A new exhibition at the Utrecht Centraal Museum explores themes of gender, misogyny and sexuality in the work of Dutch artist Jaap Moesman and puts a spotlight on the contribution of female surrealists. From mystifying, mirage-like landscapes to bondage and necrophiliac mice – a host of subliminal fantasies and fears come together in one extraordinary art exhibition, ‘The Tears of Eros: Moesman, Surrealism and the Sexes’, which opened on Saturday 15th February at Utrecht Centraal Museum. Spanning four huge rooms,... More >

It might sound outlandish, but Pastafarianism has become a worldwide phenomenon. Filmmaker Mike Arthur spent three years studying the unusual religion for I, Pastafari: A Flying Spaghetti Monster Story while living in the Netherlands. This weekend, the documentary will have its European debut at the 2020 DocFeed Film Festival in Eindhoven. They worship a flying monster made of spaghetti, often wear colanders on their heads, and believe that climate change is being caused by the planet’s dwindling pirate population. Pastafarians... More >

From Groningen to Maastricht, it’s now easy to find a reliable cleaner online with the global platform Helpling. We find out more about the service and what launching in the Netherlands has revealed about the Dutch attitude to cleaning. ‘There are many nicer things to do than spend your time cleaning,’ says Michelle van Os, Managing Director of Helpling, an online marketplace which has been connecting clients in the Netherlands with reputable cleaners for six years now. The user-friendly platform... More >

Amanda van Mulligen is British born but calls the Netherlands home. On Turning Dutch, she writes about all aspects of life in the Netherlands on Turning Dutch. My son would like a meester, a male teacher. However, they are in short supply. And it’s not just in the Netherlands that this is an issue. Hoping for a meester My then eight-year-old’s teacher retired earlier in the year. He was disappointed with the news and I asked him if he already... More >

There is something for everyone in February’s round-up of great things to do – from high art to pop culture – with a sprinkling of events to keep the kids busy as well. Move your art You will have to get a move on at this year’s Art Rotterdam. It is cramming an awful lot of activity in a few short days, with a long list of national and international galleries showing up and coming young artists, and lectures and... More >

As more companies make Rotterdam their centre of operations, the demand for a first-class international education in English is increasing in the city. World-renowned education provider Nord Anglia hopes to meet that need with its new Rotterdam school, the first of its kind in the Netherlands. With 64,000 students across the globe, Nord Anglia is the largest network of international schools in the world. Now expats and Dutch nationals in the Netherlands can experience Nord Anglia’s exceptional, world-class education at... More >

We all know the Dutch like to be insured for every eventuality, but some sorts of insurance really are necessary. Take life insurance, for example. The key motive in many a murder mystery tv show, life insurance only pays out in the event of the death of the insured person within a certain time frame – often 30 years. The main purpose  is to prevent a partner or children from getting into financial problems. There are multiple situations in which... More >

When I landed in the Netherlands 10 years ago, it was a surprisingly soft landing. Pregnant and disorientated, I was very grateful for the comfortable beds and cosy, white bedding in a swish block of serviced apartments. A decade later, this building in Amsterdam Zuid still feels perfectly cool, modern and inviting and Corporate Housing Factory is now a locally-managed company with more than 200 serviced apartments in seven locations. From the new and super-sustainable Hoge Duin in The Hague – just open... More >

Divorce and partner alimony are two topics that often come up at the same time. When you divorce, the consideration must be made whether one of the partners is entitled to maintenance. This contribution is known as partner alimony (or partner maintenance). Partner alimony is determined by several factors: the need of the maintenance creditor (the person who needs partner alimony), the amount required to meet the maintenance creditor’s needs, and the capacity of the person liable for maintenance (the... More >

If you feel that your social life or career need a boost, that you need to take more exercise or that you would simply like to give something back to the community – why not pick up some inspiration at the Feel at Home Fair in The Hague this February? The Feel at Home International Community Fair is a celebration of the uniquely connected and cosmopolitan community of The Hague, providing a warm welcome to newcomers and a friendly meeting... More >

Is your New Year’s resolution to improve your Dutch? Albert Both of Talencoach, AKA Mr Dutch Brainwash, believes you can do it in just seven days. We find out more about an original method which is getting brilliant results. Albert Both never stops smiling and is the antithesis of the strict Dutch teacher. And Talencoach’s premises, to the rear of a monumental building on Amsterdam’s Keizersgracht, is not your typical classroom. On one side, there’s a heap of cuddly toys... More >

With more and more tourists visiting Amsterdam, why not combine your visit to the Dutch capital with some time spend exploring the countryside? Website ThingstodoinAmsterdam.com has lots of suggestions for day trips. One of the best things about Amsterdam, and the Netherlands in general, is its size, which makes it easy to get around. That, combined with great public transport and cycling routes, means day trips from Amsterdam are relaxed and easy. Even The Hague is less than an hour... More >

Feeling the pinch after the holiday break, or are you enjoying your year-end bonus? Here is a round up of the main tax changes for 2020 and how they will affect your finances. 1 Fewer tax brackets From this year, the tax office will only work with two tax brackets (it was four). Earnings up to €68,507 will be taxed at 37.35% while earnings over that limit will be taxed at 49.5%. As both rates have come down, a lot... More >

Mortgage interest rates are still at a record low, so if you have not yet taken the plunge and bought a home in the Netherlands, here are some suggestions of where to go, courtesy of Expat Mortgages. Why Leiden might be the best location for buying a new home Leiden’s sense of community is on full display every October, with a day off for feasting on fish and local stamppot, beer, and partying. This neighbourly spirit, as well as charming... More >

So, if you are nursing a New Year hangover, recovering from an icy dip in the sea or just taking it easy, here is a recap of the best read features on DutchNews.nl in 2019. Rain in the Netherlands has a texture it does not have back home What do you do if you are the Netherlands as a trailing husband while your wife works in a high powered job? Visiting columnist Joe Weeg wrote a personal piece about how... More >

From New Year traditions to trunks, fortresses and tropical rain forests – there is a lot going on to keep you busy this January. Bring in the New Year with a dip It’s mad, it’s cold, and best viewed from the sofa in your toasty living room but if you’re brave you too can be part of the great Dutch tradition that is the Nieuwjaarsduik. Submit your bloated Christmas body to the cleansing effect of an icy cold North Sea... More >

Looking to get divorced, solve problems at work, divide an inheritance, appoint a guardian for your child or deal with defects in your house? Here’s a round-up of what you need to know, courtesy of law firm GMW. Who will take care of your child when you’re gone? Historically, if you wanted to designate a guardian for your child in case something should happen to you, it had to be done by will. Today, a new option is available which... More >

You’ve only got four days to decide whether or not to change health insurer this year, before the switching window closes at the end of December. You may ask yourself: but why should I change my current insurance plan? The answer is simple: you may end up saving a large sum of money. Premiums may only have gone up marginally this year, but there is still a massive €492 gap between the most expensive and the cheapest policy. Find out... More >