I can gladly say I have been living in Haarlem for 5 years, I decided to reflect on my time here. I decided to compile a list of things I wished I knew before I moved here. Of course, everyone’s experiences may be different, but I hope whoever reads this article may find any of […]
February in Haarlem has various events and things to do for the whole family. On Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 February, Haarlem becomes the happiest city for the weekend with Geluksroute. Explore the city streets to find hidden gems, street performances and happiness. On Sunday 3 February, the Cafe de Zwaan is hosting a singing […]
Towards the end of WW2, a famine took place in the occupied Netherlands, instigated by the German forces during the winter of 1944-45. It is estimated some 22,000 Dutch citizens died of starvation. Operation Market Garden. Operation Market Garden was a failed WW2 military operation fought in the Netherlands from 17 to 25 September 1944, […]
January is a sleepy month, as Haarlem recovers from the merrymaking, present giving and fireworks extravaganza. But there are one or two events happening this month that may inspire you to venture out in this dark, gloomy month. Finishing on January 6, it is your last chance to visit the Teylers Museum to see the […]
Feel more at home in Haarlem with Taalthuis! Are you interested in following a Dutch course? Do you want to learn Dutch in a structured but fun way? On January 10, 2019 Taalthuis organizes an open day soyou can come and see why learning Dutch at Taalthuis is the best choice! WHEN Thursday January 10 […]
Sings – ‘It’s the most wonderful time of the year!’ I can’t believe it is December already! Haarlem is full of fun and festive treats for you and the whole family to enjoy.
Sinterklaas and his Pieten arrive by steamboat and moors on the Spaarne on 18 November in Haarlem.
Zwarte Piet is a controversial character – whether you believe him to be racist or not, in this article we will be taking a look instead at Zwarte Piets’ history, where did he come from, and who exactly is he.
The weather is getting colder but that doesn’t mean Haarlem is quiet. From the Comedy Factory night to the arrival of Sinterklaas himself; November is full of activities for the whole family.
Sint-Maarten (St. Martin’s Day) is a popular children’s feast day in many parts of the Netherlands. On the evening of November 11th, small groups of children can be heard going up and down the street singing songs and reciting poems, equipped with lit lanterns. As a reward, they are given sweet treats, in a custom […]
Wow! It’s October already?! One of my personal favourite times of the year, with all the glorious golds, browns and red colours, here are things to do in Haarlem that make this windy and wet month a little cosier.
Toneel-en Filmschuur Haarlem offers a ‘language no problem’ program that consists of a broad variety of films, theatre, dance and musical theatre performances for adults, youngsters and children. Below you find the Language no problem theatre program 2018-2019. With expatsHaarlem discounts and meetups.
It’s finally payday! You have been working hard all month and your long-awaited payslip has been delivered! But what is this? What does this mean? We decode all those numbers and long Dutch words for you.
The Haarlemmertrekvaart is a canal between Amsterdam and Haarlem. It was dug in 1631, making it the oldest tow-canal in Holland. Travel on tow canals was historically done by barges which were towed by animals and sometimes men, on a path along the canal’s edge known as a towpath.
During Open Monumentendag – every second weekend of September – thousands of historical buildings and sites (about 4.000) are open to the public free of charge.
It is September already and as usual, there is something for someone in Haarlem this month.
At Taalthuis you can follow Dutch Language courses at different levels. Their aim is 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 eight different cities in the Netherlands, including Haarlem, Taalthuis makes it possible for expats, au […]
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…
https://www.pexels.com/@teodor-savin-192072Making Your Home More Accessible in Haarlem.February 21, 2019 - 4:57 pmAt least 70,000 new homes will be built in the Netherlands in 2019 according to NVM, the Dutch estate agents association. It is not clear how many of these houses will be accessible. What is clear is that up to 45% of people with mobility limitations live in rented accommodation in the Netherlands, according to […]
https://pixabay.com/en/users/readyelements-8569947/Planning a Multilingual FamilyFebruary 19, 2019 - 11:36 amLiving away from the home country, I didn’t need to take a decision on whether my children are going to be raised multilingual, it is just meant to be so. At home, we speak Russian, Ukrainian with some friends, English with non-Russian/ Ukrainian speakers. Apart from Russian, Ukrainian and English, I also speak German and […]