Archive for 'Culture'
The champion defeated! Posted by Sten on Jun 13, 2014
Hup Holland, Hup! Vijf tegen één! The phenomenal victory of the Dutch today over the voetbalwereldkampioen (soccer world champion) Spain. It is the first match that the Dutch elftal (“eleven” – the soccer team) played at the Soccer World Cup in Brazil. And it will not be the last one. For those that have no idea about voetbal, vijf-één is a…
An event even the Rolling Stones are attending – Pinkpop Posted by Sten on Jun 12, 2014
One of the biggest events of the country is held during the Pinksterweekend (Pentecost weekend) in Landgraaf, Limburg, every year since 1970. In fact, it is the longest running annual pop festival in the world! People from all over the world convene, to have a wonderful weekend of people, music and fun. Many different artists perform…
How the Dutch do Charity – Particularly once every Year Posted by Sten on Jun 6, 2014
Giving money to charity is nice. We all know that. Many people donate some amount regularly to a certain cause, but no challenge or strings attached to that. The Dutch got an idea how to tie a challenge to it and actually get people involved. You might have heard of Alpe d’Huez, an infamous French skiing…
Food With Alessia #2 – Pancakes! Posted by Sten on Jun 3, 2014
Here it is: The second video of Food with Alessia! This week, we will have pannenkoeken (pancakes) with a variety of toppings! De Pannenkoek The pancake is originally from Asia, but came to Europe already in the 12th century. The original did not have any eggs, but boekweitmeel (buckwheat), some milk, water and butter. It…
A bus on water – the Waterbus! Posted by Sten on May 30, 2014
In the Dutch west, to be exact in the surroundings of Rotterdam called the Rotterdam-Drechtsteden, the people have developed an interesting, peculiar way of transport. They call it the waterbus (water bus). It is, as its name suggests, a bus on the water. It is much like a regular ferry. The waterbus uses the OV-chipkaart, so you can…
Santé! or should I say: op uw gezondheid!? – Dutch Wines. Posted by Sten on May 28, 2014
Nederlandse wijn. Yes, you read that right, it is a thing. However, wijn in the Netherlands is very rare and scarce. That has not always been the case. Before the Middeleeuwen (Middle Ages), wine was very popular, and the Netherlands actually had a climate that allowed for wine production. Wine grapes were probably already planted during the reign of the Romans…
Eindexamen – Could you do it? Posted by Sten on May 14, 2014
The Dutch high school students are shivering and fearful these days. The next two to three weeks will be crucial for their future – heel belangrijk (very important).What they have done in the last three years and what they will do in these few weeks is going to decide what university they can go to, what job they…