An interview with Sinterklaas (Photo: Rodi)
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An interview with Sinterklaas

The Shallow Man recently had the dubious honor of interviewing the world’s angriest not black man, Zwarte Piet. Like many of his supporters, I found him to be very emotional, irrational and downright aggressive. There were a number of questions…
Sinterklaas versus Santa Claus
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Sinterklaas versus Santa Claus

They both work in the same sector, wear red, and have a big white beard. For Piet's sake: what's the difference?  The Big Day Sinterklaas: Sinterklaas' "heerlijk avondje" / delicious is 5 December, although Sint arrives with a steamer…
Evening closures and stricter anticorona measures during the dayPhoto by marco fileccia on Unsplash
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Evening closures and stricter anticorona measures during the day

The Netherlands will shut down from 5pm to 5am, apart from essential services for at least three weeks from this Sunday, as the cabinet struggles to reduce the spread of coronavirus, now at an average of 22,000 new cases a day. The number…
Earlier Coronavirus press conference on Friday, as hospital problems mount
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Coronavirus press conference this Friday, as hospital problems grow

Demissionary prime minister Mark Rutte and health minister Hugo de Jonge will host a new press conference this Friday, a week before the one planned on December 3. De Jonge said the decision has been made following a meeting with ministers…
In which countries do people exercise most around the world and what stops them doing more?Emma Simpson on Unsplash
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In which countries do people exercise most around the world and what stops them doing more?

A new global Ipsos study conducted with the World Economic Forum explores attitudes to sports and finds that globally most (58%) would like to practice more but say they lack of time to do so (37%). People in the Netherlands are the most physically…
Press conference: Light lockdown and 2G policy to comeMatt Seymour
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Press conference: Light lockdown and 2G policy to come

The Netherlands will be going into a three-week light lockdown. Coronavirus measures will apply from Saturday 13 November at 18.00 to at least Saturday 4 December.  At the press conference yesterday, Prime minister Rutte began his address…
Expat Cinema: Do Not Hesitate
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Expat Cinema: Do Not Hesitate

On Sunday November 21st Toneelschuur and expatsHaarlem will present a special screening of the Dutch Oscar entry Do Not Hesitate, with English subtitles. Readers of expatsHaarlem get €3 discount and pay €8,50 instead of €11,50. Don't you…
November 2021 Events in HaarlemMarc Kleen
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November 2021 Events in Haarlem

''11 November is the nacht....''. Sint Maarten 2021 is happening. There is, however, some government's advice for residents and parents or supervisors. Haarlem’s events agenda for November presents a powerful international movie at the Filmschuur…
Sint Maarten will go on in Haarlem, but with coronavirus measures
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Sint Maarten will go on in Haarlem, but with coronavirus measures

Singing with the kids door to door on Sint Maarten on Wednesday 11 November. Is that possible in Corona time? The Kennemerland Safety Region and GGD Kennemerland are following the decision of the government: Sint Maarten 2021 is happening! There…
Jip & Janneke (image: Annie M.G. Schmidt)
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Crafting a lantern for Sint Maarten

On November 11, it's Sint Maarten (Saint Martin)' s Day. Sint Maarten is a great children’s event! Ringing doorbells, singing songs at the doors in exchange for a treat (sweets, mandarins or even some small coins) and - as darkness falls -…
New coronavirus measures: face masks are back, more working at home again and coronapass entry in more locations
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New coronavirus measures: face masks are back, more working at home again and coronapass entry in more locations

The government  has announced this second of November, 2021, that it is bringing back some of its previous coronavirus prevention measures and introducing new ones, in an effort to reduce the surge in new coronavirus cases. Face masks return…
As of 25 September, we no longer have to stay 1.5 metres from others. The coronavirus entry pass system is being introduced
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Netherlands to reopen further with coronavirus entry pass

As of 25 September, we no longer have to stay 1.5 metres from others. The coronavirus entry pass system is being introduced for locations that will get busier when the 1.5 metre distancing rule is lifted. You can get a coronavirus entry…
Back to school!Deleece Cook
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Back to school!

If you’re a parent, you’ll be more than aware that children in Noord-Holland go back to school on Monday 22 August. Maybe you’re even scratching off the days on your calendar ;-) . Change can be difficult for kids and starting at a…
free COVID self-testsDimitri Karastelev
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Ordering free COVID self-tests

The Dutch government has announced that between 10 August and 1 September, you can order two free COVID-19 self-tests. Self-testing is an important means of detecting asymptomatic infections. So before going back to work or university after…
Coronavirus vaccinations without appointmentUnsplash
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Coronavirus vaccinations without appointment

Have you not been vaccinated against COVID-19 yet but do you want to? From 17 August 2021, it is possible to go to the vaccination locations in Haarlem and Haarlemmermeer without an appointment for your first corona vaccine dose. As things…
No restrictions for on-site learning but other measures against COVID-19 extendedDaniel Schludi
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No restrictions for on-site learning but other measures against COVID-19 extended

This week saw the 22 millionth dose of vaccine administered. The Netherlands now has high vaccination coverage and the figure is continuing to rise on a daily basis. Nevertheless, a greater increase is still needed. There are still an estimated…
World Heritage Committee deletes Liverpool from UNESCO’s World Heritage ListMarcus Cramer
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World Heritage Committee deletes Liverpool from UNESCO’s World Heritage List

The World Heritage Committee, holding its 44th session in Fuzhou and online, decided to delete the property “Liverpool – Maritime Mercantile City” (UK) from the World Heritage List, due to the irreversible loss of attributes conveying…
https://unsplash.com/@lukassouza
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Checklist entering or returning to the Netherlands from abroad - August 2021

Good preparation is important for your return trip to the Netherlands. Are you returning to the Netherlands from a yellow EU country on 8 August? Then you need a corona certificate (vaccination, recovery or test proof). Here's the Governments'…
Organizing Your Wedding In HaarlemPexels
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Organizing Your Wedding In Haarlem

Every year, 130,000 people get married in the Netherlands. Haarlem is the perfect place to organize your big day, as you can find everything from the venue to the beautiful flowers right here. You could even get married in the Grote Kerk if…
Coronavirus in the Netherlands: what changes from June 26Meghan Holmes
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Coronavirus in the Netherlands: what changes from June 26

From June 26 most of the coronavirus measures in the Netherlands are ending. While social distancing remains the norm, face masks will vanish in most places. Here’s what changes. The Netherlands take big step in relaxing measures: almost…
Since June 5th the Mall of the Netherlands in Leidschendam presents an interactive TikTok-Museum.Solen Feyissa
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First Tik-Tok-Museum in The Netherlands

Since June 5th the Mall of the Netherlands in Leidschendam presents an interactive TikTok-Museum. In the museum users of the app can record their videos with about 25 different installations. After the success of the Instagram Experience…
Ikea SYMFONISKIkea
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What's that noise coming from the painting?

Imagine you are lying on the couch, thinking about the beauty of life and looking at the beautiful paintings you have in your home. While thinking you dream away in the art, in the colors and in the brushstrokes that are smoothly spread over…
Pentecost 2021 is on the 23th and 24th of June. Here a couple of tips to spend your long weekend.Pexels
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Pentecost 2021 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…
summer holiday parks
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Best holiday parks in the Netherlands for an unforgettable summer

Summer holidays are around the corner! If you are already thinking about where to spend the summer break this year, you are going to love these 7 getaways in the Netherlands. There are different accommodations for families in the Netherlands…
Bavaria takes over Haarlem brewery UiltjeUiltje
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Bavaria takes over Haarlem brewery Uiltje

Uiltje Brewing Company from Haarlem, the brewer of specialty beers such as Bird of Prey, Dikke Lul 3 Bier! and F * ck the caravan is in the Fik, will be owned by Swinkels Family Brewers. Het Uiltje will expand and remain autonomous. Uiltje…
Buying a property in today’s housing marketTierra Mallorca
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Buying a property in today’s housing market

If you are, or have recently talked to anyone who is, a prospective property buyer, you will know that today’s Dutch housing market really is a sellers’ market. You will then also know that properties are often being sold (well) above the…
This course is meant for children in the age between 8 and 12 to expand their knowledge of Dutch. Both online and face-to-face in Haarlem, starting May 10th.
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Dutch for Children

This Monday afternoon course is meant for children in the age between 8 and 12 who want to expand their knowledge of Dutch. The interactive course consists of 8 fun and meaningful lessons for children who wish to learn Dutch and communicate…
Haarlem women's day
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International Women’s Day: 12 remarkable Haarlemmer women!

March 8 is the International Women's Day and here in Expats Haarlem we want to celebrate it by honoring some of the Haarlemmer women who made and are still making an impact in the Netherlands and in the world! Haarlem's history has many special…
Ben Coates article
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The year of corona: Dutch superiority - Superior failure

In the Netherlands if we are better at something, we like international comparisons. And if we are not better at it, the answer is: 'This is not a competition!' During the corona crisis, Dutch failure is often presented as Dutch superiority. About…