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Contents Where an find the olland imes?

The Holland Times is widely distributed for free, in the regions of Amsterdam, Amstelveen, Hoofddorp, Schiphol, Leiden, Delft, Den Haag, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Eindhoven, Maastricht, Wassenaar and Enschede. ou can find The olland Ti es at embassies and consulates, international organizations, internationally oriented companies, hospitals, medical clinics, sports clubs, international schools, housing companies, financial services and ban s expatriate centers, restaurants, libraries indergartens language schools, social clubs, movie houses and expat-oriented stores, as well as Kellys Expat Shopping in Amsterdam, The Hague, Wassenaar and Utrecht. ould you li e to receive The Holland Times in your organization or become one of our distribution points?

Please contact c.spraa an argo

edia.nl

5

Dutch farmers’ protests and the growing shortage of fresh produce in super

ar ets

Housing associations agree to build twice as many homes and lower the rent 7

It’s no longer re uired but exible wor ing re

ains popular

Next wave scare: Should the Netherlands be worried about rising number of Covid cases?

9

New laws in force per 1 July

11 KLM pays off debt to the government Changes in the National Police Unit 13 Tips

tric s or a healthy financial education

15 Columns 17 Spotlight on a contributor 19 Wings of Animals 21 Art & Culture 24 Sport & health special 25 Nice spots 27 Tips 31 Sport: The sporting expat

COLOPHON All Rights reserved by the publisher and/ or the author(s). ©2003 The Amsterdam Times

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No rights may therefore be derived from material published.

Contributors Benjamin B.Roberts, Lorre Luther, Marla Thomson, Priyanka Sharma, John Mahnen, Nanda Jagusiak, James Turrell, Molly Fitz, Parul Sachdeva, Raphael Vieira, Femke van Iperen & Eef van Opdorp (GoStudent) Editor Roselaar Tekstadvies Visit our website for news updates: www.hollandtimes.nl For all editorial information and suggestions, please contact us at: c.spraakman@argomedia.nl Advertising and Inquiries Bert Versteeg 020-506 39 26 06-33 74 34 63 bert@hollandtimes.nl

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DECORATION UPHOLSTERY

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AUGUST 2022 | 5

NATIONAL

Dutch farmers’ protests and the growing shortage of fresh produce in supermarkets Whereas most people go on vacation in the summer, for farmers it is the busiest time of the year. Hay needs to be baled, calves and heifers need to be fed, and cows need to be put out to pasture and milked twice a day. During the months of July and August, farmers in the Netherlands literally work from dawn to dusk. Now, besides it being the busiest time of the year, farmers have drawn the public’s attention to other important development.

As they are not usually known as social media influencers and Instagram-savvy folk, farmers have literally taken to the streets blocking major highways, instigating traffic jams, camping with their tractors on Dam Square in Amsterdam, and stalking the homes of leading politicians such as Christianne van der Wal, the minister of Nature and Nitrogen.

If that did not get the public’s attention, farmers started obstructing the entrance to food distribution centers, causing major shortages of fresh vegetables and dairy products in supermarkets throughout the Netherlands.

Nitrogen: a big problem What are farmers - usually considered the backbone of society - so upset about? It’s all about the Dutch government’s plan to radically reduce nitrogen emissions by 2030. The greatest polluter of nitrogen on farms is animal excrement (cow, pig, and chicken manure). Animal dung is high in nitrogen and is released either into the air or into the soil, and eventually into

the ground water. Of course, nitrogen is a natural substance, but too much is detrimental for many natural fauna and flora, including butterflies, whose populations are slowly disappearing in the Netherlands. To reduce the amount of nitrogen, as stipulated in the Natura 2000 plan, a drastic downsize of cattle herds and even government buy-out of some farmers is necessary. With more than 20,000 farmers in the Netherlands today, a far-reaching reduction of herd sizes and in some cases the removal of some farms altogether will have grave consequences on rural communities throughout the country.

Although many farmers understand the government’s policies and the need to save the environment, the killer sting for farmers is that, until now, agriculture is the only sector of the economy that has been singled out, while major nitrogen polluters - including the industrial sector and traffic - have been left alone. Nevertheless, farreaching plans are in the pipeline and will be revealed in the next six months.

Natura 2000 plan In the ambitious Natura 2000 plan, an EU plan which aims to preserve natural reserves throughout Europe, the government’s measures entail making three quarters of all the natural reserves in the Netherlands nitrogen-free, or at least being significantly less affected by excess nitrogen emissions. To achieve this

goal, the Netherlands will have to reduce its current nitrogen emissions by at least 50%. With the aid of a 25-billion-euro fund, the national government has allocated the responsibly of making the reductions to the individual provinces, who can tailormake their own resolutions.

However, many farmers feel as if the government is robbing them of their livelihood and believe policymakers in The Hague do not appreciate the agricultural sector in general, even though in the last few years the sector has already made great sacrifices and huge investments to improving livestock stables and reduce emissions. Moreover, farmers believe they are getting the short end of the stick, as

there is also a significant price discrepancy between how much a farmer gets paid for their products, such as a liter of milk (€0.46) versus the price the supermarket charges the consumer (€1.26).

Most importantly, farmers argue that the government does not understand that becoming a farmer is not like becoming an accountant or any other occupation.

Nobody just studies agriculture and then instantly become a farmer. Most farmers are born into farm families, and the farm is passed down from one generation to the next. It’s just not an occupation, it’s a family tradition. It’s a way of life.

Written by Benjamin B. Roberts

Housing associations agree to build twice as many homes and lower the rent As of 1 January 2023, social housing associations will no longer be required to pay a tax on rental income, as a result of an agreement reached between the Dutch government, renters’ advocates, housing associations and municipalities throughout the nation. The accord frees associations from paying taxes totaling approximately €1.7 billion, money which will now be available for investments designed to build more affordable housing, make improvements to current rental properties and implement rental reductions for lowincome households.

The agreement was signed on June 28 at the Ministry of Internal Affairs in The Hague.

Aedes, an organization representing Dutch social housing associations, Woonbond, an renters’ advocacy group, and VNG, the Association of Dutch Municipalities, were all parties to the accord. Approximately €120 billion will be available to support decreases in rent, home improvements and sustainability between 2022 and 2031.

As part of the agreement, social housing associations have agreed to build twice as many homes for the social rental sector, ramping up their construction from current levels of 15,000 homes per year to 30,000 by 2030. In addition, the housing associations have agreed to build 50,000 new homes for middle-income renters those paying between €800 and €1000 per month - by 2024.

Rent for those making less than 120% of the social minimum will decrease by €550

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per year or approximately €57 per month, a move expected to benefit approximately 500,000 low-income households. This rental reduction comes in lieu of a planned rent freeze set to go into effect in 2024.

The agreement also calls for housing associations to spend more than €1.5 billion on long-term housing stock improvements, including the implementation of mold and moisture reduction and remediation plans.

In addition, at least 450,000 existing apartments and homes must stop using gas by 2030. These improvements will be coupled with a rental freeze for the renovated homes, which will ultimately put more money in the renters’ pocketbooks by allowing them to benefit from a rental freeze as well as energy savings.

Under the terms of the accord, housing associations must also spend at least €200 million per year on general housing stock improvements and €75 million to increase the livability of neighbourhoods in which the homes they own are located.

The agreement is designed to at least partially address the current housing crisis, according to research conducted by ABF Research in conjunction with Capitol Value, a housing consulting firm. The report released in February of this year provided a shocking snapshot of the depth of the current housing crisis: the Netherlands has 276,000 too few homes to house its current population, and this number is projected to rise to 316,000 by 2024

The elderly and individuals just starting in the housing market face the greatest difficulties when it comes to finding a place to live. Among those under the age of 30, at least 244,000 households, or approximately one in four individuals in that age group, are either living in a home that is too small for their needs, too expensive or in a location far away from work. Many also live with their parents, but would like to move out.

The crisis is most acute in the Randstad, particularly in areas close to Amsterdam, and is driven by a combination of recordhigh housing prices, steady population growth and slow to nonexistent expansion of the current housing stock through new

construction. Other areas facing acute housing shortages include Delft and the neighbouring municipality of Westland, and the province of Flevoland.

While the agreement is welcome, its impact won’t be felt immediately and may well be limited. The construction sector won’t be capable of building the 100,000 homes a year required to actively address the crisis until 2026 at the earliest. And while the accord will ease housing pressure in the social sector, it’s not designed to directly address the high price of homes rented or sold on the open market.

Written by Lorre Luther

13-07-2022 17:18

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AUGUST 2022 | 7

NATIONAL

t s no lon er re uired ut e i le working remains popular

One in three employees are continuing to work from home for at least half of their working time, even though the earlier antiCovid advice to work from home ended a while ago. This was one of the findings of a nationwide employer survey by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (IenW), which was published on 27 June.

It was conducted among more than 1000 organisations and companies with more than 100 employees.

According to the ministry, which called the results “great news”, the survey has revealed that organisations are “very positive about hybrid working”. It also showed that more than 2 in 3 organisations have some type of home-working arrangement set in place for their employees. Many of them have said to have improved their facilities and arrangements with regard to hybrid working with, for example, more options for online meetings.

No one likes a traffic jam The aim of this third annual employer survey was to gain insight into the kind of actions that employers around the country are taking to promote and facilitate sustainable travel behaviour among their employees, such as more cycling or working-fromhome options. “Fortunately, we are again able to meet often and more easily in real life. At the same time, no one likes to be stuck in traffic. By working partly in the office and partly at home, we can reduce the peak load,” said Mark Harbers, Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management.

“The incentive from employers to travel less or differently helps to reduce the amount of traffic jams,” he added.

Echoing the sentiment, State Secretary Vivianne Heijnen said: “Stimulating more sustainable alternatives to commuting helps to improve our air quality. Cycling, electric cars or flexible working are all options for reducing emissions and working together to create cleaner air.” The survey further illustrated that for many Dutch organisations sustainability is a key value, and that, although this may not always result in an active policy, four in ten employers have started working on sustainable travel for their employees.

Ripple effect More and more experts across the globe are looking at the wide range of advantages of hybrid working models for companies and their employees. The Cisco Global Hybrid Work Study 2022 for example, which was conducted among 28,000 full-time employees across 27 markets, revealed that for most partakers – reflecting a variety of generations, genders and seniorities − work performance had improved. It also indicated improvements in well-being, work-life balance, relationships and even personal confidence.

When it came to the positive outcomes of remote working, Dutch workers scored relatively high compared to the rest of the world in the Cisco study. For example, a high number indicated it had helped lower their stress levels due to having more time to spend on personal relationships with family and friends (22.3% compared to 24% globally), and that it resulted in a more relaxing and lower-pressure work environment (27.8% compared to 28.8% globally). The Netherlands also scored high

when it came to how remote working had improved their physical fitness and even eating habits.

No way back Although the survey of the Cisco, an American-based technology corporation, also revealed that more needs to be done “to embed hybrid work arrangements and reimagine the employee experience”, it did show that hybrid work is now considered the most-preferred working arrangement globally, and that employees have become well adjusted to it in recent years. According to Cisco, there is no going back to “the old way”, as we move forward to a new hybrid work era.

Similar to the IenW Ministry, experts such as Dutch management publication Management Impact view hybrid working as having a positive impact of on the nationwide issue of traffic jams. According to Management Impact, there are also a range of working environments outside the office sphere that can benefit from hybrid working, such as public events that can be streamed for an online audience, while a small group can follow the programme live.

Plus, while most students can attend classes at school, quarantined students can benefit from homeschooling, and some medical and other consultations can stand to gain from video calling.

Written by Femke van Iperen

Should the Netherlands be worried about rising number of Covid cases?

The number of positive Covid cases in the Netherlands hit a three-month high last week, following a hike in positive cases reported (+29%) and spikes in hospital and ICU admissions (+7 and 10% respectively), raising concerns of another wave just when the country is returning to some level of normalcy. The municipal health services (GGDs) continue to test people to monitor the coronavirus. To supplement the effort, sewage research is also one of the endeavors undertaken by the government.

Sewage water surveillance One of the effective ways to monitor coronavirus spread is to measure the number of virus particles in the sewage. .

The possibility of sewage surveillance turned into reality by a partnership between RIVM and the 21 regional water boards, as mandated by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. These types of surveillance can procure information at the local, regional and national levels about various ailments and dangerous substances present. Although this initiative started on a small scale during the first outbreak, now samples are being collected and studied at more than 300 sewage treatment plants throughout the country. The surveillance aims to enable early detection in case of a localized outbreak. This would not only aid in managing the outbreak, but also make it possible to detect and recognize new variants. An increase has been discovered in the sewage water surveillance in recent weeks.

An overview of the situation The spread of the virus can also be traced by the number of positive cases detected in tests carried out by the GGDs. Since 11 April, GGD tests are recommended only for vulnerable groups and elderly people, meaning that most infected people no longer appear in the RIVM charts. This makes it difficult to keep a real count of infected people.

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However, even in the small number of official tests still carried out, it has been noticed that the cases are surely on the rise. It is not a local outbreak either: the increase can be seen throughout the country and all age groups. In the past week, over 30,000 cases were reported, compared to the previous week’s 26,462 cases. All these numbers are certainly showing that the virus continues its presence in the Netherlands.

infected during autumn, but the government is considering measures to limit this risk. The Minister also added that sectors like education, retail and the travel industry should be proactive in introducing measures such as one-way systems, social distancing and screens to reduce infection.

Many large companies have come forward and made a public appeal to start following the basic Covid rules again, fearing that a new wave is imminent.

No reason to panic As per health experts, the rising number of Covid cases should not be a cause for panic, as no new, serious variant has been found – although there is a new subvariant of Omikron, but it does not make people more ill than the previous variant. Moreover, the rise so far is limited to a few municipalities. Health Minister Ernst Kuipers highlighted that there is still a real risk of millions of people becoming

These measures include: • Avoid crowded places • Avoid touching your face and other surfaces • Cough and sneeze into your elbow • Wash your hands often • Work from home if you have symptoms • Avoid handshakes • Keep a safe distance from other people • Wear a face mask while travelling on public transport Complete vaccination including booster shots is necessary Prominent studies advocate that the antibody level wanes after six months of the primary vaccination with both doses, and that taking booster shots increases immunity. We must remember that Covid is not over yet and that complete vaccination is the best protection. The government is considering a new round of booster shots for vulnerable groups in the autumn.

Yet, we should not rely on the government for everything; we all owe a responsibility to slow the spread of Covid in the Netherlands. After all, “little things make a big difference.”

We should come together and follow the basis rules to reduce the spread of the virus.

Written by Parul Sachdeva

13-07-2022 17:19

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We are there to support children who experience psychological issues such as anxiety, depression, stress due to major life events, low confidence and self-esteem, problems with attention, behaviour or emotion regulation. If these problems do not disappear by themselves and last too long, they may have an impact on different areas in the child’s life, such as family, friends and school. Therapy or counselling can help to find a way forward. We work together with children and parent(s)/families towards a healthier and better personal wellbeing.

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We invited Ligia Koijen Ramos to talk to us about NLP. Ligia is the only Master Trainer in Amsterdam who was directly trained by John Grinder, a co-founder of NLP. What is NLP and why study it?

LKR: NLP, an acronym for Neuro-linguistic Programming, is a discipline that focuses on the practice of change and efficiency of the human operating system.

This may seem very abstract, but NLP is one of the most practical and focused disciplines I have ever studied.

NLP explores how humans receive, organise and use information from outside and how this impacts our systems (body and mind). Many references to NLP are still too focused on the mind and linguistic processes, while NLP has developed a lot since its first iteration in the 1970s by its three founders.

Today, with the continuing work of John Grinder and Carmen Bostic S. Claire, NLP has gained a whole new portfolio of exercises and practices

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that make transformational processes even faster and more effective.

because it gives us all the necessary tools to make our communication effective and efficient.

One of the questions I am often asked is: who can learn NLP? All people, of all ages, who want to be able to think, create and use their emotions more effectively can learn NLP. One of the things I hear most often after an NLP course is “why didn’t we learn this in primary school?”

Indeed, with NLP, many of the problems we have experienced from that age onwards would never have become problems.

Over the years, it has been shown that NLP works and enables change that often seems so difficult and even impossible.

“Because the problem is never the real problem.

The real problem is the emotional state we approach the problem in.” John Grinder.

NLP is also one of the most comprehensive tools for therapists, coaches, psychologists and all others who work with change or transformational processes.

Increasingly, our international certification groups have been filled by top managers and leaders. NLP not only shows us how we work ourselves, but also helps us to work with others,

In which situations can we use NLP? It can be used in all situations, because we are all already using processes, behavioural patterns, thought patterns and physical processes. In other words, we are all already using NLP – but the question is, are we using it in the way that most enhances what we want for ourselves and our teams?

NLP can also be used as a therapeutic process, in the sense of assisting and partnering with other disciplines to treat clinical and psychological cases.

When and where can we study NLP? Our next course is in October 2022 in Amsterdam.

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12-07-2022 15:34

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AUGUST 2022 | 9

NATIONAL

New laws in force per 1 July New log book guidance for real estate Real estate agents must now use automatic bid log books when selling homes, in a move the government argues will make the house buying process more transparent. This new system will automatically generate details about all bids, such as the date, the amount, conditions (subject to financing etc.) and the rules of the bidding process itself. If prospective buyers have any questions about the bidding process, they can now request an anonymized version of the log book to verify it.

Tobacco shops face anti-smoking restrictions Seen as a further attempt to discourage smoking, the government has implemented new legislation for the presentation and advertising of specialty tobacconists, aiming to replicate the restrictions found in supermarkets and other stores. While these shops can advertise products within the premises, these adverts may not be seen from the street through windows or even an open door. The shop branding may not be ‘conspicuous’ and cannot contain things like neon lights. They need to be boring, basically.

A raft of new laws was introduced by the Dutch government on 1 July, including several measures to deal with the rapidly increasing cost of living crisis engulfing the Netherlands, new business regulations and the very important issue of bread labels. Here is a selection of laws that Mark Rutte’s cabinet has instituted: Minimum wage increase There will be a modest increase in the minimum wage, one of multiple measures to combat rising inflation. Previously, people over the age of 21 working 36 hours a week earned the equivalent of €11.06 per hour. This will now increase by 20 cents to €11.26. As benefits are tied to earnings, those will also see an increase. Youth wages are set to be reviewed, although no concrete details have been released.

Child benefit boosted by €20 Another welcome but small increase: the universal child benefit will rise by an extra €20 per quarter. The benefit varies depending on the child’s age; for example, the payment for children up to 5 years old will change from €230 to €249. However, as this benefit is paid quarterly, parents will not see this increase until October.

Reduction in VAT on energy bills From the beginning of 2021 to the first three months of 2022, energy bills in the Netherlands have increased by an average of 20% according to findings

by ABN AMRO. This has been a trend across Europe and North America. In the spring, the government announced that VAT on energy bills will be reduced from 21% to 9%, potentially saving households hundreds of euros. This reduction will be in place until the end of the year at least.

Rent increases The rent paid by people living in social housing will now be increased by a maximum 2.3%. Every July, private landlords are allowed to increase their

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rates, this year by up to 3.3%. For those in social housing, payments had been frozen due to the effects of the pandemic.

This measure is now expired, so that tenants may see their rents rise by €100, depending on their household income.

Pension payments rise For the first time in over a decade, workers in certain sectors will see an increase in their pension payments. The ABP civil servants fund, the largest pension fund in the Netherlands, offers a rise of 2.8%, while those receiving pensions from the Metal Fund PME will see a rise of 1.3%.

Small businesses get their money quicker Small businesses and entrepreneurs (SME) can now expect to receive payment for services and goods from large companies within 30 days of invoice. Previously, statutory rules stated payments had to be made within 60 days, but SMEs complained that large companies were regularly going over that deadline, causing financial issues for smaller companies. The government has also set up a hotline, where SMEs can report failed payments anonymously to the Reporting Center Overdue Payments of the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets. This hotline will remain active until January 2023.

Influencers face more advertising restrictions Previously exempt from the Media Act, which regulates commercial and political advertising, vloggers and social media influencers with more than 500,000 followers will now have to follow the provisions as set out in the law. There are various new restrictions TikTokers and Instagrammers will need to follow and the move is seen largely as a way of protecting younger viewers. Influencers will no longer be able to extensively promote toys in sponsored videos targeted explicitly at

children, including the highly popular YouTube genre of ‘unboxing’ videos.

There is an outright ban on the promotion of medical products. Videos concerning news and political information are no longer allowed to be sponsored by external sources.

Tracking your tractor Introduced on 1 January, some types of tractors and other agricultural vehicles driven on public roads must have a registration number. Much like with the prohibition of scooters on certain bike paths in Amsterdam, the government allowed a leniency period during which no fines were issued. This period ended on 1 July and drivers without valid registration can expect a fine of up to €380. These impositions come amid the increasing tension between farmers and the state, following the government’s plans to reduce nitrogen emissions by 70% in many areas.

Compulsory smoke detectors It is now mandatory for every residential building to have a smoke detector installed on each floor, with the government recommending detectors that last at least 10 years. This law has been in place for newly-built homes since 2003 and this policy now brings homes built before that date in line with existing regulations.

No more ‘Sorry I Missed You’ notes Say goodbye to that sinking feeling as you open your door to find not the parcel you’ve been desperately waiting for, but a little scrap of PostNL paper explaining where you can pick your delivery. Well, no more, because PostNL is going paperless and these messages will now be sent directly via email. The company claims this will save approximately 70,000kg of paper each year. You must set up an account with PostNL, so make sure you do so if you want to keep track of your parcels.

Improved car safety features According to an EU-wide law that came into force on 6 July, all newly-built cars must be equipped with a series of new safety hardware. These include Intelligent Speed Assistant and Event Data Recorder, as well as upgrades to existing components such as seatbelts, parking sensors and emergency brake systems.

Free books!

It may come as a surprise that libraries are not free in the Netherlands (for example, an adult membership for Amsterdam Central Library is €37.50), and libraries were allowed to charge up to half the adult price for children as well. While many libraries allowed children to use their services for free, it is now law for libraries to offer free membership for under-18s.

Get reading, kids!

Is it white, brown or wholegrain?

Ever stood in the bakery section of a supermarket utterly confused at what the hell this type of bread is? As of this July the government has placed stricter restrictions on the names of breads, in order to stop the use of ‘misleading’ names. The new Flour and Bread Commodities Act forces companies to have labels stating clearly what grain was used to make each particular loaf. Good news for easily-tricked wholegrain lovers everywhere.

Written by James Turrell

13-07-2022 10:53

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Toenemende populariteit van Increasing popularity injectebles of injectables

De populariteit van injectables is enorm The popularity of in ectables has gestegen de afgelopen jaren met als increased recent years, gevolg datenormously prijsvechtersinhun intrede in and as a result many low-cost clinics de cosmetische markt hebben gedaan. have market.

In In veelentered gevallenthe ligtcosmetic de focus op het laag houden van dethe kosten, many cases, focuswaarbij is on kwaliteit keeping en veiligheid vaak to worden vergeten. costs low, leading a reduction of The Body Clinic doet dit anders. Naast uality and safety. The Body linic is hun extreme ambitie om cliënten met different.

In addition to its ambition to mooie natuurlijke resultaten naar huis

te sturen wordt er veel geïnvesteerd provide clients with beautiful naturalom eventuele complicaties te looking treatments, a lot in minimaliseren.

Deit invests hedendaagse minimizing biedt possible complications. technologie veel opties, zij maken hier gebruik van.

Todaygraag s technology offCosmetisch ers many arts KNMG Nicoline Nijman doctor vertelt options to do so. osmetic over de veiligheid van Botox en Nicoline Nijman, member of the fillers Royal en ook hoe innovaties en een team Dutch Medical Federation ( NMG) on van ervaren artsen complicaties tot the safety of boto and llers: The een minimum kunnen beperken.

Body linic is a cosmetic clinic that has been around for more than “The Body is een kliniek die al ruim 15 ago jaar 15 years - a Clinic long time in ancosmetisch industry that only started 20 years bestaat, dit is lang in een industrie die pas 20 jaar geleden in in the Netherlands. I can say with certainty that our e perience has Nederland begon.

Ik kan dan ook met zekerheid zeggen dat onze led to outstanding e pertise in the eld of in ectables. The cosmetic ervaring heeft geleid tot uitmuntende expertise op het gebied sector has certainly gone through changes in recent years.

Therevan is injectables.

Wel heeft de cosmetische sector zeker veranderingen high demand, but there are also many unrealistic re uests, heavily doorgemaakt is veelRising vraag,demand maar ercoupled zijn ook in uenced by de theafgelopen advent ofjaren. socialEr media. veel onrealistische verzoeken die sterk worden beïnvloed door with incompetent doctors leads to a disproportionate increase in de komst van This social De stijgende vraag in combinatie met complication. is media. worrying. onbekwame artsen zorgt ervoor dat je complicaties onevenredig ziet meegroeien, dit is zorgwekkend,” aldus Nicoline Nijman.

How safety is paramount at The Body Clinic The Body linic works with e perienced doctors who are Hoe wordt veiligheid bij The Body Clinic gewaarborgd? members of the professional association N G. ur team The Body Clinic werkt metand zeerfurther ervarentraining artsen die follows training courses to zijn stayaangesloten constantly bij de beroepsvereniging NVCG. Ons team volgt trainingen en up to date about all developments in the cosmetic industry. bijscholingen om constant to date at te The blijven omtrent alle Avoiding complications is soup important Body linic that ontwikkelingen in de cosmetische industrie.

Een mogelijke we are always looking for ways to minimize risks. Nicoline complicatie proberen te voorkomen is bijproducts The Body Ni man e plains: In addition to A-brand andClinic the dusdanig belangrijk dat wij altijd opzoek zijn naar manieren best trained doctors, sometimes it is the client’s own body that om risico’s te kunnen minimaliseren.

ArtsWe Nicoline Nijman vertelt: gives an adverse reaction to a ller. therefore offer the “Naast A-merk producten en de best getrainde artsen is het soms Bsure DNA test to detect whether you have an increased risk of het lichaam van de cliënt die extreem reageert op fillers. Wij complications after a llerzelf treatment . bieden daarom de Bsure DNA-test aan om te kunnen detecteren of je een vergrote kansfor hebt complicaties na een filler behandeling”.

Are you looking a op safe injectables treatment?

Meet The Body Clinic: Ben jij opzoek naar een veilige injectables behandeling?

• 7 locations in the Netherlands Maak kennis met The Body Clinic: • Free consultation with a doctor 7 locaties in Nederland •• Free check and touch up if needed Gratis artsed doctor from consultation •• Seen andconsult treatedmet by aeenuali • toGratis controle en touch up indien nodig check-up Van consult tot en met controle gezien en behandeld door •• The best A-brand products een arts • Team of e perienced cosmetic doctors • De beste A-merk producten • Possibility of DNA test to detect ller allergy • Team van ervaren cosmetisch artsen • Available 24/7 for aftercare • Mogelijkheid tot DNA-test om filler allergie te detecteren • 24/7 bereikbaar voor nazorg

www.bodyclinic.nl | info@bodyclinic.nl | 020-4638668 The Holland times.indd 1

08-07-2022 14:24

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13-07-2022 18:31

AUGUST 2022 | 11

NATIONAL

KLM pays off debt to the government In early 2020, everyone around the world, willingly or unwillingly, went into isolation, quarantining themselves in their homes, states and countries. Travel plans, whether business or leisure, were cancelled for the foreseeable future and the industry affected the most by it was aviation. The longer the planes stayed on the ground, the harder it became for the airlines to sustain themselves.

• KLM will reduce the number of night flights from 32,000 to 25,000.

• KLM will reduce CO2 emissions by 50% per passenger kilometre by 2030.

• From 2030, 14% of KLM’s fuel will be sustainable.

• Wages for higher-paid KLM staff will be reduced by 5 to 20%; the strongest shoulders will bear the heaviest burden.

Some companies though, were luckier than the others – one of them being the Dutch airlines, KLM. Like many other airlines, KLM came pretty close to bankruptcy. Thankfully, it was able to borrow a total of 942 million euros from the Dutch state and a group of banks. The airline has remarkably managed to pay off its debts in record time. In May and early June this year, KLM paid off 311 million and 354 million euros to lending banks, and by the end of June, the 277 million euros borrowed from the Dutch state were transferred to The Hague as well.

KLM was initially promised a financial support package of 3.4 billion euros, which would stay in effect until 2025. And even though the company has managed to pay back its Covid loan relatively quickly and claims to have enough financial means for the coming years, due to the ongoing international conflicts, rising costs, continuing pandemic and high inflation, the airline does not want to cancel the aid package. This means it will have to continue to meet the state’s conditions.

However, the company already managed to upset Minister of Finance Sigrid Kaag this spring, by raising wages by 5 percent.

Money with strings attached Although the government helped KLM willingly and even acted as a guarantor for 90% of the loans from banks, the money did come with strings attached.

In exchange for the financial support, the Dutch government imposed certain conditions: • As long as KLM receives financial support, no bonuses and dividends will be paid.

• KLM maintains the quality of the network from Schiphol.

Why is KLM so important?

It’s common knowledge that KLM enjoys certain privileges and liberties extended to it by the Dutch government. To any outsider, it might seem unreasonable or even a bad investment to keep pumping money into a business that keeps getting into financial trouble. However, KLM is not just another airline, but a flagbearer for the Netherlands. The company was started in 1919 by eight wealthy Dutch industrialists and was awarded the title ‘Royal’ by Queen Wilhelmina, even before

it was founded. The official full name of the airline is KLM Royal Dutch Airlines – which in itself should say enough about its importance to the state. However, there is more to it than just the sentimental value.

Not only is the Dutch government a shareholder in the Air France-KLM, holding an impressive 9.3% of the shares, but it is also important for the national government to have a say in decisions about KLM. The Netherlands enjoys an open economy and therefore it’s important for the country to maintain a connection with the rest of the world via Schiphol

and KLM. Together the airport and the airline provide thousands of jobs. KLM is also the biggest user of Schiphol Airport.

This network also makes the Netherlands an alluring place for foreign businesses, thus attracting capital to the country and providing jobs.

On average, KLM has a brush with bankruptcy once every decade. But the state has come to its aid time and again and the blue wings are kept in the air at all costs.

Written by Priyanka Sharma

Changes in the National Police Unit New developments in the core structure of the National Police Unit are high on the government’s agenda. The cabinet wants to put an end to a long-standing debate in the Unit. So far, the decision is to split the institution into two departments: one for national investigations and one for national operations and expertise. “This is an intervention that we have been advocating for years: the introduction of a separate organization for national investigation - a kind of Dutch FBI,” the National Police said. The decision comes after advice of the Schneiders Committee, according to AD newspaper. There will be changes in how the National Police Unit is run, with a more logical structure organized in teams with clear remits, instead of the current chaotic structure.

The number of managers will be reduced in order to allow the expert worker within the force more control over their jobs.

However, Bernt Schneiders, chairman of the committee, says there is also a need for fundamental changes because of problems in the unit’s culture. His committee paints a worrying picture of the National Police Unit. There have been reports of an unsafe work culture for some time. Three employees who were involved in undercover investigations committed suicide after conflicts and bullying in the workplace, while there have also been

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reports of sexual harassment and racism within the police, as well as ethnic profiling by police officers against citizens.

It has been reported a culture of bullying and a toxic atmosphere exists in a number of departments. Some complain that the organization pays too little attention to personal circumstances and the potential of employees is insufficiently utilized. The police has been working to attract women and minorities as police officers for years, but many resign quickly when confronted with the old-fashioned ‘boys will be boys’ culture. The main issues revolved around some of the higher rank positions within the unit, who have been unable to counter the toxic culture in some units. Some top police officers will have to resign, as they do not want to or cannot participate in the necessary change. In the future, officers who commit racist or sexist offences may be fired, rather than the ‘talking-to’ they now receive.

The committee therefore advises to set explicit rules for desirable and undesirable behaviour, to draw up appropriate leadership profiles and to inspect current high rank officers. “In the end, tensions in the workplace rose to such an extent that tackling them literally became a matter of vital importance,” said National Police board chairman Jan Struijs. According

to him, the first concern during the upcoming drastic reorganization is that the top officials treat the interests of the employees with sensitivity. “Think of the future prospects of the employees directly involved in the police, but also of the extra burden that they and other colleagues have to deal with. After all, the store must remain open during the renovation.”

Het Parool newspaper reports that in order to create a new organization and culture, the police has to work hard, says Dilan Yeşilgöz, the Justice Minister. “Today we offer the police employees clarity about the

future of the National Unit. An important step towards an organization with more focus and a recognizable profile that can handle today’s security issues.” Yeşilgöz has asked the Schneiders Committee to oversee the culture shift.

“The changes at the National Unit affect the entire police force,” said chief of police Henk van Essen. In order to implement the reform, Van Essen must come up with a transition plan by 1 October at the latest.

Written by Raphael Vieira

11-07-2022 11:11

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12-07-2022 15:34

AUGUST 2022 | 13

EDUCATION

Tips & tricks for a healthy financial education With Eef van Opdorp, money coach “Starting from the positive is so much nicer than starting from the negative.”

The value of money You know the saying: “At the end of my money, there is always a bit of month left.” This famous piece of wisdom originally comes from Loesje, but applies to many of us.

Not everyone, but many face challenges to make ends meet every month. Especially now that everything seems to be getting more expensive by the week. With a bit of luck, you have had a good financial upbringing at home and you know how to pass this on to your own children. But even then, stability and balance in your spending pattern and saving are not always easy. This is also shown by a recent study by Deloitte, which shows that three quarters of Dutch households do not have sufficient control over their financial situation. But how do you teach your children the value of money? How do you say no when all other parents say yes? How do you determine the allowance for your child? In short, how do you ensure a healthy financial upbringing and prevent your children from saying, as adults: “At the end of my money, there is always a bit of the month left”?

GoStudent offers online tutoring for children, by linking students to tutors on the basis of personality, interests, favourite sport, hobbies and of course level and objectives.

But there are so many more things that play a role in the education of children than just the subjects they study in school. Therefore, in addition to providing information about school-related matters, GoStudent also tries to share information about all other matters that are important in the life of a child and the family.

In a series called Expert Talk, GoStudent talks to experts in specific fields, who set out various subjects that can help a parent or educator in educating their child. This time, the topic is money. This article has been written in collaboration with money coach Eef van Opdorp. Eef has been working as a budget coach and trainer for more than 20 years and is the author of Pubers & Poen (Teenagers & Money). In her book, Eef shares what parents can do to give their child a financially strong and worry-free future.

Eef: “Learning something as child really means doing it is an adult.”

How to teach children the value of money?

As with almost everything: talk about it! Now this does not mean that you have to tell your children exactly what comes in every month, but perhaps what the average income is and what this income should be used for. Not just the mortgage or the rent, but also groceries, insurance, training, vacations, outings and unforeseen costs. By making this transparent, children get a better picture of a family’s spending pattern, they learn to understand the necessity of money and they can put the value of these things into better perspective. To live, we need money, so give them this insight. Be transparent. Even when it comes to the less fun things such as the risks of money, such as online gambling. It is not inconceivable that the digital generation will come into contact with this at some point. So make sure your child knows what’s going on.

After talking comes doing! Teach your child to make their own choices so that they understand the value of money.

A fun (and useful for you) idea might be to send your kids out for grocery shopping with a list and cash. That way they get an idea of what products cost. And the more aware they become of this, the more self-confidence it gives them. In addition, based on age, you can also involve your children in the financial choices you have to make.

Explain to them what your considerations are and how you arrive at certain choices.

How to contribute to a stable financial future for my child?

A lack of resources, any resources, can cause stress. And stress often has a negative influence on your daily life.

To prevent you and your child from experiencing money stress at a later age, GoStudent and Eef have listed a number of tips that can contribute to a stable future when it comes to money.

- Let your child start saving as soon as they start secondary school; - Teach your child the 10% rule: of every euro that comes

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in, 10% goes to their savings account; - Show your child that saving is not only important for fun things, but also for unexpected ‘hassle on the road’.

Knowing that they have something to fall back on gives security and self-confidence; - Make saving a habit, not an exception; - Only buy something if you have the money. Avoid installment purchases; - Create short-term savings goals (such as a new pair of pants or bicycle) as well as long-term (such as a study or a house to buy); - Before you release your child’s savings account when they turn 18, consider what type of child you have. Not all children are the same. And the thinking brain, the part of our brain with which we make conscious decisions, is only fully developed around the age of 23. Definitely something to keep in mind; - Provide a safe environment in which money can be discussed. Even if your child makes mistakes and spends money on things that were not agreed, it is important that they are not afraid to openly discuss this with you.

How to make saving fun?

We now know the importance of having a piggy bank.

Saving is of course not always fun, because you prefer to use your money straight away. But if you teach your children to save at a young age, they will also appreciate it more and more. Especially if they understand the value of money and of having it, now and in the future. But how do you make saving fun?

- Let your child open a savings account themselves, so that they can follow progress and take and feel responsibility.

This also contributes to your child’s self-confidence; - Make it visual, e.g. with a graph (preferably one that rises) on your child’s mobile phone; - Set goals together, then they really have something to work towards and know what they are doing it for; - Celebrate interim and final goals when they are achieved; - Create different piggy banks. This is now possible in almost all online banking apps.

A good aim is to ensure that your child has the knowledge at the age of 18 to make good choices independently. This is often (around) the age that children start studying and living independently. Feeling a certain financial responsibility certainly comes in handy.

Allowances: do’s and don’ts Having your own money teaches your child to make independent choices, which leads to a greater sense of responsibility, which increases self-confidence. Some tips and tricks for allowances: - An allowance is learning money! Let your child make mistakes. At a young age these will be small mistakes, which can prevent major mistakes later in life.

- Research shows that boys (€1) receive more pocket money than girls (€0.86). So teach (especially) girls to negotiate and stand firm! Change does not happen by

itself; children learn at a young age how it works and what is considered ‘normal’; - No one can determine the amount of allowance for your child. What you give is determined by your own wallet.

But set limits and agree on what your child should do with the allowance. And are you curious about how other parents are doing in the Netherlands? Check the Nibud website.

Expert tips: How to ensure a healthy financial education - Remember: you are the example for your child. So your behaviour in dealing with money will determine whether they will have a negative or positive relationship with money in the future. So look into the mirror and consider whether you are satisfied financially or whether things could be done differently; - Make sure you create peace of mind in income and expenses. Are you just not able to figure it out? Nibud can help you draw up a budget plan; - Be transparent and keep talking, even if there are financial setbacks within the household. Keep it to the general outline and indicate that things will get better in the future; - Formulate a money motto in your head. What is you motto, that you want to pass on to your child?; - Keep developing yourself. It’s never too late to change tack; - You have no influence on inflation, but only on how you deal with it; - Learn from your child! Let your child pick the holiday – the digital generation is probably much better at this than you are. In this way you let them think independently and participate and you create awareness. And probably there will also be a very nice holiday that you might not have found yourself. Win win!; - But the other way around also applies: if you want to conclude a deal for, for example, a subscription: let your child listen in. In this way they learn in a playful way and you involve them in important decisions.

About Eef van Opdorp Eef van Opdorp (48) has been working as a budget coach and trainer for more than 20 years. She is a financial expert at the TV program Uitstel van Executie and also author of the bestseller Gek van Geld (Crazy about Money) and Pubers & Poen (Teenagers & Money).

More info: www.eefvanopdorp.nl About GoStudent GoStudent is one of the world’s leading providers of online tutoring. The company was founded in Vienna in 2016 by Felix Ohswald (CEO) and Gregor Müller (COO). The company is currently active in 23 countries. GoStudent offers one-to-one personalized online tutoring to primary and secondary school children in more than 30 subjects, using a membership model.

More info: www.gostudent.org

11-07-2022 11:11

SAT. 3 SEPTEMBER 2022

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PRO DUC TIO N BY : THE LIFE I LIVE

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11-07-2022 15:07

AUGUST 2022 | 15

COLUMN

Why a quarter-life crisis isn’t all bad In my just-post uni early 20s, I saw many friends, and myself included, struggle to enter the ‘real world.’ We were a fresh-faced 22 and yet, for some reason, we were all in the midst of something akin to a mid-life crisis. In many ways, we showed signs of depression, anxiety, and even touches of mania, but never enough of anything to merit a diagnosis. Instead, we deemed it angst, and wore it as a badge of honour. Our doubt only showing in that fragility behind our eyes, which looked eerily similar to a child who has lost their mother at the supermarket.

In pop psychology a uarter li e crisis is defined as a period of anxiety over the direction and potential of one’s life. Insecurity, doubts and disappointments begin to seep into our concept of ourselves, and we localise that pain in an array of areas, ranging from our career to our relationships or financial situation. The ter is (unsurprisingly) adapted from the infamous notion of a mid-life crisis. But (surprisingly), that term was coined by a psychoanalyst called Elliott Jaques in 1957.

Jaques claimed that it is common for people in their early 40s to experience a ‘depressive episode’ that can last years. Symptoms tended to include religious awakenings, promiscuity, a sudden inability to enjoy life, hypochondriac concern over one’s health, and compulsive attempts to remain young, which usually take the form of impulsivity (e.g. suddenly quitting one’s job) or excessive substance abuse. Jaques argued that, at its core, a mid-life crisis is a reaction to the discomfort provoked by the knowledge that one’s life is halfway over. But, within that, comes the realisation that death isn’t something that just happens to other people; they are but mere mortals too.

However, if we take psychoanalysis as our point of departure I thin we can find so ething deeper at work. While one’s life may feel halfway over at 40, it is only beginning at 20. Why would we then

struggle with such similar existential angst? In my eyes, there is one core similarity: the societal expectations placed on us begin to change.

For example, in our early 20s, we are expected to find a ob and beco e adults. The world stops perceiving us in terms of our future potential and instead focuses on what we can offer in the here and now. At 40, we experience a similar – but intensified version o that. In that instance it becomes even less about the present, and more about what one has achieved in the past. In both cases we need to adapt our ego (aka our concept of ourselves) to certain limitations. However, neither is the first ti e we have had to undergo such a transition. pecifically in n Narcissis ( ) reud argued that people are born without a sense of themselves as individuals (an ego). We have no idea where our mother starts or we end, and we experience it all as undivided wholeness. As we move away from that state of being, we will retroactively invest it with eelings li e ulfil ent joy, and all things one thinks of when they think about ‘ego-less’ living.

Instead, the ego develops during infancy as the outside world (aka parental control and expectations) intrude on this ‘primary narcissism’, as he put it. As we learn more and more about the nature of our social environment, that wholeness is fragmented and chipped away. In other words, we adapt to certain limitations of being.

But instead of losing any sense of wholeness, we merge it with those limitations to construct an ‘ideal ego’. This is an image of a perfect self towards which the ego can aspire. In other words, we set our sights on a version of who we want to become, believing that if we reach it, we will again feel whole and complete.

Thus, in my eyes, a quarter- or mid-life crisis occurs when we need to undergo another period of building our ideal ego. New limitations are

seemingly imposed and from that we must once again visit this original transition. If we struggle with the process, it could perhaps reveal to us how we struggled during those beginning years, when the foundations of who we are was forming.

For example, what I saw many of my friends do (but mostly myself) is try to double-down on an adolescent ideal ego. It was as though we felt as though we had finally achieved that per ect sel .

The idea that we would need to let go of it (e.g the notion that my job would suddenly mean more than what parties I went to) was terrifying. I had to, once again, accept the loss of wholeness.

So, I suppose, all of this to say, if you are struggling with a period of transition – be it in your 20s, 30s, 40s or 80s – lean into the idea that the fear of change you are feeling could be rooted in that original loss. Try to retain a curious position towards your experience and remember: if you anaged to get through that first one you can survive this change too.

Written by Molly Fitz

Modern Dutch Heroes: Peter R. de Vries On a warm summer evening in July of last year, one of the Netherlands’ most respected and beloved journalists was leaving the television station on the Leidseplein in Amsterdam.

Having just featured on the entertainment and news program “RTL Boulevard”, where he was a frequent guest, Peter R. de Vries never made it to his car and never made it home. He was brutally gunned down by a young assailant and taken to the hospital in critical condition. For the next several days, a stunned nation waited for an update on the investigative journalist’s condition. or nine days the nation waited until finally on 15 July 2021, Peter R. de Vries succumbed to his injuries.

For most foreigners to the Netherlands, Peter R. de ries was not a well nown figure. But a ter his attack, if you caught a glimpse of any news or talk show, you undoubtedly saw reports on his life: how he started in investigative journalism, his passion for reporting on crime rings in the Netherlands and of course the case that made him known in the US: his coverage of the disappearance of Natalee Holloway in Aruba in 2005. Now, people who remembered that case thought to themselves: “Oh yeah, I remember him.”

On a Dutch talk show in 2006, De Vries held and interview with Joran van der Sloot, the main suspect in the American teenager’s disappearance, and his parents. De Vries made several remarks questioning Van de Sloot’s credibility and ultimately accused him of

THT6_2022 _CS.indd 15

complicity in her disappearance. This remark led to Mr. Van der Sloot throwing a glass of red wine in De Vries’ face. A couple of years later, Mr. De Vries garnered the global spotlight when he claimed to have solved Natalee Holloway’s disappearance using hidden-camera video confession from Joran van der Sloot explaining the death of Ms. Holloway and his part in the disposing of her body at sea. (Mr. Van der Sloot said later he was lying in the video and the Aruba police determined there was not enough evidence to justify a re-arrest of Van der Sloot.) This video was broadcast worldwide, including major US news outlets including Fox News, ABC News and Good Morning America. This same year, 2008, Peter R. de Vries won the prestigious International Emmy Award for Current Affairs for his continued reporting on the Holloway case.

Before the Natalee Holloway case catapulted him into investigative journalism super-stardom, Peter R. de Vries covered dozens of national crime cases that have beco e defining o ents in recent Dutch history. He started his career as a general reporter for De Telegraaf newspaper, and quickly shifted to crime reporting to expose the organized crime rings in the country. Some of his earlier cases included covering the kidnapping of Dutch beer tycoon Freddy Heineken (aboutwhich he wrote two books); the 1994 murder of Dutch ight attendant Christel brosius and the murder of 11-year-old Nicky Verstappen, whose murderer was only recently convicted due to De Vries’ continued efforts. More recently, he was covering the trial of leading members of the

ocro afia a Dutch oroccan cri e ring. The suspects in his murder are connected to this crime ring as well.

As editor-in-chief, De Vries also helped transform the male-targeted magazine Aktueel into more of a crime magazine in the mid-80s and even hosted his own crime reporting show, ‘Peter R. de Vries – Crime Reporter’, from 1995 to 2012.

After a brief stint with politics, De Vries returned to crime reporting and over the decades became a symbol of honest journalism in the pursuit of justice and the truth. The nation came to know him for his integrity, his compassion for victims, his love for fairness and the belief in the justice system in the Netherlands.

The Netherlands celebrated him for helping bring corruption in many sectors to light, bring criminals to face the law, and for grieving alongside family members and loved ones of victims of crime. For those from the US, he’s the Dutch version of John Walsh (of ‘America’s Most Wanted’ fame) with the persistence and integrity of Woodward and Bernstein.

For his lifelong pursuit against crime, his support for victims’ families and friends, for the indelible legacy he has left on Dutch and international journalism with his integrity, honesty and character, on this anniversary of his untimely passing, we can all hail Peter R. de Vries as truly a modern Dutch hero.

Written by Marla Thomson

11-07-2022 11:12

16 | AUGUST 2022 |

HEALTH & SPORT

Healthy goodbyes for healthy starts “Goodbye…” It’s such a powerful and emotive word, isn’t it? And, as we will see, it’s more than just a word to signify a parting; it’s a way to complete a cycle. By saying healthy goodbyes, we bring a sense of closure and prepare ourselves for the new chapter in our lives. Here’s how we can do this, and why it’s so important…

Whether we’re the one leaving or the one who stays behind, we will always feel the sadness of a parting. Change, however, is the only constant and we will have many opportunities to say goodbye in our lives. Saying goodbye is therefore a skill to practise and an emotional process to go through.

It’s tough to say goodbye This is especially true for expats, who have to say goodbye more than most!

A common reaction to an upcoming goodbye is to become detached. Many of us will keep our distance from loved ones, whether friends, colleagues or family, before a relocation or other major change. We may shut off and try to avoid the goodbyes entirely.

A healthy goodbye also helps you to savour the good parts of your experience; the treasures from your previous chapter (treasures that can never be taken from you). This can give you strength; it gives you love. It can give you the power to continue when the transition is di ficult.

How to say better goodbyes It can be helpful to follow the steps of the RAFT process: 1. Reconciliation – a space to forgive and be forgiven. Confront the issues of the past and deal with unfinished business . . fir ation so eti es re erred to as expressing appreciation or thanks. It also gives an opportunity to hear what others appreciate in us.

3. Farewell – rituals to say goodbye. This provides scope for creativity, cultural empathy and celebration. . Thin Destination thin ing specifically and realistically about our destination is an integral part of good goodbyes.

A few years ago, a very good friend of mine, who I’d spent time with almost daily, did this as he was due to leave the Netherlands. He gave me a quick hug, and left. This wasn’t the goodbye I wanted and it left an uneasy sadness (perhaps for him too).

What else do we need for a healthy start?

We’ve discussed the pain – and importance – of goodbyes, but it also helps to look forward and to remember that goodbyes are not just about separation – they are an opportunity for deeper connection.

Why is goodbye so important?

If we avoid goodbyes, the cycles of emotions and loss accumulate. Though we may avoid proper closure – and/or not know how to handle it – going through the sadness of an ending is normal and healthy. “Goodbye” represents that closure and helps with a smoother transition. Closing the cycle gives you a strong foundation as you begin again.

Ask yourself: • What else do I need for a healthy start?

• What is important to me?

• What matters the most to enable as peaceful a transition as possible?

Healthy goodbyes are valuable in every meaningful relationship we have. or exa ple you ay now your relationship is ending but find yoursel struggling to let go. This is tough we now but it’s better to find the strength to say goodbye sooner rather than later, and to bring in that end.

Why? Because your time is precious; it is a non-renewable resource. And you can only start over when it’s over.

These transitional phases are di ficult so eti es but they can also be very exciting. There is the pain for something precious that is gone; there is the beauty of what’s to come. But isn’t life a little bitter-sweet?

By Vivian Chiona, Psychologist, Founder and CEO of Expat Nest, www.expatnest.com

Celebration of the 8th International Day of Yoga On Sunday, June 19, 2022 the Embassy of India in the Hague celebrated the 8th International Day of Yoga (IDY) with the theme ‘Yoga for Humanity’ in the Atrium City Hall, The Hague. The event saw participation of more than 500 yoga enthusiasts and practitioners from across the Netherlands.

The Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Netherlands H.E. Mrs. Reenat Sandhu opened the celebrations with the lighting of the lamp along with senior o ficials o the overn ent o the Netherlands who also participated in the yoga session. In her address, Ambassador Sandhu welcomed all the participants and highlighted the health and spiritual benefits o yoga especially during the pandemic. She underscored the important role of yoga in bringing people together through compassion and kindness and fostering a sense of unity, because of which the theme of this year has been chosen as ‘Yoga for Humanity’. The ambassador also conveyed the message of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to adopt Yoga as an integral part of our daily lives.

The Common Yoga Protocol was conducted by the yoga teacher and students of the Gandhi Cultural Centre of the Embassy. Several yoga schools, Indian community representatives, elderly people and children actively participated in performing the protocol. The protocol was followed by meditation exercises on live rendition of Indian bansuri by a Dutch artist.

armed forces and is taught on a weekly basis at various barracks.

Representatives from various Yoga schools in Netherlands were felicitated and encouraged to continue playing active role as Yoga Ambassadors of the Netherlands. The popularity o yoga has seen a significant rise in the Netherlands. There are more than 150 yoga schools in the Netherlands.

The event is one of the many events the Embassy organized to mark the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ (Independence of India) and 75th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and the Netherlands.

The event was also live streamed to over 100.000 followers on various social media platforms of the Embassy.

In run-up to the event, young students from top universities of the Netherlands such as TU Delft, Eindhoven and Wageningen held yoga day in their respective campuses. Yoga students of the Gandhi cultural centre also spread the message of #YogaForHumanity by performing at famous and historic sites across Netherlands such as the Dam Square in Amsterdam, the Peace Palace in the Hague, the Delft City Centre and the Zaanse Schans, the windmill village.

The representatives from Dutch armed forces also took part in the event for the fourth consecutive year. Yoga is part of curriculum of the Dutch

Written by Nanda Jagusiak-Monteiro

Deputy Mayor Ms. Kavita Parbhudayal lights the lamp at IDY 2022 in The Hague

Yoga for Healthy living

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13-07-2022 17:21

AUGUST 2022 | 17

INTERVIEW

Spotlight on a contributor Who is your favorite writer? What genre do they write in? Or are they a journalist, scholar, etc.? ohn teinbec or novels and is awa y bors a or poetry.

What do you like best about the Netherlands?

The cycling culture and infrastructure. I come from a country where cycling as a sport is very popular so the Netherlands is a natural fit or e in that sense. h and also that everything here is ade or y si e. I’ eters tall so it’s very nice to be o average height or the first ti e.

What do you like least about the Netherlands?

When you’re cycling and the rain becomes horizontal.

Where do you recommend a new expat or visitor to see here in the Netherlands?

1. Every type of museum that you can. Seriously, there’s a very sophisticated sense of museography around here. . u er estivals but try to experience so e o the ones in s aller cities as well; they’re a treat. . cross country cycling trip or at least so e rural cycling. It’s a very special eeling to watch the sunset ro your bicycle on the Dutch countryside.

Best kept secret in your city?

The roninger oru a world class cultural venue in roningen. There is also so e fine dining in town chuitendiep estaurant is a personal favorite of mine.

Looking back, what do you wish you knew before you moved to the Netherlands?

I knew very little about the Netherlands before coming, all things considered; and I think I wouldn’t change that, because it has been a huge adventure of discovery and surprise. The newness of everything made it all the more special for me.

What is your name and where are you from?

My name is Juan and I am from Bogotá, Colombia, which is 2600 meters above sea level, so I miss the mountain views a bit.

What is your business or what do you do?

I’ finishing y hD in iterary tudies although I deal less with texts the selves and ore with how people experience literature depending on technology, situation, their own background, etc. And after that, who knows! Maybe I’ll dive into public policy or write poetry.

When was the first time you were in the Netherlands? Was it fun? Was it an adventure?

In the summer of 2016, to start my master’s degree at the University of Groningen. Genuinely, one of the greatest adventures of my life, especially because of the friends I made and the good times we shared at parties, picnics, even the long library nights.

What are 1-2 things you recommend to new expat here in the Netherlands?

Do try to learn as uch Dutch as you can even i not to achieve uency. s rough as Dutch ay sound at the beginning it’s beauti ul when you pay closer attention, and it’ll unlock a whole new world to you. As a poem by K ichel would say a a e ont oeten we groeten iedereen Douane wol en rondvaartboot es. a ens in de vind eeuwen lindebo en.

Muziek, atleten, streekgevechten. / Obers, lokale gebruiken, zebrapaden.

Alles!” Which roughly translates to: “Yes! Yes! We’ll meet, we’ll greet everyone / Customs, clouds, tour boats. / Sheets in the wind, seagulls, linden trees. / Music, athletes, regional dishes. / Waiters, local customs, pedestrian crossings. Everything!”

Juan, thank you for helping me out!

Written by Marla Thomson

How long have you been writing for The Holland Times?

I wrote y first article by the end o . o wow al ost five years now It was a piece on winter events or the season and I’ve had the good luck to write about so many interesting topics since then.

What attracted you to be a contributor to The Holland Times?

It seemed to me a refreshing publication, with relevant topics for the international community in the Netherlands and a lively writing style. I saw it as a great fit or e and an opportunity to write i pact ul concise enjoyable content.

What is the best thing about writing for an expat magazine with such a wide circulation?

As a writer, it’s an amazing opportunity to learn about different topics in depth, since each article requires a good deal of research. Hopefully some o that experience is translated to the readers as well.

Do your friends/family in your home country read your articles?

Yes. Although I show article drafts to friends in the Netherlands more often, especially when I need external insight on how I a approaching a sub ect or term.

What subject is your favorite to write about?

Environmental issues and developments. But I also enjoy it a lot when I get a chance to review a fil . I ean going to the cine a or wor right Is writing a hobby or an aspiration for you? Do you write for your regular job or studies?

Definitely an aspiration as well as so ething I do on a daily basis or wor and y studies. I believe every text should be both in or ative and enjoyable for the reader; that it should earn its place in the world, so to speak. It’s a responsibility I try to take very seriously.

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13-07-2022 19:57

Playing with Mirrors Until 4 September 2022 L a n g e V o o r h o u t 74 | T h e H a g u e | w w w . e s c h e r i n t h e p a l a c e . c o m

with chabot to van nelle

unesco world heritage

Van Nelle Factory – photo Ossip van Duivenbode

Discover the gems of Rotterdam’ Modernism In the early twentieth century Rotterdam developed into the modern city where Dutch modernist architecture, closely related to the internationally renowned Bauhaus, reigned supreme. They maintained a lively exchange of ideas on architecture, art and design, which revolved around helping to build a new world. Discover two very fine examples of Rotterdam modernist architecture in the guided tour ‘With Chabot to Van Nelle’: Chabot Museum Rotterdam and unesco world heritage Van Nelle Factory. info & tickets chabotmuseum.nl museumparkvillas.nl

saturdays and sundays

guided tour

THT6_2022 _CS.indd 18

Chabot Museum – photo Bob Goedewaagen

Van Nelle Factory – photo Eva van der Craats

€ 19,50 | € 15 incl. entrance Chabot Museum and shuttle bus Museumpark ←→ Van Nelle Factory

12-07-2022 15:38

AUGUST 2022 | 19

CHARITY

Flight attendants on a mission

nyone who thin s ight attendants are ust beauti ul dolls’ who do nothing but y and lie on the beach is wrong. nnelies oolenaar a ight attendant or over years disproves this pre udice orce ully. nnelies started the ings or ni als oundation in . he collects ite s support local oundations and wor very hard in the shelters that are located on their ight paths. nnelies has always been co itted to the ani als she encounters worldwide s an intercontinental ight attendant you o ten stay at a location or at least hours so you have enough ti e to explore the area. In the first ew years I noticed how uch stray ani als and ani al abuse there is in any places. In the beginning I tried to help strays by eeding the but later I ound out that is not the solution you ust a e the proble worse. ter all by eeding the ani als you aintain the stray ani al population so you a e the ani als ore resilient. It is better to ta e such an ani al to a shelter where it can be sterili ed and then put bac again she explains. nce nnelies paid a visit to a shelter she saw that the proble was uch bigger than she thought. ni al shelters are overcrowded and have too little oney and capacity to help all the ani als. This ade her desire to help ani als worldwide even greater.

I wanted to a e an i pact and do so ething instead o ust everything happen.

Wings for Animals In nnelies thought it was ti e or action Through social edia I discovered that I was not the only one who was very oved by all the su ering I witnessed. There were ore colleagues who watched this and elt they should do so ething. I collected a list o na es and approached the about the idea or a oundation. veryone reacted positively and not uch later I set up ings or ni als together with our colleagues. nnelies too the idea or ings or ni als ro her colleagues at ings o upport. nnelies It’s a wonder ul oundation also consisting o crew e bers co itted to co bating child poverty all over the world. I always thought it was very s art how they used their ight paths to provide aid worldwide. light attendants are allowed to ta e so e extra baggage. This has resulted in a logistics solution or any oundations e collect ite s that are use ul or local oundations such as ood supple ents toys anti parasitics and other edical devices. But we can also help local pro ects when transporting aterials.

During the orest fires in ustralia or exa ple an initiative was started in Deventer to a e gloves and pouches or in ured oalas and angaroos. e were able to transport these ite s on our

THT6_2022 _CS.indd 19

routes. nd there are any ore local initiatives that we help. The oundation now consists o three board e bers three e ployees three a bassadors and a nu ber o regular donors.

The people behind the scenes who onitor the website and social edia and a e the annual report are indispensable and y colleague board e ber acobien egter is also an indispensable lin she ta es care o the storage o the ite s that are waiting or the right ight. nd o course the any volunteers who collect things or us colleagues who transport things in their suitcases and the oundations we get the stu ro . or exa ple the Dieren ot oundation provides a large portion o the ood and non ood.

Goals The oundation has set our goals providing assistance providing financial support in or ation and education and setting up sterili ation pro ects. nnelies or all goals we first visit a location be ore we get started. The first goal is sel evident we go to shelters on our routes and lend a hand. This can be cleaning ani al cages wal ing or cuddling the ani als or ust delivering things. e provide financial support where possible so eti es we start a undraising or a specific purpose. The great thing about this way o wor ing is that we can actually show donors what happens with their oney. Because we visit the pro ects we support regularly we also see or ourselves how the situation has i proved and that gives us a lot o energy Education ur education and in or ation goal consists o teaching children. e ta e children ro the area to an ani al shelter and explain that ani als do not deserve to live on the street and should be well cared or. But this goal also includes in or ing colleagues and tourists about ani al abuse such as elephant rides swi ing with dolphins and petting lion cubs. eople need to be aware that this is not always a positive thing very o ten they do not now how uch ani al su ering is caused by such tourist attractions.

Sterilization projects The last goal is a pro ect in itsel . nnelies explains Together with our three a bassadors veterinarians iet elle ans and olande van den Broe we set up sterili ation pro ects in collaboration with local veterinarians. course a lot has to be arranged be orehand we do this through consultation with each other and the oundations. e always visit the oundations on our routes but we need ore ti e or the sterili ation pro ects. or this we boo a trip on its own. The best thing is o course i the pro ect is ta en over by a local vet so that the sterili ation o ani als can continue when we leave. nly in this way can the enor ous stray ani al proble be solved. ings or ni als has already started such pro ects in Thailand Cura ao and o ania a ong others. I it’s up to nnelies the wor is ar ro over ni als continue needing us worldwide.

TCL all over the world, help us spreading our Wings to create a better future for animals and become our sponsor Want to help reduce animal suffering around the world?

Visit www.wingsforanimals.nl to discover what you can do.

13-07-2022 18:31

het scheepvaart national maritime museum

The National Maritime Museum holds one of the world’s largest and most notable maritime collections including paintings, ship models, navigation instruments and sea charts.

Discover 500 years of Dutch maritime history and its strong link to society of today and tomorrow.

Be amazed by the impressive building with a stunning glass roof over the open courtyard.

The National Maritime Museum offers a complete day out for families with children. There are exhibitions such as The tale of the whale and you can visit the replica East Indiaman Amsterdam. Opening a new exhibition for visitors aged 2-6 years from this summer!

More information, such as our summer programme and opening hours, please visit: www.hetscheepvaartmuseum.com

THT6_2022 _CS.indd 20

11-07-2022 12:11

AUGUST 2022 | 21

ART & CULTURE

Saskia Boelsums – Love for landscape | Museum Jan

Left: Landscape #138, 2020 by Right: Landscape #42, 2019 by Both by Saskia Boelsums

Artist Saskia Boelsums shows the beauty of the Dutch landscape with her painting-like photos. In the retrospective exhibition ‘Saskia Boelsums – Love for landscape’ in Museum JAN in stelveen we see turbulent fields o clouds cows in the mist and views of the sea. In the postprocessing process Boelsu s translates these landscape photos into her own reality which feels impressionistic and poetic.

“Everything comes together in my landscapes – what I li e what I li e to do what I’ve learned where my heart is. I feel like an artist with a camera.” This brings us straight to the core of the wor o as ia Boelsu s ( stelveen ).

What do we see? Photos reminiscent of paintings.

Because Boelsums creates its own reality. She ta es pictures o landscapes that ascinate her and then spends wee s so eti es onths editing them. Pixel by pixel.

Boelsu s wor s as a painter would or exa ple emphasizing shadows and highlights and blurring parts to emphasize something else.

Similarities with the watercolors by Johan endri eissenbruch the cloud paintings

by John Constable and the landscapes by the painters of the Barbizon School are unmistakable. ter studying at cade y inerva in roningen Boelsu s ade D installations o ten together with writer and visual artist eter een. ince she has devoted herself entirely to photography. he ca e to landed’ outside as it were through still lifes and portraits. People or traces of people hardly occur in them; that makes her landscapes so pleasant to look at.

hi sel in nature and then started painting Boelsums also wanted to translate her ‘outdoor feeling’ into her art. The weather and the light are everything; stormy weather produces the most beautiful images.

Saskia Boelsums – Love for landscape uly to epte ber Museum JAN Amstelveen www.museumjan.nl

Boelsums grew up partly in Iran and Curaçao.

The Netherlands became a kind of ‘promised land’. ollowing an ol ers who first i ersed

Beautiful paintings | Grace Spiegel lthough her ather was an artist race piegel did not start a part-time course in art until she was . he has a large collection o sian ob ects such as porcelain in classic blue and white anti ue sil i onos and shoes Indonesian carvings and colour ul paper lanterns which form the starting point for Grace’s inspiration.

Asian women often appear in Grace’s works. or her these wo en are a etaphor or beauty serenity and ti elessness. race finds her challenge in painting faces with a serene expression which loo ust past viewer. This subject provides endless fascination for Grace.

Grace likes to draw with charcoal on linen – very si ple but it is the si plicity that a es it beautiful. Her use of colours is inspired by the paint used in the objects she collects. Grace mixes her own paint to get as close as possible to the antique colours. Grace has held several exhibitions in ngland weden pain and ortugal a ong others.

Website: www.gracespiegel.com Instagram: grace_spiegel Photos: Dutch and Famous

THT6_2022 _CS.indd 21

11-07-2022 11:21

Tracey Bush, The Little Cloth of Earth (detail), diorama van verpakkingen in een glazen taxidermie tafelvitrine, 46 x 30 x 20 cm. Collectie van de kunstenaar

Mondrian Moves This year it is 150 years since the birth of Piet Mondrian (1872-1944). Kunstmuseum Den Haag, whose Mondrian collection, numbering over 300 items, is the largest in the world, cannot let this pass unnoticed.

To mark this year’s anniversary, director Benno Tempel and curator Caro Verbeek have created an exhibition exploring Mondrian’s inspiring relationships with friends and fellow artists of his time, and his role as a source of inspiration to many artists who came after him.

Kunstmuseum Den Haag’s Mondrian collection spans his entire development as an artist, allowing us to trace in detail his path to abstraction. Mondrian often changed his style dramatically, exchanging his early dark land-

scapes for the exuberant compositions of De Stijl and the neo-plastic style he helped to develop. Victory Boogie Woogie – Mondrian’s final painting, and a highlight of his oeuvre – is presented in this exhibition as a grande finale.

Over the years the museum has purchased work by a range of artists who feel some connection to Mondrian, including Bridget Riley, Fred Sandback, Bob Bonies, Isa Genzken and Remy Jungerman. The makers of this exhibition raise the question of what stewardship of such an important and inspiring collection means for a museum. Mondrian Moves will introduce visitors to this perspective, while inviting them to identify connections themselves.

Music and movement The exhibition will also take a closer look at certain unique aspects of and stories about Mondrian’s art and life. He was for example outspoken in his views on music (including electronic music) and movement. Musicians Steven Brunsmann and Marco Spaventi have composed a techno piece specially for the museum, based on Mondrian’s ideas.

Visitors will be able to hear it at the exhibition.

The exhibition will also feature work by artists, such as Iris Kensmil and Patricia Kaersenhout, who display some artistic kinship with Mondrian, though they do not have any

till 25 sept 2022

direct connection with him. His contact with artists Jacoba van Heemskerck, Theo van Doesburg, Alexander Calder and Josephine Baker is also considered.

Mondrian’s ideas were not, as we have said, limited to the visual, but also encompassed music. At the invitation of Kunstmuseum Den Haag, IFF have created something unique, appealing to another of our senses. Inspired by the rhythm and dynamic of Victory Boogie Woogie, they have produced a scent which visitors can sample in the rooms housing our permanent exhibit Mondrian & De Stijl.

The exhibition will also feature the smells of Mondrian’s studios in Amsterdam, Paris and New York.

Stadhouderslaan 41 , 2517 HV Den Haag Kunstmuseum.nl/tickets

THT6_2022 _CS.indd 22

12-07-2022 15:38

ART & CULTURE

AUGUST 2022 | 23

The National Maritime Museum The National Maritime Museum is a household name in the international museum world and a destination for a wonderful daytrip, right in Amsterdam’s city center. Embracing the motto ‘water connects worlds’, the museum presents 500 years of Dutch maritime history and aims to connect societies of today and tomorrow. Will you drop by soon?

The museum – located at the lively Marineterrein at the northern edge of the Eastern Docklands – moved into the former Naval Arsenal in 1973.

This monumental building, dating from 1656, was designed by Daniel Stalpaert as a storage for the Admiralty of Amsterdam. Now, more than 350 years later, the museum is still an eye-catcher for the entire city and a spot for all kinds of visitors to come together and indulge in a maritime art experience.

The National Maritime Museum preserves one of the largest and most notable maritime collections in the world and includes paintings, ship models, navigation instruments and sea charts. This ranges from classic displays such as the main gallery Republic at Sea and Maps & Marvels to more contemporary exhibitions such as Amsterdam Port & City and (from 7 October 2022 onwards) Humans at Sea: a photography

exhibition with moving and unpredictable portraits and stories about people living their life at sea throughout history.

In addition to permanent exhibitions, The National Maritime Museum offers a broad program for visitors of all ages. Plenty of programming takes place surrounding new temporary exhibitions and every school holiday goes hand in hand with a packed schedule of family activities - from boattrips with lastic hale oundation (fishing plastic out of the canals) and a kids-guide to crafting activities and guided tours on the large ship, the East Indiaman ‘Amsterdam’. From August onwards, a new exhibition called Doris the Diver will be on show for families with kids aged to an exciting story filled with play ul activities, about a young diver seeking to return light to a lighthouse.

school holidays, the museum is open on Mondays as well. Admission is free for people with a Museumcard. For more information about the exhibitions, programming, prices and much more, visit hetscheepvaartmuseum.com.

Stay informed by signing up for the newsletter and following @hetscheepvaartmuseum on social media. www.scheepvaartmuseum.nl

Perhaps, you have visited the building in the past for a wedding, conference or concert. The National Maritime Museum – with its docks next to the water overlooking the Oosterdok area, multiple event spaces, and of course the Open Square – is also a versatile event location.

The National Maritime Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm. During

Mart Visser Sculptures | Museum Beelden aan Zee Museum Beelden aan Zee in Scheveningen (The Hague) presents a retrospective of Dutch visual artist Mart Visser from 9 July until 2 October 2022. The museum shows a selection of more than a hundred sculptures and eighty reliefs, paintings and installations, with a diversity of abstract heads and faces. At the opening of the dynamic exhibition Sculptures, Mart launches a first art boo with an i pression o his three studios and way of working.

Although Mart Visser is mainly known for his work as a fashion designer, he has also been a passionate and multidisciplinary artist for years.

He creates sculptures and paintings intuitively and experiments with sizes and use of materials.

As with his modernist fashion design, structure, relief, texture and technique enhance the design.

The starting point for Mart’s visual art is a personal empathy and the search for common ground with other art that he admires or intrigues him. In addition, it is also a quest for the human

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form, inner integrity or authenticity. Each work is a re ection o encounters. is art is an ode to creation.

The artist makes sculptures of heavy materials, raw woods, stones and iron, with a love for old, weathered materials. He stacks, models with the weight and forms fascinating objects. These works of art are then grouped with a musical feeling, in a rhythm, as an installation.

As long as Mart Visser can hold a pencil or brush, he has been drawing heads. The expression of the face in all its forms is what fascinates him. His painted heads and tronies, with a strong signature, are characterized by a rough and abstract design, with a colour palette of midnight blue, gradations in black/white/grey, dark orange, ocher and a parade of greyed tones.

in 2003. Since 2009 he is also a versatile visual artist. Besides exhibitions in Museum Jan van der Togt in Amstelveen (2014) and Museum aan het Vrijthof in Maastricht (2016), his autonomous Artwork has been presented at international art fairs and exhibitions in galleries and interior showrooms, and included in many private collections.

Museum Beelden aan Zee is a hidden treasure in the dunes of The Hague and is the only museum in the Netherlands that focuses exclusively on international, modern and contemporary sculpture. The inspiring, shell-shaped museum building was designed by architect Wim Quist. www.beeldenaanzee.nl

Mart Visser (1968) graduated from the Fashion Academy Montaigne. In 1992 he made his debut with a first aute Couture collection and opened a salon in Amsterdam in 1995. The fashion designer introduces a ready-to-wear line

13-07-2022 10:55

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Soof is not a soft drink

Made for people with an appetite for change.

‘Why we believe a revolution can be started in a glass? Because we have been doing so for years! We started Soof Drinks with the idea of making naturally good cordial syrups and sodas from 100% pure fruits, vegetables & herbs. Nothing else!’ nd i you as us they did a pretty good ob all ingredients si ply fit on the front of the packaging. Cut the crap, as Soof likes to call it. Founders Nicole & Daan have a background in the food industry; Nicole at retailers and Daan at suppliers. They found that the unhealthiest products, with longs lists of unnecessary additives were the bestselling ones. Sharing an appetite for change it became their mission to show a transparent and futureproof food industry is possible, thus ruling out unnecessary ingredients and small letters.

Soof started in Nicole’s kitchen by juicing carrot, ginger and apple, boiling it down and adding water again. After two years of developing Soof Drinks launched in 2017 and not without success: Soof won several international awards; is available in a rapidly growing number of bars and restaurants

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12-07-2022 17:08

(its ission and avours co bined with a very attractive argin turned out to be a winning combination) and has expanded to include the Middle ast ruba and . Today the oo range has grown to five l cordial syrups and three oo par ling avours the best selling avours pre ixed with sparkling water into a 250ml can.

I you thin the story and ission o oo are exciting wait or its avours recognizable favourites such as lemon, blueberry and mint are combined with intriguing ingredients like rose, lavender and cardamom. Great when simply mixed with (sparkling) water and ice. But what about adding some Soof Blueberry, Lavender, Blackcurrent & Apple to your prosecco? Or mix oo e on int pple into a fine o ito coc tail oo can even be used in hot drinks! Together with a renowned tea sommelier and barista Soof developed ‘Hot Soof’ recipes such as Curcuma Spiced Latte with Soof Carrot, Ginger & Apple and Jasmin Bliss tea with Soof Rose, Cardamom, Pear & Apple. Soof is not a soft drink indeed!

Got thirsty for change? Join the revolution! Soof is available at bars and restaurants across The Netherlands and via Crisp, Holland & Barret and www.soofdrinks.com.

13-07-2022 11:03

AUGUST 2022 | 25

NICE SPOTS

TerWorm Castle in Heerlen TerWorm Castle is an exclusive castle hotel, located in a natural and peaceful environment, to allow you to fully relax. Nod off in one of our luxurious rooms or royal suites and wake up in the opulence that surrounds you. Thirty rooms located in the farmstead, ten rooms in the castle, and not one room is the same. Very special are the Castle Tower Suites and the Gatekeeper Suite, located above the castle gate. In addition to these attractive rooms, the castle also houses the reception, the restaurant and the Auberge. The Tower of TerWorm is certainly remarkable, a beautiful round room that invites you to round-table discussions or a festive family dinner. The expert kitchen staff is ready to pamper you with the best regional and seasonal products with accompanying wines.

Combine your stay with a visit to the renovated wellness area at Badhuys Terworm. The Romans used to come to Heerlen to bathe in the thermal baths, which now houses the best-preserved Roman bathhouse in the Netherlands, as can be seen in the Thermenmuseum. Heerlen, however, has a new bathhouse for hotel guests to relax. Badhuys Terworm has a heated swi ing pool an extensive odern fitness center and a brand new wellness area. The wellness has various saunas to offer: experience a salt stone sauna (70 degrees), steam bath (48 degrees), herbal and light therapy sauna (60 degrees) or Finnish sauna (90 degrees). Our ice lounge with stalagmite ice fountain and snow shower is unique. Take a break in our attractive relaxation roo with fireplace or on the outdoor terrace.

Located on a 220-ha estate, the French rococo garden has recently been planted with a Burgundian design: a large wine bottle with wine glass inlaid with thousands of tulips. Elsewhere on the estate, a total of about owers have been planted both by achine and by hand. The first owers start to bloo ro ebruary the later species bloo until the end of June. The aim is to further increase biodiversity and food supply or butter ies and bees in addition to the i proving the appearance o the estate. Pollinators are essential for local food production, among other things. This certainly benefits the castle’s estate products Service and hospitality are of paramount importance at TerWorm. You will feel like a guest of the Lord and Lady, because due to its relatively small size, this Van der Valk hotel is more like a boutique hotel, with all the associated benefits. www.terworm.nl

‘t Ganzenest in Rijswijk: well worth a visit! t an enest ( The oose Nest’) gained a e as a restaurant in The ague where it served classic French cuisine until 1999. From 1999 to 2007 the restaurant moved to Rijswijk, before closing its doors in 2007.

In September 2020, ‘t Ganzenest reopened, with Erik Tas as chef. In May it received its first ichelin star. Together with his tea ri Tas prepares beautiful dishes, still in a classic French style. Some examples: langoustine with celery, creme fraiche and bergamot, red mullet with artichokes and olives, or duck liver with beetroot, quince and a crumb of spices. ‘t Ganzenest uses only seasonal products.

The restaurant offers space for meetings, parties and celebration of all shapes and sizes. It also sports a large garden with many possibilities for functions and events. In the garden, the restaurant grows the vegetables and herbs that are used in its dishes. Look out over this beautiful green

THT6_2022 _CS.indd 25

oasis on the edge of the city and enjoy top-notch cuisine in style.

You can even join a culinary cruise on the Vliet, while enjoying light bites and drinks. After a small stop at restaurant Bij Erik in Leidschendam – also run by Erik Tas and rewarded with a Bib Gourmand – the ship takes you back to ‘t Ganzenest.

Add an extra dimension to your experience at ‘t Ganzenest and opt for an overnight stay in one of the beautiful suites located behind our restaurant.

The suites have a private terrace with patio doors and views of the green surroundings and the golf course. www.ganzenest.nl

11-07-2022 11:17

FITNESS Train in a comfortable, clean and well-ventilated environment. Work on a fit, healthy and resilient body with peace of mind.

WELLNESS Reward yourself with a wonderful moment of relaxation in our wellness area after an intensive workout.

GROUP CLASSES

START YOUR HEALTHY JOURNEY CLAIM YOUR 4-WEEK TRY OUT NOW

Amstelhof Sport & Health Club Noorddammerweg 30 | Uithoorn www.amstelhof.com

Live it up and experience our group classes. Get fit with BodyPump, BodyJam, Spinning, CrossFit, Yoga, Mindfulness and more!

RACKET SPORTS Enjoy badminton, tennis and squash. Book your court at the reception and develop your playing skills, all within one membership.

The science behind the Dream Weight Consultationtion Did you know that almost six in ten adults in Europe are overweight or obese? This appears from a recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO). Are you also struggling with your weight? With a healthy lifestyle, you can ensure that you get a grip on it. In addition, appetite suppressant medication can help; after all, a little extra support goes a long way. Curious about how to achieve your dream weight? Holland Health Clinic is happy to help you on your way to your ideal weight! hy is losing and aintaining weight so di ficult This is partly caused by the fact that the hormones that regulate appetite can be out of balance. The ‘hunger hormone’ has increased and the ‘satiety hormone’ has decreased.

During weight loss, you can experience more hunger, or the body can go into an energy-saving mode so that fewer calories are burned. You will eventually gain weight again. The well-known yo-yo effect, unfortunately, takes over again.

Are you looking for a refreshing and personal approach to your overweight?

Our doctors are happy to help you! They will look for the underlying causes of your obesity. This approach requires a detailed analysis of your biochemical and lifestyle factors and uses that data to determine personalized treatment plans that lead to better outcomes.

We have recently started using appetite suppressant medication as extra support. This is a proven, safe, and highly effective method with GLP-1 medication (painless injection). This method is suitable for anyone with a BMI higher than 25. The active ingredient in this medication is liraglutide, like the incretin hormone GLP-1, which is released from the intestines after eating a meal. Liraglutide increases the feeling of satiety and reduces feeling of appetite and hunger; this causes you to eat less. It ultimately reduces body weight, especially the loss of visceral fat (fat between the organs).

We only promote something if we believe in it. A product that we have not tested ourselves first will not enter our clinic. xperiences with this appetite suppressant medication show that clients successfully lose weight in their way. And that without an extreme diet or excessive exercise. It is essential to adopt a healthy lifestyle that is easy to maintain. We are happy to help you on your way with usable and feasible Health Steps. Step by step on the way to your dream weight—the ultimate result: more control over your weight and fewer complaints. atisfied custo er a about the drea weight consultation y experience with the appetite suppressant medication has been very successful so far. My body fat percentage has decreased, and I have not experienced any side effects. My irresistible craving for chips and nuts has completely disappeared, and healthy eating is no longer a struggle. I feel strong and balanced now.”

Would you like more insight into your weight and knowledge about your lifestyle? We are happy to help you on your way to your dream weight.

Book your appointment by calling 020-210 1230 or email elise@hollandhealthclinic.com

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13-07-2022 11:02

AUGUST 2022 | 27

TIPS book |

book & expo |

Photographic Works | Casper Faassen

FLASH/BACK | Mauritshuis The Hague

Beauty is central to the artworks of visual artist Casper Faassen, yet the tranquil, eternal and beautiful is shown against a background of decay.

Faassen’s roots as a painter are clearly visible in his photographic work.

In addition to choosing painter-style subjects and compositions, he uses multiple transparent layers that not only give the viewer a sense of distance, but also stimulate memory and association. As a last layer he applies gold paint, referring to the beauty of time and decay. His works are dim and subdued, but at the same time rich in materials and detail.

Casper Faassen Photographic Works contains several series: from his collaborations with dancers, still lifes he calls ReCollections, portraits and nudes to landscapes and clouds.

Terra Editors, ISBN 9789089898890, €59.50

To celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Mauritshuis in The Hague, the museum asked contemporary photographers, established names and up-and-coming talents - who, like the collection of Flemish and Dutch masters owned by the Mauritshuis, come from the Netherlands and Belgiu to re ect on the per anent collection. hat happens when new asters pic up where old asters le t o is now re ected in / BACK. Sixteen contemporary works by sixteen top photographers - one for each room of the Mauritshuis - hang, stand or lie directly next to their sources of inspiration and are placed next to each other in the book.

The artists Rineke Dijkstra, Anton Corbijn, Viviane Sassen, Erwin Olaf, Sara Blokland, Morad Bouchakour, Elspeth Diederix, Desirée Dolron, Kadir van ohui en an a aru i incent ent el evin sepa h et olat Carla van de uttelaar Dustin Thierry and tephan an eteren chose or themselves which artwork they wanted to work with. For some it was a painting, for others a detail from a painting and for yet others a whole roo in the useu . xpect original surprising re ections on th century art: counterparts, commentaries and alternatives. No photo is a remake of the original painting. You are guaranteed never to look at Rembrandt, Vermeer and Jan Steen the same way again.

The selection was made by Martine Gosselink (director Mauritshuis), Hedwig Wösten (manager exhibitions & projects Mauritshuis) and Frits Gierstberg (curator of the Nederlands Fotomuseum).

The exhibition can be seen until ctober in the auritshuis in The Hague.

Hannibal Books, ISBN 9789464366266, € 59 (in Dutch & English)

resto |

Renato’s | Bloemendaal aan Zee At the brand-new Renato’s restaurant in Poort Beach Hotel in Bloemendaal aan Zee, with its long tables full of southern delicacies, it seems you’re on the Mediterranean – but it’s a lot faster to reach and with a view over the North Sea. Thanks to its unique location, right on the boulevard of Bloemendaal aan Zee, Poort Beach Hotel is the ideal base for a wonderful (family) holiday, wedding or event on the beach. To complete the holiday experience, guests can enjoy lunch and dinner at the on-site restaurant Renato’s, which has already become a neighbourhood favorite with its authentic yet conte porary Italian avors in sterda The ague and Nijmegen.

www.renatos.nl

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11-07-2022 11:22

FEEL THE FRESH A I R!

At Caesar Fitness + Spa Resort you have

Our motto at Caesar Fitness + Spa resort is:

Did you also know that we have the KidsClub

everything under one roof with 5000 m2

‘’Your body is your temple’’. We help you take care

where young children from 3 months to 4 years

of your body as well as your mind. We are more

old are cared for while their parents enjoy their

than a gym. Our top priority is for our members to

visit at Caesar? Children up to 8 years old are

be able to train in a safe and healthy environment.

even welcome to come and play on weekends and

We offer you an environment with a state of the

during school holidays.

of wellness, health and fitness. Our luxury resort is located in the heart of the city of The Hague on the Mauritskade.

art ventilation system. This ventilation system constantly brings in fresh outdoor air filtered

Our facilities are brought together at one place to

through glass filters so our members and guests

offer maximum comfort to our members. Do you

breathe in fresh and clean air.

want to experience what a membership at Caesar Fitness + Spa Resort entails? Come visit our club

For an optimal balance between body and mind,

and we will show you al the benefits of our

you can visit our Body & Mind studio where we

membership.

give different types of yoga classes. You can always find the right class to fit your lifestyle and

For more information visit our website www.

needs.

caesar-denhaag.nl. We are looking forward to getting to know you soon and to give you a free

Members can relax in the Spa & Wellness area.

tour of our facilities.

You can go swimming in our fantastic pool or enjoy a variety of saunas, hamam and whirlpool.

At Caesar, we also pay attention to the outer wellness when taking care of our bodies. Our beauty area offers a wide range of massages, high quality facials and other beauty treatments.

MAURITSKADE 10 | DEN HAAG | T +31 (0)70 820 99 10 | WWW.CAESAR-DENHAAG.NL Fitness & Sport

Body & Mind

Beauty & Health

Spa & Wellness

FITNESS, WELLNESS RACKET SPORTS & MORE Discover Amstelhof in Uithoorn. Not just your average gym, but an all-inclusive Sport & Health Club with a unique range of sport and relaxation under one roof. Join a challenging group lesson, work out with a FitCoach, play badminton, tennis or squash or relax in the wellness area. Everything is included.

CLAIM YOUR 4-WEEK TRY OUT NOW! WWW.AMSTELHOF.COM

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11-07-2022 14:39

AUGUST 2022 | 29

HEALTH

Five easy sports to start a healthier lifestyle today

Many studies agree that sports are an essential part for a happier life. Not only are they a perfect way to reduce stress, they also help to re-energize our spirit and meet new people.

According to the World Health Organization, sports and health go hand in hand, offering people all over the world, of different abilities and ages, the chance to live happier, healthier and more productive lives.

Have you been looking to start a new sport but don’t know which one? Worry no more! The Holland Times has created a list of the easiest sports to begin your healthy journey today.

1. Volleyball One of my favourite sports and you can start today. Just grab a volleyball and go to a court.

This sport involves two teams of six players and each one gets three hits to pass the ball over the net. The objective is to throw the ball over to the other side so the other team can’t hit it back and to prevent the ball hitting the ground on your side. Each set is played to 25 points and the team needs three sets to take the match home.

It’s a sport that demands outstanding teamwork and individual skills. It can be an amazingly fun game to play with friends.

Equipment required - A net and court of dimensions 18 m x 9 m - A standard volleyball and sports shoes 2. Swimming Swimming can be learned at any it’s a really necessary skill to have emergency situations, especially in country like the Netherlands. The

age and in many a watery progress

in this sport depends on your effort. Once you have learned the basics, swimming can be a very refreshing and calorie-burning exercise. The best way to start swimming is to take lessons. There are various techniques and strokes coordinating your arms and legs to move forward in the water.

Overall, you can learn the basic movements in only 15 days.

Equipment required - Swimsuit (cap and goggles optional) - A swimming pool 3. Ping pong or table tennis Really easy to learn, but this sport requires practice to master it. The objective of the game is to win 11 points to get one set. A match can be for best of 5 or 7 sets. The players have to hit the ball with a racquet towards the opponent over the net.

However, the ball has to touch the side of the court first and then bounce in such a way the opponent can’t reach the ball. Learning a basic way to play can take up to 30 days, but you can already start practicing today.

Equipment required - A table with a net and dimensions 2.74 m x 1.25 m x 76 cm high - Two wooden racquets and a ping-pong ball (40 mm) 4. Cycling One of the favourite sports in the Netherlands.

The Dutch love their bikes and use them as a way to move around, but you can also practice

this in a sportier way to stay in shape Cycling is environment-friendly and it’s good for you as it helps you to sleep better, build immunity, reduce stress and increase productivity. You can learn to cycle in hours or in just a few days.

Equipment required - A bike, helmet and sports shoes - Comfortable jersey and shorts 5. Running Probably one of the easiest sports to start. You just need yourself. If you are doing this for fun and to stay healthy, there are no rules. Running keeps the heart in good shape and makes your body fit. It’s easy to start and it’s an excellent way to get out and explore the outdoors with friends or alone.

Equipment required - Running shoes - Comfortable clothes A healthy diet Eating well is a vital part to enjoy sports. The WHO states that following a healthy diet helps prevent malnutrition in all its forms, which prevents a range of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and conditions. There are five keys elements to a healthy diet: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Eat moderate amounts of fats and oils Eat less salt and sugars Breastfeed babies and young children Eat a variety of foods Eat plenty of vegetables and fruit

However, the WHO warns that the increased production of processed foods, rapid urbanization and changing lifestyles have led to a shift in the way people around the globe consume food. Humans now eat more products high in energy, fats, sugars, salt, and many people do not eat enough fruit, vegetables and other fiber such as whole grains. But not to worry: a few small and easy changes in your diet may set you on the path to a healthier lifestyle.

Written by Raphael Vieira

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13-07-2022 10:59

ACHIEVE YOUR DREAM WEIGHT WITH HOLLAND HEALTH CLINIC

Did you ever lose quite a few pounds and gained it all back twice as fast? Very frustrating!

Why is it so difficult to lose weight permanently and sustainably? New at Holland Health Clinic is the Dream Weight Consult!

The Dream Weight Consult: • Two consultations, including various measurements (biometry and lab).

• Focus on a plant-based - low fat diet.

• Appetite suppressant medication (if applicable). This will give you a faster feeling of fullness after you have eaten and ensures ‘cravings’ to disappear to a large extent.

• We will support you with our Weight Control Program.

ACHIEVE YOUR DREAM WEIGHT! Let us help you to start and boost your weight and lifestyle.

Call us or scan the QR code to book a Dream Weight Consult and receive a Vitamin B12-check for free. Use code: DREAMWEIGHT2O22 (valid till September 1st, 2022).

We are a clinic for preventative health care. With doctors who listen and understand your needs.

We offer state of-the-art Health Checks & Hormone Checks, personalized health, lifestyle and medical Consults and Guidance Programs to a healthier you.

Talk to us: 020 210 1230 | Minervalaan 29, 1077 NL Amsterdam | www.hollandhealthclinic.com

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05-07-2022 13:51

AUGUST 2022 | 31

SPORT

The Sporting Expat

Sneekweek ©Anke Haadsma

Many Holland Times readers can relate to heading off to a foreign country for work thinking they will return at some point to their home country. Many readers can also relate to going from an unplanned transition from expat to permanent resident of their new country. Short term assignments can turn into lifelong adventures whether for work, love or simply a good fit in the new country.

For Thomas Rongen the reason was less common: an invitation to play professional soccer in the United States turned into a lifetime of opportunity in sport.

When we think of Dutch sport figures who left the Netherlands to ply their trade in America, we might think of Rik Smits, the “Dunking Dutchman”. who parlayed a college education in Poughkeepsie, New York for a career playing professional basketball in the USA and finally taking up residence in Zionsville, Indiana. Or we might consider Arie Luyendyk who made a name for himself in the USA in open wheel motor sport and cemented his fame for all time by winning the Indianapolis 500. “The Flying Dutchman”, who hails from the island village of Sommelsdijk, can be found these days enjoying the warmth of Scottdale, Arizona.

For Thomas Rongen, the journey was different but is a story that merits telling here. In the late 70’s, Rongen was a 21 year old recent graduate of the CIOS (Physical Education) and was playing football for the Amsterdamsche Football Club (AFC), a traditional and successful club in the Sunday amateur competition.

Young Rongen was asked by the legendary Dutch trainer, Rinus Michels to join the team he had been hired to coach in the United States: the Los Angeles Aztecs in the North American Soccer League. Michels brought a number of Dutch players with him including one Hendrik Johannes Cruyff. In 1980, Cruyff would move to the Washington Diplomats and Rongen would follow suit. The 1980 season would be the last for the Diplomats as the franchise folded and the players were left to find new teams. Cruyff would return to Europe to play for Levante in Spain and Rongen would remain in the U.S., ending up in Florida with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. After a few more stops in other cities playing both outdoor and indoor football, Rongen would hang up his boots in Ft. Lauderdale.

THT6_2022 _CS.indd 31

Having already coached football during his playing days, Rongen would continue to coach at the High School, Collegiate, Club and Professional levels. In 1996, he would coach the Tampa Bay Mutiny in the inaugural season of Major League Soccer. He would manage two other clubs in MLS including D.C. United where he led the team to club the MLS Cup in 1999. Following his tenure in MLS, Rongen would move to federation football being appointed as the head coach of the U.S. Under 20 men’s team where he would spend most of the 21st century’s first decade.

which he is still fiercely proud was Thomas Rongen. His vast network in sport and his ability to inspire interest in the sport he is so passionate about will no doubt go a long way to ensure that the efforts will be successful.

For more information: www.nlsportpartners-usa.com Written by John Mahnen

After failing to qualify with the U.S. for the World Cup in 2011, Rongen signed on to coach American Samoa.

Under Rongen, American Samoa won a game against Tonga which was only their second win in the island nation’s footballing history. His coaching in American Samoa was featured in the 2014 documentary “Next Goal Wins” which was reviewed very favorably in this newspaper and was widely acclaimed. For fans of the beautiful game, this is a must watch. The story has also been adapted as a feature film and is slated for release in 2023 with Michael Fassbender starring in the role of Thomas Rongen.

Rongen continues his footballing journey in America putting his vast experience and knowledge to good use as a television and radio commentator. He works for BeIN Sports, CBS Sports and is also the analyst for the radio broadcasts of the MLS side Inter Miami CF. The same effervescent personality and true gift of gab serve him well in a new role as well - Rongen has been drafted into service by the Dutch Government to serve as the “Liaison for Sports Innovation and Vitaly” for the consulate in Miami. Led by Consul General Ruth Emmerink, the Consulate in Miami has taken a proactive role in promoting Dutch businesses in the sports and vitality sector to secure business opportunities in the region and nationally. Part of the strategy includes a socalled Project In Business (PIB) which is funded by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency and includes the Orange Sports Forum in promoting Dutch innovation in Sport in the U.S. The recent activities at Soccerex, the world’s foremost football trade show and conference in Miami were a very visible kickoff to the PIB on American soil.

Front and center at Soccerex representing the country to

13-07-2022 10:59

The best meetingpoint for expats!

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13-07-2022 10:59