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…
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…
swap studio
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Free new clothes while saving the environment: Start swapping!

The fashion industry has a disastrous impact on the environment. In fact, it is the second largest polluter in the world, just after the oil industry. Especially fast fashion (zara, h&m etc), which makes shopping for clothes more affordable,…
Camille learning Dutch with Taalthuisroyalty free
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Back to school: Camille and her Dutch learning journey

As an expat moving to a new country, learning the local language or at least some notions of it usually is one of the first concerns – right after having sorted out the important stuff actually essential to life, such as finding accommodation…
Simpel Award Website of the year 2020!Simple
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Simpel voted Website of the Year 2020

On 26 November, 2020, Simpel was voted the 'Website of the Year 2020' by the Dutch public, making it the overall winner of the 20th edition of this exciting election. The Website of the Year election* is the largest online public award…
primary school abacusroyalty free (re-use possible without attribution)
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Choosing a primary school in Haarlem

The process of picking the perfect primary school starts a long time before your child actually heads off for their first day. In the Netherlands, kids start school shortly after turning 4-years old and the application deadline will be 12 months…
helping handsroyalty free (reuse possible without attribution)
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Kids who give a helping hand to be honoured: call for nominations!

Haarlem’s very own children’s mayor, Quinten de Lange, is calling for nominations from the city’s residents to nominate Haarlemmers aged between 4 and 12 years for the chance to be rewarded for acts of kindness or dedication they have…
kids jumpingroyalty free (reuse possible without attribution)
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The Netherlands ranked best place to grow up by UNICEF report

According to a recent UNICEF report, Dutch kids come out top in a league table of well-being outcomes across 41 of the world’s richest countries. Though, there is always room for improvement. UNICEF’s Innocenti Report Card 16 – ‘Worlds…
STAD AMSTERDAM AT THE MARITIME MUSEUMTHE MARITIME MUSEUM AMSTERDAM
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Stad Amsterdam at the Maritime Museum

The clipper Stad Amsterdam will be moored at The National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam until the end of March 2021. The clipper Stad Amsterdam will arrive at The National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam at the beginning of September. After…
Schools start again in North HollandVeilig Verkeer Nederland
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Schools start again in North Holland

The primary schools will start again on Monday 17 August. This means that many children go to school by bicycle and on foot. Coinciding with the opening of primary schools after the summer break, the Veilig Verkeer Nederland (VVN) (National…
Dutch safari girafferoyalty free (author's own pic)
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Go on safari 1.5 hours’ drive away from Haarlem

If you opted for a 'staycation' and are looking for ideas of what to do, why not head to Tilburg for an educational outdoor adventure? Go on safari right here in the Netherlands, exploring nature, getting some fresh air and coming face-to-face…
eco friendlyroyalty free (reuse possible without attribution)
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Everyday eco ideas that put the planet first

Taking steps to save the planet can save you money and cost you little effort. You can go about your everyday life and start becoming more eco-focused from today. Going green is not so hard to do – you can change your life by simply making…
Rijksmuseum open 1 June
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Rijksmuseum opens on 1 June

The Rijksmuseum will re-open on 1 June. All visitors need to book a start time, including Friends of the Rijksmuseum or Museum Card holders. This way the visitor can enjoy the art again in a safe way. Daily opening hours Starting 1 June…
schools are openroyalty free (reuse possible without attribution)
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The Highs and Lows of Back to School

The gates are open again for many schools across the country and the school yards are slowly filling with laughter again. Homeschooling every day has come to an end and lots of our young children are returning to school. Sending your kids back…
Liberation
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Liberation Day 2020

Following directly on from Remembrance Day, 5 May is a national day of celebration known as Liberation Day, celebrating the end of Nazi Germany’s occupation during World War II.  Liberation Day is usually celebrated with festivals and events…
Remembrance
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Remembrance Day without an audience in Haarlem live on NH Nieuws

Remembrance Day on 4 May in Haarlem will be this year be held in an adapted form due to the corona crisis, without any members of the public in attendance. The special commemoration ceremony can be seen live at 16:30 on TV news channel NH Nieuws. Mayor…
kids gamesroyalty free (reuse without attribution)
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Creative activities for homebound toddlers

While there is no daycare during these weeks, we are spending a lot of time at home with our children. Keeping them entertained can be challenging at the best of times, especially when you have small kids. In case your inspiration is running…
Taalthuis How to learn Dutch online
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Learn Dutch in the time of corona

In these weird coronavirus-times we are going through, we all have to self-isolate in order to help ourselves and our community. Staying at home might be a good opportunity to brush up your Dutch. Nowadays, there is an increased demand for Dutch…
Van Gogh
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Vincent van Gogh painting stolen from Singer Laren museum

A Van Gogh masterpiece was stolen during a break-in at the Singer Laren museum, in Laren near Hilversum, said museum officials this Monday afternoon. The Singer Laren museum located to the east of Amsterdam had closed its doors earlier in March…
Singer Laren
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Burglary in Singer Laren museum

There was a break-in last night at the Dutch art museum Singer Laren, that is currently closed because of restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus. The police cannot say whether the burglars have stolen anything. It…
Corona business
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The coronavirus and your company: government measures to help businesses

This information is provided by Netherlands Chamber of Commerce, KVK | Government.nl | Netherlands Enterprise Agency, RVO. The coronavirus COVID-19, and the measures taken to restrict the spreading of the coronavirus in the Netherlands, have…
Corona
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Dutch museums closed until 1 June

From the Van Gogh Museum to the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, from Frans Hals and Teylers Museum in Haarlem and Kunstmuseum and Louwman Museum in the Hague: as a result of the stricter measures taken by the government on 23 March the major museums…
Earth Hourroyalty free (reuse without attribution)
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Earth Hour 2020: because every little helps, let’s spread the love!

Save the date! It’s happening on Saturday 28 March 2020 at 8:30 pm local time. For one hour, people all over the world will be switching the lights off in their houses, as a show of support for our beautiful, but tired planet. Will you be…
washing handsroyalty free (re-use without attribution)
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Update on new Dutch measures as prime minister addresses the nation

The Dutch prime minister has given a historic live address to the nation to explain the ongoing measures the government is taking. The first new regulations were issued last week in response to the continued rapid spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19),…
coronavirus
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Netherlands closes schools, bars, cafes and restaurants in coronavirus fight

All schools and daycare centres in the Netherlands will be shut from Monday 16 March until at least Monday 6 April in an effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus. In addition, bars, cafes, restaurants, sex clubs, cannabis cafes, saunas and…
kids book museumroyalty free (author's own photo, no credit required)
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A Day Trip to the Children’s Book Museum

The Children’s Book Museum, a museum dedicated to Dutch language children’s books, delights the young and old with beautiful design and creative exhibitions. What could be better that finding a weekend activity for your children that…
Daycare
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Choosing a daycare in Haarlem: 10 things to consider

It can be tough making that decision about which daycare centre to select for your little one. Here we provide some key tips and outline aspects to be taken into consideration, so you can be confident in your decision. Haarlem has a wide…
Van GoghJan-Kees Steenman
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Van Gogh Museum acquires a unique Degas pastel

In a first for the Netherlands, the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam has acquired a fully worked out pastel by French impressionist Edgar Degas, which will be on show from next Wednesday. The Van Gogh Museum has acquired an important pastel…
February Events
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Things to do in Haarlem this February

Winter may not yet be over, though we can see signs that the change of season is just around the corner. Spring bulbs are sprouting through the soil and daffodils are already for sale at the flower stalls, and we can definitely see the days…
GeluksrouteGeluksroute
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Geluksroute: the road to happiness

Information Geluksroute (Happiness Route) is a relaxed way of sharing happiness, which makes for inspiring meetings and wonderful discoveries. The invitation is simple: What makes you happy and would you like to share this? Come…