The Holland Times March 2021

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Overview of primary & secondary schools, universities & language schools

The Dutch National Elections

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Cabinet allocates millions for education

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Contents

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.

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Please contact c.spraakman@argomedia.nl

5 The Dutch national elections 7 Cabinet is allocating billions to combat educational disadvantages

Dutch income tax explained

9 When and how will I be vaccinated?

Plan to build one million houses in ten years 11 What are we going to do with all that money saved during corona?

KLM to launch KLM Holidays package-travel division 13 Columns 15 School overview 23 Novruz festivities, an integral part of the Azerbaijani Culture 25 Feel at Home Fair 28 Tickets for large trial festivals and events sold out within the hour

A rare sight and a tourist attraction in Drenthe: Outdoor pigs

29 Interview with an expat 31 Not all heroes wear capes

COLOPHON The Holland Times is an independent, English language newspaper with Dutch news, published by Argo Special Media B.V. Total circulation: 80,000 copies Argo Special Media B.V. Postbus 2203 1500 GE Zaandam Contributors Marla Thomson, Raphael Perachi Vieira, Phoebe Dodds, Nanda Jagusiak Monteiro, Priyanka Sharma, John Mahnen, Anastasiia Myronenko, Seringe S.T. Touray, Lorre Luther, Femke van Iperen, Arnold Waal & Benjamin B.Roberts 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

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FRENCH ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Design & Layout Caroline Spraakman All Rights reserved by the publisher and/ or the author(s).

2003 The Amsterdam Times The editors try to ensure the accuracy of all information contained within. However, mistakes and ommissions are possible.

No rights may therefore be derived from material published.

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

Please contact c.spraakman@argomedia.nl Controlled circulation: international institutions, the diplomatic corps, and epicentres of the Netherlands’ international and expat community.

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

All photos: Depositphotos

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03-03-21 19:58

MARCH 2021 | 5

NATIONAL

The Dutch national elections EU. Surprisingly, the PVV was once aligned with the VVD and formed part of the cabinet during Mark Rutte’s first run as prime minister. However, the government and cabinet fell apart just 18 months after its formation, with the two parties disagreeing on austerity measures following the fall-out from the Europe debt crisis at the time.

Though it relies solely on donations for its operations, as opposed to membershipbased parties, the PVV is a popular party in the Netherlands. Still, many prefer more radical right-wing parties like the Forum for Democracy (below), which seems the most significant threat for the PVV in the next elections.

The most important election in the Netherlands will take place on 15-17 March 2021, where voters will choose the new members of the House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer). The 150 representatives make up the Dutch lower house (much like the US’s House of Representatives or the UK’s House of Commons). The elections also determine who will be the next prime minister.

The Netherlands is a parliamentary representative democracy, which means that the seats are distributed based on the percentage of votes that each party receives. If a party gets 25% of votes, it gets 25% of seats. This means that 0.67% of votes is enough to receive one seat in the House. The leader of the party that gets the most votes will be named the prime minister. Since one party usually does not receive 50% of the votes, the winning party will have to create a coalition government that will make up at least 50% of seats, in order to be able to pass legislation. Once the coalition has been formed – a process that can take several months – the new prime minister will appoint the ministers and secretaries who make up the cabinet.

The main question in every party’s manifesto for this election is how to navigate the uncertainty that is the ongoing corona crisis. Still, each party has its own platform and position on every topic important to the Dutch people. To help guide non-Dutch folks through the national election, here is a guide to the major political parties vying for votes this time around...

VVD (People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy) The VVD is the current leading party in the Tweede Kamer, with its leader Mark Rutte serving as prime minister. The VVD is a conservative liberal party that stands center-right on the political spectrum.

The party is pro-EU and international cooperation and favors eco-friendly policies; it stands for democracy and a social state, though in recent years the party has been in favour of welfare cuts.

For the 2021 election it’s expected that Mark Rutte will lead the VVD to a fourth win. Despite the recent childcare allowance scandal, which led to the resignation of the cabinet in January 2021, the prime minister’s leadership during the corona crisis – with a ‘cool head and

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a warm heart’ – will no doubt add extra ‘umph’ to the party’s popularity.

CDA (Christian Democratic Appeal) The CDA is the second-largest party in the current coalition government and the third-largest in the country.

Alongside the prime minister, the face of the government’s corona response is the CDA’s Hugo de Jonge, current minister of Healthcare. This will certainly be a plus for the performance of the party and its leader, Wopke Hoekstra, current minister of Finance, in the election.

Like the VVD, the party sits center-right, but has slightly more left-leaning policies; e.g. it proposes more investment in higher education and a more modern social state.

The CDA is a strong proponent of the EU and supports an eco-friendly policy, but is not in favour of the Netherlands’ tolerance on soft drug, prostitution, abortion and euthanasia. Despite the name, the party has religious and non-religious members.

D66 The third-largest party in the current coalition, D66 sits left socially and centerright on fiscal policies. In 1966, the party was the first to introduce some of the more liberal policies of the Netherlands, including abortion, euthanasia, same-sex marriage and prostitution. The party is a strong defender of the environment and supports increased investment in renewable energies. D66 is also a strong proponent of staying in the EU and supports further European integration.

D66, with its newly appointed leader, Sigrid Kaag, heads into the 2021 election hoping to do build up from its current 19 seats in the House. The fact that D66 is one of the few larger parties to not have a scandal associated with it may speak for it come election time.

PVV (Party for Freedom) The second-largest party in the Netherlands and the largest party in the opposition, the PVV is the main right-wing party of the Netherlands. Led by Geert Wilders, the PVV opposes immigration and supports controversial policies like administrative detention without due process, shutting down mosques and banning the Quran; it proposes a strong assimilationist policy for existing and new immigrants. It is also EU-skeptical and calls for the Netherlands to exit the

PvdA (Labour Party) The Labour Party in the Netherlands is part of the opposition, but has gained popularity in the latest provincial elections, which could make it a major player in the national election. The party is traditionally left-thinking, favouring a strong social state and greater investments in public health, education and the environment. It is traditionally supported by the working class, civil servants and minorities. It also supports remaining in the EU. The PvdA was at the forefront of the recent childcare allowance scandal, with its then-leader Lodewijk Asscher stepping down for his involvement in the scandal. Only after 17 March will we know the impact the scandal had and if the country holds the party responsible, as well as its former leader. Asscher has since been replaced by Lilianne Ploumen, who the party hopes will bring a new face and renewed popularity to the party.

GroenLinks (Green Left) As its name suggests, GroenLinks is the left-wing environmentalist party in the Netherlands. The party strongly supports protection of the climate and ecosystems and the respectful treatment of animals.

The left-wing vision is clear from its support for a stronger social state, fair distribution of wealth and opportunity, and international human rights. The leader, Jesse Klaver, is one of the more visible party leaders, making appearances on most of the Dutch talk shows.

The current mayor of Amsterdam, Femke Halsema, is the first mayor of a European capital city coming from a green party.

The current growing climate crisis should help GroenLinks in the upcoming election, though the corona crisis has taken away some of the spotlight on the environment recently.

SP (Socialist Party) The SP is a left-wing, democratic socialist party that was originally founded as the communist party of the Netherlands in 1971. Despite its radical-left beginning, the party has moved closer to true socialism, but is still in favor of a strong social state based on democratic processes.

It supports increased investment in healthcare, public safety and education and opposes the privatization of public services. The SP supports eco-friendly policies and denounces rising rents and poor working conditions.

Despite being one of the largest parties in the 2006 election, the SP has never been

a part of a coalition; the current leader Lilian Marijnissen hopes to change that in this upcoming election.

FvD (Forum for Democracy) Though one of the smallest parties in the current House, the FVD is one of the most out-spoken. It’s the radical right-wing party of the Netherlands and stands even further right than the PVV. It is staunchly Euro-skeptics and nationalistic, aiming to protect Dutch culture from immigration and globalization. At the same time, however, the FvD supports more liberal ideas like soft drug legalization and protection for the environment. Though the party has lost support on the national level based on polls, it gained several seats in the 2020 provincial elections, causing political commentators to take notice.

The party has been plagued with scandals, including accusations of racism and anti-Semitism against the party leader, Thierry Baudet, and the publication of racist tweets from some of the party’s youth members. The refusal by Baudet and other party members to denounce these messages has not helped alleviate concerns about the true (racist?) nature of the party. This, of course, has led to even further discussions about this small but notorious party and its possible role in national politics.

50Plus, DENK, CU and others In addition to the parties above, the Netherlands has another two dozen-plus political parties, though most of them do not have any seats in the House. In fact, this election sets a record for the number of political parties in the Netherlands, with 37 parties participating. The participating parties that already hold seats in the House include: 50Plus (a party dedicated to ensuring the rights, protection and services for the elderly), DENK (a leftwing party focusing on combating racism and liberal immigration policies), ChristenUnie (a center-right party with a Christian foundation, which is a part of the current majority coalition), SGP (a fundamentalist Christian party) and the Party for the Animals, whose focus is on the ethical treatment of animals.

Furthermore, a plethora of newly formed parties is hoping to gain one or more of the coveted seats in the House.

Coming off the heels of the US elections last November and Brexit at the end of 2020, the Dutch national election seems to have more at stake than in previous elections. Before the corona crisis, there were whispered rumours that Mark Rutte would not seek another go as party leader and therefore wouldn’t be vying for a fourth term as prime minister. But corona has shut down those rumours: Rutte is still the face of the VVD and – if all predictions and polls are correct – will be the leader of the Netherlands for the next four years.

As the Netherlands, and the world, continue to deal with the ongoing corona crisis and the re-emergence of right-wing parties and ideals, no election seems to have more at stake for the Netherlands than the 2021 national elections. And for all the issues and policy stances of the party, no issue is more pressing than how the ongoing corona crisis will be handled.

Written by Marla Thomson

03-03-21 21:31

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MARCH 2021 | 7

NATIONAL

Cabinet is allocating billions to combat educational disadvantages

their work during the holidays. Additionally, there will be supplementary “bridging” classes for students who are not yet ready to choose a level for secondary school (VMBO, HAVO or VWO). They will get slightly more time to determine at which level they want to continue their studies. Secondary schools can invest in more subject teachers, teaching assistants and other teaching support staff.

In addition to the 8,5 billion euros, there is also an extra yearly budget of 645 million euros for higher education.

This decision was taken because of the high number of first-year students; more youngsters who passed their high school exams last June decided to start studying directly afterwards, without taking a gap year. The extra budget will allow educational institutions to hire more personnel and give better assistance to the students.

Universities will also receive additional funds in order to give young scientists more time to finish their research.

On 17 February, the two Ministers of Education Ingrid van Engelshoven and Arie Slob announced extra financial support for the education system. The COVID-19 crisis and its consequences had an unfavourable impact on all branches of education, so the government decided to step forward with additional financial aid. Within the next 2,5 years, educational institutions will be allocated a total of 8,5 billion euros. The subsidy is a part of a recent nationwide program countering the consequences of the corona crisis. It is not yet known at this moment how serious the problems are, but according to the experts, running behind a few months in the school program may turn into more than a year’s delay for a student. More than 535 million euros had already been spent on support for the educational sector, but according to the two Ministers it was not enough.

The new financial program encompasses both primary, secondary and higher education and is tailored according to the specific needs of each sector. For instance, secondary schools will receive 1,3 million euros on average

per school; primary schools will get an average of 180,000 euros per school in the coming school year. The schools will be able to determine for themselves where to allocate the finances. This way, according to the education experts, the money will be spent on the aspects that the schools themselves consider important. Moreover, the schools that already needed extra help before the crisis, will get additional financing. However, minister Slob mentioned that these schools have to provide a concrete plan to receive the money. Some experts voiced their concerns that not every school has enough time or knowledge to develop such plans. They advised to first assess the exact delays that students experience, and the financial needs of the schools, and then ask for financial support.

The demissionary Cabinet has suggested a few possible solutions on how the students can catch up with their educational program. During the summer vacation, primary and secondary schools are asked to provide free tutoring for those who need it. The teachers who will give the classes will be paid extra, in order to compensate for

Another component of the Cabinet’s financial help is reducing the university tuition fee for the upcoming study year by half. Because of the Covid-19 measurements, many students have lost their part-time jobs. Lowering tuition for one year will give them more breathing space. For those who have also lost their supplementary scholarships, the government will pay out compensation.

The student travel compensation will also be extended for 12 months for those who have to study longer because of the lockdown measures.

All in all, the Cabinet wants to make sure that the whole education sector has enough resources to compensate for the current difficulties and delays. The student organizations are happy with this plan and are glad that the government recognizes the financial side of the problem.

Experts are also positive about the support package.

However, they are warning that this is only a symptomatic approach and that bigger problems, such as the chronic shortage of teachers and the ongoing reduction in the quality of education, still have to be tackled.

Written by Anastasiia Myronenko

Dutch income tax explained A person is subject to Dutch tax when that person is a Dutch tax resident. A Dutch tax resident is a person whose life is focused on the Netherlands. When you are a Dutch tax resident, your worldwide income and worldwide assets are taxed in the Netherlands.

A non-resident taxpayer is a person who does not live in the Netherlands, but owns property in the country. Property is taxed in the country where the property is situated, hence the non-resident taxpayer status. This also works the other way around. If you are a Dutch tax resident and you have property abroad, this property is not taxed in the Netherlands. You then receive a double taxation credit.

The famous 183-day rule determines whether you are a Dutch tax resident.

This means that if you spend more than 183 days in the Netherlands, you are deemed to reside here and therefore pay taxes here. Furthermore, you must have been sent to the Netherlands by a foreign employer and you do not work in a fixed location owned by your employer in the country where you work. The last two criteria often neglected. If these three rules do not apply, tax treaties determine

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that the country where you work is where one pays taxes.

The Dutch tax return system has a limited number of deductions, as the Dutch Government aims at simplifying the system. Mortgage deduction, study costs, illness costs and charity donations are the main deductions. In 2022 the study cost deduction will end. The illness costs deduction has a threshold of 1% of the combined income. Health care insurance premiums and co-pays are deductible.

US citizens living in the Netherlands generally pay Dutch income tax as outlined above, and are therefore eligible to either exclude their Netherlands-based earned income from the US tax using the “Foreign Earned Income Exclusion”, and/ or to claim “Foreign Tax Credits” for the income tax paid in the Netherlands.

income, such as rental property or remote working income.

Some taxpayers may be able to get a US tax refund due to child tax credits, or from withholding on their US-sourced income. The only way to get a refund is to file a tax return within three years of the original due date of the return.

State income tax returns may also need to be filed if a person has state-sourced

Written by Arnold Waal

United States Income Tax A person is subject to US tax if that person is a US “person”, which generally means a citizen, resident or green card holder, no matter where the person lives. Whether a US citizen is required to files taxes is dependent on their income: US people who have income of more than $12,600 or self-employment income of more than $400 must file a tax return. Minors who are US persons must file their own tax return if their unearned income (e.g. from investments) is more than $1,100. Thus, most US citizens living abroad have US tax filing obligations, even if they do not owe US tax. This includes dual Dutch-US nationals.

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MARCH 2021 | 9

NATIONAL

When and how will I be vaccinated?

There finally seems to be light at the end of the dark tunnel that is the corona pandemic. The Netherlands commenced vaccinating its citizens in the beginning of January this year. As expected, and as it should be, the first priority has been given to the healthcare workers and, within that category, the people who were directly involved in caring for COVID patients.

By the third week of February over a million people were vaccinated in the Netherlands and by mid-March, the number is expected to have doubled. For now, the focus is on care workers, the elderly (with the first priority being mobile residents from 65 years of age and then non-mobile people in the same age group), as well as vulnerable people, including residents of nursing homes and people with intellectual disability and mental health problems, living in care facilities. However, from this month onwards, anyone between the age group of 18-60 with an underlying health issue such as diabetes, heart problems, kidney problems or immune disorders can also expect to get their invitation. As for the rest of us, we will have to wait till May for our invitation to the corona vaccination party.

An interesting fact to be considered is that not the same vaccine is given to everyone.

The Netherlands is currently using three different types of corona vaccine approved by the European Union. There is Comirnaty developed by Pfizer/BioNTech which

requires two doses; the second injection is delivered three weeks after the first one.

This provides the maximum protection (94.7%) against the corona virus, from seven days after receiving the second dose.

Then there is the Moderna vaccine, also consisting of two injections with a gap of twenty-eight days between the two doses.

This gives 94.1% protection, fourteen days after receiving the second shot. The third, the one that most of us are likely to receive, is AstraZeneca. Two doses are required with this vaccine as well. It’s a bit easier to handle logistically, as the second dose can be delivered anytime between 4 to 12 weeks after the first. On the other hand, it only offers 60% efficacy.

The Comirnaty and Moderna vaccines are reserved for the most vulnerable groups: people who work directly with COVID-19 patients, general practitioners and the elderly, as seems only logical. With the variety of vaccines available, one might think people should be able to choose which vaccine they will receive, but this is not the case. The vaccines have a limited supply and have been carefully assigned to various groups, with the most vulnerable people receiving the vaccines with the highest efficacy.

should be mild and disappear in a few days.

Before you start celebrating and congratulating those who are vaccinated, it will be wise to remember that none of these vaccines provides 100% immunity against the corona virus and even less to any mutated strains. Nevertheless, with more and more people fully vaccinated, the government will be able to relax some of the current corona rules and regulations, but there will still be a need for caution as long as herd immunity is not reached.

The thought of spending another Dutch spring and possibly summer indoors with a curfew, unable to visits our favorite shops, restaurants and theme parks, or plan any vacations, might seem daunting.

Some may curse the slow pace of the

vaccination process. Still, we might want to see the glass half full: a steady pace is more prudent when delivering a new vaccine, with limited supply and research to back it, to the mass population.

As much as we are tired of hearing it, we need to be just a little more patient, and hold on just a little longer. If things go as planned, we still might be able to enjoy the late summer and the Dutch landscape is equally stunning in the fall. With all of us being a little considerate of our collective health, we will soon be able to return to life as we knew it.

Written by Priyanka Sharma

As common with most vaccinations, people may experience side effects such as fatigue, headache, fever, cold shivers, muscle ache, redness and soreness at the site of injection. However, these symptoms

Plan to build one million houses in ten years A coalition of 34 organizations in the Dutch housing and construction industry has put forward an Action Agenda for the building of one million homes within ten years to tackle the housing shortage.

The Netherlands’ alarming housing shortage can be attributed to a number of factors, including a shortage of construction workers, increasing population, tourism and immigration. In an effort to remedy this shortage and meet the growing housing demand, a coalition of developers, construction companies, investors, home owners and lobby groups – a total of 34 organizations – has come up with a plan to build one million new homes in the Netherlands over the course of the next ten years. The Action Agenda was formulated in collaboration with municipalities and provinces across the

country to address the dire shortage of more than 330,000 houses.

Eric van der Burg, Alderman in charge of Urban Development in Amsterdam, underscores this positive step forward with public assurances regarding the housing crisis: “In the past it used to be every man for himself, but now we are looking at how we can spread the burden of housing development between all the stakeholders in Holland Metropole.” Alderman for Housing in Amsterdam Laurens Ivens also sees the Action Agenda presented by the coalition as a “helping hand for the next Minister of Housing” in the new cabinet, and hopes that the new Minister will “ensure that sufficient money is made available to implement the plan”.

the 71,000 homes that are currently being built every year to 100,000 homes built annually. The coalition envisages that the new cabinet’s involvement, including its provision of financial support, improved investment conditions and new policy measures would help steer the long-term project in the right direction. Proposed policy measures are the ending of tax paid by housing corporations, running into of billions of euros annually, which is deemed to limit the money available for new construction. As part of the Action Agenda, the plan for next decade not only involves new construction, but also the transformation of empty offices into homes – a move expected to reduce the housing shortage to below 2 per cent.

as a result of increasing immigration and population growth – factors which continue to take a toll on the market.

The construction of one million homes in ten years would mean an increase from

The coalition wants the Action Agenda to form the backbone of the next government strategy for housing development. “There are so many people waiting for a home in the Netherlands,” said Martin van Rijn, chairman of the housing company lobby group Aedes. According to him, the participants are “worried about neglected neighbourhoods and people who may need a different type of help from what they are offered.” Van Rijn also considers the current housing problems as urgent, and considers the agenda as a forwardthinking guide as to what can be done in the next decade.

Lex Brans, Director of Marketing and Housing Development for the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area, affirmed that “affordability of housing is a top priority”.

This, according to Brans, is because cities should be comprised of a mix of all types of people, regardless of their income levels.

While the coalition’s agenda highlights the need for affordable housing, it also underscores the urgency of reaching its target due to a staggeringly high demand,

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The increasing demand and short supply of houses are themselves a major contributing factor for the increase in house prices and rents across the Netherlands, typically in heavily-populated cities such as Amsterdam, where each quarter of 2020 saw an increase in house prices from the quarter before. The prices continued to rise in January 2021 by an average of 9.3%, according to national statistics agency CBS. As a result of this, the Action Agenda includes plans to make and keep housing affordable, while limiting the rent price increase.

While it is not yet known how many houses will be built in the various regions of the country, the Action Agenda acknowledges that municipalities will need to play a key role in speeding up housing construction.

For example, they will have to allocate sufficient land at affordable prices, while also making time-consuming permit procedures more efficient.

Written by Seringe S.T. Touray

03-03-21 15:32

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02-03-21 14:42

MARCH 2021 | 11

NATIONAL

What are we going to do with all that money saved during corona?

Believe it or not, according to the Dutch National Bank (DNB), in 2020 the Dutch managed to hoard an astounding 42 billion euros extra in savings and checking accounts, because they could not go on vacation and shop due the lockdowns.

This is twice as much as in 2019, and averages about 5,000 euros in savings per household.

By the year’s end, Dutch households had a total of 487 billion stuffed away in their bank accounts. Normally, these savings would have been spent on vacations and Christmas shopping, but not in 2020. Many households instead spent money on fixing up their homes (interior designers have been working over-time), home repairs (try to find an electrician or carpenter these days!) and big-ticket improvements such as installing solar panels.

According to Carlijn Prins, economist at the Rabobank, the corona measures have changed Dutch consumer behavior drastically. Although cafes, hotels and restaurants have been shut since December, consumers are buying more products online than ever before, using payments methods such as Ideal, credit card, pin and bank transfers.

The minister of Economics, Wopke Hoekstra, who is up for re-election next month, optimistically foresees consumers storming cafes and stores once the corona

restrictions have been lifted. However, a report by the Dutch bureau of statistics CBS indicates that folks might be keeping their purse strings tight. More than half of people are saving up for major economic setbacks. Moreover, there are plenty of people, such as entrepreneurs, who have been forced to dig into their savings to keep their businesses going during the enforced closures.

The truth of the matter is that the extent and the economic fallout of the crisis are not yet clear. According to a report dated 23 February, the Dutch province that has been hardest hit by the crisis is NoordHolland, where the economy shrunk by 7% in 2020, followed by Groningen with 5%.

On an average, in 2020 the Dutch economy declined by 3.7%.

employees’ travel expenses and office supplies. Computer-based office work will give employees the option to live in more remote areas of the country, where house and rent prices are much cheaper, thus saving on living expenses.

In the long term, this picture might look rosy, but for the near future, the economic situation looks rather bleak. According to a recent McKinsey report “The future of work after COVID-19”, the alarming news is that while many people have been able to work from home, approximately 25% of all jobs have been made redundant.

This means that many will have to retrain and switch occupations. Until now the Dutch government has paid 12.4 billion

to companies to continue paying their employees’ salaries, but once the government’s spending frenzy is over, most likely companies will have to start laying off personnel. They in turn will have to start eating into their savings.

The good news is that for those who are willing to retrain, the crisis has generated a plethora of new jobs and occupations, especially in the sciences, technology and engineering sectors.

If we are lucky, just like after the last world-wide pandemic a hundred years ago, prosperous times are on their way and we’re headed towards our own Roaring Twenties.

Written by Benjamin Roberts

In many regards, corona has changed the world economy forever. The pandemic has catapulted developments such as remote working, e-commerce and automation from the marginal to the standard. Once the lockdown is over, consumers will not be returning to their old spending habits.

For those who had computer-based office work, they will most likely will be working remote at least a couple days of week, if not more. They will be spending less on train travel, take-away coffees and formal clothing. For companies, this is also a win-win deal. They will save on expensive office space, utility costs, office cleaning,

KLM to launch KLM Holidays package-travel division KLM recently announced plans to launch a package-travel division, KLM Holidays, to sell vacations directly to consumers. The company will offer travelers packaged vacations in which flights, hotels, tours and rental cars can be booked in one purchase.

While KLM already offers customers the option to book hotel rooms and rental cars when purchasing a flight, KLM Holidays will concentrate exclusively on selling packaged vacations. The airline purchased Airtrade, an online ticketing organization, to deliver the new service. KLM Holidays will begin operation once the government-imposed COVID-19 travel restrictions are relaxed. The company plans to eventually offer KLM Holidays package deals in countries other than the Netherlands.

KLM hopes to become a major player in

the package-travel industry with the launch of KLM Holidays. “We want to be in the top three tour operators for flight holidays ourselves, together with our sister Transavia Holidays,” said KLM Netherlands CEO Harm Kreulen in an interview with De Telegraaf.

This ambition has many in the travel industry concerned due to the structure of traditional package vacations. Travel organizations such as Corendon and Sunweb typically organize and offer vacations with flights, hotels, tours and car rentals included. They purchase seats for their customers on commercial flights often offered by KLM. Travel organizations that typically offer package vacations fear that they will be unable to compete, as KLM reserves seats for its own package vacations. Many in the industry

argue that by offering package vacations, KLM will essentially be competing against its own customers. Corendon, for example, has a three-year contract with KLM to provide flights to the Netherlands Antilles as part of its package vacations. KLM Holidays plans to offer similar packages to the Netherlands Antilles, directly competing with Corendon.

port specifically designed to prevent job loss in heavily impacted industries. “KLM is abusing the corona crisis to reduce the number of permanent jobs and at the same time to hire flex workers. That’s anti-social and in violation of the social plan that we’ve agreed on,” said Joost van Doesburg of FNV Luchtvaart, a union representing aviation employees.

Concern has also been expressed about unequal competition given the extraordinary levels of government support KLM has received to survive the COVID-19 downturn. Over the course of the pandemic, the Dutch government has provided KLM with 3.4 billion euros in economic support, while the French government has contributed 7 billion euros. “KLM has received billions in government loans to survive corona. You cannot misuse that for the takeover of a travel company. Bad timing. We’ll have to find out whether that’s allowed,” said Steven van der Heijden, head of Corendon. Mattijs ten Brink, CEO of Sunweb, has expressed concern with KLM receiving government support, while at the same time competing with an already weakened travel industry.

The proposed expansion comes at the end of a financially disastrous year for KLM. The airline’s business model is based largely on the transportation of business travelers and freight. During the pandemic, KLM flew sold 67 percent fewer passenger tickets and transported 21 percent less freight than the year before. Air-France-KLM lost 7.1 billion euros last year, largely as a result of travel restrictions imposed to slow the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. That loss was the largest in the company’s history, much worse than its prior record loss of 1.6 billion euros between 2009 and 2010.

This is not the first time KLM has faced criticism for the ways in which it has used state-provided money intended to relieve the financial difficulties caused by pandemic restrictions. In January of this year, the company announced plans to lay off at least 6000 workers after accepting state-sup-

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The company expects consumer demand for air travel to pick up again this summer, when a fair percentage of the population should be vaccinated. In spite of the financial assistance from the Dutch government and plans to launch KLM Holidays, the company does not expect business to rebound completely until at least 2024.

Written by Lorre Luther

03-03-21 20:10

A community learning for world citizenship International School Utrecht is an IB World School, offering a complete and connected International Baccalaureate programme for students from 4-18 from diverse international backgrounds.

www.isutrecht.nl

#ASHexperience

We are a close-knit and welcoming community of students, staff and parents. We all approach life from a different culture and background and with the languages we know. We find each other in our common goal: to create a stimulating learning environment in which everyone feels at home.

#thejourneymatters

PREPARING YOUR CHILD FOR A FAST-CHANGING WORLD!

Florencius International School is a young, dynamic primary international school close to Amsterdam, where children get the attention they deserve. Our holistic approach and high ambitions ensure that our students have the skills to develop into positive

More than a School.

An Experience.

but critical, self-confident global citizens.

› › › › ›

Small groups (1 teacher per 8 pupils max) Individual attention Personal Development Plan Immersion in Dutch community International Primary Curriculum (IPC) – British curriculum

De Savornin Lohmanlaan 2 - 1181 XM Amstelveen - T: +31 (0)20 640 81 18

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www.florenciusinternationalschool.nl

02-03-21 14:48

MARCH 2021 | 13

COLUMN

Entrepreneurs and self care: keeping burnout at bay Burnout is the buzzword of the moment. It’s unfortunately a common phenomenon at the best of times, but the entrepreneurial community is even more affected. According to Business Insider, over 50% of entrepreneurs have experienced burnout, characterised by lack of interest in work, fatigue, and feelings of depression. The best way to cure burnout?

Prevent it before it hits, through listening to your body and taking a break when you need it.

Here, seven entrepreneurs share their favourite self care rituals that help keep them grounded.

“As someone who has previously been a frazzled burnt out mess trying to do everything at once, self care is a must for me,” says Daisy Morris, founder of The Selfhood. “I have to say that for me it looks very different to the usual 5am wake up calls and green juice fuelled mornings we read about in the Entrepreneur books. My self care looks like baths so long I turn into a raisin, watching utterly ridiculous comedy and laughing with my friends, a long walk somewhere quiet with a lot of trees, reading for non educational purposes, a home made dinner and an excellent cocktail.”

Self care is so important for entrepreneurs because they quite literally are their business. If you’re sick, your business suffers too. “Self care is crucial as I can only be the best version of myself for my customers when I fill up my cup,” says Jessica de Block, founder of Antwerp Avenue and Alfavrouwen. “I’m in this for the long haul and I realised over the years that I can’t pretend it’s a never ending sprint. I just have to water my ‘seed’ every day so it becomes a beautiful, strong tree.

I start my day with chakra healing music in the shower, and I have started daily walks with my dog while listening to an audiobook.”

Ellie Kine, founder of The Enthusiast, agrees.

“Running your own business is a never ending rollercoaster, treadmill, any number of metaphors which see you going fast and all over the shop with no control, but self care is one simple but super important way to ground yourself,” she says. “I make sure to have a bath (sometimes at 2pm, which feels highly indulgent - take that 9 to 5s!) and also read as much as I can to take my mind off work!”

Thanks to celebrities pushing ‘miracle’ cures, self care has a bit of a contentious reputation.

But in reality, it’s up to you how you interpret the idea. “When I first started my consultancy I thought self care was a dirty word, far too ‘goop’ for my liking. But wow, was I wrong!” says Jade Coles, founder of Studio Coles. “Self care is now woven into the very tapestry of my working day no matter what. I’ve come to realise that it’s about respecting yourself, your boundaries and your energy. I’m now hella protective of that.

Nowadays self care looks to me like respecting the ceremonial moments that have become the pillars to my day. Going out for a walk first thing, slow brewing a coffee, every morning I pull three tarot cards via an app I love. I take some time to think about where my head is based on what comes up. I voice note my closest pals. Stretch, and then I’m ready to work.”

With so much work taking place online, particularly this year, digital detoxing is more important than ever. “With my business so focused on supporting others, looking after myself is fundamental to ensure I’m bringing my best and growing sustainably,” says Alice Benham, business and marketing strategist. “For me this looks like starting each day phone free, taking a full hour out for a nutritious lunch and regularly engaging in either coaching, mentoring or therapy.”

Entrepreneurs are known for making their own rules, so it’s worth ensuring your self care rituals are based on what works for you. “I don’t set an alarm (gasp!). Instead, I let my body naturally wake me up between 8-10am,” says Jessica Bruno, Social Media Marketing Consultant.

“At 7pm I turn off all electronics and have fun with offline activities. Right now I’m knitting!”

Yvie Hormsby, Creative Director at Yoco Studio, agrees that taking it slow in the evenings is the way to go. “I have an immovable self care ritual for Sunday evenings to both unwind from the week and reset for the next. Bubble bath, anime, journal. Every Sunday.”

Create your own self care routine by testing out a number of different options to find the perfect combination for you. It’s a good idea to implement some small self care activities on a daily basis, and take time at the weekend for some more extended me-time.

Written by Phoebe Dodds Founder of BURO155

Indulge me for a moment …

First, I watch a lot of Dutch TV to learn the language. I find it a really entertaining way to learn colloquial Dutch. If you haven’t had the chance to watch some of the programs, I list some of them here, as I want to share my favorite Dutch people with you. Also, if you like a Dutch celebrity you see on TV, then you’re in for a treat because celebrities show up everywhere! On talk shows, game shows, specials, hosting events – the same people pop up everywhere. So indulge me for a few minutes while I share some of my favorite Dutch people …

Winston Gerschtanowitz One of the best shows to watch, especially if you’re a trivial fan, is 50/50, where two contestants are asked 50 questions in 30 minutes. They can choose from two answers - one correct, one incorrect - giving them a 50/50 chance of answering correctly. The show is fast-paced and makes it easy to pick up Dutch. But it’s the host, Winston Gerschtanowitz, who really makes the show awesome to watch. Now that I can understand a bit of Dutch, I’m catching all the funny jokes. His mannerisms make it even funnier!

Like other Dutch celebrities, he shows up on other shows too, including the new Marble Mania

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game show and the National Postcode Lottery commercials. Winston got his start on a Dutch soap opera before moving on to a boy band in the 90s. He’s been a participant or presenter on a number of Dutch shows including Dancing on Ice, RTL Boulevard, The Voice of Holland and It Takes 2, together with another popular Dutch celebrity, Gordon. You can catch 50/50 on SBS6.

Fred van Leer When RuPaul’s Drag Race brought its franchise to the Netherlands, the queen herself RuPaul Charles picked Fred van Leer to host the popular reality competition show. Starting September 2020, Videoland streaming viewers were treated to Van Leer hosting the wild and crazy show.

Having been a former drag queen in his earlier years, this Rotterdammer was living out what he called his ‘dream’. I’m a huge Drag Race and RuPaul fan, so having someone else sit in that iconic seat was almost sacrilegious for me. But Fred was funny and caring as he mentored the participating drag queens and made the show his own.

Fred is also the host of the Alles uit de kast – a show where he transforms plain Janes into stylish divas. 2020 seemed to be Fred’s year, until in the fall a sex tape of him was leaked, followed by a violent break-in in his home, where he was threatened at gun point. He recently said that he has put all this behind him and thanked his friends and fans for their love and support.

Elise Schaap You know a person is a true comedian when they make you laugh, even if you don’t understand what they are saying. This is Elise Schaap. I first saw Elise on Welkom in de 80-jarige oorlog (Welcome to the 80-Years War), a series on NPO3.

I was watching old episodes of the history-madefun series to - you guessed it! - learn Dutch, when I saw the comedic genius who is Elise Schaap.

When I first started watching I didn’t understand much, but she still made me laugh out loud!

I was so happy when I realized that most Dutch celebrities show up on other shows and saw her on the one and only hilarious TV Kantine! It parodies other Dutch shows in skits that can only be described as the Dutch Saturday Night Live.

Elise steals every single scene! In recent episodes she’s impersonated Karen Carpenter singing Flop of the World, Margaret Thatcher in the show’s hilarious lampoon of The Crown and even the 80s’ Taylor Dayne. But it’s her impression of Queen Máxima, in a hilarious skit making fun of a recent scandal surrouning the royal family, that is the best of all! You can watch TV Kantine on RTL4, though not until next season.

Written by Marla Thomson Marla Thomson is a freelance writer

03-03-21 12:34

AVAILABILITY IN ALL GROU PS

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

08-09-20 16:30

See the building, think the future...

it’s sooner than you think...

At Nord Anglia International School Rotterdam, we work together with the world’s #1 university, MIT, to create an interdisciplinary approach to learning science and technology that will inspire your child through hands-on activities and challenges.

On April 21 2021 all our pupils, from 3-18, start here at our new home in the Havenstraat.

Places available for: Summer and Autumn terms.

Book your virtual tour:

www.britishschool.amsterdam +31 20 67 97 840 Holland_NAISR_129x194.indd 1

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09/07/2020 12:05

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EDUCATION

School overview

The Dutch teaching style is interactive and student-centred. It focuses on teamwork, which makes it easy to meet other international students.

Studying in Holland means developing an open mind and increasing your international orientation.

A large part of all study programmes is dedicated to writing papers and working in groups to analyse and solve specific problems. You will also get a chance to get practical work experience through internships or experiments in laboratories, depending on the field of study.

Teamwork Holland has received international praise for its teaching style, which centres on students working together as a team, and puts an emphasis on selfstudy and self-discipline. The teacher will act as a facilitator and guide in the learning process.

On these pages you will find an overview of the most important schools for expats, starting with the primary and secondary schools and ending with the universities, some of which are famous all over the world because of their high quality.

Did you know that the Netherlands currently hosts 86,000 full-time international students?

GRONINGEN International Primary school GSV (Groningse schoolvereniging) Rijksstraatweg 24 9752 AE Groningen W: g-s-v.nl T: 050 527 08 18 Primary School for children of 4-11 years.

Pre-school class for 3-year-olds and afterschool care on site.

Curriculum: British National Curriculum for literacy & numeracy.

International Primary Curriculum.

Assessment: CAT IV: Cognitive Ability Tests PTE & PTM: Progress Tests in English & Maths SWST: Single Word Spelling Test SSRT: Salford Standardised Reading Test International School Groningen Postbox 6105 9702 HC Groningen Hemmenlaan 2 9751 NS Haren W: isgroningen.nl T: 050 534 00 84 Type of education: International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme, MYP (11-16 years of age) International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, DP (16-18 years of age) OVERIJSSEL International School Twente (IST) Enschede W: internationalschooltwente.nl T: 053 206 80 35 - Primary T: 053 821 11 30 - Secondary Primary IPC, Cambridge IGCSE and International Baccalaureate DP Eerde International Boarding School Ommen Kasteellaan 1 7731 PJ Ommen W: eerde.nl T: 0529 45 14 52 Types of education: Offering International Education for students ages 4-18;including IPYC, IMYC, Cambridge Primary and Secondary, IGCSE and IBDP. UTRECHT International School Utrecht Van Bijnkershoeklaan 8 3527 XL Utrecht W: isutrecht.nl T: 030 870 04 00

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Types of education: International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme 11-16 year olds IB MYP (Middle Years Programme) 16-19 year olds IB DP (Diploma Programme) NOORD HOLLAND Amity International School Amsterdam Amsterdamseweg 204 1182 HL Amstelveen W: amityschool.nl T: 020 345 44 81 M: 06 1522 2139 Types of education: Accredited as IB World School for the Primary Years Programme, Candidate School for the IB Middle Years Programme Florencius International School Amstelveen, Haarlem, Laren W: florenciusinternationalschool.nl T: 020 640 81 18 Types of education: International Primary Curricculum (IPC), British Curriculum, ages 4-12.

Florencius International School is an independent private primary school (4-12) and is situated in leafy surroundings close to Amsterdam. At Florencius we follow the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) and British standards. Our focus lies both with the academic and the social/ emotional development of our students.

We offer small classes, individual attention and a warm and safe environment.

Amsterdam International Community School AICS Main Campus (Primary & Secondary School) Prinses Irenestraat 59, 1077 WV Amsterdam T: 020 577 1240 E: info@aics.espritscholen.nl W: aics.espritscholen.nl/home AICS Satellite Campus (Primary School) A.J. Ernststraat 130, 1082 LP Amsterdam T: 020 723 48 30 E: infosatellite@aics.espritscholen.nl AICS South East Campus (Primary & Secondary School) Darlingstraat 2, 1102 MX Amsterdam T: 020 723 52 80 E: infosoutheast@aics.espritscholen.nl Types of education: International Primary Curriculum, transitioning to the IB Primary Years Programme.

IB Middle Years Programme.

IB Diploma Programme.

Programme, Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme The British School of Amsterdam W: britishschool.amsterdam T: 020 67 97 840 E: admissions@britams.nl Early Years School (3-7), Junior School (7-11) and Senior School (11-18). Offer National Curriculum for England, GCSE and A Levels.

Amstelland International School Amstelveen W: amstelland-international-school.nl T: 020 - 820 90 91 European School Bergen W: esbergen.eu T: 072 589 01 09 Gifted Minds International School Hoofddorp W: gmischool.nl T: 023 888 88 74 Types of education: GMIS offers 2 comprehensive rigorous academic programs of learning and teaching in combination: International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (IBPYP) and Common Core State Standards (CCSS).

Haarlemmermeer Lyceum Baron de Coubertinlaan 2 2134 CG Hoofddorp Nieuwe Molenaarslaan 20 2134 AS Hoofddorp T: 023 563 16 44 W: haarlemmermeerlyceum.nl Haarlemmermeer Lyceum prepares its students for an international future by equipping them with the competences they need to succeed in a fast-changing and globalised world. This includes developing strong language skills, stimulating tolerance and understanding in a diverse and multicultural environment, and providing extensive opportunities to communicate and collaborate across geographic, cultural and religious borders. The school offers a Dutch as a Second Language Programme’ (NT2) for students with an international background.

International French School Amsterdam W: internationalfrenchschool.com E: contact@ieg.education Types of education: Curriculum: French curriculum Diplomas: French diplomas and international language certifications Key pedagogical pillars:

1) Multilingualism 2) Positive pedagogy and differentiated teaching 3) C reativity and entrepreneurship Opening of « maternelle », “élémentaire” and “collège” levels in September 2021 (Nursery/ Infant/ Junior school and Secondary school).

Opening of “lycée”( high school) in September 2022.

Bilingual program (French and English) for “maternelle” and “élémentaire” levels.

Preparation for international sections (American or English) in middle and high school.

Dutch teaching starting at nursery level, additional languages (Spanish or German) offered in middle and high school.

Additional services: school catering, extra-curricular activities after school hours and during the holidays International School of Amsterdam Amstelveen W: isa.nl T: 020 347 11 11 Types of education: The International School of Amsterdam, founded in 1964, continues to be a global leader in education for international understanding – inspiring our diverse community of students to learn and live with purpose. ISA was the first school in the world to offer all three core International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes—Primary Years, Middle Years and the Diploma—and the school serves as a foundational leader in the continued development of each programme’s global curriculum to this day. We have over 1320 students range from Nursery to Grade 12 who come from over 60 countries from around the world.

We offer a truly challenging IB curriculum that embraces global perspectives and respects the identity, experiences and aspirations of all of our individual students. At ISA we believe in developing minds, character and communities.

International School Haarlem W: internationalschoolhaarlem.nl T: 023-220 00 01 Types of education: 4-11 year olds: IPC and British Curriculum for English and Maths, IPC 11-15 year olds: MYP (International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program) Candidate school for DP International School Hilversum ‘Alberdingk Thijm’ W: ishilversum.nl T: 035 672 99 31 Types of education: 4-11 year olds IB Primary Years

03-03-21 21:17

Three Little Ships

The HSV International Preschool

Spaces available now!

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

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EDUCATION Programme (KG - Grade 5) 11-16 year olds IB Middle Years Programme (Grade 6 - 10) 16-18 year olds IB Diploma Programme (Grade11 - 12) Offered diplomas: International Baccalaureate Diploma Lycée Français Vincent Van Gogh Rustenburgerstraat 246 1073 GK AMSTERDAM W: lfvvg.com T: 020 644 65 07 International American section from the 6th year (CE2) Optimist International School Hoofddorp W: optimist-international-school.nl/ T: 023 303 59 24 Types of education: OIS (ages 4 - 11)follows the International Primary Curriculum. Learning guidance is taken from the British National Curriculum for Maths and English. We also offer sport, music, art and dance based extra curricular activities.

We currently have availability in all groups. New children are welcome throughout the academic year.

Supreme College Nederland Koning Willemstraat 1 Castricum W: supremecollege.nl T: 06 1090 78 99 Types of education: MYP year 4, MYP year 5, VWO year 4 International Primary School Hilversum W: ipshilversum.nl T: 035 621 60 53 International School Laren Langsakker 4 Laren W: islaren.nl T: 035 206 33 02 Young Expat Services Laren W: youngexpatservices.nl T: 06 14 36 66 27 Workfield: Amsterdam and maybe educational / consultancy ZUID-HOLLAND American School of The Hague Wassenaar Rijksstraatweg 200 2241 BX Wassenaar W: ash.nl T: 070 512 10 60 Types of education by age or age group Early Childhood Education - ages 3-6 years Upper Elementary School - ages 7-10 Middle School - ages 11 - 4 High School - ages 15 - 18 Special Education - ages 7-18 English as an Additional Language Learning Support Enrichment Athletics, Arts and Action Programs Co-Curricular Program Emphasis on Student Well-Being English as language of instruction Flexible start dates for all qualifying applicants Offered diplomas: International Baccalaureate Diploma

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(IBD) & Certificates Advanced Placement (AP) Combination of IB & AP High School Diploma British School in The Netherlands W: britishschool.nl T: 070 315 40 77 Types of education: Junior School, British National Primary Curriculum 3-5 year olds - Foundation Stages 1 & 2 5-7 year olds - Years 1 and 2 (Key Stage 1) 7-11 year olds - Years 3 to 6 (Key Stage 2) Senior School, academic programme 11-14 year olds - Years 7 to 9 (Key Stage 3) British National Curriculum 14-16 year olds - Years 10 and 11 (Key Stage4) General Certificate Secondary Education (GCSE) 16-18 year olds - Years 12 and 13 (Sixth Form) Students choose from A-levels, BTECs IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) or IB Career related Programme (IBCP) Languages for education: English Starting date for pupils: flexible Junior School Leidschenveen (JSL) Vrouw Avenweg 640 2493 WZ The Hague Junior School Diamanthorst (JSD) Saffierhorst 117 2592 GK Den Haag Junior School Vlaskamp (JSV) Vlaskamp 19 2592 AA Den Haag Senior School Leidschenveen (SSL) Vrouw Avenweg 422 2493 WX Den Haag Senior School Voorschoten (SSV) Jan van Hooflaan 3 2252 BG Voorschoten German International school The Hague Deutsche Internationle Schule W: disdh.nl T: 070 354 94 54 We include all levels from Kindergarten through Sekundarstufe II (student ages 3 to 18).

European School The Hague W: europeanschoolthehague.nl T: 070 700 16 00 HSV International Primary School The HSV is an International Primary School offering international education at four locations in different areas of The Hague for children aged 4-11 years old.

There is an international pre-school called Three Little Ships for children aged 3-4.

Lighthouse Special Education is the international special school.

HSV International Primary School KSS - Koningin Sophiestraat T: 070 324 34 53 W: hsvid.nl HSV International Primary School NSL - Nassaulaan T: 070 318 49 50 HSV International Primary School VHS - Van Heutszstraat T: 070 205 11 41 HSV International Primary School VNS - Van Nijenrodestraat T: 070 328 14 41 Lighthouse Special Education LSE - Lighthouse Special Education T: 070 335 56 98 W: lighthousese.nl Three Little Ships Preschool TLS - Three Little Ships Preschool

T: 070 335 56 98 W: threelittleships.nl Type of education: The HSV is an International Primary School offering international education for children aged 3 to 11 years old. The Mathematics and Literacy curriculum is based on the English National Curriculum. White Rose is used to deliver Maths lessons and The Power of Reading is used in Literacy, high quality texts are at the centre of learning. The International Primary Curriculum is used to provide rich cross curricular learning, the concept of international mindedness underpins the entire curriculum.

There are specialist teachers for music, expressive art and physical education.

English as an Additional Language (EAL) is available for children who are new or developing English. Dutch language and cultural lessons are available as part of the Host Country Language (HCL) offering. Jigsaw is used in Personal, Social and Health Education offering a mindful approach. Computing and Technology is an integral part of the curriculum.

Children have the opportunity to engage in a rich cultural program which includes theatre and music performances and visits to museums and places of interest.

Our Lighthouse Special Education classes offer education in a safe and stimulating environment to children with additional needs aged 5 to 13 years old. The school’s curriculum is based on communication, life skills, reading, spelling, language and mathematics. The academic programme is based on the English National Curriculum and the International Primary Curriculum (UK), cross referenced with the stated learning outcomes for the Dutch Primary Education Curriculum . Each student works on their own individual learning goals and a range of educational material is available, including the Edmark Reading Program and Numicon.

The students’ learning is enhanced through the use of iPads. The children in our Lighthouse classes may join the international mainstream classes as part of their individualised program of learning.

The Three Little Ships is our International Pre-School for children 3 - 4 years old. The curriculum is play-based and designed to develop the children’s communication skills, social skills, fine motor skills and early literacy and numeracy skills (if the student is ready).

We focus on the children’s independence skills, self-help skills and help enhance the children’s own personal hygiene and to eat and drink independently.

Play is important for young children to learn skills that are crucial for daily life.

Therefore, we focus on different sorts of play, such as constructional play, fantasy play, messy play and play guided by the teacher so that communication, social and emotional development can take place. We also have an early intervention programme for very young children with additional needs The International School of the Hague T: 070 3281 450 Secondary school T: 070 3384 567 Primary school W: ishthehague.nl Types of education: IPC in Primary IBMYP from Year 7 to 11 IBDP and IBCP in Year 12 to 13 Lycée Français Vincent Van Gogh Scheveningseweg 237

2584 AA DEN HAAG (NL) W: lfvvg.com T: 070 306 69 20 International American section from the 6th year (CE2) International Waldorf School the Hague W: internationalwaldorfschool.nl T: 070 783 00 30 Types of education: IPY IPC(International Primary Curriculum) IB De Blijberg International Primary school Rotterdam W:.blijberg.nl T: 010 737 17 55 Nord Anglia International School Rotterdam W: naisr.nl T: 010 422 53 51 Types of education: IEYC IPC IMYC IB Rotterdam International Secondary School W: riss.wolfert.nl T: 010 890 77 44 Types of education: Grade 6, 7, and 8: Foundation Years Grade 9, and 10: Middle Years Programme, IGCSE Grade 11, and 12: International Baccalaureate Elckerlyc International School Leiderdorp W: elckerlyc.net T: 071 589 68 61 Types of education: 3-4 year olds IEYC (International Early Years Curriculum) 5-11 year olds IPC (International Primary Curriculum) Elckerlyc International is a member of The Dutch International Primary Schools (DIPS). This means that our school offers international education embedded in a Dutch context; as such we operate within the framework of the Dutch educational system. Here at Elckerlyc, we believe education is much more than numeracy and literacy. It is also about responsibility, dealing with your own and other people’s emotions, respect and communication.

We follow the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) in groups 0 and 1 and the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) in groups 2-7 International School of Delft W: internationalschooldelft.nl T: 015 285 00 38 – Primary T: 015 820 02 08 - Secondary Types of education: IBPYP (Primary Years Programme – International IBMYP Year 1-4 (extending year by year) International School Het Rijnlands Lyceum Oegstgeest W: isrlo.nl T: 071 519 35 55 We offer the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IBMYP) and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP).

03-03-21 21:19

LYCEE FRANCAIS VINCENT VAN GOGH

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

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DEN HAAG

AMSTERDAM

Scheveningseweg 237 2584 AA Den Haag

Rustenburgerstraat 246 1073 GK Amsterdam

+31(0)70 306 69 20

+31(0)20 644 65 07

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EDUCATION International School Wassenaar Rijnlands Lyceum Backershagenlaan 5 2243 AB Wassenaar W: internationalschoolwassenaar.nl T: 070-512 18 00 For school year 2021-2022 we will be offering the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IB MYP) 1 to 4 (Year 7 to Year 10).

NOORD-BRABANT International School Breda W: internationalschoolbreda.nl T: 076 560 78 70 Types of educationby age or group: International Primary Curriculum (IPC) International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IB MYP) International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) UWC Maastricht Discusworp 65 6225 XP Maastricht T: 043 241 04 10 W: uwcmaastricht UWC Maastricht brings together young people from all walks of life to work together towards peace and a sustainable future. We offer international education to students (aged 4-19) in our Primary School, International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme and International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. At the moment we boast over 900 students of more than 100 different nationalities. At UWC Maastricht we equip them with the attitudes, skills and knowledge to live a meaningful and flourishing life. The UWC educational experience is about knowing and acting.

We nurture an understanding of the world and its major challenges, and help students discover how they can serve others and make a positive contribution to society. For students aged 16-19 we also offer a residential programme on our campus.

BUSINESS SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES Open Universiteit W: ou.nl T: 045 576 22 22 GRONINGEN Energy Delta Institute W: energydelta.org T: 088 116 68 00 International Business School Groningen W: hanze.nl T: 050 595 23 00 University of Groningen W: rug.nl T: 050 363 91 11 OVERIJSSEL University of Twente Enschede W: utwente.nl T: 053 489 91 11 Examples of the Master Programme: Over 30 programmes in the following fields of study: Mechanical Engineering Chemical Engineering Electrical Engineering Civil Engineering and Management

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Industrial Design Business Administration Communication Studies Psychology Computer Science Nanotechnology Geo-information Science and Earth Observation Water Technology Key research areas include nanotechnology, biomedical technology, ICT, sustainable energy and governance.

University of Twente does not approach new technologies in isolation, but in relation to behavioural, social, and management sciences, combining high tech with a human touch.

Languages for education: English and/or Dutch Examples of the Bacehelor Programme: Duration: 3 years - English-taught programmes: - College of Pharmaceutical Sciences - Economics and Business Economics - Global Sustainability Science - History

Examples of the Bachelor Program: 16 BSc programmes in the following fields of study: Mechanical Engineering Chemical Engineering Electrical Engineering Civil Engineering Industrial Design Business Communication Science Psychology Computer Science Advanced Technology Industrial Engineering

Europort Business School Amsterdam W: epbs.nl T: 06 20 49 12 73

Windesheim Zwolle W: windesheim.nl T: 088 - 469 99 11

Team Academy international school for entrepreneurship, Amsterdam W: teamacademy.nl T: 020 723 58 70

GELDERLAND Arnhem Business School T: 024 353 05 00 W: arnhembusinessschool.com Business School Nederland Buren W: www.bsn.tel T: 0344 57 90 30 Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen W: ru.nl T: 024 361 61 61 Wageningen University W: www.wur.nl T: 0317 48 01 00 UTRECHT Frontline Business Utrecht W: flbs.nl T: 06 54 32 83 80

NOORD-HOLLAND Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences Several locations in Amsterdam W: amsterdamuas.com T: 020 595 14 05

Knowmads Business School Amsterdam W: knowmads.nl T: 06 20 57 57 67 Laureate OnLine Education Amsterdam Zuidoost W: laureate.net T: 020 719 25 50

Examples of the Bacehelor Programme: Duration:4 years - entrepreneurship - leadership - creation - commercialisation - start your own business - marketing - team learning - international expercience - learning by doing - making real money Languages for education: English The Open University Business School Amsterdam W: business-school.open.ac.uk T: 020 412 19 62 THNK School of Creative Leadership Amsterdam W: thnk.org T: 020 684 25 06

IBO Qualified Business School Leusden W: ibo.nl T: 033 422 99 60

United International Business Schools Amsterdam W: amsterdam.uibs.org T: 020 521 94 23

Nyenrode Business Universiteit Breukelen W: nyenrode.nl T: 0346 29 14 84

University of Amsterdam Amsterdam Business School W: abs.uva.nl T: 020 525 52 50

Utrecht University W: uu.nl/masters T: 030 253 26 70 Examples of the Master Programme: Duration: generally 1 or 2 years - Earth and Sustainability - Economics and Governance - Education Health and Life Sciences - Language, literature and communication - Law - Mathematics and Information Sciences - Media, arts, culture and history - Natural sciences - Philosophy and religious studies - Social and behavioural sciences

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam W: vu.nl Examples of the Master Programme Duration: 1 year - Life sciences - Economics and Business administration - Human movement sciences - Humanities Law - Psychology and education - Sciences - Social cciences - Theology - Health sciences Languages for education: English

Examples of the Bacehelor Programme Duration: 3 years - Business Analytics - Computer science - International business administration - Liberal arts and sciences (Amsterdam University College) - Literature and Society - Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE, J.S. Mill College) Languages for education: English Universiteit van Amsterdam UVA Amsterdam W: uva.nl T: 020 525 14 00 Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences Amsterdam W: wittenborg.eu T: 088 667 26 89 ZUID-HOLLAND Technische Universiteit Delft W: tudelft.nl T: 015 278 91 11 International Business School The Hague W: ibsthehague.nl T: 070 262 94 77 Leiden University Leiden and The Hague W: universiteitleiden.nl/en/education T: 071-527 11 11 Types of education by age or group Bachelor’s Programmes (after completion of secondary school 18+) Master’s Programmes (after completion of a bachelor’s programme 20+) PhD Programmes 14 English-taught bachelors programmes: Duration: 3 years Languages for education: English (plus more han 30 programmes taught in Dutch) 14 English-taught bachelor’s BA Archaeology BA Arts, Media and Society BSc Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology BA Dutch Studies BA English Language and Culture BSc International Relations and Organisations BA International Studies BA/BSc Liberal Arts and Sciences: Global Challenges at Leiden University College The Hague BA Linguistics BA Philosophy: Global and Comparative Perspectives BSc Psychology BSc Security Studies BA South and Southeast Asian Studies BA Urban Studies 63 English-taught master’s programmes Archaeology: MA Archaeology Governance and Global Affairs: MSc Crisis and Security Management MSc Cyber Security MSc International Relations and Diplomacy MSc Public Administration Faculty of Humanities: MA African Studies MA African Studies (Research) MA Arts and Culture MA Arts, Literature and Media (Research) MA Asian Studies (60EC) MA Asian Studies (120 EC)

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Inspiring learning for a sustainable future

THIS MAKES OUR SCHOOL UNIQUE ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪

International School Delft, uniquely situated in the picturesque historic town of Delft, between The Hague and Rotterdam, offers an inspiring future-oriented learning environment that fosters innovation, design and technology

Vertically aligned IB World school Future - oriented learning Focus on Design & Innovation Tight-knit, culturally diverse community Supportive staff Projects with Technical University Delft Affordable school fees

WWW.INTERNATIONALSCHOOLDELFT.COM

PASSIONATE ABOUT LEARNING The International School Haarlem offers a positive learning environment where students (4-18 years) are encouraged to realise their full potential.

Through internationally respected and recognised programmes we involve our students in meaningful learning. ISH is an IB World School for MYP and offers the IB programme to students in Haarlem and surrounding municipalities.

International School Haarlem Schreveliusstraat 27 (Lower Primary) Oorkondelaan 65 (Upper Primary and MYP)

WWW.INTERNATIONALSCHOOLHAARLEM.NL

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FOREIGN MATTERS MA Asian Studies (Research) MA Classics and Ancient Civilizations MA Classics and Ancient Civilizations (Research) MA European Politics and Society MA History MA History (Research) MA International Relations MA Latin American Studies MA Latin American Studies (Research) MA Linguistics MA Linguistics (Research) MA Literary Studies MA Media Studies MA Middle Eastern Studies MA Middle Eastern Studies (Research) MA North American Studies MA Philosophy (60 EC) MA Philosophy (120 EC) MA Religious Studies MA Russian and Eurasian Studies Leiden Law School: Advanced LLM Air and Space Law Advanced LLM European and International Business Law Advanced LLM European and International Human Rights Law Advanced LLM International Children’s Rights Advanced LLM International Civil and Commercial Law Advanced LLM International Dispute Settlement and Arbitration Advanced LLM Law and Finance Advanced LLM Law and Digital Technologies Advanced LLM Public International Law LLM Law MSc Law and Society MSc Crime and Criminal Justice Faculty of Medicine: MSc Biomedical Sciences MSc Vitality and Ageing Faculty of Science: MSc Astronomy MSc Biology MSc Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences MSc Chemistry MSc Computer Science MSc Governance of Sustainability MSc ICT in Business and the Public Sector MSc Industrial Ecology MSc Life Science and Technology MSc Mathematics MSc Media Technology MSc Physics MSc Statistical Science for the Life and Behavioural Sciences Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences: MSc Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology MSc Developmental Psychopathology in Education and Child Studies (Research) MSc Education and Child Studies MSc Political Science MSc Psychology MSc Psychology (Research) Webster Leiden Campus W: webster.nl T: 071 516 80 00 Rotterdam Business School of Applied Sciences T: 010 794 62 64 W: rotterdamuas.com Rotterdam School of Management Erasmus University W: rsm.nl T: 010 408 22 22 Erasmus University Rotterdam W. eur.nl T: 010 408 11 11

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Examples of the Master Programme Duration: 1-2 years 30+ English-language master programmes with 50+ specializations - Business & Management - Finance & Accounting - Economics & Econometrics - Law - Social Sciences (Psychology, Sociology, Education) - Humanities (History, Media, Arts & Culture, Philosophy) - Medicine and Health - Life Sciences Languages for education: English Examples of the Bacehelor Programme: Duration: 3 years - Philosophy - Econometrics & Economics - Arts & Culture - Communication & Media - Econometrics & Operations Research - Economics & Business Economics - History - Psychology - International Business Administration - Liberal Arts & Sciences - Management of International Social Challenges Languages for education: English NOORD-BRABANT Eindhoven University of Technology W: tue.nl T: 040 247 91 11 Tilburg University W: tilburguniversity.edu T: 013 466 91 11 LIMBURG Maastricht School of Management W: msm.nl T: 043 387 08 08 Maastricht University W: maastrichtuniversity.nl T: 043 - 388 22 22 Zuyd Universityof Applied Sciences Maastricht W: zuyd.nl T: 043 346 66 66 LANGUAGE SCHOOLS Flowently language sessions T: 06 4133 93 23 W: flowently.com Live and online sessions for 1 or 2 people for all language levels, including civic integration and NT2 exams With a private tutor, available in 100 cities, 7 days a week, 8AM - 10PM Design your own Dutch course and learn what is useful to you Language Institute Regina Coeli T: 073 684 87 90 W: reginacoeli.com Tailor-made language training courses in the following languages: Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish Centre Français-Néerlandais Walenpleintje 157-159, 1012 JZ Amsterdam T: 020 - 623 2074 W: centrefrancaisneerlandais.nl - French courses on all levels, both online and offline, from native

speaking professors. General courses, conversation courses and thematic courses. Private courses possible.

- Dutch courses for francophones, both online and offline, specifically catered to the needs and difficulties of the French speaking community.

- Courses by native Dutch professors - Cultural events and workshops New courses starting in May, July (summer courses), September and November STE Languages Aalsterweg 3 5615 CA Eindhoven T: 040 245 28 60 E: info@ste.nl W: ste.nl - Group training at STE Small groups, big steps. Experience the support and motivation from your group.

- Civic integration Discover the Dutch language and culture. An effective preparative course for the civic integration examination and State exams.

- One-on-one courses Maximum impact from individual training. Fully tailored to your learning goals.

- Tailor-made solutions Customization in language training, insight into language levels and advice on language development.

- In-company group training courses Language training based on cases from the workplace. An investment that pays for itself.

- Online Classroom Always on the ball for digital learning solutions. Convenient for students that are not always able to attend a training session face-to-face and ideal for students who want to attend fully online programs.

Alliance Française Amsterdam T: 020 523 07 42 W: afamsterdam.nl Exact information about the studies/ programs in 2021: courses for francophone and non-francophone children aged 3-4, 5-6, 7-10 and 11-15 y-o, at OBA Oosterdok and at Lycée Van Gogh, holiday programs for children, online private courses, Dutch courses for French-speaking people (courses taught by native teachers), general French courses for adults, thematic workshops, business courses for all levels, events related to the Francophonie Month in March, Tapis Rouge, courses from 13,50€/ hour, our new session of courses will start on the week of 13/09/2021.

Heart of Language T: heartoflanguage.nl T: 06 4531 47 50 Language courses in deep relaxation, online or in the Hague. All levels and ages Taalthuis Lorentzplein 25 2012 HH Haarlem T: 023 305 03 05 E: info@taalthuis.nl T: taalthuis.nl.

At Taalthuis you can follow courses at different levels both online as face-toface in a classroom. We aim to make learning a fun experience! Founded in 2006 Taalthuis now is a well-known language institute in the Netherlands for higher educated students. With lesson locations in seven different cities in the Netherlands, Taalthuis makes it possible

for expats, au pairs and international students to learn Dutch all over the Netherlands.

Taalthuis uses its own course materials at the Beginner and Intermediate levels.

During the courses you will be exploring all kind of interesting subjects and current topics. Each lesson takes 2 hours and 15 minutes. Besides that you need to spend about 5 hours weekly on homework. For the Advanced courses the lessons are 2,5 hours and the homework will be more.

The e-learning is an important tool that helps you with vocabulary, pronunciation and provides you with challenging exercises.

The BSN Language Centre T: 070 315 40 80 W: bsnlanguagecentre.nl/ Adult English courses, group (in person and online) lessons and private lessons (level A2-C1 advanced) Adult Dutch courses, group (in person and online) lessons and private lessons (complete beginners to B2 upper intermediate) Young learners English in-person courses (ages 5-12) Adult Dutch Semi-Intensive 4-week Course (March and November) IELTS Exam Preparation Course Summer Intensive English Course (July 2021) Summer School for children (5-16) CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching) Course (September 2021) We will break for the summer in July and courses will begin in either September/ October 2021. We have ongoing enrolment for our adult English and young learner courses Kickstart School T: 070-3607860 W: kickstartschool.nl - Dutch courses (All levels); Online and Face2Face; group and private courses - Exam training Dutch NT2: Inburgering, Staatsexam Programme I & II - English courses; general and communication; group and private courses - English exam training: Cambridge, IELTS and TOEFL - Chinese Communication and exam courses; group and private courses - Company courses (Dutch, English, Chinese; Remote and Face2Face) - Language training for children (4-18); Dutch, English or Chinese Direct Dutch Institute T: 070-365 46 77 W: directdutch.com At Direct Dutch we are determined to help you achieve your Dutch language goals. Why not start now? Our online classes (from A1 to B2) offer the same format and structure as our classical courses. The classes are based on the direct method: they are highly interactive with a focus on communication. New words and structures are introduced by means of question and answer series.

Dutch is spoken in class from the very first lesson (grammar will be explained in English when necessary). For our online classes we have changed the group size from 8 to 6. Reading and writing are taught by means of practical (homework) exercises.

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Dutch or international school: how to make the right decision Age of your child Young children will pick up a new language with relative ease during play. The focus for 4- and 5-year-olds in Dutch schools is learning by playing. At this age it is fairly easy to learn the Dutch language. In most schools, children will have to go to a Dutch language immersion class first.

After one year of immersion, children can attend a regular Dutch school and join their peers. Children over the age of 10 might may have to repeat the school year after their immersion class.

When moving to the Netherlands with children, your first plan might be to send your kids to an international school.

International schools offer curriculums that are recognized around the world. But you may want to consider a Dutch school. Is this a good option for your family?

It depends on a few factors.

Costs Dutch schools are government-funded. Parents pay a voluntary contribution varying from €60 - €150 per year, although it is higher for some schools. You may also have to pay extra for “in-between school care”, i.e. staying in school during lunch break.

Duration of stay One of the most important things is to think about whether you’ll be staying in the country for only a short time or settling in for a longer time. If short-term, it may be easier to go to an international school, especially if you and your child both speak English. Maybe an international school feels like a soft landing. The language in these schools is English and this might feel more comfortable and recognizable for your child and you as a parent. If you plan to stay in the Netherlands for longer – say, more than three years – a Dutch school may be a good plan.

International schools come with a significantly higher price tag – between €4,500 and €23,000 each year. For international schools on the lower end of the financial spectrum, you’ll need to fulfil certain placement requirements.

Local or international community In Dutch schools, especially in the bigger cities, there will be children of many nationalities in every school, so your child won’t be the only one with a different background. In the long run a Dutch school gives your child the opportunity to learn Dutch and be part of the local Dutch community.

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Educational consultancy to help you make the right choice Every family has a unique combination of budget, ages, native languages and duration of stay in the Netherlands.

Consider what’s right for your family and contact Young Expat Services for personal advice. www.youngexpatservices.nl

Different curriculums Dutch schools offer a lot of choices. State-funded schools follow different philosophies, religions and pedagogical principals, all within the Dutch curriculum. Secondary school comes in several levels.

If you opt for international schooling, you don’t need to be an expert in the distinctionsbetween IB, British or American, but your choice may make a difference if you anticipate another international move in the future. Another consideration is whether your child has the academic skills for an IB curriculum or you’d prefer a school where a vocational program is also available.

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FOREIGN MATTERS

Novruz Festivities, an integral part of the Azerbaijani Culture

Photo by Aydin Mamedov

One of the best times to visit beautiful Azerbaijan is during March, when centuries-old Novruz festivities take place at the streets of this ancient “Land of Fire”.

Celebrated every year on 20-21 March, Novruz symbolizes beginning of the spring season, as well as New Year in the Eastern calendar.

Novruz is perhaps the oldest and the most favorite holiday in Azerbaijan. Many of its traditions originate from Zoroastrianism, one of the earliest religions in the Earth, as well as in Azerbaijan. This holiday and its traditions have been faithfully preserved and celebrated by Azerbaijani people for many centuries. Even when Novruz was banned during the Soviet Union, people celebrated it secretly in their homes.

Novruz holiday is not intrinsic only to Azerbaijan. In fact, it is celebrated by approximately 300 million people all over the world, from East to West, from Afghanistan to Balkans. Not surprisingly, Novruz was included by UNESCO on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2009.

For Azerbaijan, Novruz is more than a holiday. It is an integral part of Azerbaijan history, culture, tradition and national identity. It is worth to note that the whole celebration of Novruz starts one month in

advance, at the end of February. During the whole month 4 Tuesdays leading to Novruz are celebrated. These Tuesdays are dedicated to re-birth of an element (water, fire, wind and earth) in the nature: 1. Water Tuesday represents melting of ice and revival of rivers. 2. Fire Tuesday represents the warming up of the ground. 3. Wind Tuesday represents blooming trees and flowers. 4. The final Earth Tuesday, which is also called Year-end Tuesday, represents final revival of nature.

Many traditions are associated with Novruz. For instance, it is customary to do a major cleaning in the house before this holiday. Not only physical cleaning, but also spiritual cleaning is performed: that is to say, it is customary to reconcile with everyone towards whom you feel resentment. Thus, Novruz promotes values of peace, reconciliation and solidarity.

During this holiday, families and friends visit each other, as well as graves of their deceased and pay their respect.

Interestingly, during Fire Tuesday, as well as during Novruz day itself, children and youth make big bonfires and jump over them. It is believed that once you jump over the bonfire, you leave all the problems and calamities of the previous year behind.

This is in some way resembles the bonfire celebrations also in the Netherlands during the New Year festivities. Another interesting custom is that during Earth Tuesday, children ring the bells of the neighbours, put their hats in front of the doors and then hide. Usually, their hats are filled with sweets, nuts and treats. When you share these treats with children, it means you share your spiritual and material wellbeing with other people around. This tradition resembles somewhat “trick and treat” of the Halloween, celebrated in the western part of the world.

Novruz is typically a family holiday. On this day, extended families gather around the family table and share food with eachother. During this holiday, Azerbaijani tables are filled with different exquisite sweets and delicacies, baked specifically for this occasion. For instance, shakarbura (half moon-shaped dough, filled with minced walnut), pakhlava (layers of dough with minced walnut, hazelnut or almond and rose water syrop) and shorgoghal (savory pastry consisting of layers of dough with different spices). Of course, needless to say, the king of Azerbaijan cuisine pilaf (rice with meat) and yarpag dolmasi (stuffed grapevines with meat, rice and greens) rein the Novruz tables.

It is customary to put a large tray on the Novruz tables. In the middle of the tray, people put “samani” – a plant grown from sprouted wheat seeds, which is tied with red ribbon. The rest of the tray is filled with candles (to the number of family members), colourfully decorated eggs (similar to Easter eggs), shakarbura, pakhlava and shorgoghal. All of the delicacies have symbolic meanings: eggs represent new life, shakarbura – moon, pakhlava – four parts of the world, and shorgoghal – sun.

During Novruz, mass gatherings and festivals are held all over Azerbaijan.

Streets are filled with music, wrestlers compete with each other, ropewalkers demonstrate their skills, horse races called chovgan are organized, and comedies are performed with competition of two characters of Novruz: Kos-Kosa (goat beard, which symbolizes spring) and Kechal (the bald, which symbolizes winter).

It is not possible to describe all the traditions of Novruz with words. One must travel to Azerbaijan to experience the beauty of it first-hand.

Written by the Embassy of Azerbaijan

Photo by Aydin Mamedov

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03-03-21 20:11

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02-03-21 15:13

FEEL AT HOME FAIR

Feel at Home

MARCH 2021 | 25

International Community Fair - online Sunday 14 March 2021, 11am-5pm Keeping Internationals Connected For more than a decade, the Feel at Home International Community Fair has been an annual celebration of the uniquely connected and cosmopolitan community of The Hague: providing a warm welcome to newcomers and a friendly meeting place for internationals already living here. An event where everyone and anyone in our diverse community can Feel at Home.

In previous years, the Feel at Home International Community Fair has been a successful one-day event attracting as many as 200 exhibitors and 4000 visitors to The Hague City Hall. Unfortunately due to current COVID restrictions, we cannot hold this as a live event – but feel it’s more important than ever that the community continues to connect.

Therefore we are pleased to announce we are organising an online event on Sunday 14 March 2021 The centrepiece of the Fair will be the live streaming via two simultaneous channels from 11:00 to 17:00. You can also engage with Sports, Social & Community and service providers via their online virtual stands.

Channel 1 – Information and Panel Shows On the first channel we will broadcast information, interactive debates and panel discussion shows on themes and information relevant to the Expat & International Community.

Online viewers will have the possibility of interacting during the shows and afterwards via breakout sessions.

The shows are: • Welcome to The Hague (by The Hague International Centre) • Work and Careers (by The Hague International Centre) • No Dutch? No problem – Volunteer! (by Volunteer The Hague) • How to buy a home (Sponsored by ABN AMRO) • Education - Special Needs Education - Choosing an International school - Further Education (sponsored by Leiden University and The Hague University of Applied Sciences) • Impact of Covid-19 on the International Community (by ICAP, ACCESS and Dutch News) • Making the most of a mobile life (by The Mobile Life) Channel 2 - Enjoying Life in The Hague During the first hour we will have a special program specifically for children. Thereafter we have four programs focusing on Sport, Art & Culture, Community Groups and Nightlife. These programs will include a live Q&A with a local “guide” who can answer your questions as well as screening videos from the Expat and International Community. Every hour we will also feature an Expat’s story as well as the Dutch “Word of the Hour”. Some of the content will be live but many of the performances will be pre-recorded.

Tickets Tickets for the Fair are free for visitors who register in advance via www.feelathomeinthehague.com Virtual Stands still available Do you represent a commercial organisation, small business or sport, social or community group? Visit this link to register now for a virtual stand:. www.feelathomeinthehague.com/2021-exhibitor-registration/ For more information: www.FeelatHomeinTheHague.com

LOOKING FOR A H E A L T H Y 2 0 2 1?

Yearly - Health Checks - Hormone Checks - Nutrigen Checks -

Monthly: - Personal Health Control Programs -

Regular - Corona Checks - All Medical Lab Tests - Food Intolerance Tests - Cortisol Stress Tests -

Talk to us 020 210 1230 or Book your appointment: www.hollandhealthclinic.com

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The future of preventative health care

04-03-21 11:08

2021 Exhibitors List Art & Culture

Education & Training

Nationality & Culture

AATG (Anglo American Theatre Group)

Direct Dutch Institute

Indonesian Diaspora Network The Netherlands

Clay Studio Leiden

Enactus The Hague University of Applied Sciences

Irish Club Netherlands

DwiBhumi Balinese Dance & Culture

Infinity College

Netherlands Marathi Mandal

Finnish Female Choir TAIKA

Kickstart School

St. Andrew’s Society of the Netherlands

Improv The Hague

The Hague Graduate School

Professional Services

International Center for Amazonian Indigenous Knowledge International Friends of the Mauritshuis Foundation

Taalhuis Den Haag

Career on Purpose

Theosophical Society Point Loma (TSPL)

Expatriate Archive Centre

Muziekacademie Den Haag

Toastmasters of The Hague

Humanly

STET The English Theatre

Financial Services

Ute’s International Lounge

TAIKA Finnish Female Choir

ABN AMRO Bank | International Clients Retail (Programme Sponsor)

WBII (Women’s Business Initiative International)

Zahara Academy

Health and Wellness

Religious & Spiritual

Charities & Humanitarian Groups

Expat Nest

Crossroads International Church of The Hague

BIEL Foundation

Housing & Property Services

R.C. Church of Our Saviour

Biblionef

JR Interior Design

Empower Amsterdam

International Employers

The Anglican and Episcopal Church of Saint John & Saint Philip in The Hague German Protestant Church

Lions Club Den Haag Universal

Eurojust

Rabten Jigme LIng

Rotary Club The Hague Metropolitan

Media

Sport & Leisure

Unity in Diversity

Diplomat TV (Media Partner)

WWF Expat Team Volunteers

Dutchbuzz (Media Partner)

First The Hague Scouts Hague Hoppers

Childcare & Parenting

DutchNews.nl (Media Partner)

HSK Floorball

I am not a Tourist – Fairs & Events (Media Partner)

H.L.T.C. Leimonias

Here in Holland (Media Partner)

Pickleball Den Haag

Birth Your Way. Your Expat Doula and Childbirth Educator.

Delft MaMa Community Groups

Holland Park Media (Media Partner)

Playball

ACCESS (Media Partner)

Holland Times (Media Partner)

The Hague Hornets

American Women’s Club of The Hague

TheHagueOnLine (Organiser)

Voorburg Cricket Club

Girlguiding The Hague

XPat Media (Media Partner)

Zuiderpark Parkrun

International Women Contact The Hague

Municipality

NL Cares

Gemeente Den Haag (Sponsor)

Rise and Lead

The Hague International Centre (Sponsor)

Romanian School The Hague Volunteer The Hague/PEP Den Haag (Sponsor

2021 Programme Schedule Channel 1 On this channel we will broadcast informative panel discussion shows on the themes below.

11:00 - 12:00 Welcome to The Hague (by The Hague International Centre) 12:05 - 13:05 Work and Careers (by The Hague International Centre) 13:10 - 13:40 No Dutch? No problem – Volunteer! (by Volunteer The Hague) 13:45 - 14:15 How to buy a home (Sponsored by ABN AMRO) 14:20 - 14:40 Special Needs Education 14:45 - 15:05 Choosing an International school 15:10 - 15:30 Further Education (sponsored by Leiden University and The Hague University of Applied Sciences) 15:35 - 15:55 Impact of Covid-19 on the International Community (by ICAP, ACCESS and Dutch News) 16:00 - 17:00 Making the most of a mobile life (by The Mobile Life) Online visitors can ask questions to the panellists during the shows and afterwards via breakout sessions Channel 2 Every hour a programme with a special theme showcasing videos from the international community, an Expat story as well as a Dutch “Word of the hour”.

11:30 - 12:30 Children's Hour with guide tbc 12:30 - 13:30 Sports with Billy Allwood - TheHagueOnLine's sports fanantic 13:30 - 14:30 Art & Culture with Oriana v/d Sande - Communications & Storytelling | Trainer | Coach | Social entrepreneur 14:30 - 15:30 Nightlife with Pat Smith - The Hague Nachtburgermeester (Night mayor) 15:30 - 16:30 Community Groups with Cathy Delhanty - Social Activist | Chairwoman Stichting Wool for Warmth Visitors can participate by joining the text chat and/or sending questions to the local “guide".

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04-03-21 08:32

CULTURE

28 | MARCH 2021

Tickets for large trial festivals and events sold out within the hour While life is still uncertain due to the world pandemic, some trial events and concerts are being held in the Netherlands. The aim is to gather data and discover whether it’s possible to safely conduct such gatherings in the future. The tickets for four trial events, happening in March, were sold out an hour after going on sale, despite the website crashing constantly due to the large amount of traffic.

Fans could buy tickets for two events in the Ziggo Dome and two festivals to be held at Walibi Holland in Biddinghuizen. The small-scale events take place as part of the Fieldlab Events study.

According to AD, the first event is scheduled for 6 March. Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano and Sam Feldt will perform during a dance party at the Ziggo Dome. The next day, André Hazes gives a concert in the same hall, together with a supporting act and a special guest. A total of 1300 visitors are allowed for each event. They will be divided into five bubbles of 250 people and one group of 50, Nu.nl reports. The other two events happen on 13 and 14 March. The first is a dance festival and the second is a pop festival with artists Chef’s Special, Maan and Bilal Wahib. Each day, 1500 visitors are admitted. They will be divided into three groups of 500. Earlier trials were already held in February: a try-out at a conference for people from the event industry, a theater show by comedian Guido Weijers and two football matches.

Het Parool newspaper describes how an alliance of different organizations, universities and

scientists is looking at how this type of events can be safely organized. To ensure, the visitors are subjected to multiple corona tests before and after the event and must adhere to various measures. “It is a practical test. At the door we do a temperature test and a health test. A quick corona test is also done on a random basis for some of the visitors,” explains Lubberts. For each event, specific ‘bubbles’ are created, as described above.

“Each bubble is a separate group of people. They have their own bar, their own entrance and their own toilet. They do not come into contact with the other groups. This way, we can create a set of test measures,” explains Pieter Lubberts from Fieldlab Events. Different rules apply to each group: some have to wear face masks, some don’t; some have to keep 1.5 metres distance, others don’t. Everyone will be tracked via a tag, so that the contact time and the distance from other people can be measured.

The hope is that, based on the tests, more events like this will be allowed in the future. “If you look at the current roadmap, we are only able to admit a hundred people in the first phase. That is not a number that will make you profitable in this industry, certainly not in the Ziggo Dome,” said, venue director Danny Damman. When the Ziggo Dome will be allowed to function at full capacity – 17,000 visitors – is still a mystery for Damman.

The director hopes that this will still possible this year. The Dutch State Secretary for Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, Mona Keijzer, told Het Parool that “going back to normal, whether it is a

conference with your colleagues, a sports match or a concert, is what everyone wants. These tests not only offer prospects for entrepreneurs, but also for visitors. We all crave it. With these practical tests, we offer this possibility in a safe and responsible way, taking into account the developments of the corona virus”.

Let’s hope for the best; may we soon be gathered together outside, safe and happy.

Written by Raphael Perachi Vieira

A rare sight and a tourist attraction in Drenthe: Outdoor pigs

In the province of Drenthe a number of pig farmers are making their animals useful before they go to slaughter. The pigs live outside, so they can be used on the fields for the management of forests and farming, bringing a variety of benefits.

The Netherlands is known around the world for its intensive pig farming and multi-storey ‘pig flats’. Seeing them outside is so rare that the animals have become a kind of tourist attraction, as Dutch media have recently reported.

Double goal One of the farmers, Willem Hempen, bases his company Akkervarken (Field Pig) on what he calls a ‘double goal’ philosophy. Before his pigs, from Berkshire, Duroc and Husumer breeds, end up as a ‘good piece of meat’, they must make themselves useful in a natural way. Hempen referred calls his animals ‘small agricultural machines on legs’. According to him, whatever crazy thing you think of, you can use pigs for it.

Soil cleaners To begin with, pigs kept this way will ensure the

fields are thoroughly cleaned of weeds after the harvest, so that farmers will not have to resort to glyphosate or other poisons. Hempen also explained that the animals do their job thoroughly: “Recently I received a call from a farmer who said: they are digging up to a meter deep. It turned out that a weed called peat root was growing there.” Pigs like some plant and weed species that are known for being invasive, and while some Dutch municipalities are struggling to, for example, combat Japanese knotweed by injecting or electrocuting hot water into the roots, Hempen has been using his animals for years in a much more effective way. Since his pigs are allowed to consume potato leftovers, they can also help avoid crop-destroying potato blight. In a similar light, on a forest plot near Roderesch in Drenthe, a bunch of winter-hardy Mangalitsa Hungarian pigs owned by ‘wild’ pig farmer Hans Wilpstra of Ecolife Natuurvlees are taking care of proliferating blackberry scrubs, which are known to deprive other plant species of space.

whose forest pigs eat wild acorns, said: “You taste what they eat in these animals; acorns give their meat a darker taste.” At the Mangalicahof, the meat from Jansen’s biodynamic company is also known for an improved taste, and ‘improved composition of healthy unsaturated fatty acids’.

Mangalicahof produces dry hams and sausages, which are sent throughout the country and even into Germany and France, and appreciated by first-rate chefs. An animal needs time to grow, and when animals are able to forage and root for food, says the company, which ‘after all is how they have developed through evolution’, their meat becomes tasty and tender.

Meanwhile in another part of Drenthe, the outdoor pigs of Maarten Jansen, founder of the Mangalicahof, are also busy improving soil. Jansen is a ‘primal farmer’ who keeps the Mangalitsa breed and other animals in more natural ways. Mating too occurs naturally, and, says Jansen, as long as there is enough space, the animals themselves ensure that things go well.

Their digging stimulates composting, enabling the pigs to be systematic cleaners of farm land.

Strange sight There are other initiatives in the Netherlands, such as Buitengewone Varkens (Extraordinary Pigs), a company whose outdoor pigs are spread across the Netherlands in twelve locations, but keeping pigs this way remains a rare sight.

When Hempen deployed his pigs as landscape managers for his first job, on a green strip that was overgrown with giant hogweed, he learned this first-hand: even the relevant government department told him there are no guidelines for keeping pigs in this way. This also means that finding land for the animals to root on is not easy.

Wilpstra says he has had to lobby to find space for his animals. But now, increased demand means he has to disappoint landowners, since he does not have enough animals for all owners who want to benefit from the advantages of pigs.

Improved taste and health There are also additional health and taste benefits derived from meat reared this way. Wilpstra,

Written by Femke van Iperen

MARCH 2021 | 29

INTERVIEW

Interview with an expat Do you have a favourite restaurant in your city?

I was fortunately able to visit a few restaurants before the lockdown. I liked the atmosphere and the food at Mamas & Tapas in the Jordaan district best.

I had little gifts and creative poems that we gave to each other.

Where do you like to go out?

In the evenings, I like to go out to the Pijp, which is probably the liveliest part of Amsterdam. I love the high density of cafes and restaurants in the neighbourhood and the mulWhere do you prefer to relax in your city?

Old city Sabina Sadigly Although it’s super crowded on the week- ticultural atmosphere. ends, especially when the sun is shining, I like What famous Dutch place should you realto relax in Vondelpark. ly go and see?

I would also recommend the beaches, as the What’s your favourite Dutch store?

During my first week living in Amsterdam, I atmosphere definitely feels like you’re on hodiscovered the fashion store THE STING, whe- liday. re I found beautiful pieces to wear. They have many stores with fancy and creative fashion Best-kept secret in your city? for men and women. And I really like that the I wish I knew. Covid and the lockdown kept stores in the Netherlands are open seven days me away from finding out secrets in Amstera week. In Germany all the stores are closed dam. on Sundays, so it’s super nice that you have the possibility to shop all weekend here.

What is your name?

Nina Busch Where do you come from and where do you live in the Netherlands?

I am from Germany and I have been living in the Netherlands, in Amsterdam, for 4 months now.

What’s your job/business?

I am working at 5PM in the International Marketing Team. 5PM is a full-service YouTube agency. Our team consists of the best YouTube experts and we help our clients to maximize their reach and turnover as well as optimize and manage their own YouTube channels. My main responsibilities include managing the German PokerStars channel and helping to develop the best strategy for 5PM’s internationalization, especially on the German market.

What was your first time in the Netherlands?

In summer 2016, I came to the Netherlands with some friends and we had a great time doing the typical tourist excursions.

What is the nicest thing about the Netherlands?

What I really love about the Netherlands is that everyone rides their bike everywhere.

It’s so nice to get some fresh air and also to stay fit and healthy. I also love being so close to the sea. It always feels good to escape the bustle of the city and enjoy some hours at the beach.

What do you like to do on the weekend?

I like to spend my weekends with my friends or roommates. We usually go to the Albert Cuyp market on Saturdays to buy fresh food and cook a nice dinner in the evening. If it’s not too windy outside, we also like to go to Zandvoort or Scheveningen for long walks on the beach.

Interview by Marla Thomson

Who is your favourite Dutch person?

As I really listen to music the whole day, I can say that I like the Dutch DJ Martin Garrix.

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

I would always recommend renting a bike as it’s the best way to explore the cities. Also, probably the most beautiful activity in Amsterdam is strolling along the canals or doing a canal cruise, where you can discover the city from the water.

Bitterballen

What is your favourite Dutch food? And what Dutch food do you dislike?

Bitterballen and freshly made stroopwafels from the street markets are my favourite Dutch foods. I don’t like broodje haring.

Do you celebrate Dutch holidays? What is your favourite?

During my time in Amsterdam, I celebrated Sinterklaas on 5 December. My friends and

Biking in Amsterdam

What’s the worst thing about the Netherlands?

That the sun shines too rarely.

Do you have Dutch friends?

I have my colleagues at work and count them as my friends. Due to Covid we have online after-work drinks every Friday, which is nice to keep in touch with everyone. They all have super nice insider tips on where to go and what to see during my stay. Julia, who also works with me, is a really nice and enthusiastic tour guide and showed me some cool places as well as typical Dutch food.

What do you like about Dutch people?

What don’t you like?

I only had good experiences with Dutch people so far. Everyone is super friendly and helpful. I also felt really welcome when joining 5PM and enjoy being around my coworkers.

THT2_2021 _CS.indd 29

At the beach in Zandvoort

03-03-21 20:12

Mother and Child Center in HMC This year the Mother and Child Center is being built in HMC, which is expected to open at the end of 2021. In addition to the current birthing baths, this Mother and Child Center will have more than six luxurious, brand new birthing baths.

One of these has recently been put into use in HMC. Marlou van Nus (31) gave birth in this new bath last fall. “A very pleasant experience!”

HMC. To her surprise, Marlous’ favorite room turns out to be available. “How great!”

Different positions “During the contractions I was able to walk back and forth in the spacious, homely room,” she says. “When the last phase started, I got into the bath. The warm water immediately eased my pain. I could adopt different positions: on my back, side and forward in the bath. The bath also has many useful supporting points so that you can take care of the (pushing) contractions with your feet. The bath itself can be raised and lowered: great for the midwife, she told me”.

Marlou also does the pushing quite well.

“The water makes you weightless, I really liked that.” And then, in the water, after midnight on September 23, a healthy little boy is born: Jurre. Marlou: “By giving birth in the bath, the transition was not that big for him. In my amniotic fluid in the abdomen, he was also in the warmth.

Giving birth in the bath was not only very pleasant for myself, but also for Jurre, I think!”

Due to corona, the information evenings about giving birth in HMC will be canceled for the time being, but all information for (expectant) mothers can be found on the webpage www.haaglandenmc.nl/giving-birth.

You can also watch the extensive video about giving birth in HMC.

”The rooms are big, beautiful and without typical hospital fluorescent lights”

To prepare for her delivery, Marlou watches the video about giving birth in HMC on the website during her pregnancy.

She immediately notices one of the rooms in the video. “Big, beautiful and without typical hospital fluorescent lights”, she describes with a smile. “And most importantly, the room has a brand-new birthing bath. Although there is a chance that the room will be occupied when I have to give birth, I wanted to go for this.”

Marlou looks back with a smile on her delivery in the birthing bath of HMC. “It all went very well, without complications.

Jurre’s weight was a bit low when he was born; we had to stay 24 hours for some checkups, but then we could go home, the three of us.”

September 22 is the day that Marlou’s contractions begin and together with her boyfriend she gets into the car towards

Marlou and the baby are both doing well.

Jurre is growing very well, according to his proud mother.

Information for expats Information meetings for expats Would you like to know more about information meetings for expats?

Contact Nanda Jagusiak-Monteiro, Expat Coordinator E n.jagusiakmonteiro@haaglandenmc.nl

Nanda Jagusiak-Monteiro

Giving birth in HMC continues as usual, even during time of the corona virus.

In HMC, just like Marlou, you can opt for a delivery in the birthing bath. But you can also use other tools in our delivery rooms, such as a skippy ball or a birthing stool.

Moreover, at HMC we are specialized in (complex) caesarean sections and various forms of pain relief during childbirth and we offer gentle or even maternal assisted caesarean.

Pain relief If you need pain relief while giving birth, please do not hesitate to ask. Together, we will try and decide which type of analgesic is the most suited to your particular situation at that moment. When you discuss your upcoming delivery with your midwife or obstetrician, you will be provided with information on the various types of pain relief. You are allowed, but not obliged, to include your pain relief preferences in your birth plan.

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

Cardiac monitoring We continuously monitor your baby’s heart rate during delivery. We do this with a special device that records the heartbeat. We call such a recording a cardiotocogram (CTG).

In HMC we use wireless CTG devices. This allows you to move freely, while we look after your child and your health. You can use it in the shower and bath.

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19-1-2021 10:50:05 03-03-21 15:57

MARCH 2021 | 31

SPORT

Not all heroes wear capes

Loek Lovendie photo by Jan Kruijdenberg Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic we have saluted our heroes. Naturally, we have heralded the amazing work of our heroes in health care who have stood on the front lines of this battle against an invisible enemy. Truth be told, we probably don’t even acknowledge their efforts sufficiently, but we often completely overlook the people in some of the other walks of life that have kept us going throughout this struggle. We all too frequently forget those who have kept us fed, kept our internet flowing, collected our refuse and maintained law and order. We also overlook a group that has been largely sidelined during this difficult period but is poised to lead us forward as we emerge from this battle and try to resume our lives with a sound mind in sound bodies. These are the heroes in sport and we should not only celebrate them, but consider the ways in which we might join them.

The losses of one sport in particular gave us pause to think about lives lived in the service of others. Baseball, or honkbal as is called, has been practiced for more than a hundred years in the Netherlands. The sport lost two of her own recently, within the span of a weekend: Han Urbanus (93) and Loek Lovendie (88). Johannes Urbanus, simply Han, was instrumental in transforming the game of baseball in this country from a summertime afterthought of football to a full-fledged sport with a worldwide reputation. As a young man, he became infatuated with the game. His expeditions to the Holy Land of baseball, the United States, provided him with the training and knowledge that he so willingly shared upon his return to his home country. With the zeal of a missionary, he helped spread the gospel of the New York Giants to the game’s converts and followers throughout the country. He would go on to play a leading

THT2_2021 _CS.indd 31

role in establishing the tiny country as one of Europe’s very best in the sport, laying a foundation that stands to this day.

Lovendie, or Uncle Loek as he was more affectionally known, plowed an unbelievable amount of his time into starting and growing a baseball club in Amsterdam, the Pirates. From founding the club to being the heart and soul of its existence, Loek was the Pirates and the Pirates were him. The number of children who learned to play baseball from Loek is staggering. Many of them, now adults, lined the street running past the Pirates complex to say goodbye to their coach, as his funeral procession passed the site of his life’s work one final time.

Both men’s importance to the game in this country is impossible to overstate and yet they were not alone by any means. One need not look past the family tree of Han Urbanus to find other great contributors to sports. They are joined by the countless others who have coached, enabled, financed, officiated, organized, planned and cleaned up after the nations athletes.

From archery to zumba, the sacrifice is real: rushing home from work to get to a training – grabbing a sandwich instead of a proper dinner, cycling through wind and rain, often in the dark of night, and skipping the weekend’s rest for a tournament that often will still be felt at work on Monday. But the reward is also real; and while some are honored with praise and ribbons in the twilight years of their service, it is sometimes only when they are laid to rest that we can fully see the fruits of their labour. Registers signed and funerals attended by people who had no other reason to join together for a common cause other than the sports they came to love. This societal cohesion that sport brings us is the indirect and powerful result of the work of heroes.

The sport of this nation is fueled by countless sandwiches made, cups of coffee served, lawns mowed and dressing rooms swept. It is also fueled by countless hours of coaching, fundraising, planning and organizing. A lion’s share of this work is done by ordinary people who do heroic deeds. Through their work, but often not even by design, our sports heroes have woven the fabric which blankets our society in a warmth that is difficult to quantify but so very tangible to those fortunate enough to have been draped in it.

What remains is what we all can do.

Not everyone is cut out to be a hero.

We don’t need to be. There is a role for everyone in sport. We can even look to see how we can involve our businesses, diplomatic missions and organizations in the important societal game-changer

that is sport. We can even be heroic in just showing up to watch. One thing is certain, sport will play a monumental role in leading our society out of the darkness of the pandemic and back into the light.

Sport calls on us like never before to step into the shoes of those that have gone before us leading the way. Legend has it that Loek Lovendie first played football in shoes that were too small for him, as there was no money for boots that fit. Love of sport will do that to person. Perhaps sport is an affliction, as some would suggest, but one thing is certain: it is highly contagious. Exactly the kind of contagion we can use right about now. Rest in peace Loek Lovendie and Han Urbanus. As Shoeless Joe said to Moonlight Graham in the film Field of Dreams, “You did good”.

Now it’s time for the rest of us to play ball!

Written by John Mahnen

STANZA BOOKSHOP We are an international bookshop established in The Hague offering English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese and Russian books for adults, young adults and children. Additionally, we have a selection of International Law books in English, Spanish and French.

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

Opening times Mon: closed. Tuesday-Saturday from 10.30 until 17.00.

During November and December we open twice per month on Sundays (please check the dates and opening hours through our social media) Noordeinde 98, 2514 GM, The Hague. T. 0031 (0) 702144117, www.stanzabookshop.com, Instagram: Stanza_Bookshop, Facebook/Twitter: @StanzaBookshop

03-03-21 21:29

Learning today.

Changing tomorrow.

Amity International School Amsterdam is an IB World School for the Primary Years Programme and a candidate school* for the Middle Years Programme and the Diploma Programme for students ages 3 to 15 Amity’s students learn within a real-world, inquiry-based curriculum which fosters their individuality, creativity and independance.

Our school is located in a unique monumental building and is surrounded by green spaces. The ideal place for our students to develop themselves.

Virtual Open Day 25th March

admissions@amityamsterdam.nl +31 (0) 20 345 44 81 www.amityschool.nl Amsterdamseweg 204, 1182 HL Amstelveen THT2_2021 _CS.indd 32

* Only schools authorized by the IB Organization can offer any of its four academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), the Diploma Programme (DP), or the Career-related Programme (CP). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted. For further information about the IB and its programmes visit www.ibo.org 02-03-21 15:16