The Underground "Celebrations"

CELEBRATIONS

Anna Paulowna

ADO Den Haag News

Merry Christmas

Page 9

Page 23 Issue 2 / December 2011

The Underground Experience The Hague with us! Absorb the cultural and social essence of this diverse city through the eyes of the international community and locals. www.theunderground.nl

FREE COPY !

The Hague

Winter Festivals

By Resident poet Sareen McLay

You hold on to your tradition And I’ll hold on to mine.

Perhaps we could borrow a little from Each other and we’ll get on just fine?

Diwali, Sinterklaas, Father Christmas.

What do you call yours?

This search for the lights To stave off the cold dark nights?

Shall we share, shall we embrace?

A little bit of yours and a little bit of mine?

We’ll connect this world together with light In the cold harsh darkness of wintertime.

by Teus Zantman www.teustekeningen.wordpress.com, get your copy at Kaatje aan de Rein

KERSTMARKT | CHRISTMAS MARKET vanaf zaterdag 29 oktober tot kerstavond From Saturday October 29th, until Christmas Eve

KAATJE AAN DE REIN

Openingstijden | Opening hours Maandag | Monday: 11:00 - 18:00 Dinsdag t/m vrijdag | Tuesday to Friday: 9:30 - 18:00 Zaterdag | Saturday:9:30 - 17:00 Zondag | Sunday: 12:00 - 17:00 Extra koopavonden | Extra late night shopping Vrijdag | Friday 2 December: 9:30 - 21:00 Vrijdag | Friday 23 December: 9:30 - 21:00 Vanaf 17 november ook donderdagavond geopend tot 21:00 uur From November 17, the shop will remain open every Thursday until 21:00

Frederik Hendriklaan 63 | 2582 BT The Hague tel. 0031 (0)70 356 99 80 | fax 0031 (0)70 360 16 32 info@kaatje.com | www.kaatje.com

The Underground The Hague

Contributors Barbara Reale

is a qualified Naturopathic Doctor certified in The Netherlands. She also works as a nutritionist lecturing, organising seminars and giving healthy cooking workshops. www.royalempowerment.nl

Brigitte Spiegeler

Brigitte Spiegeler is a Lawyer at Brisdet Spiegeler Advocaten www.brisdet-spiegeler. com

Carolyn Vines is a Study Abroad Consultant

and author of Black and (A)broad: travelling beyond the limitations of identity. www.blackandabroad.com

Danny Guinan

is a freelance translator, editor and writer and has contributed articles to magazines both in his native Ireland and in the Netherlands.

Eowyn Crisfield

is a Canadian educated specialist in teaching English as a second/foreign language and bilingualism www.onraisingbilingualchildren.wordpress.com

Leendert Haaring

is an editor living in The Hague. Leendert, born to a Dutch father and an Irish mother, loves music, movies, football and the nightlife.

Linda A. Janssen

is a writer and American living in The Hague.

She writes in a number of genre and at her blog Adventures in Expat Land. www.adventuresinexpatland.com.

Martin van Zaanen

is a writer from Scheveningen. His debut novel Russel Start was published this year.

Mihal Greener

Looking for...................

We are looking for talented and inspired people with a air for writing who can deliver interesting and informative articles about life and living in The Hague. A writer for The Underground should ideally be part of the international community of The Hague whether living here or just visiting. We are looking for articles with a personal touch.

Topics including art, music, fashion, passions, museums, architecture, kids, food, shopping, books, history, sports and leisure related to The Hague are encouraged. Let the reader experience The Hague through your eyes. We are interested in positive and constructive pieces that are respectful of other cultures and nationalities. Interested? email: editor@theunderground.nl

is a freelance journalist from Melbourne, Australia. Before moving to The Hague three years ago Mihal worked as an academic and a lawyer.

Neal McClimon

is a writer and photographer. He has covered many sporting and cultural events in and around The Hague for the past four years. Check his website at: www.itpphotography.com

Sofia Lotto Persio

comes from Torino, Italy. She lives in The Hague and she’s majoring in World Politics at Leiden University College.

Satarupa Bose Roy

has always worked as a journalist, most recently for The Times of India. Writing is her passion and she find expression through words – her playmates.

The H ague

December 2011

Graphic Design Simone Branson Harper Interns Gabriëlla Herlaar Zoë Winkel Editorial Co-editors Jane Dean Reina van Nieuwkerk-Rácz Editorial Adviser Jo Parfitt Writers Andrea Paterson Anna Holligan Poem Sareen McLay Recipe Stana van Ginkel Drawings The Hague Teus Zantman Art Photo Zoë Winkel Proofreading Cora Van den Bossche Jo Parfitt Translator Reggie Curiel Photographers Marina Novosad MARINAPHOTOGRAPHY.NL Minna Sun Kim Print Wegener NieuwsDruk BV

Editorial

The Underground is a FREE monthly paper founded

by Simone Branson Harper Info@theunderground.nl Phone +31 6 81505049

The Underground The Hague

Letter from the Editors There was a rumour on the night that The Hague was celebrating Halloween, that crowds of people were seen leaving O’Casey’s pub in Noordeinde holding onto mysterious black carrier bags. These people had attended the launch party of The Hague’s latest literary offering, The Underground’s goodie bags contained the very first issue as well as other delectable goodies provided by our generous sponsors.

The event started off with a warm welcome by Simone Branson Harper, followed by an animated introduction by Master of Ceremonies, Barbara Rogoski, who delighted the crowd with her lively welcoming speech, introducing The Underground and the paper’s vision. We were delighted to have the opportunity to address the fabulous writers as well as meet so many of you.

The evening was interspersed with performances by the fabulous Irish singer Andrew Reynolds and the now renowned Irish dancers of the Kilkenny School of Irish Dance.

We can be proud of what was achieved in only six weeks, are delighted how well the paper has been received and thank you all for making the launch such a wonderful success!

Our December issue is a celebration of the festive season and we wish you, our readers, Happy Holidays!

Reina van Nieuwkerk-Rácz and Jane Dean

Jane Dean

is an Anglo-American freelance writer and editor. She chronicles the challenges of international living and raising a family living in three countries on two continents at www.wordgeyser.com

Reina van Nieuwkerk-Rácz

is a freelance writer, illustrator and editor.

An expat since the age of two, she has lived in 11 countries. Currently she is on a home posting and rediscovering Holland. www.expatcalidocious.com

Advertising Sales@theunderground.nl © Disclaimer Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for omissions and errors. All material in this publication is strictly copyright and all rights reserved.

! h c u o t Get in We are keen to hear your views, suggestions and feedback. Email: info@theunderground.nl

Find us on Facebook & follow us on Twitter: @UndergroundTH

LAAN VAN MEERDERVOORT 136 2517 BE DEN HAAG T: 070 - 365 90 63 | F: 070 - 365 43 97 WWW.RMWONEN.NL

3

4

The Underground The Hague

Get Out!

Reina van Nieuwkerk -Rácz reveals another of Holland’s hidden treasures.

I wouldn’t know east from west if it rang my doorbell and yet new evidence indicates that women and men are just as good at giving directions and estimating distances. A study led by linguistics professor Jennifer Ewald from the St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, USA, proved women to be better than their male counterparts. In fact, a quarter of the women gave entirely accurate directions – three per cent more than the male contingent.

Half of the women guessed accurately how far away a specified attraction was, compared with just a third of the men. Men included significantly more mileage estimates than females, but their estimates contained more errors.

In that case I must rethink why it is I always get lost. Could it be that my strong sense of adventure disrupts my sense of direction?

Should I be saying things like: ‘Similar to Captain Schouten who found Cape Horn, I, last week ‘discovered’ Hoorn’?

A year ago, living in Chile, I learnt that Cape Horn, the country’s most southern point, was named after a small coastal town in the North of Holland. In January 1616 the crew of the Eendracht, a ship belonging to the Dutch East India Company encountered a small, unknown island that they named Kaap Hoorn in honour of the wealthy merchants of Hoorn who had financed their voyage.

Hoorn itself is magnificent. The beautifully conserved seventeenth century town reflects the wealth the Dutch East India Company brought with it. Walking along the steep embankment Achter op t’Zand you also get a feel of how the more simple folk, the sailors and fishermen lived. The amazing thing about Hoorn is that it’s still all intact.

Buildings are authentic; some even have their original windows! The only clue to the passage of time is the rather charming fact that nearly all the buildings lean into each other, like elderly couples walking arm in arm.

The old weighing house, De Waag, where merchants once weighed their wares for fair bartering, and which is now a café, was built in 1604. Its carved beams can still be admired, as can some of the enormous original scales.

The harbour is flanked by a decorative defense tower originally built in 1532 that made up part of the city’s wall. Walking along the jetty and gazing back I realize this was the exact same view sailors had returning home from years at sea - six centuries ago!

News & Views

December 2011

Book Review A Course in Transition

by Carolyn Vines

A child who has lived overseas and outside their home country all their lives will have no problem adjusting to moving ‘home’ for their university years, right?

Wrong, as Tina L. Quick discovered.

Having three college aged children herself, she assumed that having moved her children all over the world and watched them assimilate to new cultures, new schools and new lives, university would be no different. The Global Nomad’s Guide to University Transition is testament that these important transition years have their own issues for global children.

Quick uses poignant case studies to illustrate the stages of transition. She tackles difficult emotional concepts like culture shock, depression and grief and presents them in an accessible way. She provides essential tools for transitioning students as well as useful tips for their parents.

Indeed, ‘forewarned is forearmed’ could be the book’s subtitle because, during times of transition, ‘Knowing what to expect, appreciating that your responses are normal, and having tools and strategies for dealing with the change will keep the roadblocks and unwanted surprises to a minimum’.

Yet you don’t have to be a young adult heading off to college to identify with the five stages of transition Quick talks about. Families that are expanding due to birth or shrinking because of death or divorce will pass through the stages of involvement, leaving, transition, entering and re-involvement.

Not a stranger to transition, Quick is a global nomad herself. Along with her three college-aged kids she has 25 years of experience working to help families through their transitions. She is adamant that the advice shared by an acquaintance before her first adult overseas posting, describing the emotions she would feel, spared her needless stress The Global and anxiety.

Nomad’s Guide to Quick is now paying forward that information. ‘Tis the season to give, and The Global Nomad’s Guide to University Transition makes an ideal gift. Although it’s intended to be a valuable resource for third culture kids (TCKs) heading off to university and their families, this jewel of a book is a gift to anyone in transition.

University Transition Tina L. Quick Summertime Publishing Paperback, 269 pages

EXHIBITION

Philosophy, Monuments and Politics by Brigitte Spiegeler

The exhibition runs until 11 December 2011 Location: Stroom, Hogewal 1-9, The Hague Opening hours: Wed. thru Sun. 12 noon - 5 pm Philosophy, monuments and politics, these three topics are combined and used by artist Hans van Houwelingen, who is explicitly engaged in the field of art and public space.

In his solo exhibition, Until it stops, at Stroom, a centre for art and architecture, he dismantles the assumptions and strategies we have towards monuments. For one project called What is done . . . can be undone

Houwellijg wanted to organise an exchange between the monuments of Thorbecke (Dutch politician and architect of the Constitution of 1848) and Spinoza (Philosopher 1632-1677).

Thorbecke actually belongs in The Hague and Spinoza in Amsterdam. One hundred years ago, the city of The Hague decided it did not want the Thorbecke monument in their city and so it was moved to Amsterdam.

Now the city wants a monument for Thorbecke. Amsterdam missed a statue of the most famous and radical Dutch philosopher Baruch Spinoza (1632-1677), who lived in The Hague during the last years of his life.

The exchange never took place, but the monuments can now be seen together at Stroom.

December 2011

News & Views

The Underground The Hague

WIN

WO RTH E

110,

-

Photo by Minna Sun Kim

A Blast from the Past • Martin van Zaanen’s conversation with William of Orange

A clammy mist hung low over het Plein. Outdoor cafés stood empty. It was a night like any other, nothing special and yet something curious occurred. At first, I wasn’t sure I’d heard right.

Perhaps it was because he noticed me writing in my notebook as I strolled by his statue that made William of Orange address me. Just to be clear, when I say William, I mean the first King of our country, the founding father of our nation, the creator of Holland.

Tell us WHO IS THIS & WHERE can WE find this in the Hague

statue

For a man known as William the Silent, he was quite the talker.

‘Did you know that The Hague boasts about 500 statues, we’re a mixed bunch,’ he said. ‘There’s football legend Aad Mansveld at the ADO Den Haag stadium and then there’s the romantic heroine Eline Vere, on the Groothertoginnelaan. That’s right, there’s also another one of me in front of Noordeinde Palace, sitting on my horse. People continually see us, yet no one ever wonders what we might have seen over the years.’

I suppose he had a point. ‘Lucky there‘s plenty going on here in the square,’ I note.

‘Politically speaking?’ he inquires. ‘There comes a point when you no longer care. This might be the city where all political decisions are made, but that’s not what makes the heart of a Hagenees beat. No, I prefer the demonstrations. Maybe they’re a waste of time, but it’s at these occasions that you get to see a city’s soul.’

you can win “Facial treatment (60 min) and a Professional skin analysis” at “Prestige Beauty” one of the most beautiful SPA’s, located in Hotel Des Indes in The Hague.

We continued chatting for a while and he recounted how he had, at one time, been turned 90 degrees during a refurbishment of the square. He queried whether I could imagine a time, not so long ago, when this very place had been an overcrowded car park, just like the Binnenhof.

(competition ends 30th December)

‘Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

I mean, you should see the beautiful women passing by in the summer.’

Dierckx

It was time to go; we ’d had a great conversation. Saying our goodbyes I walked away flattered he had chosen me to talk to. Sadly, that feeling didn’t last long. Turning into the Korte Vijverberg I looked back and saw he had already found a new friend. Though the seagull standing on his head probably wouldn’t have thought so.

Did you know: 1

2

The ‘s-Gravenhaagsche Stadsrijschool is the oldest civilian horse-riding school in the Netherlands.

In 2006 they celebrated their 200th anniversary. It was founded by King Louis Napoleon in 1806 and donated to the city of The Hague in 1810.

The oldest square of The Hague is the Plaats. This square dates back to 1097 and is therefore older than the city of The Hague itself. It was part of the very first hunting lodge of the Counts of Holland, which was built around 1097.

Email your answer to sales@theunderground.nl

& Dierckx

& D Antwerpen

Den Haag

Personal Assistant, Home Services, Chauffeur, Personal Chef, Personal Security, Reservations, Personal Shopper...

D

Please call us for more information.

Laan van Meerdervoort rrdervoort 1417 2555BK Den Haag +31 (0)6 149 323 37 Info@dierckx-die rckx-die r r rckx.nl www.dierckx-die r rckx-die rckx.nl r

5

6

The Underground The Hague

News & Views

December 2011

The Hungry Minds • Local residents reach out to the international community in The Hague

Ask Brigitte • by Brigitte Spiegeler

‘Christmas time! Off you go to the garden center to buy a Christmas tree. When returning home all the needles are not on the tree anymore but in the trunk of the car.

What can I do?’

The basic principle is: Products that you buy as a consumer have to meet the reasonable expectations that you have when it comes to their quality.

When these expectations are not met, you can invoke your consumer rights.

When buying a Christmas tree, you expect that your tree will be okay until after Christmas and will not lose all its needles before. If your tree loses its needles, you can claim the seller to fulfill the purchase by providing you a new one.

If your seller cannot provide you with a new Christmas tree, you have the right to rescind the buying agreement. You bring the Christmas tree back and the seller has to return you the money.

There’s a unique clubhouse tucked away behind the International School of The Hague to the south of the city. Walk in on any weekday and you will hear English, Dutch, Spanish or Portuguese and see clusters of women getting to know each other over coffee. Once school is out, they are joined by a mass of children who have come to take part in one of the many activities on offer at The Hungry Mind.

Once a musty, somewhat run down clubhouse, the building now houses a vibrant community and activity centre that welcomes locals and internationals to its cosy interior and makes them feel at home in The Hague.

Adults can take classes in Dutch and other languages or do yoga, go jogging, Nordic walking, paint, knit or participate in cooking classes. Their children, in the mean time, can take part in arts and crafts, tennis, rugby, football, archery, singing and ballet classes. The list of activities continues to grow.

The Hungry Mind is the brainchild of Petra Brekelmans. Petra has spent years overseas and knows all about adjusting to life in a foreign country. Finding herself back in her homeland, she feels strongly that locals can play a significant role in helping internationals integrate. The English and Dutch classes pave the way for a better understanding between the different cultures, as do the social and sporting activities.

The volunteers who help to run the Hungry Mind together with the sponsors recently celebrated the first year anniversary with the happy news that the council had granted them the use of the building for a further five years. This is a personal triumph for Petra who has had to overcome quite a few hurdles on her way to prove that her mission could be achieved. Now that the Hungry Mind’s future has been secured, Petra has flung herself headlong into plans for expansion, starting with a mini tennis area for the children alongside the clubhouse.

Petra will be one of the guests in a series of in-depth interviews on the local radio programme, Dutchbuzz. The programme is broadcast weekly on Den Haag FM 92.0 and online. The December programmes will be devoted to profiling those people who have made a difference to the lives of locals and internationals over the past year.

These special individuals will voice their thoughts on the year that was and speak about their hopes for 2012. The interview with Petra Brekelmans will be broadcast on December 6. www.thehungrymind.nl www.dutchbuzz.nl

The articles 17,18 and 21 of Title I of Book VII of the Dutch Civil Code are the basis of your consumer rights.

Don’t spoil your Christmas with a shabby Christmas tree.

Use your consumer rights and have a merry Christmas!

Do you have a legal question for Brigitte?

Email: ASK BRIGITTE

info@theunderground.nl

TULIP EXPATS SERVICES

News & Views

December 2011

Album Reviews • Reviews by Leendert Haaring

Noel Gallagher - Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds If you expect Noel Gallagher’s solo debut album to sound like his previous band Oasis you’ll be disappointed. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds doesn’t contain any sing-a-long anthems for the masses or toe tappers borrowed from The Beatles back catalogue. As a solo artist Noel no longer needs to answer to other band members and he has taken full advantage of this newfound artistic freedom. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds is an adventurous album featuring string sections, wind instruments and even a dance track (‘What a Life!’), things you wouldn’t normally associate with a Noel Gallagher record.

Dark opener ‘Everybody’s on the Run’ sets the tone. It sounds like a jam between The Verve and Ennio Morricone. It is one of the highlights of the album. First single ‘The Death of You and Me’ is another standout track as is the Smiths-like ‘Broken Arrow’. As opposed to later Oasis albums there isn’t one weak track on the album. Noel has stated that his second album, which he is already working on, will be even more experimental. It can’t come soon enough.

Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto Three years after ‘Viva la Vida or Death and all his Friends’ Coldplay return with the intriguingly entitled Mylo Xyloto. Coldplay have delivered on their promise to ‘go pop’ on their fifth studio album.

After a musical intro, also called ‘Mylo Xyloto’, the album kicks off with the punky pop of ‘Hurts like Heaven’, one of the best songs Coldplay have done in recent times. Second single of the album ‘Paradise’ is trademark Coldplay, stadium- rock ready to be performed in front of thousands in venues across the globe. ‘Charlie Brown’, with its catchy riff, and first single ‘Every Teardrop is a Waterfall’ keep the momentum going. After that the album loses its way a little. ‘U.F.O.’ and ‘Up in Flames’ are filler material. ‘Princess of China’, featuring pop songstress Rihanna, fares slightly better, but not much. The band finally redeem themselves with the U2-esque ‘Don’t let it Break your Heart’ and the album’s epic closer ‘Up with the Birds’. On Mylo Xyloto Coldplay have tried something different. Though the results aren’t always up to scratch, Coldplay deserve credit for not taking the easy option of sticking to a proven formula.

The Underground The Hague

7

WIN

Win a signed book

by Martin van Zaanen *story inspired by Chuck Deely

Some songs are perfect for in the car. In 1999 a hit from a well known Dutch band was voted the greatest driving song of all times. Name the band and the title of the song.

Email your answer: sales@theunderground.nl (Ends 30th December 2011)

Local News and Interviews On-air and On-line If you tune into Den Haag FM 92.0 just after 19.00 on a Tuesday evening you will be in for a surprise! A Dutch announcer will inform you that you’re about to hear a broadcast in English.

‘Dutchbuzz, The Hague’s international voice,’ says the announcer, in Dutch, before handing over to a team of English speaking presenters, reporters and correspondents.

This local initiative has been bringing news, views and interviews to listeners in The Hague since March of this year and hopes to become a strong voice linking the international and local communities of The Hague by posing the question: ‘What’s the buzz in The Hague?’ (to quote their jingle).

For those who miss the weekly broadcast on Den Haag FM, there is always the option of listening to the programme online. The programme remains on the homepage of the website for one week before being archived. It’s easily accessible as a podcast on your computer, iPad or smart phone and can be listened to at your convenience. Programme presenter Anna Dil will tell you to: ‘Sit back, relax and enjoy the next hour!’

What can you expect when you tune into the broadcast or weekly podcast? Dutchbuzz kicks off with the talking point of the week.

Its producer, Lily-Anne Stroobach, scans the local Dutch news and finds topical issues that are relevant to the international community of The Hague. Recent topics have included reports on the severe winter that is in store for us, the effects of state subsidy cuts on the visual and performing arts in the city, the Occupy The Hague protest against globalization and public transport strikes, to name just a few. Steve Coulson can often be heard bringing you on the spot news.

The programme features local politicians, city councilors, entrepreneurs, artists, writers and other newsmakers. Regular features include a selective look at the upcoming social and cultural events. Food and wine correspondents bring up to date news on local trends and culinary events.

Consumer reporter and presenter Innah Wordsworth, gives practical advice when it comes to finding the best deals in town while Nicky Sully reflects on the visual and performing arts in the city.

In December the programme will feature in-depth interviews, Winter Chats, with local newsmakers to reflect on the events of 2011 and pose the question: What’s in store for The Hague in 2012?

www.dutchbuzz.nl

The Underground

Neighbours

The Hague

8

December 2011

Neighbours: Kelly Kelly

• Linda A. Janssen finds a taste of home in The Hague

(pinball),’ Kelly reminisced longingly. ‘We would have lunch and then do some shopping, make a day out of it.’

Today, Kelly has founded her home in the Geuzenkwartier harbour neighbourhood of Scheveningen with her husband Jason and two young daughters. It is only a short distance from The Pier where the young couple met years ago. Kelly worked at the restaurant where construction worker Jason would come in for morning koffie. Jason has since joined his wife in running their business.

‘I feel as though we are also members of the Zeeheldenkwartier neighbourhood where the shop is because we

On beh al f of al we t he Merry C would like to wis staff, h you a hristma We t ha s and a hap py 2 nk y Kel ys E ou for shopping 012! at xpat Sh opping.

Kel ys www. ke Expat Shoppin l ys-ex g Piet Hei pat-shopping.n l 2581 nst raat 105 VC The Hagu Tel: 070 34697 e 53

I

magine going into business with someone living in another country. You scope out storefront space and sign a rental agreement, register with the Gemeente and make arrangements with suppliers. Suddenly your business partner backs out of the arrangement. What would you do?

Many of us would scramble around searching for another associate, delay the business launch or cut our losses and give up altogether.

Not Kelly Kelly. Despite no previous experience running her own business, she decided to put aside her fears, summon courage and go forward on her own. She took the knowledge, negotiating skills and business experience gleaned from 12 years working as a cargo account manager for KLM Airlines and put it to good use in her fledgling retail endeavor. Three and a half years later, she runs a thriving business importing specialty foods and other goods for the size-able international community in The Hague.

Does she harbour any ill will toward that wayward business partner?

‘Oh no!’ Kelly exclaimed, laughing at the suggestion. ‘My father-in-law owned delis in England and always planned to retire to Holland and have me join him in the “family business”. Unfortunately another family member became ill and he decided to remain there to care for them.’

Growing up in and around The Hague with her British father and Dutch mother, Kelly’s family history is representative of the truly international flavour of this area. Her maternal grandfather came from Indonesia and her maternal grandmother from Lithuania. Kelly’s mother was born in Holland, raised in the USA and Switzerland, and lived as a young woman in Japan. One of her fondest childhood memories is time spent with her father.

‘I remember that often on Sundays my father would take us to Het Pakhuis, what was then a restaurant and really nice bar in Delft. It was a friendly place and he enjoyed a pint or two while my sister and I would play flipperkast

spend so much time there,’ Kelly explained about the vibrant neighbourhood to the west of the Queen’s Noordeinde Palace. ‘It’s even called ‘the pearl of The Hague’. We have wonderful special markets here such as the Zeehelden Kerstmarkt, (Christmas market), the organic market and the huge Zeehelden festival in early summer.’

The latter is the annual Sea Heroes Festival, a four-day extravaganza run entirely by neighbourhood volunteers.

The festival includes music, street art, dance, children’s activities, food and drinks and a flea market offering homemade foodstuffs and handmade items.

Observe Kelly for any amount of time and you realize that she is always on the go.

People are often surprised to learn that many of our customers are Dutch ‘That’s true. I’m always moving. At night when I’m home I will be working on my computer or cleaning out cupboards,’ she laughed. ‘Unless I’m reading to my children, I don’t sit still.’

‘On weekends we like to go places with the children, biking on the beach paths and stopping for ice cream or frites.

I like to go out sometimes with my girlfriends, or we’ll go to eat as a family to a restaurant that welcomes children.’

‘Our girls have their own activities such as swimming, dance and piano lessons that keep them busy,’ Kelly shared. Days are full as the couple juggle parenting two active daughters with running an ever-expanding business.

Just as Kelly’s own family bridges the gap between the Dutch and international communities, so too does her clientele.

‘People are often surprised to learn that many of our customers are Dutch. They may have lived overseas and want to have a food item they miss or they have tried them here and enjoy them,’ Kelly explained. ‘Many Dutch people follow cooking shows on the BBC, buy English cookbooks that have been translated into Dutch and want to find recipe ingredients that might be hard to find.’

‘With the holidays approaching, we are busier than ever with customers. People want to buy or make their favourite dishes for a ‘taste of home’, like Christmas puddings, turkeys, stuffing, pumpkin and mince pies. The party crackers and candy Advent calendars are very popular, too.’ www.kellys-expat-shopping.eu

Features

December 2011

The Underground The Hague

9

Anna Paulowna •

Mihal Greener delves into the life of Holland’s Russian Queen

If you’ve found yourself picking up rye bread from Zeeheldenkwartier’s Russian delicatessen, it’s no coincidence you’re on Anna Paulownastraat, named after the Russian Grand Duchess who became Queen consort of the Netherlands in 1840. While Queen Beatrix’s great- great-grandmother entered the House of Orange after marrying Willem II, she is best remembered as a Russian Grand Duchess.

B

orn Anna Pavlovna in 1795 to Tsar Paul I and Maria Feodorovna, Dutch transliteration practices led to her being better known in the Netherlands as Anna Paulowna.

When six year-old Anna’s father was killed in a military coup, her brother Alexander became the Tsar. It was Tsar Alexander I who introduced his sister to Prince Willem in 1815 believing the union would symbolize the bond between the two countries following the Congress of Vienna.

As Grand Duchess and sister of the Tsar, Anna was a sought after match and Willem had followed in the footsteps of a number of distinguished suitors, including Emperor Napoleon.

Despite considering herself higher in status than the Prince of Orange, Anna agreed to the union receiving a dowry of one million roubles. Prior to the wedding it was established that while any future children would be raised Protestant, she would retain her Russian Orthodox faith.

The Prince of Orange and the Grand Duchess were married on 21 February 1816 in the Winter Palace at St Petersburg.

Napoleonic Wars. Paulowna cultivated the prestige of Willem’s role in the wars and a huge painting by J.W. Pieneman of The Prince of Orange at the Battle of Quatre Bras (1824) was given pride of place in the hall, since then known as the Waterloo Hall.

Willem and Anna preferred to live in Brussels until the 1830 Belgium revolution forced them to leave. Willem appreciated the distance from his father with whom he was often in conflict, and Anna felt more comfortable amongst the exuberance of Brussels’ court life, which reminded her of St Petersburg.

The marriage between Willem and Anna was often volatile.

Anna’s sense of superiority over Willem and his alleged adultery did little to appease the tensions in their relationship. When in 1829 nearly all of Anna’s valuable jewels were stolen in Brussels (many were later recovered) she suspected Willem of being the culprit, as he was in debt at the time and mixing with people that she considered to be of dubious character. Despite marital tensions, Anna’s sense of protocol meant that she always remained loyal to Willem. When he was accused of duplicity and forced to withdraw for a time to Willemsdorp, Anna joined him there, saying ‘[I’d] rather [share] a hut with my Willem then subscribe to dishonor.’

Anna did not easily adjust to her new role in Anna and Willem’s marriage produced five the Dutch royal family. She was described as children, Willem, Alexander, Hendrik, Casimir, a large stately figure with a strikingly Slavic who died four months after birth, and their appearance. She valued pomp and etiquette only daughter Sophia. Their eldest son and heir and never truly relinquished her bond with her apparent, who would later become Willem III, Photo by Minna Sun Kim homeland, despite speaking better Dutch than was a source of much concern for Anna. She her native French-speaking husband. Anna maintained close worried about his inferior tastes and degenerate behavior. Her contact with her mother and brothers in Russia, established a favorite son, Russian boy’s choir in the Netherlands and would appear at high Alexander, died before he turned 30 from tuberculosis, but Anna feast days in Russian national costume. Anna continued to be maintained a close relationship with both Hendrik and Sophia. active within the Russian Orthodox Church and had Russian Orthodox chapels built in four of her palaces.

Willem II died suddenly in 1849 aged 56, after only nine years on the throne. Following his death, Anna became lonely and Anna’s father-in-law, King Willem I, acknowledged her strong ties depressed and withdrew from public life, taking up residence at with her homeland when he presented her with the Tsar Boschlust. Willem had left Anna with significant debts and the Peter House in Zaandam to mark the birth of her son Alexander in Netherlands lost most of Willem’s art collection to Russia after it 1818. Paulowna had the house, still standing today, fully restored had served as collateral for a loan from Tsar Nicolas. and frequently visited it.

At the end of her life Anna Paulowna’s relationship with her son, Anna’s inflexible nature and ‘Russian temperament’ were King Willem III, grew increasingly strained. Following a particularly frequently blamed for her emotional outbursts. When under fiery confrontation with Willem in 1855, Anna planned to return stress she could be incapacitated for days with frayed nerves. At to Russia, but she ultimately remained in the Netherlands. the same time, she was considered intelligent, socially conscious and unfailingly loyal to her family and friends. She established a Anna died on 1 March 1865 at Buitenrust (where today the Peace number of charitable committees and during the Belgian revolt Palace stands) in The Hague. In her will she left Willem her jewused her own money to found the Willem Hospital in The Hague els and money, while Sophia inherited her estates in The Hague which she would visit and tend to the wounded soldiers. and Hendrik inherited Soestdijk Palace, where the memory of Anna Paulowna and Willem II continues to be maintained today The adjustment to living in The Hague was a difficult one for Anna. in the Waterloo Hall. The street in The Hague and the municipalComing from a privileged position in Russian society she found it ity named for her in North Holland honour a Queen who whilst hard to adjust to the Dutch class system where the distinction straddling two nations strived to maintain dignity in favour of between the classes was not as pronounced. Anna and Willem popularity. moved into the Huis van Huguetan on the Lange Voorhout while their palaces on the Kneuterdijk and Soestdijk Palace were being renovated. Anna was particularly fond of Soestdijk Palace which had been presented to Willem for his distinguished services in the

10

The Underground The Hague

Kids

December 2011

Don’t Forget to Pack the Pepernoten • Eowyn Crisfield on the importance of cultural maintenance

My field of specialization is language but when talking about bilingualism the topic of culture frequently comes up. Given the season, it’s appropriate to talk about an important aspect of culture for children growing up in an international and multicultural environment.

Most adults living overseas have little problem answering the question, ‘Where are you from?’ We identify with the country of our birth. For children who may not have been born in their parents’ birth country the question is more complex. These children are known as Third Culture Kids, or TCKs. Third Culture Kids are children who have a culture that is specific to being raised abroad – they have some of the culture of their parents’ countries and some of the culture of the country they are living in at any given time, as well as a little of the culture from everywhere else they have lived. TCKs are the ultimate cultural melting pot.

So what does this mean for parents?

Essentially, in the same way that parents need to consider language maintenance when leaving for a new country, they also need to consider ‘cultural maintenance’. The obvious example for those of us living in the Netherlands is the celebration of Sinterklaas, the Dutch equivalent of Santa Claus or Father Christmas.

The festive season in the Netherlands is centered around children and all the schools I have visited pay some homage to this Dutch tradition, whether it is in arts and crafts, story time, or seasonal celebrations.

So how does this affect families who leave The Netherlands?

While living in the Netherlands most of us choose to participate in Dutch culture to some degree – it is much easier to access

culture than to learn the language! When an international family returns to their native country, or moves to a new posting, they need to remember the cultural needs of the children. For them celebrating, let’s say Sinterklaas, has become part of their culture.

Over the years, I’ve sent many a ‘Sint-package’ to friends living in a new place with all the essentials; pepernoten, candy and Zwarte Piet hats so they can celebrate the Sinterklaas season with their children in the US, Malaysia, Dubai or wherever they now call home.

For the children, this is an important part of bringing their ‘old’ self into their new home. They cannot shed the trappings of a country they used to call home as easily as adults. In Raising Global Nomads, Robin Pascoe discusses the importance of establishing and maintaining meaningful family traditions, incorporating elements of the different lives the children have lived. By doing this, global families and third culture kids can feel a sense of belonging in a new place without needing to leave the old ‘home’ completely behind.

If you are a family planning to leave the Netherlands in the near future, consider what traditions and cultural experiences your children would want to take with them. For instance, you could take Sinterklaas costumes and some wooden shoes with you and arrange for a good friend to send you a ‘Sinterklaas care package’ in the next holiday season, wherever it may find you.

Features

December 2011

The Underground The Hague

11

Christmas Memories of the

Hongerwinter Reina van Nieuwkerk -Rácz looks at how one Haagse family celebrated Christmas during the darkest time of the war

In the autumn of 1944 Allied Forces had liberated the south of Holland but the west of the country, roughly the area above the great rivers, was still occupied. The Dutch Government in exile in London, certain that the war would be over before Christmas, had ordered the Dutch national railways, the Nederlandse Spoorwegen, to strike in concurrence with ‘Operation Market Garden’ to further Allied liberation efforts for the rest of The Netherlands.

The national railway complied and on 17 September 1944 railway staff did not show up for work, many had gone into hiding assisted by the local underground. The Germans were not in possession of the railway employment records making it near impossible to track down the strikers.

Quick to recruit new railway workers from Germany, they retaliated by placing an embargo on all food transports to the west of The Netherlands.

For many historians this was the beginning, as well as the cause, of the terrible Dutch famine known as the Hongerwinter, the hunger winter.

The areas affected by the famine were home to 4.5 million people. Although in early November 1944 the restriction was partially lifted allowing limited food transports over water, an early and unusually harsh winter had set in.

The frozen canals made it impossible for barges to pass and bring relief in the form of food, coal and medication. An estimated 20,000 people died of starvation.

Maria Brasser, today a feisty 74 year old, was only seven during the Hongerwinter yet she remembers it well. She was living with her parents and two brothers, aged four and twelve, in The Hague. Despite the stark circumstances, on Christmas Eve her parents, devout Catholics, did as they had always done, they celebrated Christmas.

‘Even though it was war time and there wasn’t much to celebrate, my parents still decorated the Christmas tree in the sitting room behind closed doors. With the last glass ball and candle in place, we were called in to admire the tree in all its glory. It was a magical moment. It wasn’t a real tree of course, a wooden rod acted as the trunk, which was wrapped with wire that extended into branches, they in turn were covered with green dyed goose feathers. They looked like real pine needles; the tips had artificial red berries. It was so beautiful,’ she recalls with a smile.

noodkachel, emergency stove, which could burn anything and was used for cooking meals. It stood in the sitting room warming the house - if they had anything to burn. Coal was nowhere to be found even on the black market.

Even though it was illegal, people cut down garden trees and in the worse case would burn their furniture, abandoned homes were ransacked for anything that could burn. Maria tells how her older brother, Piet, always cold and always hungry, would go out in search for fallen coals along railway lines.

‘I remember one afternoon Piet had not come home from playing outside and my mother suspected he had gone out to forage coals by the railway station with his friends. It was cold outside and starting to get dark and, despite my age, she sent me out to go and find him. Walking along the road I encountered two German soldiers being shouted at by a woman and when one of the soldiers raised his gun at her she suddenly grabbed me using me as a shield. I could smell the tangy leather of her brown coat as she tightly pressed me against her. People out on the streets stopped in their tracks, the silence was shrill, everyone holding their breath. It looked like musical statues, except this wasn’t a game. The soldier shouted that he would shoot and I felt the woman loosen her hold on me. Next thing I knew she abruptly dropped me and I landed hard on the pavement. The soldier grabbed the woman roughly by the shoulder and I ran home all the way forgetting my brother.’

After October 1944 butter was no longer available, meat coupons became worthless. The bread ration fell to one loaf a week and, with the allotted one kilogram of potatoes, formed the entire weekly food allowance.

With the paper blackout blinds pulled down and the red curtains securely drawn her father would light the Christmas candles

The glistening tree on top of a small round table stood in a tree-stand that looked like a red wooden box. In fact it was a music box. With the paper blackout blinds pulled down and the red curtains securely drawn her father would light the Christmas candles, in actual fact, short stumps frugally salvaged from previous Christmases. A full bucket of water stood next to the table, no one wanted a fire.

‘Papa would announce that ‘the Christ Child is born’ and my mother gathered us around the little porcelain nativity figures and retold the story of Bethlehem. Papa always kept the key of the music box in his jacket pocket and to the delight of us children would ceremoniously take it out and wind up the box that made the tree gently turn to the tune of ‘Silent Night, Holy Night’ and we sang along. Then the candles were snuffed between licked fingers, one by one.’

During this final Christmas of the war, Maria remembers that she did receive a Christmas present. It was a beautiful red cardigan with mismatched buttons. Her two brothers received deftly knitted scarves and woolly hats essential to keeping warm in those bitterly cold times.

‘Mama had made the presents from the salvaged wool of an old blanket.

Weeks before Holy Night had been spent knitting by the sparse light of a dying fire, electricity and gas had been shut off. Re-used boxes were cheered up by decorating them with coloured angel-face prints surrounded by white feathers; these were always neatly handed back to mother for Christmasses to come.’

Like many families, they also had a cleverly converted stove called a

‘What did we eat that Christmas?’ Maria laughs. ‘It was the hongerwinter, it’s maybe hard to imagine now, but there was no food readily available. Food was rationed, sparse and often rotten. You didn’t peel your potatoes, you ate them skin and all. We must have had something mashed with our potatoes, maybe tulip bulbs or sugar beets, maybe a carrot? My mother must have kept some flour and sugar aside for I remember that each child had a small crumbly Christmas biscuit in the shape of a star.’

It was her father who would venture out with a group of friends in search of food, walking for tens of kilometers at a time. A much older cousin of Maria’s who lived in Wassenaar, no longer in possession of her bicycle, would roller-skate where possible scavenging for food to feed her children. Like so many others, Maria’s father traded his wife’s jewelry and later small pieces of antiques with farmers for anything edible. Her mother in return, always did her best to prepare something warm for supper, however meagre.

Shortly before the liberation in May 1945, some relief had come in the form of ‘Swedish bread’, which was made from flour shipped in from Sweden via the Red Cross. The bread was baked locally in the Netherlands. The Dutch government had turned towards neutral Sweden for help. The ties between the Swedish and Dutch royal families were strong and the Swedes had reacted immediately.

‘I still remember the taste of that bread; it was delicious - like Sunday cake,’ Maria remembers.

Prince Bernhard, the Dutch Queen’s son-in-law, appealed to the allies on behalf of his people to negotiate a temporary truce with the Germans allowing food drops over occupied areas. On 29 April 1945, an RAF Avro Lancaster bomber, with a crew of seven young men, including five Canadians, took off from England despite no official ceasefire agreement.

The crew dropped small parachutes, apparently made from white handkerchiefs, with chewing gum and sweets for the children before dropping food packages above the Malieveld.

‘Funnily enough, I always thought that they dropped bread but now I know that wasn’t so. I still cherish my childhood memory, even though it’s wrong, of loaves falling from the heavens, perfectly shaped, tasting like cake.’

12

The Underground

The Hague

The Hague

December 2011

An Irish Christmas in Holland

A

• Danny Guinan debates the wisdom of a traditional Christmas

You can imagine their added consternation when I insisted that they all wear silly paper crowns and fight over the contents of mysterious exploding presents, otherwise known as Christmas crackers.

bout 10 years ago, having spent some time trying to figure out the elusive concept of a typical Dutch Christmas, I decided to throw caution to the wind and celebrate an ‘Irish Christmas’ in my own home, here in Holland.

Why on earth had I put myself and my guests through such torture, you may ask. Aren’t there countless number of establishments in the major cities in Holland that offer such traditional fare at Christmas without having to go to all the bother yourself? The short answer is that I had convinced myself that my friends and their fellow countrymen were missing out badly when it came to celebrating Christmas in a true and timehonoured fashion.

I had no idea what I was letting myself in for. Preparing for a table of 12, my first and most obvious task was to locate a turkey. It quickly became apparent that the poor old kalkoen is a fairly miserable and ignored bird in this country and, despite my best efforts, all I could eventually track down I then had to convince them was what looked suspiciously like large, old chickOne of the truly charming features of Christof the culinary qualities of a mas, I have since realised, is its diversity all ens. I now had to face the prospect of having to fit dessert that looked like the over the world. Not least, here in Holland. two turkeys into my oven on top of everything else.

They gave Santa to the world after all, in the After spending about three days wrestling with the contents of an upturned form of St. Nicholas (who was from Turkey – poor beasts, I was stumped by the realisation that flower-pot my trump card, brussels sprouts, the quintessential you couldn’t make it up), and while the rest of the world has adapted that generous bearded Christmas vegetable, available all year around here, figure according to its own particular fancies, the Dutch have rehad no novelty value whatsoever. mained true to the original tradition, with the December 5 still beHaving watched 11 hardened Nederlanders carve their way through ing one of the most important dates in the Dutch festive calendar. my first two courses, prawn cocktail being the other, with murmurs And a real family affair to boot. of curious appreciation, I then had to convince them of the culinary qualities of a dessert that looked like the contents of an upturned Whether you have already decided to try your hand at a traditional flower-pot. It could, under no circumstances, be eaten without Christmas at home or you do what so many of us do around this my first setting it on fire, a tradition that caused widespread alarm time of year, return to your roots for the festive season, just rememamong the adults and terrified shrieks from the children. ber, leave all things ‘turkey’ to someone who knows what they’re doing.

Advertorial AmbassadorsChoice offers you exclusively “Duty Free Shopping in Style!” with a big variety of duty-free goods such as: wine, perfume, cosmetics, luxury accessories, bags, clothing, chocolate, sunglasses, toys, Nespresso articles, Buddah to Buddah and other jewelry. Through our ‘Duty Free Experience’ membership, it is pleasant shopping for individuals as well as a collective membership for employees of international organizations.

“Duty Free Shop” AmbasadorsChoice has an ‘International Service Desk’ for complete support when arriving in the Netherlands and making your stay as pleasant and convenient as possible. This service, in cooperation with our so called ‘Trusted Partners’ takes care of business such a: banking, real estate, relocation, everything in and around the house, international daycare, schools, car dealerships, permits, television, IT support, interior decorators, etc. All of our

‘Trusted Partners’ are experienced in servicing the “International Community”.

So if you have any questions and are looking for a reliable answer and/or quick help; come to us! Besides this ‘One Stop Shop’ principle of duty free shopping and the International Service Desk, we also have a ‘Loyalty and Benefit Program’ for cardholders. This provides an array of benefits with our Partners outside of our store. There are many stores, restaurants, hotels and other companies that provide cardholders interesting discounts, exclusive treats and other benefits, recognizable by the ‘Trusted Partner’ logo.

In our 350m2 ‘One Stop Shop’ our dedicated sales team is ready to give you an unique ‘shopping experience’ with an old fashion high service at attractive prices which can vary up till 30% cheaper as local prices.

€ 25

VOUCHER

One time purchase of €5 instead of a regular fee of €25 for your “ Duty Free Experience” membership

*valid until 31st of December 2011 Dr

Lelykade

20b

•

2583CM

€5

•

‘S-Gravenhage

•

tel:

+31

(0)70

4208081

ww.chacalli.com

December 2011

Interview

The Underground The Hague

13

Politics is all about creativity imagination!

• Satarupa Bose Roy talks to the Deputy Mayor of The Hague, Rabin Baldewsingh, about his past and integration in the Netherlands

R

abin Baldewsingh is a man of conviction, a dedicated Labour politician. His colourful and fascinating political career is played against a backdrop of personal memories of migration and estranged relationships. This dichotomy makes him what he is today. Rabin Baldewsingh, an Indian Surnami by origin, is now Deputy Mayor of The Hague.

‘I have embraced every part of my past, my culture and my heritage and have brought it to my home in The Hague - The Hague is my country,’ the Deputy Mayor says emphatically. He is proof that The Hague is a multicultural city, yet his reflections hint at a past left behind many years ago. He still finds traces of his childhood memories in Dutch farms, amidst the cows, pigs and goats.

Born into poverty and misery he had an unhappy start. ‘I never sat on my father’s lap, I had never been kissed by my mother,’ he says, as he reflects on the reasons for his migration to the ‘Orange Paradise’.

He moved to the Netherlands at the age of thirteen, his passage funded by his older brother. They shared his brother’s college apartment with the younger Baldewsingh working long hours in a restaurant. Yet he never stopped dreaming. At that time he envisaged himself as a war correspondent or a politician.

When asked why he wanted to enter politics he promptly replies, ‘The Hague was a city that offered opportunities and I wanted to grasp each one. Being a politician I wanted to give ordinary people the chance to do something for themselves. The Labour Party was always my first choice. I believed in liberation. I wanted to make a difference for other people.’

This international city of peace and justice gave him the chance to become what he wanted to be, and he strongly believes that every Hagenaar can accomplish their dreams in this city too. While discussing multiculturalism he quotes from Hindu mythology, ‘Jahan base wahi sundar desu…’, wherever you live make it a beautiful place’.

He challenges everyone in the city to ‘bring something to society. Be open to other cultures, and values, absorb the legacy, the tradition, be one with the city.’

His political persona is also inspired by his artistic one. He was the first to write a novella in Sarnami called Stifa in 1984 and later, in 1987, he wrote Sunwai Kahan. He feels he can connect more to the people around him through his writing, his verses. He is inspired

by Indian philosophy and spiritualism. As a writer, director, and artist he feels able to look at politics from another perspective, believing art and creativity have a place in the world of politics too.

He serves the community as a Deputy Mayor of the city but through his art he inspires people to come together for a greater cause.

He follows the Hindu philosophy of the three S’s;

Seva: serving the community, Satsang: enlightening each other, getting together to seek the eternal truth of life Sumiran: the spiritual connection between God and Humanity.

‘I am not a religious person but I always feel a spiritual connection with the people around me,’ he explains.

I have embraced every part of my past, my culture and my heritage and have brought it to my home in The Hague The Hague is my country

While evaluating the strength of the international community living in the Hague and analysing their contribution to the Netherlands he says, ‘I feel that there’s great integration within the community but we are still not quite there yet. We need to work together for a better life. I, too, moved here and undertook the difficult task of integrating into another culture. I lost my childhood somewhere in the process but gained more, much more than I ever thought possible.’

He wants peaceful co-existance for all citizens of The Hague. Concluding the interview, he extends a hand of fellowship to everyone in the global city he calls home, reaching out to all residents irrespective of their nationality, colour or religion.

14

The Underground The Hague

Community

December 2011

The Festival of Lights

• In this festive season Andy Paterson looks at the history of The Hague’s Jewish community

Mark Waldman lighting the menorah with his son Rafael

H

anukkah is known as the ‘festival of lights’ and this year will be celebrated between 20 -28 December. It commemorates the Maccabees military victory over the Greek Syrians in the second century BCE and the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. When the Temple was rededicated it was discovered that only one vial of the holy oil remained for lighting the Temple’s menorah which was only enough for one day. Yet when they lit the oil it burned for a miraculous eight days, the exact amount of time needed to press more oil. Hanukkah is a celebration of that miracle.

latkes, or potato pancakes. Children will play a dreidel game with a four-sided spinning top whereby they can win chocolate coins.

As with Christmas and Sinterklaas, some families will also give their children presents during Hanukkah.

There has been a Jewish presence in The Hague since the late 17th century. The first arrivals were Portuguese Jews in search of religious freedom. Today the members of the Jewish Liberal Community of The Hague attend services during Hanukkah in their synagogue that has been a place of worship for over two and a half centuries. The synagogue of the Jewish Liberal Traditionally, as part of the Hanukkah celebration, families light Community, originally commissioned by the Honen Dal one candle each night till all the eight candles are lit. Placed in congregation, was designed by celebrated architect Daniel Marot a menorah, the candles burn for half an hour after sunset. The and completed in 1726. A separate congregation of Portuguese menorah is placed at a window or somewhere visible to the Jews, the Beth Jacob congregation, had built a synagogue on public, to remind the community of the miracle at the Korte Voorhout in 1707. By 1743 the two congregations had Temple. As these merged and were using the synagogue designed by Marot as their lights are not to place of worship. In addition to the Portuguese Jews there were be used for any- also Ashkenazic Jews, descended from medieval Jewish commuthing other than nities along the Rhine, who lived and worshiped in The Hague. commemorating They also built a synagogue, in 1723, on the Voldergracht. the Hanukkah miracle, meno- Throughout the course of the 18th and 19th centuries, the rahs also contain Jewish population of The Hague continued to increase, with an ‘attendant’ members attaining important positions in business, government light which is and the arts. By the time the Nazis occupied the Netherlands, used to light the there were more than 10,000 Jews in The Hague, and the Marot other eight synagogue had over 400 members in its congregation. candles.

Over the course of the Second World War, the synagogue’s There are also congregation diminished dramatically and eventually the other traditions Portuguese Jewish Community was officially dissolved. that go along with the Hanuk- In 1974, the Jewish Liberal Community acquired the synagogue kah celebration, and two years later, after extensive renovations and upgrades, it such as eating was once again consecrated as a place of worship. food fried in oil, Happy Hanukkah! most notably

Features

December 2011

The Hague’s •

The Underground The Hague

15

‘Renaissance’ Man

Jane Dean discovers Daniel Marot, one of The Hague’s most notable architects and designers

At the age of 24 Daniel Marot had the world at his feet. Growing up in the early years of Louis XIV’s dazzling reign, his precocious talents and skills as a designer were honed against the backdrop of the glittering court of the Sun King.

Born in 1661 in Paris, as the son of Jean Marot a successful royal architect and engraver, he formed part of the extensive family of Parisian craftsmen and artists orbiting the royal court. He first trained under his father and then as a pupil of the flamboyant Jean le Pautre, famed for his elaborate interior designs.

At the tender age of 16 Marot was already working on independent commissions, most notably engraving designs by Jean Bérain the official designer of Louis XIV and responsible for the interiors of the Royal Residences. Influenced by Le Pautre and Bérain and surrounded by the elaborate ornamentation of the Baroque style at court, Marot flourished.

layout of the garden parterre of Hampton Court Palace. He incorporated Baroque styles typical of the French court and added his own stamp influencing the style that became known as William and Mary. Engravings survive of Marot’s work including carved chimneypieces, intricate plaster ceilings and other grand architectural details along with furniture most notable state beds, for which he set a fashion. The engravings provide a record of the fashions in contemporary interior design over a fifteen-year period from 1687 and were published as Livre d’Ornemens, Nouveau Livre de Placfond, and Livre d’Appartement - the ‘Homes and Gardens’ of their day.

After the death of William III Marot headed home to The Hague and in1703 published Nouveau Livres de Parterres containing 24 engraved designs of gardens. Only four were ever commissioned including the Parterre garden at Watervliet in Amsterdam and the Parterre at Overijssel. The house and garden De Voorst , a smaller replica of palace Het Loo commissioned by Arnold Joost van Keppel, Count of Albemarle, are the finest examples of his mastery as both landscape gardener and decorative designer.

Firmly established back in The Hague and secure in his position as a respected and celebrated architect, designer, engraver and architect, Marot’s return home saw He incorporated Baroque landscape The vast majority were skilled artisans, craftsa shift in focus from interior and landscape men, and professional people and therefore well styles typical of the French design to the planning and construction of received wherever they settled. The Marot family larger buildings and private houses. court and added his own joined the exodus to the Netherlands and settled in The Hague. the private homes he built in The stamp influencing the style Among Hague were Huis Schuylenburch and Huis Marot must have carried excellent letters of while larger projects included the that became known as Huguelan introduction and recommendation finding present Royal Library, City Hall (Groenemployment with Prince Willem of Orange, who markt) and Palace Kneuterdijk, first home of William and Mary. held the position of Stadtholder. Willem the Count of Wassenaar-Obdam. commissioned him to design the interiors of palace Het Loo, then being built under the He also designed the Portuguese synagogue in watchful eyes of architects Jacob Roman and Johan van Swieten. The Hague, completed in 1726, which still stands today and is used by the Liberal Jewish Congregation of The Hague. During The remodeling of the great hall of audience in the Binnenhof the late 1730’s he enlarged Huis ten Bosch, one of the 13 Royal followed. Marot also worked with many wealthy Dutch families residences of the Dutch Royal Family and current home of on the design of their country homes.

Queen Beatrix.

Marot and his family were protestant Huguenots living in Catholic France. Louis XIV had no qualms employing Huguenots whose talents he admired, but religious differences were a continued source of tension throughout the country. In 1685 these tensions exploded. Marot’s world came to an abrupt end with the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, depriving French Protestants of all religious and civil rights. The effect on the Huguenot community throughout France was devastating and far-reaching; in the face of persecution and no livelihood hundreds of thousands of Huguenots fled the country.

Within four years of arriving in The Hague, the fortunes of Marot’s patron as well as Marot himself, changed dramatically.

From Stadtholder in the lowlands, Willem became William III of England. Marot was appointed William’s Architect and Master of Works following him to London in 1694.

The reconstruction of St Paul’s Cathedral overseen by renowned architect Sir Christopher Wren had filled the city with talented artisans, craftsmen and stonemasons, many of them exiled like Marot, from France. One old family friend he would have looked forward to seeing was Corneille Gollé; both the Marot and Gollé families had been friends in Paris. Marot became Gollé’s brother- in- law when he married his sister whose name, sadly, is not recorded in any historical documents. The actual date of their marriage is also a mystery but we do know they had a son, Daniel the Younger, who was born in 1695.

William III employed Marot to design the house interior and the

He occasionally worked in collaboration with other architects, most notably Jacob Roman from Leiden who he met all those years ago at palace Het Loo, and was assisted for many years by his son, Daniel Marot the Younger.

Huis ten Bosch appears to have been Marot’s last major undertaking. His final years were spent quietly in The Hague, where he died at the grand age of 91. He lived in a house on Noordeinde, which survives today with its 18th century kitchen intact. It would be wonderful to think he enjoyed his own garden during his last years.

He was a true Renaissance man recognized and lauded by his peers whose influential and groundbreaking designs are still evident throughout The Hague today. A wonderful legacy to the city that took him in as a young man and which he called home for the remainder of his life.

16

The Underground The Hague

Hidden Treasure

December 2011

One of a Kind Historical Archives

• Linda A. Janssen finds the singular treasure of the Expatriate Archive Centre tucked in The Hague

Dart off the bustling Javastraat close to museums, parks and the city centre and you’ll immediately find yourself on the calmer Surinamestraat. Continue towards its small tree-lined plein, and turn right onto the even quieter Paramaribostraat tucked to the side.

Stroll along the pavement of this curving one-block neighbourhood in the Archipelbuurt past tidy homes. When you come to stop at number 20 you may think you’re about to enter someone’s private house. Instead you’ll find yourself on the doorstep of a world of historical significance, the Expatriate Archive Centre (EAC).

Run by Director Elske van Holk, aided by Archivist Rosita Arnst and two other staff members, as well as a small group of dedicated volunteers, the Centre grew out of what was previously the Shell Outpost Archive Centre. In October 2008, the non-profit EAC foundation was created; it is overseen by a Board of Directors which includes Dr. Marijke Huisman, a historian at the Centre for Historical Culture at Rotterdam’s Erasmus University.

The Hague was the natural choice for the Centre for several reasons; its strong ties as a United Nations city, second only to New York, its long tradition of welcoming international residents, and the fact that the Paramaribostraat premises donated by the founder, Lady Judy Moody Stewart is located here.

‘Our physical location in The Hague and the neighbourhood we’re in are a very appropriate coincidence,’ van Holk offers. ‘Archipelbuurt was where many civil servants heading to or coming back from Indonesia lived. So by its very nature it is an expat area.’

The Archive’s mission is to collect, catalogue, preserve, promote and make accessible a collection of primary source materials documenting the social history of expatriate life. In doing so, it gives a voice to the experiences and memories of expatriates of all nationalities and employment backgrounds.

The Expatriate Archive Centre is located at Paramaribostraat 20 in The Hague open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 10:30-15:00 or by appointment: +31 (0)70 437 2104 or welcome@xpatarchive.com.

The website is www.xpatarchive.com If you’d like to learn more or are interested in becoming a volunteer, the next information morning is scheduled for January 17, 2012 and an information evening on April 26, 2012.

Additional information sessions can be arranged for groups.

The 1 and 9 trams and 5, 13, 22 and 24 buses run nearby, metered parking is usually available or bring your bike!

‘It’s unique. What we do is unique. There’s nowhere else in the world like it,’ enthuses van Holk. ‘It’s where the expat voice is archived and validated.

We contain the collective expat memory. Our aim is to become the first stop in the research process of these issues.’

Why preserve the words, photographs and dreams of people inclined to move throughout the world? Publicity Director Donna Worrall shared with me the belief at the core of the EAC: addressing rootlessness.

‘So often, people who lived in other countries temporarily, whether for one year or many, sometimes felt rootless, just passing through. As if they were never there,’ she explained as we poured over Norwegian photographs from the early 20th century. ‘Imagine that you put your hand in a bowl of water. The movement of the water – splashes, ripples, droplets – are the effect you have on a place.’

‘Then it’s time to pack up and go. You take your hand out of the bowl; what’s left of you? Nothing. It’s as if you were never there.

That’s how people feel.’

December 2011

The Underground

Hidden Treasure

By collecting, cataloguing and preserving for further research the materials that expatriates retained to remind themselves of the places they’ve lived, the Centre helps to document their lives and tell their stories. So what are they looking for? Higher quality archive materials when accompanied with photos or other documentation from the early days of the expat experience.

The Hague

17

loesje@loesje.org www.loesje.org PO Box 1045 6801 BA Arnhem The Netherlands

‘When everything seems bright and fresh and you’re in new surroundings, you tend to save more,’ explains administrator Catherine Swindles. ‘You’re not jaded and the novelty hasn’t worn off. Think of the documentation that has passed through your hands: plane ticket, household contents list, customs forms, rental agreements, post cards, magazines, museum brochures, theatre tickets, a playbill, speeding tickets, menus from a special restaurant, personal invitations to events of personal importance.’ Also included can be journals, diaries, memoirs, letters, oral histories, DVD’s and film. In fact, the Centre is training some of its volunteers to home in on the possible source material of today’s global bloggers. Many people blog about their memories, thoughts and emotions about being new to a country, becoming accustomed to a society’s cultural, religious, historical, economic and political structures, or of the challenges of returning home (repatriation) when both they and their world have changed. ‘If you give us your URL, in essence you may be writing for posterity, for the future,’ adds van Holk.

The EAC can even arrange for free packing and transportation of donations anywhere in the world, and will provide back to the contributors a digital copy of images if needed. Everything is stored in acid-free folders in a special temperature and humidity-controlled environment. They are fully conversant in privacy issues, which they handle with the utmost respect. Since they are not a museum, they cannot accept artifacts.

This is Loesje Maybe you’ve seen the simple black and white posters hanging around cities all over Europe signed by Loesje. The posters contain clever texts that are mostly positive and funny but also critical without causing offence. They aim to offer the reader a way of seeing things in a new perspective and possibly take action. Loesje texts do not tell you what to think, they are open to your own interpretation.

Who is Loesje? In the 1980s a group of people got together with the common belief that issues needed to be addressed with a novel approach. Making practical use of the freedom of speech they started writing and spreading texts on posters signed Loesje, originally a girl from the Netherlands.

Today Loesje is a world-wide collective of people who want to make the world a more positive and creative place. Their key values are: showing solidarity, being anti-authoritarian, being sexually-free, showing initiative, being decisive, being a-religious and being independent.

Loesje posters are easily accessible online, in black and white for easy print. Loesje wants to interact with people, so everyone can see and be inspired by the posters without having to pay an entrance fee or having to buy a speciďŹ c magazine.

The street is their tool where posters are accessible to all. www.loesje.nl & www.loesje.org

A member of the International Council of Archives, the EAC runs a small reference library of books and materials about expat life available ‘for research or reference on premises, not for loan.’

SAF onderhoudbedrijf was started by seamus ynn back in 2007.

We are trustworthy, reliable and our prices are very competitive.

We do all renovations from start to ďŹ nish.

CONTACT US phone: 0624860014 e-mail: saf-holland@hotmail.com from left to right, Donna Worrell, Publicity Director, Elske van Holk, Director. with Catherine Swindles, Administrator (sitting).

A good relationship with our customers is important to us as we value referrals.

18

The Underground The Hague

In the spotlight

December 2011

Dutch Courage A.British.Actor's.Big.Ambition •

Anna Holligan talks with Zephryn Taitte, a British actor with big ambition

Twenty- five and a bit years ago, Zephryn Taitte was born on an inner city London council estate.

His parents were first generation Guyanese immigrants who moved to the UK - like many others - in search of a better life. Growing up was tough. Surrounded by gangs and potentially destructive influences in the neighbourhood, Zeph, as he’s known to his friends, didn’t have an easy start. Despite this and thanks to the influence and support of his still fundamentally Caribbean family, he began to carve out a successful career as an actor and playwright. The relatively young star has already appeared in numerous short films, performed in critically acclaimed theatre shows and his own first self-penned play is currently in the production stage. So things are starting to look up. And now he’s here in The Hague. I sat down with Zephryn up on the roof of his nautical style apartment overlooking the city to talk love, life and find out exactly what he’s doing in the Netherlands.

A: First question, why are you here?

Z: Love. I met the love of my life in the UK, she was coming to The Netherlands. I wanted her so bad I had to come too, no question. So, now I’m here and taking on what’s probably gonna be the biggest challenge of my life! And I love adventure so what can I say, being here in Den Haag feels like one big adventure right now.

A: Acting is not an easy industry to get into, even as a native, so as a British actor how do you think you’re going to make it happen?

Z: Well, I’ve got a good body of work, theatre, film, I’ve done loads of voiceovers in the UK. Over here there is a market, a lot of demand for British actors. And cuz I’m one of few it gives me a head start. I’ve already met a lot of interesting people and crucially an agent - and I’m signed.

A: You are an actor and a writer, in which role do you feel most like yourself?

Z: Ooh, I think both. Each allows me to indulge different parts of myself. With writing I get to be thoughtful, contemplative and inquisitive. My mind just keeps working, so I get to put all my thoughts out there and do a lot of research. I’m quite a heady person I’m not really talky. But when I’m acting, I guess that touches on my more physical side. I learn by doing.

A: And what about the Zephryn Taitte away from stage and screen - what’ve you been up to since you came to The Netherlands?

Z: Riding my bike! Me and my girl, riding our bikes going to the beach and just chillin’. I don’t think about work. That’s me. I’m all about family and sun and fun. Whatever’s fun. Riding bikes through the rain it might seem mad but it’s fun.

You’re not meant to, but maybe it’s the rebellious side of me!

Z: On life? Live, love and be happy! That’s my philosophy.

A: I know you’ve been spending your evenings tucked away in your loft apartment learning Dutch - so what’s your favourite phrase?

A: In ten words describe Zephryn Taitte?

Z: Slaap lekker. Literally translated, it means dream gently. That’s a nice one. Maybe it’s just me but when I sleep and wake up again everything makes sense, like I solved a problem in my sleep.

And wake up with an answer. Maybe I’m just nuts.

Kinda weird right? Inside my head again, that’s the writer.

A: What do you hope to achieve here in The Hague that you couldn’t do in London or anywhere else in the world?

Z: I want to do foreign language films and I feel the ones in Europe are more experimental, the storylines are more innovative. It’s more focused on art in Europe compared to America where you’ve just got big budget blockbusters but less big brains. Not always but sometimes. If you have a load of money you don’t really challenge yourself. Poverty forces you to be more creative.

If someone has nothing, they have to learn how to turn sh*t into sugar. Because you have to make something of nothing that’s when you start to get your best work (laughs). Also I know it’s a big ambition, but in the future, I really hope to work with Maria Peters. Incredible director. She did Sonny Boy and the acting... maaan you should see it? It’s a beautiful film. And if she can get those kind of performances out of the actors, that’s something special and I’d love to be a part of her process.

A: Slightly touching on philosophy there, a subject close to your heart. What’s your philosophy on life?

Z: Passionate, subtle (laughs), determined, focussed.

A: All of those things are very sweet and positive but I know there must be more.

Z: It is honest! All of those things can be negative too. If you’re too passionate you can end up being too aggressive and people might not wanna be with you cuz you’re over the top. If you’re too determined about something then you might be seen as . . .

A: Pushy?

Z: Yeah, so you see the words are positive but they can go both ways.

A: So for you it’s all about balance?

Z: Yeah, ‘cause I’m a perfectionist too, but because of that, I end up sitting and thinking for too long and then it’s like I’m not getting anything done instead of just being free and doing it. So yeah, a blessing and a curse. Just like being an actor I guess!

A: And finally, heading into 2012, what are your New Year’s resolutions?

Z: That’s a really tough one. I guess without getting too deep I want to learn to be still again. So I resolve to make time for me to just be.

You know?

Photography: Matt C Knight

History

December 2011

The Underground The Hague

19

Hollywood in The Hague Whilst researching a new book about the now demolished but legenday Metropole cinema in The Hague, writer Martin van Zaanen stumbles upon a fascinating story.

T

he Clingendael Estate, famed for its Japanese Garden, lies on the border of The Hague and Wassenaar.

But it’s the Oosterbeek Estate, its neighbour, where you find walkers enjoying the peaceful surroundings unaware that the land they are walking on once played an important part in the history of Dutch cinema.

Copyright private collection SBH

In 1935, the Oosterbeek Estate was acquired by Loet Cordell Barnstijn, otherwise known as Lodewijk Cohen. At the age of 24 he left his hometown of Enschede for The Hague with only 25 guilders and two gold cufflinks to his name to build a cinema empire. Between 1915 and 1921 he worked in the Thalis cinema in the Boekhorststraat showing primarily American action films.

When visiting the Warner Bros studio in America, Barnstijn was introduced to sound amplification. This left such a great impression on him that upon his return to The Netherlands, in collaboration with Philips, he bought a number of patents and together they developed

the Loetafoon. This formed the start of the sound era, or ‘talkies’ in cinemas in The Netherlands. He went on to finance a number of films, but the plaudits and great reviews were not enough for Barnstijn.

Between the trees of the Oosterbeek Estate, under the watchful eyes of an army of movie royalty, Barnstijn opened his breath-taking Film City. It was an impressive complex, with two studios, a sound stage, technical workshops, a film vault, its own power station and several offices. In 1936 Merijntje Gijsen, a blockbuster, was filmed at Film City but Barnstijn was not destined to enjoy his little ‘Hollywood’ for long.

During the Second World War, the Oosterbeek Estate was part of the defensive Atlantic Wall. Many of the trees were felled, bunkers were built and Film City was used for storage and the assembly of V2 rockets used to bomb Britain.

Barnstijn, who was Jewish, spent the war years in America whilst the Germans made propaganda films in his studios. In 1944, during a British air raid most of the studio complex was destroyed.

Returning to The Netherlands after the war, he started distributing independent films once more, but the dream was over. He became increasingly frustrated with critics and their constant focus on his failures rather than his successes. Disillusioned, he left The Netherlands for good and headed to King’s Point in New York, where he died three years later.

Sketch & Paintings by Zoë Winkel

Sub mit y ou artw r ork

© By Zoë Winkel, Grafisch Lyceum Rotterdam

20

The Underground The Hague

Food & Health

December 2011

Kitchari Soup • Stana van Ginkel is an Ayurvedic Practitioner at Dosha Ayurvedic Practice, The Hague www.doshapraktijk.nl

Ayurveda believes that all healing begins with the digestive tract, and kitchari can give it a much needed rest from constantly processing different foods while providing essential nutrients. The blend of rice and split mung dahl offers an array of amino acids, the building blocks of protein. Its mixture of spices is believed to kindle the digestive fire, the Ayurvedic description for your innate digestive power, which can be weakened by poor food combinations.

Ingredients: (serves 4) • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

1 tea mug basmati rice 1 tea mug mung dahl 7 cm water above the dahl 3 garlic cloves, crushed 3 medium red onions, finely chopped 3 medium tomatoes, chopped into cubes 1 teaspoon turmeric 1 teaspoon cumin 1 fresh coriander, chopped 1 cm fresh ginger, grated 2 teaspoons ground black pepper 1 teaspoon salt 1 generous tablespoon ghee [clarified butter]

Preparations: Heat the ghee and add the cumin seeds.

Add the ginger, garlic, onions, tomatoes, pepper and salt and fry until the onions are glazed.

Now add the dahl and the water and bring to a boil.

Add the rice and let it simmer until the rice is almost cooked, approx. 15 minutes.

Add the turmeric and let it cook for a few more minutes until the rice is cooked.

Add the fresh coriander and serve.

Enjoy!

Oooops!

The ‘Root Vegetable and Chickpea Autumn Soup’ recipe in November’s issue had a vital step missing in its preparation. You need to fry veggies with Pataks curry paste for 5 minutes and then add stock! The soup will not be good without this step! Apologies to anyone who has cooked it and not experienced the full flavor of this delicious soup.

Food & Health

December 2011

The Underground The Hague

21

GOOD MOOD FOOD •

We are what we eat, says Naturopathic Doctor Barbara Reale

Mood swings are often caused by wrong food choices. The foods that you eat can actually change the chemical composition of your body and brain. This influences your feelings, your body shape, your clarity of mind as well as affecting alertness.

How food affects mind response The food-mood response is short term. Eating a steak at dinner may increase alertness and concentration for two to three hours whereas eating a large pasta meal produces the opposite effect. Combining both in the same meal can actually counteract the individual effects of these foods and cause weight gain.

A stable brain serotonin level is associated with a positive state of mind. Vitamin B6 and minerals such as zinc and magnesium are co-factors in neurotransmissions and are easily depleted by stress. The good news is that depression can often be helped by regular intake of specific vitamins and minerals that are lacking together with a personlized eating plan and lifestyle.

Stimulants like caffeine, artificial sweeteners and sugar are often used to compensate for a lack of natural energy, and they force the production of neurotransmitters that are already at low levels and cause further depletion in the body. No wonder children get overexcited and then moody after a generous sugar intake. Processed food like butter, milk, cheese, white pasta and bread lack minerals of their own and in the process of digestion they remove vitamins and minerals from our body making us feel irritable. When buying soft brown bread we are not necessarily getting genuine wholegrain bread and it also often contains ingredients such as food softeners, E-numbers, anti-mould, processed fats, food colours and genetically modified soy and corn. Many mental and physical discomforts such as headaches, cellulite, back pain and constipation are can be a result of biochemical reactions.

Good mood ingredients Making little changes to your food intake can boost your mood and contribute to lasting health. Consider a fresh bowl of greens topped with hardboiled egg whites or chopped turkey breast or even tuna. Sushi and miso soup represent another healthy option. Increasing fiber in your diet reduces the risk of many chronic diseases and also helps with controlling

hunger. Ingredients that can boost your mood are fish rich in omega3 oil, citrus fruits, turkey, cranberries, beans, carrots, goat cheese, spinach, nuts, quinoa, garlic and chocolate. Just by eating the immense variety of good mood food can help you lose weight and feel better.

Meal tips to get the most out of your day • • •

Eat one type of raw fruit leaving time for digestion before eating something else Eat carbohydrates separately from proteins Eat five small meals a day to optimize food absorption

Breakfast for night owls: A poached egg on a plate of butter spinach Breakfast for a morning person: Fruit crumble with seasonal fruit Mid morning snack: 500 gr. or 500 ml of one seasonal fruit Lunch: Carbohydrates and vegetables (for example, rice/ spaghetti with broccoli) Mid afternoon snack: Seeds, nuts or dried fruit with herbal tea Dinner: Fish with a high omega 3 content or meat stew with a crunchy and nutty salad Benefits can be maximised by incorporating them in conjunction with a personalised eating plan provided by a naturopathic nutritionist who can help you find out your specific food intolerances. www.royalempowerment.nl

22

The Underground The Hague

At home at the Filmhuis

Sofia Lotto Persio on alternative cinemas great thing about living in The Hague, and The Netherlands in general, is that films are not overdubbed, they have subtitles. Going to the cinema is not a pleasure reserved just for Dutch-speakers, but also for those who do not speak the language. The Hague’s choice of cinemas is actually quite limited. There are only two alternatives other than the mainstream cinemas; they are the Omniversum and the Filmhuis.

The Filmhuis is located very conveniently in the centre of town on Spui, next to the Nieuwe Kerk and in front of the Lucent Danstheater. The pavement leading to the ticket office entrance is illuminated with small lights. At night the constant changing colours of the lights create a magical atmosphere and a pleasant alternative to a red carpet.

Film choices are varied. There are always several films in English, French, German, Italian and, lately, Iranian and Slavic, providing, if anything, a fabulous opportunity to improve your language skills.

Leisure

December 2011

Nightlife in The Hague Leendert Haaring walks us through the Oude Molstraat Maybe you have noticed that The Hague does not have one central entertainment area. There are bars, pubs and clubs everywhere. The Oude Molstraat is one of the oldest streets in The Hague, dating back to the Middle Ages. It is roughly located between the old City Hall and the Queen’s palace at Noordeinde. From Noordeinde walk towards the city centre until you see the Coffee Company, and turn right. The Oude Molstraat is the first street on the left.

The first bar on your left is the appropriately named Café De Oude Mol, easily recognizable by its colourful wooden chairs. It appears small but is bigger than you think with an upstairs section. The bar is ideal for an after work drink and is well known for its tapas.

Another good hangout is Café Huppel the pub. This bar has a good mix of locals and internationals and drinks can be consumed either in or outside the pub. If you are a fan of single malt whiskeys then you can try one, or two, of the hundred different whiskeys on offer. The music is lively with a mix of traditional rock, nineties grunge and contemporary alternative artists.

Next to Café Huppel the pub is a charming café called Momfer de Mol, which won the Hertog Jan bar of the year award in 2009 voted for by the regulars. Hertog Jan, in my book is the best Dutch beer, brewed in the south of The Netherlands. So if the Hertog Jan people think your bar is quality you’d better take notice.

Opposite the Momfer is the Proeflokaal, which was a distillery in the 19th century. A huge distillery kettle gives evidence of the bar’s past. The staff always do their best to make you feel welcome. If you want to see how the Dutch experience football matches involving their national team then the Proeflokaal is the ideal place to go.

Walking towards the centre you will see a bar on the corner called Café het Hoekpandje, which is probably best known for darts. It’s also one of the better places in The Hague to see cover bands. Of all the bars on the Oude Molstraat it is the best example of a local Dutch bar. Expect to meet a ‘character’ when you go there.

Next door is Ned Kelly’s, a small English pub, which draws quite a crowd for England matches. It is one of the few bars in The Hague with a fully operational juke box. Definitely worth a visit.

A New Years charge into the North sea © itpphotography

New Year’s Swim

D

The Underground

Sports

December 2011

by Neal McClimon

o you fancy starting the New Year in an amazing fun filled refreshing way that is also good for others? If the answer is yes, then read on.

On New Year’s Day, you can join thousands of other people of all ages on the beach at Scheveningen before charging into the freezing waters of the North Sea. This has become a tradition across many beaches in Holland and Scheveningen is recognised as being the biggest and the best.

Unox are the event sponsors and all the money raised is shared amongst several charities. So as well as helping to clear any hangovers, you are also doing your first good deed of the year.

On the day itself you can register to take part from 10.30 onwards. There is a fee which as of writing is yet to be decided and allows you access to the beach and the changing facilities. You will also receive some Unox goodies which, in the past, have included bright orange woolly hats and gloves and some Unox snacks. The madness of the start is at midday.

Last year more than 10, 000 people took part with another 5,000 there to watch and enjoy the party. It is a great way to start the year and the atmosphere and entertainment is always amazing.

If you resolve to give up smoking, drinking and loving, you don’t actually live longer.

It just seems longer - Clement Freud-

The Hague

23

John Verhoek celebrates ADO’s 0-3 win at Feyenoord©itpphotography

ADO Den Haag News

by Neal McClimon

he month of October was a mixture of highs and lows for T our local top flight football team. The highlight the stunning 0-3 win over Dutch giants Feyenoord of Rotterdam in their own stadium. The low points were two big losses, a 1-4 defeat away to Roda JC, which also saw a red card issued to ADO’s Gabor Horvath for committing a professional foul. Another red card was given to Supusepa as ADO lost 4-0 away to Heerenveen.

Two of ADO’s new signings really stood out with their determination and willingness to fight for the club. John Verhoek and Tjaronn Chery look to be working well alongside the stars of last season Wesley Verhoek, Jens Toornstra and Lex Immers.

Injuries and suspensions have blighted team selections recently, but the squad is growing in confidence and now seems to be able to accommodate changes quite easily. At one point Maurice Steijn, the manager, looked to be under pressure from all sides, but that is now changing as performances improve week by week, although the same cannot be said of the results.

Away from league duties, ADO was drawn to play away against Vitesse Arnhem in the Dutch cup (KNVB Beker.) This game had a heightened tension as Vitesse’s manager is John van den Brom, the man who walked away from ADO during the summer under a cloud of ill feeling from the ADO supporters. For many, this was seen as a chance for payback.The result ended with a 2-1 for Vitesse after a hard fought game. Horvath was also sent off again.

The December calendar looks quiet for ADO Den Haag as they play only three matches, with two of those to be played at home in the Kyocera Stadion. These games are against NAC Breda on Saturday 3 December kick-off 19:45: and against Heracles Almelo on Friday 9 December, kick-off 20:00. Tickets are available for both games and can be purchased from the stadium ticket office. A club card is not needed, but you must show some form of photographic ID, such as a passport or driving license, for each ticket.

For more information on tickets, club cards, match reports and all ADO news in English, visit www.adoforexpats.com.

The Underground

Events Would you like to report on events? info@theunderground.nl 24

The Hague

December

New year’s eve

Art & Culture

NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY

Van Gogh walk Vincent van Gogh was extremely impressed by the Hague School painters. Inspired by the Barbizon School in France, they were innovative both in their realism and in the interest they showed in the harsh lives of labourers and fishing communities. It was among these painters that the young Van Gogh developed his own artistic vision and his period in The Hague laid the basis for the rest of his career.

He moved from Etten to The Hague in the winter of 1881. But this was not the first time he had lived there. In 1869, when he was only 16, he had come to the city to work in his uncle’s art dealing business. More information: www.gemeentemuseum.nl If you would rather do the walk with a guide, contact the museum’s Education Department at: phone: 070 – 338 11 20.

Fashion loves ArtFashion Date: 3 September 2011 - 8 January 2012 Remember Yves Saint Laurent’s brightly coloured Mondrian dresses of 1965 and the ‘Op Art’ mini dresses of the 1960s? They are vivid illustrations of the centuries-long love affair between fashion and art. Couturiers are past masters at capturing the contemporary zeitgeist in their designs, while artists have frequently used clothing as a way to give all-round expression to their aesthetic ideas.

This new exhibition, Fashion ♥ Art, A passionate affair, will show how attire is used by powerful women to stand out from the crowd and how art has often been a major source of inspiration for dress designers. Designed by Maarten Spruyt, it will include creations by Liberty, Sonia Delaunay, Schiaparelli, Yves Saint Laurent and Givenchy.

More information: www.gemeentemuseum.nl

Date: 31 December 2011, Saturday Time: 22:00 - 4:00 With DJ Da Rico/ Style of music: populair No entrance fee!! With free bubbles, oliebollen and a magnificent sparkler!

The Fiddler Riviervismarkt 1 2513AM Den Haag Phone: (0)70 365 1955

Christmas Market

Extra evening sales: Friday 2 December: 9:30 - 21:00 Friday 23 December: 9:30 - 21:00 From November the 17th the shop will be open every Thursday till 21:00 Frederik Hendriklaan 63 2582 BT The Hague Phone: 0031 (0)70 356 99 80 Fax: 0031 (0)70 360 16 32 E-mail: info@kaatje.com www.kaatje.com

Kerstcadeau Market Date: 19 - 22 December 2011 Time: 10:00 - 18.00 Shopping centre Mariahoeve Het Kleine Loo 320A 2592 CK Den Haag

Christmas Circus

Dolce Napoli

Winter Evening Christmas Ride Date: 16 - 23 December 2011 Time: 19:30 During this 45min boat trip you can enjoy a Christmas atmosphere on the water, with the Christmas Carols and great stories Booking: 070 445 1869 www.ooievaart.nl

Tickets: €15/ €10 from 19:45 at the door. more info: la.cicala@yahoo.com www.inesdavena.com Inês d'Avena is a recorder player and a docARTES promovendus, working towards a Doctorate at the Leiden University (in cooperation with the Orpheus Institute in Gent).

Date: 29 October until Christmas Eve Opening hours: Monday: 11:00 - 18:00 Tuesday to Friday: 9:30 - 18:00 Saturday:9:30 - 17:00 Sunday: 12:00 - 17:00

Music

For more information: www.kerstcircusdenhaag.nl

LA CICALA Baroque ensemble Inês d'Avena, Kayo Saito, John Ma, Rebecca Rosen, Claudio Ribeiro Date: 9 December 2011 Time: 20:15 Oud-Katholieke Kerk Delft Bagijnhof 21 Delft

KAATJE

Christmas Date: 22 - 28 December 2011 Price: € 15,- t/m 45,-; children, 12,- t/m 37,- (3 till 12 years) Where: Malieveld

December 2011

18th century premieres' Première of the Panormo recorder with 'new' Baroque works from Naples.

During the 17th century, Naples was the largest city in Europe. Harbouring more than 500 churches and considered “the” city of opera, music could be heard literally on every corner of Naples. For centuries Napels attracted men on their Grand Tours from all over Europe because of its fame as spectacle-city.

Come and listen to the premiere of a few long forgotten enchanting Neapolitan works, for the first time in modern history with a Neapolitan recorder, on a copy recently commissioned by Inês d’Avena. Concertos, sonatas and sinfonias by Fiorenza, Sarro, Vinci and Leo.

TIP! Strooptocht An exciting journey through the shopping streets filled with numerous treats, remarkable acts and extraordinary music. December 18, , the sunday preceding christmas, the “Zeeheldenkwartier” will once again transform into a magnificent and magical place filled with the shimmers of fairytales.

There will be an abundance of warmth coming from the cheerful stores, a complete sensory explosion of taste and smell, breathtaking acts and music mingled with the soft murmuring of the voices of people who are having the time of their lives.

Fire baskets will light up the streets, “zeehelden” will guide the participants through the streets, performances will warm up the squares. In the almost 40 participating bars and shops the participants will be treated to a little gift, something delicious or a spectacular show.

Date: 18 December 2011 Start: 15:30 -19:00 Starting Points: Prins Hendrikstraat/at the side of the Waldeck Pyrmontkade and the Piet Heinplein.

Cards are available at www.strooptocht.nl and participating entrepreneurs.

Costs: 10 euros on presale, 12,50 on the day of the event(Children with the ages 1 to 12 are 2 euros each, up to 3 kids each adult.)

Check out the entire program and the latest news at www.strooptocht.nl

Winter

Date: 12 November - 15 January 2012 Time: The skating rink is open every day from 10.00 to 22.00. except for on 24 and 25 December and 1 January (open 10.00 to 19.00 hrs.).

Price: Admission to the ice skating rink costs € 4.50.

Skates are available for hire for € 4.50 a pair and you will also need to leave a deposit of € 10 This winter Scheveningen is again the place to be for the ultimate winter sport experience. From 12 November to 15 January 2012 The Hague’s beach resort will be transformed into a true winter wonderland called ‘Cool Event’.

Events

December 2011

Charles Dickens Date: 9 – 21 December 2011 Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, performed by Ashley Ramsden, a true seasonal experience in Branoul Theatre, Hofje van Wouw and the Historical Museum of The Hague

Uitpas and 65+ € 27,50 Ticket sales will start in May 2011 Telephone: 070-88 00 333

British master storyteller and actor Ashley Ramsden performs Dickens’ A Christmas Carol single-handedly, showing his formidable talents as a storyteller and actor in an unequalled pure and vivid rendition of this classic tale. The programme embraces the original masterpiece, transporting audiences back to Victorian England and conjuring up the sinister back alleys, cobblestone streets, and ghostly apparitions that are the story’s hallmarks. Dutch and non-Dutch audiences will listen mesmerised to the story which is still so relevant today in a world where there is a gulf in the distribution of wealth, influence and knowledge. Ramsden performs A Christmas Carol this year at three wonderful and inspiring locations in The Hague.

Lucent Danstheater ABDALLAH and the Gazelle of Basra

15 December at 16.00 The Historical Museum of The Hague, in full Christmas attire, opens its doors for families to enjoy a museum tour. The performance of A Christmas Carol follows at 17.00. There will be a little present for all the children under the Christmas tree and all parents will receive a small museum guide. On presentation of your ticket, you will receive a 10% discount on your dinner at Restaurant Schlemmer, around the corner in the Lange Houtstraat (haagshistorischmuseum.nl)

RUMI Date:14 December 2011 Time: 20.00 Ashley Ramsden will also present poetry and stories

by Jelaluddin Rumi, a 13th century Sufi mystic and a favourite of many. This is a treat for the soul in the beautiful and warm surroundings of De Tuinkamer

Books for expats available online, at Quirky and the American Book Center in The Hague

The poor shoemaker Abdallah and his love Irma hide the wise Sheik Ismael from a violent gang. To show his gratitude the Sheik offers Abdallah four wishes. He chooses beautiful clothes, a wonderful palace and a harem consisting of the most beautiful women. When Irma sees this, she runs away in anger. Will Abdallah ever find her again? A brand new family treat in The Hague this Christmas!

HOW CAN YOU LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE ABROAD?

Date: Sunday 25, 26, 27, 28 December 2011 Time: 14.00 or 19.30

The practical stuff is easy. You can handle things like organising the move, finding a school for the children and getting registered with doctors and dentists. However, as an accompanying partner, you often put yourself and your needs last. First the move, then the home, then the family. What about you ?

Jeanne A Heinzer was a successful manager, happily living in Paris, when she met her husband. How could she have known that falling in love meant a life on the move, changing country every couple of years? Could she be happy when she had to keep on repeating the process? Yes she could!

In her work as an expatriate coach Jeanne established the ‘Art-of-Living-Abroad Wheel’ and found the secret to greater clarity, direction and happiness. With contributions from other experts she developed an inspiring self-coaching guide that puts you back into the driver’s seat. With her by your side you will have the confidence to transform your life.

This step-by-step guide teaches you how to: Identify areas in your life where you wish to be happier Develop a Powerful New Vision for your life abroad Apply effective tips and tools that will turn your vision into reality

Jeanne does an artful job of examining the core issues of what it takes to live your best life abroad.

JOYCE BLAKE, Executive Director, Families in Global Transition www.figt.org

Prices: €30,- / children until 12 years € 20,- / Uitpas and 65+ € 27,50

Living Your Best Life Abroad provides a road-map to successful transition.

Profound, engaging and packed with insights, the book will help accompanying spouses assess their personal needs and expectations and get up to speed quickly and smartly in their new host country.

MARGARET RIKHOF, Founder & Partner, Spouse Career Centre www.spousecareercentre.com

Partners of international assignees are in many cases ignored when the turmoil of an assignment starts.

This book gives them valuable, hands-on, reality-proven advice and strategies for the new chapters of their life in a foreign environment.

ANDREAS MANN, HR Specialist Materials & Effects, Huntsman Advanced Materials www.huntsman.com

JEANNE A HEINZER

10 and 17 December at 19.00 in the Chapel of Barth, preceded by mulled wine in the Garden of the Hesperides of the well-known Hofje van Wouw.

After the show there will be a Dickensian buffet, hosted by Mr Scrooge, in De Tuinkamer next to the Hofje van Wouw. (hofvanwouw.nl)

25

At last!

LIVING YOUR BEST LIFE ABROAD

9 and 21 December at 20.30 in the beautiful centre of The Hague in the Branoul Theatre. Restaurant 1900, next door to the theatre, offers the perfect night out with a lovely seasonal, pre-theatre-dinner (branoul.nl)

The Hague

LIVING YOUR BEST LIFE ABROAD

F ROM S U R V I V ING TO T H RII V ING

Theatre & Movies

next to the Hofje van Wouw. He will be accompanied on guitar by local musician Robby Alberga.

Tickets: € 17,50 - € 32,50 To reserve your tickets online www.theenglishtheatre.nl or T 06 30050018 Separate reservations are needed for the restaurants 1900 and Schlemmer as well as for the Dickensian buffet in De Tuinkamer.

The Underground

Resources, tips & tools for women accompanying their partners on an international move

The Reality Guide Series

JEANNE A HEINZER

Ticket sales: Telephone: 070-88 00 333

Movie night Date: 6 December 2011 - Movie night - Stepping into the Fire from 8pm onwards, Free entrance, please reserve via fb: Quirky, Lunchroom & Gallery

Exhibition Date: 17 December 2011- Art Opening from 4pm - Nathalie Hendriks Fridays, check our website for Quirky Friday Dinners. www.quirky.nl

More For more events: www.thehagueonline.nl www.denhaag.nl www.supermarktdenhaag.nl www.paard.nl

Teus Zantman Tel: 078 613 77 26 info@teusreclame.nl

Are you new in The Hague and looking for assistance with settling in?

cinderella’s

expat- and relocation service

Custom made

“let us make your party Perfect” info@cersthehague.com www.cersthehague.com + 31 (0) 6 122 00 388

www.perfectpastry.nl

26

The Underground The Hague

Classifieds

December 2011

given the tools of the trade. The resulting portfolio of poems will be presented to friends and family.

EURO 165 (incl. coffee and cake) For more information go to: 2write2.com or email Paulina Vanderbilt at: Email: info@2write2.com

English Photography Course

Your Classified here?

Advertising rates starting from E10,sales@theunderground.nl Artists Available and looking to perform. Artist/singer songwriter - Andrew Reynolds Mobile: 06-50594953 www.reverbnation.com/fraudtheband www.fraudtheband.com

Building SAF ONDERHOUDSBEDRIJF was founded by Seamus Flynn back in 2007 and prides the company as being trustworthy, reliable, competitively priced and promt with its projects. we do all renovations from start to finish. A good relationship with our customers is important to us as we value referrals. Mobile : 06-24860014 Email: saf-holland@hotmail.com Graham Montage

Painting & decorating. Small joinery jobs in The Hague Area. Mobile: 06-45481226 Email: graham7484@hotmail.com

Courses AID & C.P.R. Course

Do you know what to do at the scene of an accident. Every second counts! Learn life-saving skills and resuscitation with the defibrillator (A.E.D.). All our courses are available in English, Dutch and French at affordable prices. More info: www.vitalefunctiesopleidingen.com info@vitalefunctiesopleidingen.com COUNSELLING INTERNATIONAL offers professional confidential individual counselling/coaching, couple therapy or conflict mediation by experienced multilingual professional Els Barkema-Sala, MPhil, MBACP. www.counsellinginternational.com

2write2 creative writing

poetry for everyone: 6 week course. The 2write2 NoFear poetry course encourages anyone to dare-and-share experiences and shape them into poems. Participants are introduced to many different poets and

and Haarlem.

KILKENNY

School of IrishDance

* Lessons * Show group available for your event * Workshops on request

www.kilkennyontap.nl

Have you been looking for an English language photography course in The Hague?

Then we have a course for you. PhotographySchool.NL’s ten-week beginner’s course is presented entirely in English and utilises both lectures and hands-on photo shoots. The next session of our Beginner’s Course will begin on January 19th 2012 and runs on a weekly basis until March 29th 2012. Please note that there is no session on February 23rd and that the photography day trip will take place on March 10th.

For more information, please visit our website: www.photographyschool.nl

For Sale

Service flat Cees Laseurlaan 1005. spacious living/ diningroom/2 bedroom/ Located in Clingendeal/ near Wassenaar/Diner service & Restaurant/ shops and public transport 5 min. walk Price: E 197.000 k.k.

Phone: +31 (0) 6 54957490

Golf lessons

Now available from the “Golf Guru” , P.G.A. Golf Professional and Master Teacher Vince Kelly at the newest indoor golf facility in the Hague, Golfin’ the City. Lessons given using the world’s foremost golf simulator ,the Sports Coach Simulator.

Beginners courses starting in December. Golfers needing help to cure your slice or need to find out how to get more distance? Looking to give that different Sinter Klaas or Christmas gift for the golfer in your life? Give a Golfn’ the City golf lesson Gift Voucher. ( also for beginners) For more information, call me on 0614182588 or Email vincekellygolf@hotmail.com www,golfin-the -city.nl

Driving Lessons

Driving lessons given in English or German in the area of the Hague and surrounding towns. Ron Keislair, information and contact details www. ronkeislair.nl

Irish dance classes in Scheveningen

For more information or to try one class for free you can mail info@iersedans.nl or call Nora (0623623767). Kids: Wednesday 19:00-20:30 Adults: Wednesday 20:30-22:00 Costs: € 30 per month Location: Deventersestraat 21, The Hague

Film & Commercials oh wait....I’ve got it. Awesome!!

A video to represent my company!

Corporate films & commercials, arty or stylish.....whatever you wish.

Davidvanwoerden.com

For Rent/For Sale For rent: fully furnished studio in nice area.

See www.ab123.nl/forrent For rent/business

Approx 20 m2 in a beauty salon situated in the city centre. For more info contact info@beyondbliss-spa.com

Holiday Home

La Marteille - Troche-Pomadour

Located near Pompadour/Brive/Limoges/ Dordogne in France. A lovely get away in the country for 2-4 people/2 bedrooms/2 bathrooms/ veranda/fully furnished/garden/wood burner/ etc Per week E595,Bookings: www.micazu.nl/vakantiehuis/ la-marteille-10437

General Exposed

Two decades of photography by Henry Arvidsson at the ABC Treehut Gallery, December 2011 Please visit www.henryarvidsson.com & www.treehut.abc.nl (ABC, Lange Poten 23, Den Haag)

Lunchroom/Art Gallery

Cafe Quirky, Lunchroom & Gallery Fabulous Cafe/Art Gallery in the Hague that holds special Friday night dinners, open mic nights, movie nights & art exhibitions every month. Come see us at Quirky in the Zeeheldenkwartier. Now taking special bookings for Christmas parties, department lunches etc call 070 380 8502 www.cafequirky.com

MichPeach Cupcakes & Sweets is a home based cupcake company that provides you with the most delicious cupcake ever made.

http://www.successfulspeakernow.com

Classifieds

December 2011 All of our cupcake flavors are chosen and created by Michelle Dirksz-Hoek, a passionate baker and a truly sweet tooth fan! Our signature cupcakes are the Oreo and Strawberry Pinkalicious. Visit our Facebook page for more info and photo; www.facebook.com/MichPeachCupcakes or email us at; michpeachcupakes.com

Health & Fitness Yoga classes with Anat Preiss, a qualified yoga teacher with experience of over 20 years. Gave lessons and workshops in Israel, Switzerland and now in Holland for groups, individuals, adults and children.

Yoga lessons for groups are focused on body positions, breathing techniques and relaxation. Individual yoga lessons are especially helpful for people with specific problems like high or low blood pressure, backaches, asthma, etc.

Workshops for lower backaches are offered for individuals or small groups.

Reiki treatments are offered for reducing stress and promotion of self healing.

For details please contact: Anat Preiss anatpreiss@hotmail.com tel.: 071-5013170 mob: 06-11470741 www.yogaforall.net

HandsatWork Hara Center

Massage & Wellness - Detox & Body Toning - Health & Vitality Laan van Meerdervoort 45, 2517 AD Den Haag, T: 06-11910900 For online reservations please visit our website: www.haracenter.nl HandsatWork B.V. Business Vitality, Motivation and Inspiration T: 06-51776196

Jobs/Vacancy MEDIA MANAGER. The International Federation for Housing and Planning (IFHP) facilitates the exchange of knowledge in the fields of housing, urban planning, and development. We accomplish this mission through events and activities that bring people together as well as through the collection and dissemination of focused content.

Starting January we are seeking a web-savvy media manager to create and carry out a clear media strategy to increase awareness about IFHP’s mission and activities.

This position can be filled either as

regular employment or via contract.

For more information, please see the position listing on our website: www. ifhp.org/news/media-managervacancy

Music Lessons Guitar lessons

by a well-trained and experienced guitar professional.

Beginners and advanced. € 18,50 per 30 minutes.

Please contact: Bart Berman Adriaan Coenenstraat 22 2584RH Den Haag Phone: (+31)(0)623627334 Email: bartberman@gmail.com www.demodokosbb.blogspot.com Cello and piano lessons with Ania Katynska a graduate from the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague. All ages and levels are welcome. Lessons can be in English, German or Polish and take place at student’s home, in The Hague and surrounding areas.

Education: MA, Koninklijk Conservatorium Den Haag, KA, Universität der Künste Berlin, MA Academy of Music in Katowice. E: aniacello@gmail.com, Mobile: 0681 655 154 www.aniakatynska.webs.com

Sing Speak Listen Learn Laugh

Voice Lessons with Nancy Mayer Ages 12 and up Breathing, posture, voice projection, vocal technique All styles of music welcome www.nancymayer.com mob. 06 14 851 832

Photographers Charlotte Meindersma

Still looking for that great Christmas gift? Give a photoshoot of your loved one(s) by Charlotte Meindersma. Go to www.clfp.nl/ xmas now for options & your holidayrebate! www.charlottemeindersma.com

frenchtouch-photos

A memory to hold. The most personal gift. Surprise someone you care about.With a photo session starting from just € 97 www.frenchtouch-photos.com Portraits Weddings Corporate

Marina Novosad

06-20992938 marinaphotography@ymail.com

MARINAPHOTOGRAPHY.NL

VITALE FUNCTIES OPLEIDINGEN E.H.B.O + extra modules Reanimatie met A.E.D.

MAKE YOUR WORLD A SAFER PLACE

Hammam Den Haag Rubensstraat 39 2526 PD Den Haag 070 - 3841414 www.hammam.nl

MASTER of CEREMONIES

Do you need a host or speaker for your upcoming holiday events? Will you have a company Christmas party, New Year´s Eve bash or other event? Experienced, professional speaker, Barbara Rogoski, can handle all your needs.

Contact Barbara Rogoski of Successful Speaker Now at: Mobile: 06-23898 717. www.successfulspeakernow.com

Tax Consultants

27

@

24/7

€

+-

Your own caretaker for all your maintenance.

A membership for EUR 180,=, with 24/7 standby service and annual HV-maintenance.

Waisting no more time on finding good craftman.

We got them! www.uwhuismeester.info T: 070 737 03 10

@

24/7

€

+-

Suurmond Tax Consultants Experts for Expats.

J.C. Suurmond & zn. Tax consultants is a Dutch tax consulting agency with an international perspective. No matter what tax situation you encounter as an expat, we know how to handle it in your best interest. Consult our independent professional team by phoning +31 (0)174 244725 or e-mail taxadvice@jcsuurmond.nl.

Alternatively visit our website www.jcsuurmond.nl.

Translators Reggie Curiel: Translation, editing and Interpreting services of documents, websites, promotional material and much more. Also Telephone and Face-to-face interpreting for customer services, medical appointments, Business meetings and more. Translations from English, to Dutch, to Spanish and back in any combination for all these languages.

Email: curiel@ziggo.nl

TU Advertising Submit your advert by email.

Email details to sales@theunderground.nl. Please include the category you wish to advertise, your name, phone number and contact details.

If you wish to place an advert, we now offer a FREE design service. Adverts from E55,-.

January issue/deadline December 10 For more information: sales@theunderground.nl Visit the Hammam Hague, an Oriental bathhouse and multicultural meeting place.

Bathing in the dome, relaxing in the steam room, scrub your skin, muscle massage to loosen or relaxing in the quiet room.

Choose one of our arrangements with traditional natural products.

All our courses are available in English, Dutch and French at affordable prices.

Come enjoy and experience the art of Oriental baths!

w w w . v i t a l e f u n c tiesopleidingen.com

The Hague

Professional speaker

EVERYONE CAN LEARN FIRST AID & C.P.R., YOU TOO!

Mail us at: info@vitalefunctiesopleidingen.com

The Underground

BRISDET SPIEGELER Advocaten Oranjestraat 8 NL- 2514 JB Den Haag Postbus 82167 NL- 2508 ED Den Haag T +31 (0)70 7370351 M +31 (0)6 20249426 F +31 (0)70 7370352 brigitte.spiegeler@brisdet-spiegeler.com www.brisdet-spiegeler.com

The Underground The Hague

Wish 4 Windows Wishes all their customers

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

UPVC Windows & Doors . www.wish4windows.com