Archive for 'Uncategorized'
Dutch Elections: The Wiv Referendum Posted by Karoly Molina on Mar 15, 2018
This month, the Dutch will be going to the polls once again to vote. Dutch voters will have several choices to make, one of which is the referendum over de wet op de inlichtingen- en veiligheidsdiensten 2017 or the law of the intelligence and security services 2017. This law is also know as Wiv 2017, aftapwet and sleepwet…
Book Review: The Institute Posted by Karoly Molina on Feb 28, 2018
The novel Het instituut by Vincent Bijlo covered this month’s Dutch-literature fix, and it was an unexpected delight! About the writer Vincent Bijlo is, in summary, a jack of all trades! He is a stand-up comedian, a columnist, a musician and a writer! He studied Dutch language and literature at the University of Utrecht and quickly…
Dutch Skaters and the 2018 Winter Olympics Posted by Karoly Molina on Feb 21, 2018
The 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea have started and the Dutch have been on alert! The Netherlands sent 33 competitors to this year’s games and the results have been fabulous! As of today, the Netherlands has won 13 medals including 7 gold, 6 silver, and 4 bronze. All of these medals have…
Book Review: The Song and the Truth Posted by Karoly Molina on Jan 17, 2018
My latest Dutch literature read is Het lied en de waarheid or in it’s English title The Song and the Truth by Helga Ruebsamen. Helga grew up in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) with her Dutch mother and her German Jewish father. Her family eventually moved to the Netherlands where she grew up. Het lied en de waarheid…
Book Review: Summer House with Swimming Pool Posted by Karoly Molina on Jun 21, 2017
The latest Dutch novel I’ve read is Herman Koch’s Zomerhuis met Zwembad or Summer house with Swimming pool. This novel was published in 2011 and wasn’t received as well as Het Diner. Zomerhuis met Zwembad is told from the perspective of Dr. Marc Schlosser. Schlosser is huisarts or general practitioner that not only feels contempt…
Dutch Cyclists and Tom Dumoulin Posted by Karoly Molina on May 31, 2017
Anyone who has visited the Netherlands knows that the Dutch are the masters of cycling. Regardless of the weather, the Dutch can cycle, hold their umbrella, drink a smoothie and share this on Snapchat all at the same time. During this year’s Giro d’Italia, Tom Dumoulin proved just how good Dutch cyclists are. Tom Dumoulin…
Book Review: Dear Mr M Posted by Karoly Molina on Apr 28, 2017
I had previously recommended the novel Het Diner by Herman Koch and on this post, I would like to recommend Geachte Heer M by the same author. Geachte Heer M is a combination of stories. First, you are introduced to the story of Mr. M whom the narrator is observing and critically judging. Mr. M is a writer whose moment…