A hofje is a Dutch word for a courtyard with almshouses around it. They have existed since the Middle Ages. A hofje provided housing for elderly people (mostly women). They were privately funded and served as a form of social security. Hofjes are usually built in a U-shape with a yard or garden in the […]
Have you ever been harassed in the street? Received a crass message on a dating app? Have a coworker make a comment about your appearance that just didn’t sit right?
Whew, what a summer! And it’s still going! Here are a few events in Haarlem that may peak your interest.
The International School Haarlem (ISH) is opening their secondary school department in September 2018. The demand for international education is greater than the municipality and school boards of IRIS and Solomon originally anticipated. For example, the primary school department, which opened its doors in September 2017 has already welcomed their 100th student!
Anthony Fokker, also known as the Flying Dutchman, built his first plane in 1910 and taught himself to fly. During WWI he introduced the gear system that made it possible to fire a machine gun through the propeller arc without hitting the blades.
Summer is finally here and July is packed full of activities! From a concert on the Spaarne to the end of the month drink; we got you covered.
Henry Hope (1735–1811) was an Amsterdam merchant banker born in Boston, in Britain’s Massachusetts Bay Colony in North America. He was a key figure in the Dutch East India Company and made a fortune. He built the Villa Welgelegen in Haarlem.
After the warmest May on record, we now enter June. Will the good weather last? Who knows! However, Haarlem still has plenty of things to do.
Around Haarlem, there is plenty of food events. But where can you taste, drink and discover new products? Let me introduce to you Landgroed de Olmenhorst. In the middle of Haarlemmermeer, between The Hague and Amsterdam, Landgroed de Olmenshorst is only 20 minutes from Haarlem. You will find 18 hectares of organic apple and pear […]
William the Silent or more commonly known as William of Orange was the main leader of the Dutch revolt against the Spanish Habsburgs that started the Eighty Years’ War. He was born in the House of Nassau as Count of Nassau-Dillenburg. He became Prince of Orange in 1544 and is thereby the founder of the […]
Its now May in Haarlem and there are lots of things to do! On Friday, May 4 is the first instalment of the freedom festival, the memorial concert. On Saturday, May 5 is the freedom concert! The whole of Haarlem turns into a massive music concert for the day. On Tuesday, May 8 come practice your […]
Corrie ten Boom was the first licensed female watchmaker in the Netherlands, who, along with her father, and other family members, helped many Jews escape the Nazi Holocaust during World War II by hiding them in her closet.
From Spring Gardens to Kings Day, we got you covered this month! Hopefully, the weather will be better…
The windmill, Molen de Adriaan was built on the foundations of the Goevrouwetoren by Adriaan de Booys, an industrial producer from Amsterdam. The Goevrouwetoren, or Goede Vrouwtoren (Goodwife Tower), was a tower built to help defend Haarlem over the river Spaarne with its sister tower on the other river bank. Between these two towers was a […]
From peeking into your neighbour’s houses and the expats Haarlem end of month drink, we got you covered this March.
A 6-month-old baby was kidnapped today (Feb 26th) in a supermarket car park in Eersel. The police have issued an Amber Alert to help find her. Hannah is in serious danger. She was taken forcibly from her caregiver and was whisked away in a car, a black Mercedes Benz 270CDI, with the license plate; 94-GK-PB. […]
After a disastrous defeat in the ‘raamjaar’, Johan de Witt and his brother was murdered and eaten by an angry mob, but is this true?
An estimated 1.7 billion Dutch tulips bring a welcome touch of spring to households and businesses all over the globe each year.
On a November afternoon, Daniëlle Martens went to discover cozy places in Haarlem. Haarlemfoodies was invited by Koffiefilters.nl in cooperation with Haarlem Marketing. The inspiration came from the book: Koffee! 182 coffee spots that make you happy. The city of Haarlem can be found in this guide with several nice coffee spots, and we are […]
Come and support your local Haarlem choir, Haarlem Haarmonix, on 17th December for a festive performance.
December is here! To some its the most wonderful time of the year. This is what the city of Haarlem is up to during this festive period.
Haarlem transforms into a major cultural temple in which visual arts are central on November 3rd to the 5th. There is painting, sculpture, and design, but also film, dance and theater. In addition to the various exhibitions and open gallery routes, there are many other cultural activities.
There are times when I love the postal (in particular post.nl) service here in The Netherlands. The track and trace system is awesome, the app works mostly well and the service is on a whole pretty quick.
I am actually quite well acquainted with a good Indian takeaway. A born and bred Londoner, we have a strong palate for what is a good curry and what is not.
Have you noticed any of the posters dotted around town lately? Yes, that’s right, it’s almost Haarlem Shopping Night!
Do as the Europeans do and eat cheese. Have you tried any of these European cheeses? 1) Afuega’l Pitu, Spain Its name is derived from the local dialect and means “choking cake”, because its unusual texture can make it stick to the palate. 2) Almnäs Tegel, Sweden Its distinctive “slab” shape is an homage […]
It’s that time of year again and Kleverpark will be hosting their annual festival for the 33rd time.
The Vijfhoekkunstroute is an annual art event in the special Vijfhoek district in Haarlem. More than 100 artists from Haarlem and surrounding area will be exhibiting their work. Leave the hustle and bustle of everyday life behind and explore the Vijfhoek Haarlem. Get lost in the holiday feeling of alley ways, unique shops, terraces, flowers, […]
A weekly Mass in English will be offered in the Haarlem region. Masses will be celebrated at Onze Lieve Vrouw Hemelvaart church, Valkenburgerplein 19 in Heemstede. “Everyone is welcome to join us in worship. We’re particularly motivated to provide a home to catholic ex-pats and migrants living in the wider Haarlem region. The church is […]
First noticed in South Limburg, wildcats is hard to identify with it’s tabby like stripes and the body that is almost the same as an ordinary house cat, according to studies, the wild cat is back and on the move towards the north. The wild cat is notoriously shy, so how do you prove they are […]
My story of my second birth in a Dutch Hospital.August 16, 2018 - 9:14 amIt is approximately 22:30 hours and I am shifting and turning and nursing painful cramps. I am 9 months pregnant. It is the 7th of July 2014. Is it labour pains already!? His due date (uitgerekend) is 16th July but the planned c-section (keizersnede) is on the 9th of July. Well, this time I will not take […]
Dutch History; Haarlem the home of the HofjesAugust 14, 2018 - 10:57 amA hofje is a Dutch word for a courtyard with almshouses around it. They have existed since the Middle Ages. A hofje provided housing for elderly people (mostly women). They were privately funded and served as a form of social security. Hofjes are usually built in a U-shape with a yard or garden in the […]