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The IJsseloog – Made by Dutch Hands? Posted by Sten on Jun 18, 2015
A strange, round shape can be found right in the IJsselmeer. A deserted and lonely island? Did nature create that? Aliens? It is a bit weird. There are roads all around that hole, and even some buildings it seems. What is that weird round eye right in the Ketelmeer between the two parts of the Dutch…
Vlaggetjesdag in the Netherlands! Posted by Sten on Jun 17, 2015
Last Saturday was a special day for Holland: the first day of the haringseizoen (herring season)! In Scheveningen, a beach town close to The Hague (well, it is basically part of The Hague now), this day is celebrated on Vlaggetjesdag (Flags Day). Beside loads of haring, there are many fun things to do, both for young and old…
De minibieb! Posted by Sten on May 26, 2015
A new phenomenon appears more and more in the Netherlands: De minibieb! A minibieb is a mini library, to make up for normal libraries that close more and more. Libraries in the Netherlands are often owned by the local government, or municipality. Normally, people have a library pass they pay for, and then they can borrow…
Paasvuren – Easter Fires Posted by Sten on Apr 23, 2015
A very, very old tradition that ignites the east of the Netherlands and other parts of Europe, notably Germany, every Easter – paasvuren! Throughout the year, a small group collects snoeihout – branches, twigs, and other bits of wood – and creates a pile. When the night falls during Easter, the fire is set on fire. This fire is…
Is it time for Rokjesdag? Posted by Sten on Apr 10, 2015
It is April! Some of you might think of spring coming up (although April sometimes bodes for some strange weather), others might think of April Fools’ Day. And again others might think of Rokjesdag (Skirt Day). This April 10 is a beautiful day for Rokjesdag, it appears… Sunny, not too windy… but it is a Friday! Huh? What?…
The Dutch kind of Humanitarian Aid – Bikes for Refugees! Posted by Sten on Mar 30, 2015
What could be more Dutch to give than… fietsen? The Dutch Minister voor Ontwikkelingssamenwerking (Minister for Development Cooperation) Ploumen visited a refugee camp in Jordan, the Al Za’Atari camp, to be precise. Most of these are refugees from Syria, and the camp has been there for 3 years now. People start living there, rather than just searching refuge…
Dutch Afkortingen (Abbreviations)! Posted by Sten on Mar 25, 2015
Every language has many afkortingen (abbreviations) to make… well, everything shorter! But what means what? Below some valuable abbreviations of Dutch words and expressions! Alstublieft – a.u.b. (also s.v.p.) – please Afbeelding – afb. – picture Aanstaande – a.s. – upcoming Bijvoorbeeld – bijv. – for example Circa – ca. – approximately Door middel van – d.m.v. – by means of Dat wil zeggen – d.w.z. – … which means En andere –…