Several people Including the head of radical nationalist group Pegida were arrested in Apeldoorn at the national arrival of Sinterklaas, the winter holiday folklore character who brings gifts to children. Police say that most of those arrested were protestors who refused orders to move to a cordoned off area for demonstrations.
Entertainment
Nov 16 '19 09:00
Minister Arie Slob plans to use better-than-expected advertising revenue from Ster to cover the government's contribution to the Eurovision Song Contest, which will be held in Rotterdam next year, sources told De Telegraaf. Ster is the foundation that provides advertising to the Dutch public broadcasting system.
Nov 14 '19 08:12
The vast majority of Dutch municipalities are staying out of the discussion around the appearance of Zwarte Piet at the Sinterklaas arrival parties in their cities. Only a small number set conditions regarding the controversial character in the Sinterklaas tradition, NOS reports after speaking to the 120 largest municipalities in the Netherlands, three quarters of which responded to the broadcaster's questions.
Nov 13 '19 16:50
Apeldoorn is taking various security measures, ranging from access gates to special rules of conduct, to make sure that Sinterklaas' national arrival party on Saturday is safe and pleasant, Hart van Nederland reports.
In the night from Friday to Saturday, the municipality will place access gates at 14 locations in the city center. Everyone who attends the celebration must pass through one of these gates, where there will be random checks.
Nov 8 '19 09:15
The national Sinterklaas arrival party in Apeldoorn can happen without any blackface Zwarte Piet characters, according to the court in Arnhem. The court ruled against a lawsuit demanding that the municipality of Apeldoorn revoke the permit for the party because Sinterklaas will only be accompanied by so-called Chimney Pieten - Piet characters with soot marks on their faces instead of blackface makeup, NOS reports.
Nov 5 '19 18:30
With teachers in primary- and secondary education across the Netherlands striking on Wednesday, many a parent will be wondering what to do with their kids on this extra free day. Zoos and amusement parks across the country are there to help, according to a list compiled by newspaper AD.
A number of the larger attractions are opening on Wednesday, even though they're actually already closed or partially closed for the winter. Others are offering discounts.
Nov 5 '19 16:50
Daily Show host Trevor Noah will perform on stage in Amsterdam next year during his Loud & Clear Tour. The 36-year-old South African comedian will make his return to the Ziggo Dome just over a year after his last appearance there, the venue said, a sell-out show that earned several glowing reviews.
Nov 5 '19 08:06
From next year Eindhoven will follow the line of the Sinterklaasjournaal and drop blackface Zwarte Pieten from its arrival party, the municipality and Stichting Sint-Nicolaas, the foundation responsible for organizing the Sinterklaas arrival party, announced on Monday. But this year there will still be blackface Zwarte Pieten among the crowd of other-color Pieten at the party, Eindhovens Dagblad reports.
Nov 4 '19 14:40
Top Dutch DJ Martin Garrix won the MTV Europe Music Award in the Best Electronic category over the weekend, beating out Calvin Harris, The Chainsmokers, DJ Snake, and Marshmello for the prize. Rap musician Snelle took the award for Best Worldwide, a prize he was eligible for after taking home the Best Dutch Act regional award last week.
For Amstelveen-born Garrix, now 23, it is his second time winning Best Electronic. At the 22nd edition of the EMAs he also took Best World Stage.
Nov 2 '19 09:30
Leeuwarden won Zoover's award for Best Weekend Trip destination in the Netherlands this year with an average rating of 8.64. "Leeuwarden is particularly praised for its cozy atmosphere, the extensive range of catering establishments, and the beautiful historic city center", the travel site said.
Zoover based its award on reviews travelers left on the site over the past year. Over 15 thousand reviews were included in the calculation.
Oct 31 '19 08:44
Action group Kick Out Zwarte Piet is planning to protest in twelve different cities in November against the use of blackface makeup and costuming often adorned by white actors portraying Sinterklaas's helper. The activists consider Zwarte Piet in his traditional form a racist stereotype. On Thursday there were protests in Apeldoorn and Deventer calling for Zwarte Piet to remain in the blackface costume seen mainly over the last hundred years, and which some say is adhering to Dutch tradition.
Oct 25 '19 11:10
The slogan for the Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam next year is 'Open Up', the organizers announced. "We looked for a theme and slogan that reflect what the Netherlands stands for and which the Dutch can identify with; a country with an open mind to the world, where we speak our mind, with respect for each other", said Sietse Bakker, executive producer of next year's event.
Oct 24 '19 15:10
A number of sponsors are withdrawing from the Sinterklaas arrival event in The Hague this year after they received a letter from anti-racism action group Kick Out Zwarte Piet. The sponsors found the letter threatening, EenVandaag reports.
The Sinterklaas party in The Hague this year will include a mixture of Zwarte Pieten in full blackface makeup and so-called Chimney Pieten with soot marks on their face.
Oct 23 '19 16:30
A party on the beach of Wijk aan Zee to say goodbye to the United Kingdom when they are scheduled to leave the European Union on October 31st will happen, whether the Brexit actually happens or not, organizer Ron Toekook confirmed to NOS.
Oct 22 '19 14:40
Next year’s Amsterdam Dance Event will take place from October 21-25, 2020, organizers revealed on Tuesday. A special 25th anniversary program is expected to be announced in the coming weeks, with festival and conference access passes available from December 2.
The 24th edition of ADE wrapped up this week, bringing in over 400,000 attendees, similar to last year’s record figures. Event organizers said they visitors arrived from 146 different nations, good for an ADE record.
Oct 22 '19 07:45
Aruba and Netherlands are two of the best destinations to visit in 2020, according to travel guide Lonely Planet's annual list of the best countries to visit. In the top 10 countries, Aruba is in fourth place and the Netherlands in seventh.
Oct 21 '19 10:20
A group of pickpockets or muggers set off multiple cans of pepper spray at the Martin Garrix performance in the Amsterdam Dance Event during the early hours of Saturday morning. They used the burning eyes and trouble breathing as a distraction to rob party goers of their possessions, the Amsterdam police said in a statement. The police call on victims to come forward.
Oct 18 '19 14:45
The fire department advised that the New Year's bonfires on the beaches of Scheveningen and Duindorp can be no larger than 10 meters by 10 meters. And the builders of the bonfires will have to hold to that recommendation, interim The Hague mayor Johan Remkes said at his first council meeting on Thursday. "It's that or nothing", he said, NOS reports.
Oct 17 '19 16:00
The city of Amsterdam will not tolerate drugs at the Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE), currently happening int he city. "We have a zero tolerance policy in clubs and during events", the city said in a statement, Het Parool reports.
ADE attendees are not allowed to take any drugs into events. Drugs found will be confiscated, and the person carrying them will not be allowed to attend the event.
Oct 8 '19 17:50
Longtime Dutch DJ Armin van Buuren will launch a special edition escape room during Amsterdam Dance Event later this month. Van Buuren teamed up with top-rated escape room firm Sherlocked Mystery Experiences to provide teams with an 80-minute long session at 159 euros per team.
Game players will have to work together to figure out secrets to the Armada Music founder’s success. The escape room, dubbed “Balance”, is also a promotion for Van Buuren’s upcoming album of the same name.
Oct 3 '19 10:26
The organization of New Year's bonfires on the beaches in Scheveningen and Duindorp must change fundamentally, because the builders of the bonfires do not comply with agreements made with the municipality of The Hague, the Dutch Safety Board (OVV) said in a report. The OVV investigated the bonfires tradition after the Scheveningen bonfire got out of hand this past New Year's.
Oct 2 '19 15:50
Fans of the 1982 sci-fi film Blade Runner will get a new chance to see the movie on the big screen. The film will be re-released in the Netherlands on November 1, including on IMAX screens for the first time ever.
Ticket sales for director Ridley Scott’s final version of the film officially began on Wednesday, Warner Bros. said.
Sep 23 '19 13:40
The Royal family will spend King's Day, King Willem-Alexander's birthday on April 27th, in Maastricht next year, government information service Rijksvoorlichtingsdienst announced on Monday. Maastricht is looking forward to the visit, mayor Annemarie Penn-te Strake said to AD.
Sep 20 '19 15:00
While alcohol remains the number one cause of addiction problems in Amsterdam,young adult residents of the capital are drinking less than they did in 2000. There are also fewer smokers, though cocaine use increased, according to the newest Antenna, an annual study by Jellinek and Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences into the alcohol and drug use of Amsterdam young adults, Het Parool reports.
