. The whole affair gets underway on 8 September with a tantalizing matchup between the hosts and New Zealand’s All Blacks. The opening match and final will take place at the Stade de France, in the commune of Saint-Denis, north of Paris. Further afield but worth a mention for the American sports aficionados among us, both the National Football League and Major League baseball will be bringing their shows on the road this year. MLB returns to London after their wildly successful debut pre-Covid when the storied Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees wowed the overseas audience. This summer another fierce rivalry is on offer with the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs bringing their National League brand of baseball to London Stadium for a two-game series on 24 and 25 June. The NFL will once again be loading up a good number of wide-bodied aircraft to treat their European fan base to gridiron football. In addition to games in London, the Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots will play in Germany with opponents and stadia yet to be announced. For more details, follow the league website at www.nfl.com

While 2023 was always set to be rather pedestrian in comparison to 2022 and 2024, there’s oddly enough a lot to like about it. Do take advantage of the chance to see sport in person if you haven’t already ventured back to the venues. Television is great but the roar of the crowd just cannot be beaten. Have a great sporting 2023!

Written by John Mahnen

Taking ownership of your health

Preventive health check

Getting enough exercise, eating a healthy & varied diet and relaxing. This is important to everyone, but everyone is di erent. This is why it is good to know what you need and what you can work on when it comes to your health.

At Prescan we o er you a innovative preventive health check with no need for a specialist referral. We use the most modern methods of diagnostics such as MRI scans, ECG tests and blood analysis.

The results of your examination will be discussed with you by one of our medical specialists on the same day. This gives you immediate insights into where your health can be improved, and of course we advise you about what you need to do to achieve this.

Contact us for a non-obligation personal consultation.

You can reach us from Monday to Friday between 8.30 and 17.30 at 074 255 9 255 or sent an e-mail to info@prescan.nl.