Koorbiënnale
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10th International Choral Biennale Haarlem and Amsterdam

Adventurous vocal festival at the highest level. From 28 June through 7 July 2019 During its 10-day run the Choral Biennale presents some of the best international vocal ensembles of today, at the same time exploring the boundaries of choral…
Houtfestival
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Houtfestival: open-air music and dance festival

One of Haarlem’s biggest outdoor fests offers an exotic blend of music. It takes place at the Stadspark de Haarlemmerhout in Haarlem. Houtfestival is a relaxed event where people of all ages and backgrounds come. You can listen to the…
Landgoed Duin & Kruidberg
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Pentecost 2019 in Holland

Something that intrigued me ever since I first arrived in Holland is the number of Dutch public holidays specifically related to events on the Roman Catholic calendar.  It struck me and still does that a fairly non-religious country like the…
Luilak
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Luilak 2019: all-night market for plant lovers

The famous Luilakmarkt (Luilak market) from June 7th, 2019 until June 8th, 2019 is a pot and plant market which starts at 16:00 in the afternoon and goes on throughout the night until around 11:00 in the morning, Luilakochtend (Luilak morning). Besides…
dogs
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Hot dogs: a guide to summer with your four-legged friend.

As a dog trainer who often works outside, I feel it’s essential that all my fellow dog lovers and owners are aware of certain dangers. Whilst the Summer months are indeed delightful, they are accompanied with seasonal…
Housing Event
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Review Haarlem & Haarlemmermeer Housing & Education Event 2019

The ‘Haarlem and Haarlemmermeer Housing and Education Event’ on Saturday may 18th was an excellent way to find out why Haarlem and Haarlemmermeer are great places to live and to learn all about finding a home and education in these areas.…
strike
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DUTCH RAILWAY: FEW OR NO TRAINS ON TUESDAY

Dutch railway company NS warns travellers about next Tuesday’s public transport strike and serious bother for passengers.   Dutch railway company NS is recommending travellers avoid the train on Tuesday. They expect little…
european-elections
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European elections: 23-26 May 2019

The European elections take place between 23 to 26 May 2019. Voting day in the Netherlands is on 23 May. Will you vote as well? Here's how to vote. Anyone aged 18 or over can vote. It is also possible to vote by proxy, in another municipality…
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Haarlem & Haarlemmermeer Housing & Education Event 2019

All you need to know about finding a home and education in Haarlem & Haarlemmermeer Planning to rent, let, buy or sell a house? Wanting to know more about the Education system in the Netherlands and in the Haarlem & Haarlemmermeer…
Haarlem Comedy Factory April
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Haarlem Comedy Factory April (in English)

Enjoy a great English spoken Comedy Night in Haarlem with upcoming comedians and new material by established comedians from the international scene. Bring your friends. Online tickets cost € 10 p.p. Remaining tickets (if…
Tax Return
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Free Income Tax Return Seminars April 2019

During the two Income Tax Return Seminars on April 13th, our business partner Vincent van Wijngerden of GVN Adviseurs/Expat Taxes will present information about how to file your taxes in the Netherlands, for private individuals and small companies.…
TAX
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Free Income Tax Return Workshops 16 March 2019

During 2 Workshops on Saturday, 16 March 2019, at 1,30 PM and 3, 00 PM, our business partner Melvin van Jaarsveld – van Loenen of NAHV Belastingadviseurs will present information about how to file your taxes in the Netherlands. There will…
https://www.pexels.com/@gratisography
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How to Learn Dutch for (almost) Free

When moving to the Netherlands, we didn’t know any Dutch. In less than 3 years, we reached the level enough to pass the Inburgering exam, understand the incoming post without referring to a dictionary and have basic conversations (which is…
https://pixabay.com/users/stux-12364/
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Brexit Newsletter for migrants.

Below is the transcript of the newsletter that is being sent out to British nationals living in The Netherlands. British nationals are strongly advised to create a DigiD account so you can have an electronic version of your tempory residence…
https://www.pexels.com/@teodor-savin-192072
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Making Your Home More Accessible in Haarlem.

At 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…
multilingualhttps://pixabay.com/en/users/readyelements-8569947/
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Planning a Multilingual Family

Living 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/…
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Passing your Inburgering

Inburgering (integration) diploma is needed for some nationals to have the right to live and work in the Netherlands, to obtain a permanent residence permit, to apply for a Dutch passport. There are exceptions and exemptions, in order…
February
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expatsHaarlem Events February 2019

expatsHaarlem organizes various nice events this February, from a Dutch Language Café, to a comedy, a photo walk and a drink. And we have a surprise for you: discounts for members only! Here's the overview of our events this February: Wednesday,…
hunger winter
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Dutch History; the Hunger Winter.

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…
Your Dog
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What to Know About Moving Your Dog to the Netherlands

If you've spent any time in the Netherlands then you might not be surprised to learn that Amsterdam, including the surrounding northwestern cities such as Haarlem, has been ranked in the top five most dog-friendly European cities. This…
Brexithttps://pixabay.com/en/users/thedigitalartist-202249/
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Response to Dutch Government’s announcement regarding Britons in the Netherlands in the event of no-deal

Response to Dutch Government’s announcement regarding UK nationals in the Netherlands in the event of no-deal Brexit. The New Europeans Benelux Steering Group welcomes the announcement by the Dutch government that UK nationals…
Dutch Mystery Books
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Dutch Mystery Books for a gezellige winteravond.

Reading a good mystery novel can be a very satisfying experience. I believe it has to do with the fact that, while crime is always terrifying, as readers we know that the crime will most likely be solved at the end of the book and the murderer,…
Taalthuis
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Taalthuis open day

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…
Sinterklaas
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Sinterklaas arrives to Haarlem!

Sinterklaas and his Pieten arrive by steamboat and moors on the Spaarne on 18 November in Haarlem. A fun and festive activity for the whole family, starting from 13.00, Sinterklaas and his Pieten arrive on his famous Steamboat along the…
Zwarte Piet
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Dutch History; Zwarte Piet.

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. Zwarte Piet (Black Pete)…
Things to do in Haarlem
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Things to do in Haarlem this November

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. From Friday 2 November to 4 November Haarlem…
Marc de Haan
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Dutch History; Sint-Maarten Dag, the Dutch Halloween.

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…
library© https://pixabay.com/nl/boeken-bibliotheek-weinig-buiten-3526238/
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Little free libraries in Haarlem

‘Little free libraries’ are an American initiative that arrived in The Netherlands in 2013. ‘Little free libraries’ are places where people can exchange their books.  The idea behind them is that each of us can make our society better…
Haarlem property ladderhttps://pixabay.com/en/users/epicantus-168198/
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Selling Your Home So You Can Move Up The Haarlem Property Ladder

So, you've been living in your Haarlem property for a few years and now want a bigger and grander place to call home. Well, now is the time to make the move as house prices in the Netherlands jumped by 8.8% in quarter two of this year, compared…
paysliphttps://pixabay.com/en/users/martaposemuckel-17386/
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Decoding your Dutch Payslip.

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. According to Dutch Review, the…