Goodbyehttps://pixabay.com/nl/photos/luchthaven-vliegtuig-reizen-1019056/
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Goodbyes

Goodbyes are all too familiar for expats, but they never get any easier. Yesterday as I watched the bus containing my parents pull away, I felt that sharp pang in my heart and lump in my throat. The same feeling that washes over me every…
Mugfest 2019
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Mugfest 2019 Sustainability Festival

Sustainable initiatives in Haarlem On Sunday, October 6th Mugfest 2019, the sustainability festival will take place in Haarlem. Between 12 pm and 5 pm, the Grote Markt will be transformed into a green festival site. Mugfest is all about…
I am not a tourist
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‘i am not a tourist’ annual Expat Fair for Internationals

Everything you want to know about the Dutch expat life, under one roof: on Sunday 6 October 2019, the 17th edition of Amsterdam’s renowned i am not a tourist Expat Fair is shaking up the stunning Beurs van Berlage in the heart of Amsterdam. Explore…
© Rachel Smets
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How to let go of your past? CHANGE your future.

Your past doesn’t determine your future, create your new future now. Do you want to change your life? Then start creating your new future. People used to tell me to "let go, let go, let go" all the time, but all I asked was: HOW? Your…
Klim naar het licht
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Climbing to the light

The new Saint Bavo church in Haarlem has always been a bit of a mystery to me.  Don’t get me wrong, I find it a beautiful piece of architecture to be admired from afar while biking along the Leidsevaart or walking on the edge of the Vijfhoek.  …
Broken heartImage by Steve Watts from Pixabay
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Break-up letter to a friend: The truth shall set you free

A month ago I had the unfortunate displeasure of breaking up with a friend. Not a lover but a friend in the platonic sense. It hurt me that what was once a beautiful, committed, unconditional friendship with someone I still like had to end.…
weekend
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Open House Weekend Toneelschuur & Filmschuur

Have you always been curious about that very special building on the edge of Haarlem’s red light district? Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 September sees the kick-off of the new cultural season, and to mark the occasion Toneelschuur will be holding…
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Theater tip: LANGUAGE by Vanja Rukavina

Let Language lead the way to a better world.  Welkom bij een college over taal. Welcome to a lecture about language. Dobro došli na predavanje o jeziku. Добро дошли на предавање о језику. 言語に関する講義へようこそ。 언어…
DansClick 21 I Korzo producties - choreografie Q4 Qantified (Steven Tips) 3DansClick 21 I Korzo producties - choreografie Q4 Qantified (Steven Tips) 3 ©
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Toneelschuur Haarlem 'Language No Problem' Theater Program September-December 2019

Toneel-en Filmschuur Haarlem offers a ‘language no problem’ program that consists of a broad variety of films, theater, dance and musical theater performances for adults, youngsters, and children. Below you find the Language No Problem theater…
Octoberhttps://pixabay.com/en/users/FrankMagdelyns1-2783371/
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Life isn’t an extended vacation

Life in the Netherlands:  Week 6 Life isn’t an extended vacation For the first few weeks that we were living in Haarlem, our life looked like a promotional video for the Netherlands.  The kids and I laughing in our new urban arrow…
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THINGS TO DO IN HAARLEM THIS SEPTEMBER

Summer may be coming to an end but there are plenty of reasons to be happy that September has arrived in Haarlem! As always we have the Dutch Language Café, our monthly drink and to celebrate the start of the cultural season, we have 3 comedy…
Taalthuis
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Taalthuis open day September

Are you interested in following a Dutch course? Do you want to learn Dutch in a structured but fun way? On September 4 Taalthuis organizes an open day so you can come and see why learning Dutch at Taalthuis is a good choice. ExpatsHaarlem readers…
Picture of De Adriaan windmill, HaarlemBy Fiona McGeever
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My first realisations of Dutch life

Life in the Netherlands: Week One My first realizations of Dutch life Recently, my family decided to take a leap of faith and move from the states to Haarlem, Netherlands.  We had a very comfortable life in America; good jobs, a nice home,…
Haarlem Summer Comedy
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Haarlem Summer Comedy

The Haarlem Comedy Factory & City Beach Bar Oerkap present the HAARLEM SUMMER COMEDY!  Join our OPEN AIR COMEDY with excellent INTERNATIONAL COMEDIANS and a FANTASTIC VIEW on the RIVER SPAARNE and the city of HAARLEM.   Program -…
travel kids
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Best Age to Travel with Kids

The smaller the better It doesn't seem so when you have a tiny baby and are overwhelmed with the big change in your life. But, having a toddler and having travelled with her a lot, we can assure you that the easiest…
caterpillars
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Danger poisonous caterpillars in the Netherlands

A plague of poisonous caterpillars explodes throughout the country. It is an annual summer problem in the Netherlands, but the number of complaints about the Oak Processionary moth caterpillars have soared this year, according to the…
September Events Haarlem
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THINGS TO DO IN HAARLEM THIS JULY

Summer has finally arrived to Haarlem! July in Haarlem is full of events for the whole family to enjoy, from the International Choral Biennale to a British Festival and a concert on the river and in the park,  from our Monthly Drink and Dutch…
Spaarnestad Concert
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Spaarnestad Concert

For the fourth time a wonderful open-air concert on the water that you should not miss! The Nieuwe Gracht forms the impressive backdrop for beautiful sounds and offers space for thousands of listeners. When Saturday the 6th of July…
Climbing light
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Climbing to the light

The extensive restoration of the cathedral is almost complete and it is more beautiful than ever! To celebrate this until July 31st you can climb to almost 60 meters height and enjoy great views on a spectacular bridge from tower to tower. Making…
British Festival in Zandvoort.
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British Festival Zandvoort aan Zee

Great Britain in the Netherlands for a weekend, that's the British Festival in Zandvoort. Take the well-known double-decker bus to the various locations, eat Fish 'n Chips with a sea view, marvel at the beautiful British cars, be amazed…
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…
Learning Dutch
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Dutch Summer Crash Courses

This Summer Taalthuis Haarlem offers 2 Summer Crash Courses. With expatsHaarlem discount! Summer Crash Course Join the Intensive Dutch Summer Crash Course for Beginners in Haarlem the first week of the summer holidays. Immerse yourself…
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…