September October Issue

A Helping Hand

Volunteering

Food review

September/October

Page 14-15

Page 27

The Underground The Hague

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

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Issue 18. September/October 2013

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‘The highest reward for a person’s work is not what they get for it, but what they become because of it’ -- John Ruskin --

Fotografie: Marion Duimel, Stichting GetOud

p.12 The Social Sofa

p.13 DHiT

p.25 Meet Phaeleh

I see contractors having their lunch on it, local teenagers busily texting into their IPhones and elderly people resting from a trip to the AH. I pass it every single day, but I never knew the story behind the mosaic bench on the Bankastraat.

Den Haag in Transitie (DHiT), or The Hague in Transition, began with a small group of people interested in reigniting Transition Town (TT) philosophy within the city. Seven months later that small group is a spirited team of fifteen and DHiT...

Just days before Phaeleh was set to release his new album ‘Tides’, I met up with the UK-based electronic music producer at a show in Brussels. By chance, I had first met Phaeleh at a show in Amsterdam a month earlier, where he treated us to a passionate..

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09-07-2013 16:59:05

Issue 18. September/October 2013

Welcome

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PUBLISHER The Underground is an independent newspaper published by Simone Branson Harper simone@theunderground.nl Phone: + 31 (0) 6 815 050 49 Full biographies of this month’s contributors can be found online

ADVERTISING RATES DEAL: Receive 15% discount on all ad sizes for the upcoming issue! sales@theunderground.nl

UPCOMING ISSUES Issue 19 November & December Theme : Shop till you drop!

SENIOR EDITOR

Letter from the Publ�her I hope you all had a great summer and are ready to get back to work.We have been working hard during the summer to make this issue for you. Thank you everyone who has contributed during the summer!

This issue is all about lending a helping hand. We will give you tips where to get help and share your skills.

This year as been amazing as ever for TU and I can’t believe the next issue is our last one for this year. In November we celebrate our 2nd anniversary! Again without the support of our advertisers and volunteers we would not be able to publish TU every 2 months. This month we had run out of papers after 2 weeks!

Our next issue is all about shopping giving you ideas for presents, recipes, where to go and much more! Deadline for the upcoming issue is October 1, so make sure to be on time to share your ideas with our readers!

Keep in touch!

Simone@theunderground.nl

Rosy Rega

DISTRIBUTION info@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.

Print: Wegener NieuwsDruk BV

1450 Followers @undergroundth 3500 Likes @TheUndergroundTH @undergroundth

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ABOUT THE FRONTPAGE GetOud (GetOld) is a foundation based in The Hague and was set up by Ingrid Meijering and Marion Duimel. Its goal is to provide a positive image of old age and of the elderly, and to connect old and young people.

Their projects have a positive and creative approach and are meant to put a smile on people’s faces.

Dream profession For the project ‘Wat ik later wilde worden’ (what I wanted to become later), they portrayed 46 elderly from all over the country, between 73 to 98 years old, in their dream profession. Jobs they never got due to the war, lack of education or money, or because of parents that disagreed with their choice. Like Leny (87) who wanted to become a midwife but her father wouldn’t let her go to Rotterdam where the school was.

Up until the sixties, women were automatically fired anyway the day they got married. Wil (76) wanted to become a stewardess but got a 7.5 grade for her English exam instead of the required 8. The pictures and the stories behind them have been collated in a book and into an exhibition that travelled through the Netherlands.

No regrets Except for two people, none of the portrayed elderly looked back with regret to their missed careers. They had other jobs or cared for their families instead. They enjoyed posing for the pictures, which resulted in often humorous ones. Their stories also have lots of interesting and sometimes curious facts about work in the old days. Stories like the two women who worked in an administration job and had to put their signature down to be allowed to go to the toilet. And if they made a mistake in their calculations, they were given a ‘punishment note’: a white one for half an hour and a red one for an hour unpaid overtime.

Chances One of the reasons for several of the elderly people to participate in the project was to show young people that they should grab the chances they’ve got nowadays whereas before there weren’t the same opportunities. As far as contributing to a positive image of the elderly, the stories and pictures show that they are not sitting behind windows in senior care homes all day.

They have the most life experience of all of us and their life stories can teach and inspire everyone.

The book ‘Wat ik later wilde worden’, in Dutch only, is available via www.getoud.nl

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Bilingual primary education in Dutch schools On 10 July 2013, the Secretary of Education announced a plan to improve English in primary school.

Part of this plan is a pilot bilingual primary education (TPO), which will be launched in 2014 under the coordination of the European Platform. The project will select 20 primary schools that will provide 30% to 50% of the teaching in English. The Dutch curriculum and core objectives will remain central and the rationale is to provide a programme that has a strong international orientation. The Hague City has welcomed this plan. Its Councilor of Education, Ingrid Engelshoven, remarked that The Hague has noted for years the need to provide bilingual education in response to growing international contact. Research has shown that that children who are taught at a young age learn to speak better English than children who are only acquainted with English in grade 7 or 8. Attention to English has no negative effect on learning a high level of Dutch for children.

WINWIDE is a non-profit organization based in The Hague. Its mission is to stimulate integration, emancipation and participation in the Netherlands.

Founded in 2009 by Sandra Winifred Fransz who works as counsellor and coach, specialising in integration into a new job, a new life cycle and into a multicultural society. It was during her internship while studying that Sandra became aware of the gap that many women who had moved to The Netherlands were facing, namely, no place for them to practice their Dutch and no place to meet Dutch residents. In close cooperation with these women, Sandra developed and set up the AllTonesTables (ATT) projects, where locals and internationals interested in in-depth debates and intercultural cooperation could meet and discuss social and civic issues from an intercultural perspective. To date, more than 1000 men and women from over 50 different countries, including Holland, have participated in the ATT projects.

News & Views for the best political book. A huge reception will be organised on Prinsjesdag for politically-engaged young people. Each year a difference Dutch province will take centre stage. During the first edition of the festival, the honour will go to the province of Friesland.

The King’s Commissioner John Jorritsma will open a temporary residence across from the Embassy of Canada on the Sophialaan where Friesland will present itself to the public. A banquet will be organised there and a tax free shop will sell Beerenburg (Frisian gin bitters) and Fryske Sûkerbôle (sugar bread). The Friesian ‘embassy’ will also teach visitors about the Friesian roots of the royal family, which can be traced back to Stadtholder Johan Willem Friso.

The Hague International Day On 29 September The Hague International Day will take place for the sixth time. The official opening of the day is at 1 PM in the Worldhotel Bel Air by Mayor of The Hague Van Aartsen. International organisations open their doors for the public: Eurojust, Europol, House of Europe, International Criminal Court (ICC), International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and, located in the Peace Palace: International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA). In the Worldhotel Bel Air the International Market will take place, where 30 organisations will present themselves, including the European Patent Office and UNHCR. The Hague Bridge The International Day is organised by The Hague Bridge.

Willem Post, co-organiser: ‘We are very proud to organise this event for the sixth time. Not everyone is familiair with the daily activities and objectives of the international organisations in the city. This day everyone has the chance to take a look behind the scenes of The Hague as an international city.’ More information about the International Day and registration: www.internationalday.nl

48 hours The Hague 6-8 September HOOP aspires to be the first organisation to offer a back to back and non stop 48 hours cultural program.

In the store on Driehoekjes seven various exhibitions will be held and work by young designers will be on sale. In the basement of het Oude Raadhuis OFF Projects, a young international platform for performances of dance, text and music, will preform and entertain.

Even a whole artist village by the name of New Light will be build by Mudd Projects. Dance till dawn!

More info: www.hoop.nu For two days 48 boats will navigate through the canals of The Hague for various short enchanting performances. These acts will not only be preformed on the water, but also under bridges, in gardens and on the wharfs of the Hague .www.haagsegrachtenpracht.nl A night full of art, music and entertainment in the center of The Hague and Scheveningen. More than 30 cultural hotspots, an elaborate KinderNachtRoute, sneakpeaks & afterparties on the Grote Markt. The Hague is alight! www.museumnachtdenhaag.nl On Saturday and Sunday the popular shopping area around Paleis Noordeinde will revolve around art, fashion and food.www.hetnoordeinde.nl For one night Open Air Hotel will transform the city of the Hague into one spectacular Open Air Hotel. Visual artists, designers and choreographers will fabricate hotelrooms in wonderfully green outdoor areas an preform outside. www.fieldsofwonder.nl

WINWIDE’s ‘Winter-Wonder-Mix’ Festival in collaboration with the Dutch charity Resto VanHarte on 16 November, from 2-10pm. Diamant College, Diamanthorst 183, The Hague.

Everyone is welcome and if you are a music performer, a dancer, or a theatrical performer and want to practice your Dutch in a creative way, you can share your talents and show others your creativity. WINWIDE will provide you the possibility to perform! If interested write to: winterfestival@alletonentafels.nl For all other information see: www.winwide.nl or contact: winwide@tiscali.nl

Starting this year in September The Hague will be treated to the new Prinsjesfestival, with cultural and political activities organised around Prinsjesdag in order to celebrate democracy.

The festival will officially begin on Sunday (this year 15 September) and end two days later on Prinsjesdag, the opening of Dutch parliament.

Activities include a recitation by Dutch poet Tsead Bruinja from the balcony of Museum Escher in het Paleis, a hat parade, a concert by the New Dutch Academy, a lecture on the history of the Friesian branch of the royal family, a debate, and a performance of political satire in Theater Diligentia. Other special recurring traditions will be a prize for the politician who has made an important contribution to democracy and a prize

Order your tickets now on the website of the Royal Theatre or call (+31)900-3456789 (10 cpm) Tuesday Saturday 13.00 - 17.00.For more information visit the website of Peace of Me.

The festival is an initiative of dozens of volunteers from communications agencies, journalists and people who are associated with the Binnenhof, including local celebrities like former mayor Wim Deetman, presenter Frits Huffnagel and the historian and author Reinildes van Ditzhuyzen. Source: thehague.com

The success of the ATT is in its simple objective: to bring locals and newcomers in The Netherlands together, while embracing both diversity and unity. Many of the ATT events are also culinary events so that there is a cross-cultural exchange of foods, flavours and people. Look out for a number of forthcoming WINWIDE activities: Meet & Greet for students and young professionals (18-35yrs). A start-up of ATTs for young people, to be held on 27 September.

Location: Resto VanHarte’s Resto, Diamanthorst 183, The Hague. Time 6-10pm.

The Hague to get a Prinsjesfestival

Issue 18. September/October 2013

Podium arts, street theatre, amateur art and an information market for the coming cultural season full of discount deals.haagsuitfestival.nl Free city breakfast on the Spuiplein with performances by the Nederlands Dans Theater. www.haagsuitfestival.nl Especially for children! Enjoy diverse and exciting acts on a boat through the canals of the Hague. www.haagsegrachtenpracht.nl

Peace of Me Musical

For more information: www. 48uurvandenhaag.nl

11 September - 15 September | The Hague, Royal Theatre Peace of Me is a contemporary musical produced and presented in The Hague by youngsters in the age category from 12 up to 18 years old. In this musical they will tell their own story of peace and justice. What does it mean to live and work in a city which has an history of 100 years of solving disputes between countries from all over the world?The musical is produced by The Koorenhuis together with the Nationaal Toneel, The Dutch Don’t Dance Division and the Royal Theatre. They and other partners in the cultural field will support and guide them professionally to make the musical a great success!

Vredesloop The Hague On September 21, international day of peace, The Hague is the decor for a unique, one-time running event: the ‘Vredesloop’ The Hague. This run is part of a special programme in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Peace Palace. Start and finish-location is the Peace Palace. Contestants can choose from four distances: 1,5 and 2,5 Km (for children) and 5 and 10 Km. ‘Haag Atletiek’ The ‘Vredesloop’ The Hague is inspired by Peace One Day. To enroll, visit www. vredesloop.com

News & Views

Issue 18. September/October 2013

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SPOTT E PHOTO D O THE D F AY!

Bono’s Lament -Maxime Zech, aka The Sponge.

In my mind, the word ‘charity’ has become synonymous with a gaggle of famous people in a 2-minute video all wearing the same shirt and doing the same choreographed hand gesture while solemnly forcing sad facts about some sad event down your middle-class gullet as they prowl closer and closer to the camera. I also see Bono’s face. Which just annoys me. I think the most money Bono could raise for charity would be taking bets on what color his eyes are. Or maybe he should auction off those ridiculous glasses of his, that would feed the children. All this celebrity-endorsed charity promotion stuff makes it seem like charity, and doing good in general, can’t possibly happen unless Joe Manganiello pledges never to put a shirt on EVER again, if everyone knits sweaters for Orangutans. *where’s my knitting needles?* What I think, in my personal and always superior opinion, is that everyone should find their own way to be nice to people in their communities. Because we can’t really truly trust every charity to be doing the right thing with their donations.

I mean, remember that KONY 2012 thing?

It went viral for a few weeks, and everyone seemed to think it was the coolest thing since The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, but it turned out that the organization actually spent almost a third of the donations on their personal expenses, among other fishy things. You don’t really know how much of your money is going to help the people you intend it to, and you have to do a lot of research.

So I say, if you want to give to charity, that’s very nice and magnanimous of you, but don’t forget your neighbors. Do something nice for the people that you have to look at on your daily commute. Go on.

They might stop giving you the twitching evil eye. It’s all in the little things.

You know sometimes when you’re walking around town and it’s grey and awful and you’ve got a face that could wilt a flower and you feel like punching a tree because it’s standing there silently looking down its bark at you? And then you spot something simple like a clever post-it note mosaic of, I don’t know, a Smurf giving Boris Johnson a wedgie in an office window and it makes you smile again? That’s just plain nice.

Simple things sometimes make all the difference. Paste an envelope with some coins in it onto a vending machine with the words ‘you there, with the face. Go mental, have a soda on me’, and you’ve already made one person happy. Plant a flower somewhere random. Give a statue a hawaiian shirt. Offer song requests on the tram. Give out free poetry. Organize a spontaneous hoe-down in the middle of town. I don’t know. Get creative.

© Piet Heinstraat.Summertime Easy Living, spotted by Miki de Best/debestpix.com

THE ORIGINAL SIDE OF VOLUNTEERING •

By Elizabeth Rincón

E

ither out of true altruism, an awakening of our conscience or even as a networking strategy, volunteering is anything but monotonous. Giving of oneself does not mean deducting hours of personal development or entertainment from our lives, but bringing a positive effect to others and at the same time nourishing our souls and our minds. Thinking of giving and receiving, literally, we find options out there like the ‘do-gooder’ holiday offered by Original Volunteers. Founded in the UK this team who has a big heart and very good ideas offers original and fun altruistic packages: You can help raise an orphan monkey in Pretoria or assist a zookeeper in Guadalajara. There are no geographical boundaries, just your own imagination.

With a minimum age of 18 and a really friendly budget, you can choose a stay of at least one week to become the next football coach for a group of disadvantaged children in Peru, or cooperate in building a children’s refuge in Paraguay. Your basic tools will be both your hands and good will; the rest will blossom as you share experiences with other volunteers from around the globe and with the locals who, even if not in your own language, will know how to show their gratitude. If anything transcends languages is the sense of someone who wants to do good irrespectively of which or how complex the skill you can offer.

Talking about skills, 4H, an American organization dedicated to supporting youth in need, is open to people willing to teach a specific skill in youth centers, transforming lost time in time invested into something positive. But for those with a tight schedule, the Box Project is an easy and interesting alternative: you just need to fill in a box with some food, clothes and other basics and donate it to a disadvantaged family. You could even exchange letters with them and elevate your volunteering experience to whole new level plenty with satisfaction.

And if your passion has to do with preserving past civilizations, you should read more about Archeolink who represent a link between archeologists, museums and the local community with the aim of recovering archeological sites. Either by donating money or knowledge, your hobby could become a good deed for humanity. In the end, there are infinite possibilities when it comes to helping others, even from home. It all begins with a click.

Minna Sun Kim : Underwater Cartoons ©

News & Views

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Streeters

Issue 18. September/October 2013

ARCHIPEL: THIS IS JUST TO SAY In the Archipelbuurt neighbourhood, a literary project that celebrates poetry and design is giving residents and visitors alike a new way to enjoy its streets.

The ArchipelpoëZie project has just unveiled two new poetry murals: On the Burgemeester Patijnlaan direction Bankastraat, the beautiful poem by Dutch Poet K.L. Poll, Zomer xVIII and just a hundred metres further on, at the corner of the Bankastraat, the American William Carlos Williams famous poem, This is Just to Say.

The Underground’s Dorine Schreiner discovered that there are many people that lend a helping hand, right on our doorstep. She asked people on the streets of The Hague:

In collaboration with The Hague’s Royal Academy of Art -De Koninklijke Academie van Beeldende Kunsten, the poems are set in typography of well-known Dutch type designers. The poetry walls celebrate both good poetry and outstanding typography.

What is your favourite volunteer project?

The Archipel neighbourhood is popular with expats, who make up 30% of its residents and the ArchipelpoëZie foundation vision is inclusiveness, for Dutch and International residents alike, therefore the choice of a poem written in English.

A new poetry mural will be unveiled in September, making the total of five walls to discover. A map and their location can be found on their website. We recommend a stroll through the Archipelbuurt, take your dictionary for some extra help and enjoy!

Özgur Savas, 37, entrepreneur/owner www.plantkracht.nl

‘There are many great volunteer projects in The Hague. I care a lot about plants, animals, and the world we live in. I joined an organisation called www. denhaagintransitie.org. It’s part of Transition Towns and we strive to make The Hague more sustainable, healthier and greener. Honingbank.nl is also a great project that aims to save bees.’

www.archipelpoezie.nl

@undergroundth

@TheUndergroundTH

@undergroundth

A REVIEW: DIJKSTRA CHIROPRACTIE •

Lena Hammerø, 35, teaching assistant

‘City Shine Community Foundation. It was founded by my Canadian friend Reannon Clarke here in The Hague. The organisation provides school supplies and does several other projects in the Kayole-Soweto slums in Nairobi. You can find out more about them at www.cityshine.org.’

Sebastiaan Breukel, 25, Chinese translator

‘Vluchtelingenwerk Nederland. People help refugees to fit into Dutch society. They organise social events and assist people with everyday activities. I supported a Chinese family by translating for them.’

Hans Luijten, 45, educational account manager

‘The Zeeheldenfestival! It takes place on the Prins Hendrikplein in The Hague each year around July. Apparently the festival has been going on for more than 30 years! I’m always amazed, surprised and pleased that a group of volunteers puts together a big party with a diverse programme that lasts for five days. The festival is organised by people who live in the area and everybody is invited.’

Text Jesse Johnsen, photo by Markéta Tichavská

With two chiropractors, a massage therapist and a holistic exercise therapist Dijkstra Chiropractie is a one-stop shop.

The receptionist greeted me with a warm welcome and some tea. I then headed into Luke Dijkstra’s office. I grew up as a keen athlete and you can imagine the long list of injuries I have accumulated in my first 20 years of life. After a more thorough look at the information on my intake form we headed to his treatment room. Luke, a knowledgeable chiropractor who is able to treat Olympic level sports injuries, led me through a series of tests which took into account the numerous ailments I have come accustomed to live with, primarily being flat footed and multiple ankle sprains. Through further assessments, Luke was able to source out the root of my constant foot pain to a misalignment in my hips, not flat arches. He then focused on the fasciae layers in my feet. After a few more snaps, crackles and pops I left the room feeling like a million bucks.

Afterwards, I was sent over to James Francis, the Holistic Exercise Therapist. Taking into account Luke’s findings, James also conducted an assessment, making further adjustments to my hyper-mobile right hip and restricted left hip. He then proceeded to lead me through exercises while focusing on posture via a proper squat.

He helps to change bad habits within your course of movements to maintain the structural adjustments Luke achieves. The whole session is taped for personal reference to continue the exercises at home. I found this particularly useful as I can see what my movements are supposed to look like, as opposed to imagining them while reading steps on a piece of paper. He wrapped up the session by reassessing my body alignment then sent me on my way.

My last visit was with Eleanor Tweddell, a Canadian Registered Massage Therapist. Following a discussion on my chief complaint and referencing my file, she started a specific treatment to help my muscle’s readjust to my more aligned body, using deep tissue and fasciae techniques to further release tension and break up adhesions. After the massage, I was instructed on how to properly execute a hip rotator stretch to maintain postural balance.

Dijkstra Chiropractie is a dynamic practice where the practitioners are passionate about making a difference.

I left there with tools that will come with me for the rest of my life.

Dijkstra Chiropractie Waldeck Pyrmontkade 27a 2518 RS The Hague tel: +31 (0)70 345 0991 www.dijkstrachiropractie.nl

Topic

Issue 18. September/October 2013

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THROUGH THE KEYHOLE: CHIC MANI & PEDI

A GIRL SHOULD BE TWO THINGS CLASSY AND FAB! On the trendy Frederikstraat, at number 48, there is a real treat in store! Chic Mani & Pedi is a high-end beauty shop for manicures and pedicures. The décor is plush and welcoming, the walls have fun sayings by Coco Chanel and Audrey Hepburn on the importance of pampering yourself. Everything is spotlessly clean.

The owner, Magda, explains her vision: I was inspired when living in Asia by the great customer service in manicure and pedicure shops, it became my passion and leaving my degree in economics behind I started courses in beauty techniques, focusing on manicure and pedicure. I opened this store when back in The Hague with my main objective: ‘to treat customers the way I would like to be treated. ’And her standards are very high; customers are greeted with smiles, are listened to and offered advice.

All products are high quality, OPI, CND and natural products like Sabon.

I want my customers to leave with beautiful nails, looking and feeling great and I want my customers to have a wonderful time while here. And they are surely attended to; they are offered champagne to sip and chocolates to nibble!

Not surprising, men enjoy pedicures here as well.

And their services go on, many women are very busy with little time for themselves, so we offer these women both manicure and pedicure simultaneously, in an one hour treatment and we are flexible with times often working outside normal working hours.

‘I was inspired when living in Asia by the great customer service in manicure and pedicure shops, it became my passion’ Chic Mani & Pedi organise private parties, birthday parties, baby showers, bachelorette evenings as well as the only place in The Hague that organizes young girl birthday parties with a combination of manicure, pedicure, make up, high tea, fun music, pictures and hairdos.

Share your insiders tips with us: info@theunderground.nl

What you need to know: Where: Chic Mani&Pedi Frederikstraat 48 2514LL Den Haag District: Willemspark Phone: 070-4061463 06-52656516

Students

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M Mandates By Molly

• By Molly Quel

I like to joke that there are only two things I’m very good at in life; baking chocolate chip cookies and telling people what to do. While many problems are solved by making and eating cookies, more can be solved by taking my advice.

This month it’s all about being a newbie to the Netherlands and how to cope.

I’ve just moved to the Netherlands to study and I’m experiencing a lot of culture shock. How do I acclimate?

Moving abroad is always challenging and can be made worse by friction with the local culture. Whenever I move, I always try to locate places that sell my favorite things.

Yes, Lucky Charms might cost €7 a box at Kelly’s, but in a fit of homesickness, it can be worth it.

Then focus on the things you enjoy about the Netherlands. As an American, I’m not used to biking being such a pleasant (read: not deadly) experience. I discovered I really like to bike and now take a lot of bike trips. Also, stroopwafels are pretty awesome. Try out new foods, new beers, new music and embrace the things you enjoy.

Finding common ground can also help. Do you play soccer (also known as football)? Join a local league. Enjoy taking photos? Find a photography group. You can still do all the things you enjoy, you just might have to pick up a few Dutch phrases to do it.

I’ve never lived outside the town I grew up in and now I’m here for university. There are so many people from different cultures. How do I interact with them?

You’re not alone. Multicultural communication can be such a challenge that companies often hire experts to teach their employees how to talk to each other. Universities offer courses on the topic.

First, give people the benefit of the doubt. What might be considered rude in your culture, may not be in theirs.

Patience and humor will go a long way to creating pleasant relationships.

Read up on inter and multicultural communication. There are lots and lots of resources out there on the subject.

Your university might also offer workshops and might also be able to provide you with other material.

Finally, don’t overthink it. The more you travel, the more you realize that people are more or less the same everywhere.

I don’t know how to make friends with the Dutch.

Any advice?

I hear the complaint that the Dutch aren’t very friendly, that you can’t be friends with them, etc. And certainly if you’re working or studying in an international environment, meeting the locals can be a challenge. So you must go to where the natives are.

Join activities or clubs. which cater to internationals and the Dutch. Or just join Dutch groups. English is so widely spoken that it isn’t hard to participate. Go to bars and cafes that don’t cater to the international crowd.

If nothing else works, I suppose you could also try kidnapping.

Contact Molly at molly@theunderground.nl

Issue 18. September/October 2013

HIDDEN TREASURES IN THE HAGUE, COME TOGETHER! •

By Lisette van der Ende

H

e pops up at art galleries and they post pictures of hidden treasures in The Hague on Facebook. You may not have met him yet, but I’m sure some of you have heard whispers on the street about The Hague Dandy’s. But who is the guy behind the vintage camera, what moves him and where can you find him? It’s time ‘to go Underground’ and meet Bryan Diender, founder of The Hague Dandy’s.

The Hague Dandy’s During the week, Bryan is a student concentrating on his assignments behind his computer and working to meet his deadlines. But when the weekend begins, he loves to be outdoors and organise city walks of what he loves the most and wants to share; vintage fashion, analogue conversations, local delicacies and hidden treasures of The Hague. Bryan, adopted from Suriname, got inspired when his granddad told him stories about the old days and the history of the architecture in The Hague.

Bryan’s interest for The Hague’s culture developed when he was a contributor at STROOM, an art centre in The Hague. With the inspiration from his granddad and the information and knowledge that he collected from STROOM, Bryan started his own style and collective of people; The Hague Dandy’s.

According to Bryan, the best words to describe The Hague Dandy’s are; communicate architecture, art, culture and history by vintage storytelling. Through The Hague Dandy’s Bryan wants to introduce the international community to The Hague city life. Bryan likes to stay anonymous on his pictures that he makes.

Because although he is founder of The Hague Dandy’s he believes everybody can be one if he or she wants to. Bryan wants to share stories and wants to encourage the international community to become socially involved.

Dare Devil Dandy’s Bryan: ‘Without even noticing, most of the time people are in a big rush. Always going from A to B. But life has more to offer.’ Bryan tells me he wants to break the routine of daily life. He likes to challenge the expat community to get lost and find The Hague’s beautiful hidden treasures. He wants to show, feel and inspire people with what The Hague city life has to offer. Bryan gets a lot of support from other enthusiastic young people who are part team organising the city walks. The walks are mostly divided into small groups. Every walk is different, every group is dynamic and every time it’s unpredictable. ‘Everything is possible’; Bryan says; ‘It’s amazing to discover new places and see the social interaction between the participants’.

Bryan Ft. The Hague When I asked Bryan what he likes the most about The Hague, he answered that he is charmed by the combination of city life and nature. You can experience the business and political ambiance downtown but in 5 minutes you can enjoy the silence in the Paleis Tuinen (palace gardens). One of his favourite spots is the Skydome of James Turrell in Kijkduin.

Would you also like to experience a Hidden Treasure tour with Bryan? Find more information on Facebook. com/TheHagueDandys or stay up to date at www.theunderground.nl Come see, feel and experience The Hague’s hidden treasures. Read the review online by The Underground contributor, Catherine Shannon, who joined Bryan on a Hidden Treasures Tour.

SPECIAL DEAL!!!!

TU D�count!

DISCOUNT HAAGSE HOTELNACHT 7 & 8 September For all Underground readers: Receive a special discount: Pay 10 euro’s instead of 15 euro’s.

Your code: HHN2013UNDERGROUND www.haagsehotelnacht.nl/ discount

Issue 18. September/October 2013

Fashion

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AMSTERDAM FASHION WEEK SPRING SUMMER 2014 Fashion reporter Virginia McDonald and Lisette van der Ende (photo left) attended AFW for The Underground.

Dido Yland Dido Yland’s collections ‘Bon Voyage!’ was minimalism and colour blocking at its best. Grey, navy, red, teal and orange were the standout colours for the summer collection, which were coupled with shoes from Dutch Designer Anna Korshun and hats from London designers Yashkathor. The inspiration behind the collection was train staff and flight attendants, which was evident in the shapeless shift dresses and skirts that seem to have become Dido’s signature. The bold colours save the collection from being dull, but the ‘normalcy’ of the collection means that we could both picture ourselves wearing the designs. We particularly liked the cutout fabric with the peek-a-boo colours underneath and the bright belts holding it all in place, as well as the under arm cutout details that fit the models perfectly. A great summer collection with easy to wear pieces.

Rebecca Ward We loved New Zealander Rebecca Ward’s show. The collection titled ‘Parasomnia’ blurs the line between the sleeping and waking hours, the real and the imagined. The elegant leather skirts with delicate layering conjured up images of gothic mermaids, as did the mixed fabric leather and textile dresses with exaggerated hips. The victorian style floral blouses were magic teamed with what can only be described as leather skirt leggings, resulting in silhouettes that were sexy, tough and ladylike all in one. A truly couture collection, some pieces bordered on ready to wear. A beautiful cream dress with black scalloped details was the highlight, and we were dying to get into the grey dress with ruffled details, or the leather skirt and sheer tank-top combo. Rebecca is an extremely talented womenswear designer and we hope to see more of her in the future.

2LOVETONYCOHEN The house was packed, the vibe was pumping, Tony Cohen put on a great show for his mid-priced ready to wear collection 2LOVETONYCOHEN. The collection was a mixed bag, featuring everything that’s on trend at the moment, peplum, leather, metallic and masculine simple. Wide leg, skinny and cropped trousers all made an appearance, teamed with quirky blazers with giant zippers and delicate transparent blouses.

Standout pieces included a beautiful embroidered mini skirt, and long, leather, fringed jacket. Muted earth tones were broken up with flashes of mint green and metallic mauve to give the collection a unique twist. Wearable but also daring, there were several pieces we would have loved to take home for ourselves.

Nata Ryzh The Hague’s very own Nata Ryzh stuck with her signature prints for this vintage inspired Spring/Summer collection. As classic rock ‘n’ roll filled the room, trousers and pant suits in light flowing material in bright prints mixed well with colour block jackets and breezy feminine dresses. 60s and 70s silhouettes dominated the collection of pieces we could imagine wearing to the office on a warm summer’s day. Maxi skirts and dresses in bold, almost tie dyed prints had us swooning, and the sheer blouses teamed with matching pencil skirts and jackets were divine. Feminine, wearable turban like headbands and printed handbags accessorised the designs, but we would have loved to have seen more! Nata Ryzh once again showed us why she is a Dutch fashion powerhouse, fabulous!

Tony Cohen Defile For Tony Cohen’s second show (yes, he did two shows in one day!) his creative brilliance shone. A dark and moody collection, black lipped models wore cascading fabrics, more metallic, lots of leather, and even a cape. Monochrome was the dominating colour theme, with splashes of glittering gold, nudes, navy and mint green. Grecian style layered maxi dresses accompanied sophisticated separates; tunics, trousers, skirts and tops, to make a cosmopolitan, mature, übercool summer collection. Outstanding pieces were a fringed, cutout leather tunic over black trousers, and a barely there maxi dress with oversized zipper. We can’t wait to see these pieces in upcoming editorials, well done Tony Cohen.

Allan Vos Another designer from The Hague, Allan Vos’s Japanese inspired collection didn’t disappoint. Buff models showed a lot of skin in short shorts and sheer tanks, while another sported printed underwear and a tailored blazer. Smart trousers and shorts featured heavily in the summer collection, as well as gorgeous detailed blazers and light bomber jackets. A pair of extremely wide leg trousers and a karate style blazer tied in with the Japanese theme, while glittering gold underwear teamed with a kimono like jacket stole the show. Blacks, golds, whites and beiges dominated the sophisticated-cool menswear collection, we only hope that some fellas in The Hague will be brave enough to rock the collection next summer.

GETTING HANDY • By Virginia McDonald Making your own fashion is a fun and rewarding hobby. Whether you want to be the next Jean Paul Gaultier, or want to make comfy clothing for the kids, we’ll show you where to get started on your homemade fashion adventure.

Getting help Trying to find your own way around a sewing machine and a pattern can be a nightmare, but there are people out there to help you. Starting a sewing course is a great way to express creativity while honing technical and design skills. Here are our top picks of sewing courses in The Hague.

Maak Je Eigen Mode - Binckhorstlaan 36 2516 BE Den Haag : A great course with fashion designer Dorrith de Roode in the Bink36 building. Courses are available in English and Dutch, and the atmosphere is great. Small groups make for a good learning experience, and courses are open for all ages.

Eigenwijzen Mode Maken - Atelier Maziestraat, Maziestraat 19 2514 Den Haag: A speciality course for those who wish to design their own patterns and clothes to fit the form. Lessons range from beginners to those more experienced, and courses are available four evenings per week.

De Groene Ballon - Laan van Meerdervoort 710 2564 AN Den Haag : Where to get stocked and started Choosing a pattern and fabric can be a daunting experience for beginners. Luckily there are loads of great shops in The Hague with friendly staff to help get you started. Always ask staff for advice about fabric and accessories such as buttons and zippers, but don’t forget to have fun and be creative in your choices. Here are our top picks of fabric shops in The Hague.

The Haagse Markt - Herman Costerstraat 2571 PJ Den Haag: There is a huge range of fabric available at the Haagse Markt for very reasonable prices. Quality can vary and can sometimes be disappointing, but overall this is a good place to buy fabric especially for beginners. Make sure to get there early to beat the market rush.

De Boerenbonthal - Papestraat 29 2513 AV Den Haag: A great way to get everything you need in one place in the city centre, De Boerenbonthal have a big range of good quality fabrics varying from expensive to very reasonable.

They also sell patterns, buttons, zippers, lining and scissors, as well as anything else you might need to get your project started.

Van Domburg Textiel - Thomsonlaan 74 2565JE Den Haag: Van Domburg is a great place to buy good fabric on a budget in a quiet neighbourhood. The staff are friendly and helpful and you will be sure to come away with beautiful fabric.

Cotton and Silk - Frederikstraat 481 2514 LN Den Haag: For those of you more interested in making fashion for your home, Cotton and Silk stock a huge variety of furniture fabrics and home textiles, from cotton to mohair to silk to linen, and everything in-between. Perfect for those sewing pillow cases, blankets and tablecloths.

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Issue 18. September/October 2013

HAAGSE HOPJE: A PLAYTIME TREAT FOR KIDS • Text & Photos by Helen Preston

H

aags Hopje, not just coffee-flavoured candies, but also a playtime treat for children in The Hague. Helen Preston finds out what those containers on the playgrounds are all about.

They might have caught your eye, those green and yellow painted containers on the playgrounds around the city. Then again, it’s easy to overlook them in a city that feels like an eternal building site. In any case, these playground containers are a walhalla of toys: roller skates, bikes, skipping rope, footballs, basketballs and much more! The idea originated in 1995 when a social welfare project group from the Transvaal area visited the toy-lending project Duimdrop in Rotterdam. They were looking for a solution to the kids loitering in the neighbourhod and a visit to Rotterdam provided inspiration. The name Haags Hopje was borrowed (they did actually get permission from the Rademaker family who make the sweets by the way!) and so the toy-lending containers started appearing around the city.

As well as offering children a distraction from troublemaking, the idea was and still is, to offer all children a chance to play, create, use their imagination and have fun in a safe and caring environment. In the beginning the kids were asked to do some small chores in the neighbourhood in exchange for borrowing bikes or other toys, now they just get to play and the project re

lies on other helping hands. The Haags Hopjes are subsidised by the municipality and managed by various foundations in The Hague but also very dependent on the help of volunteers and student interns.

I met Robert van de Linden who works at the Community Centre in Bouwlust (Bouwlustlaan) and found out a bit more about the toy-lending service and the social welfare facilities in that area.

He coordinates and coaches the student interns who pretty much run the community centre in Bouwlust. The centre offers a range of sports classes, language classes and other activities at a very low cost to those living in the neighbourhood. The most popular is Zumba for the youngest and Bingo for the young at heart! Each year there are about 40 students studying various social and welfare related subjects at the ROC Mondriaan who form the backbone of the These are just a few of the community centre. container locations in The Hague; So whilst the students get their practical experience • Joubertsplantsoen and credits for their study, the • Ruth Firstplein neighbourhood kids get their • Transvaal park playtime and many helping • Kaapseplein hands make a community.

• Anna Blamanplein

Robert van der Linden, born and raised in Den Haag, never thought he would end up working for the municipality on a project like Haags Hopje.

After studying Human Movement sciences and technology in Amsterdam and The Hague he was all set to work at a sports club but employment was scarce when he graduated and so he found himself working in social welfare as a sports consultant. Today he very much enjoys his job at Stichting MOOI, which includes coaching students on projects like Haags Hopje.

LENDING A HELPING HAND: SPORTS • By Carla Piqué & Roelof Vijay Pieterson eople with disabilities are often excluded P from numerous parts of society, like sports.

Fortunately, we can find several institutions in the Netherlands and The Hague that offer activities for handicapped, making their lives more comfortable, successful and normal.

Horse-riding. People with visual, physical or mental disability can enjoy horse riding and horse caring at Madurodam Manege in The Hague. However, they urgently need more volunteers. If you are a horse-lover, and even if you are free only 1 or 2 hours per week, they can always use your help! Call on 070-3686138 or visit their website (www.madurodammanege.nl) Shooting. A blind person holding a gun…wait, what?

Yes, you heard it right! The shooting association Wilhelm Tell in The Hague, founded in 1924, gives the visually impaired the opportunity to practice this sport.

But, how? The secret here lies in special equipment that works with sound. The weapon is an air rifle with an electronic acoustic directing agent. And… BEEP! The higher the sound is, the better focused it is on target.

If you are interested, the practice day for the visually impaired is every Wednesday from 19.30 to 22.00.

You can call on 0612916566 and ask for FJ Winter, the General Coordinator of this area. (www.svwilhelmtell.nl) And Roelof Pieterson looks more closely to how the shooting equipment works and reviews another ‘Schiet vereniging Wilhem Tell,’ located in Weesp.

Air rifles and pistols equipped with acoustic-serving

agents, serve the needs for the visually impaired. Participants stand at a shooting distance of 10 to 12 feet dependent on the firearm being used, having the option of standing, kneeling or lying down.

To the causal observer, the acoustic-serving agent looks similar to a conventional telescope sight, mounted in the same manner with the only difference being in its function. Utilizing a photoelectric cell, the sight is intended to gather and assess the level of light reflected from the respective target, which is then converted into sound.

The closer one aims towards the centre of the target the greater the level of light will be reflected and in turn will produce a higher frequency of sound within the earmuffs.

The Wilhelm Tell Shooting Centre in Weesp also offers a nice Cantina with an array of refreshments to choose from. Once you have had your share of target practice you can relax, socialise, and reminisce; the extent of their services are for anyone interested, for the visually impaired and not. Whether you want to practice target shooting for the first time, delve into a competitive realm or in search of a new hobby, this is the place that will not only offer you a stimulating time but a learning experience as well.

More information: www.svwilhelmtell.nl Photo Captions: 1. Horse-riding at Madurodam Manege, photo by debestpix.com 2. SV Wilhelm Tell Installations

Issue 18. September/October 2013

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Meet the Volunteer •

by Wicked Wendy

Jasper knows what it’s like to be an International abroad. Born and raised in Friesland from a young age he was determined to spread his wings. Literally, as a teenager he had seen a programme on TV about a lady in Africa that flew from village to village in her own plane supplying medicine to those in need and that was what he wanted to do.

Things didn’t go exactly as planned and in 1987 after a trip to Thailand, where he did a year of voluntary work via the Dutch government, he decided to join the British Voluntary Services Overseas. He was sent to the island Borneo in Indonesia for three years. They needed an agricultural engineer to help the Dayak, the native people who lived in a remote part of the island. Due to deforestation the Dayak people needed a different cultivation system so Jasper introduced them to long-term cultivation and micro credit projects.

Jasper says that it was the best three years of his life with the added bonus of meeting his future wife Maaike, who was doing an internship in the hospital in Samarinda.

In 1992 when they were living in The Hague they decided to return to Borneo to be married in a traditional Dayak ceremony. They then travelled to Vietnam, where Jasper soon found a position working for the Save the Children foundation. After this placement he remained in the development aid sector and went on to act as agricultural advisor and project manager in various countries throughout Asia.

When Maaike was sent to Bulgaria for the Dutch embassy in 2003 they decided that the time was right for him to step out of development aid to work on his second dream. To build an aeroplane, gain his pilots’ license and then to focus on the concept ‘Aviation without Borders’ modelled on an old American idea.

Unfortunately, due to his mother getting seriously ill in 2005, he no longer had the time to work on the plane, but in the meantime he had gained his pilot and instructors license.

Meanwhile, the family has settled down in Holland where Jasper recently established an aviation company with Joris van de Looij. AeroHolland was set up to offer flight training to the international community but also with the idea of utilizing his skills to deploy small aircraft for a better living environment. Jasper is looking at various ideas and seeking partners that are willing to support this initiative.

Hopefully Jaspers childhood dream will soon become reality.

WHO WANTS TO BE A PILOT? • Byline Wicked Wendy Isn’t it every young boys - and a few girls - dream to become a pilot?

AeroHolland actually makes it accessible.

Jasper Zijlstra, with partner Joris van de Looij, have made their boys dream come true by setting up their own aviation company, they just love flying. The company is based in Lelystad, just an hour and a quarter from The Hague by car.

They offer various services at very reasonable prices. How about starting a romantic weekend away by plane while gaining real flight training?

A site seeing training flight is another amazing option and you don’t have to stay within Dutch airspace. You could even decide to visit a small foreign airfield.

Another possibility is a trial flight or actual pilot training. It takes a minimum of 45 hours flight training and flight theory lessons to gain a private pilot license (ppl) but it could set you up for a new career. Jasper recommends an introduction package of 5 lessons just to find out how quickly you pick up the skills.

I knew my partner would be thrilled to have a go, so I got him an AeroHolland gift voucher, valid for a onehour flight.

I watched as the two of them took off, one of them with a smile as big as the Cessna 150 he was sitting in.

‘One of the most exhilarating experiences of my life’ is how Ronald described the trial flight. ‘I learnt so much as Jasper was very clear in his instruction and explanations. First he gave me a brief talk about how it worked and what I should expect. He then showed me how to do a safety check on the plane before we got in. It was fantastic to see Holland from this perspective, especially the castle at Muiderslot, the fortress town of Naarden and the forest-rich Veluwe region. Since the law has changed recently I was also able to take pictures legally.

I loved having the opportunity of actually handling the aircraft and would definitely jump at the chance to do it again’.

Jasper’s childhood dream has only been partially fulfilled by learning to fly and starting an aviation company as it was always his intention to use his valuable flying skills to help the less privileged. He’s still deliberating various notions but I’m sure with his determination he’ll come up with something.

Jasper is open to questions, suggestions and ideas so if you have any don’t hesitate to get in touch: www.aeroholland.com Jasper Zijlstra: 0623829269 Joris van deLooij: 0651997399

Ron on the trial flight

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Community

Issue 18. September/October 2013

THE SOCIAL SOFA • Text & Photo by Hedda Pier I see contractors having their lunch on it, local teenagers busily texting into their IPhones and elderly people resting from a trip to the AH. I pass it every single day, but I never knew the story behind the mosaic bench on the Bankastraat.

Sparked by a political debate on ‘social cooling’, cabaret performer Karin Breurs did a sketch on the disappearance of the local bench. She pointed out the huge differences between now and the 1950’s where people could sit on a street bench and catch up with their neighbours. Her subsequent mission for 1000 benches to be placed in her city, Tilburg, was a success. She designed the vandal proof concrete ‘sofa’ in 2005 and set up Social Sofa (www.socialsofa.nl). Social Sofas can now be found as far as Italy, Turkey and even China!

The Hague counts nineteen ‘Social Sofas’ spread throughout the city. Inspired by the work being done in Tilburg, artist and coach Saskia van Haeren initiated the ‘To meet is to create’ project in The Hague. She believes ‘using creativity to improve social cohesion and community involvement is key’. The sofa is social, not only because it is there for everyone to use but also in its creation. Every Social Sofa is unique and is mosaicked by local volunteers, social groups, schools or homeless people.

I asked two locals what they think of the Social Sofa on the Bankastraat, if they use it and more importantly if they feel it contributes to the sense of community.

‘It’s a shame it faces the road, I think it would be nicer to have it somewhere quieter with a view. But the idea behind it is good and I always see people using it so perhaps it is a convenient location after all.’ W. Engeleer ‘I have never used it but I can imagine that for the local elderly people it might be a meeting place to have a chat. In that sense it does contribute to the community feel’. Sara Farrell Personally I agree that the Social Sofa could be in a nicer spot in terms of view but I suppose then it would be less ‘social’. Being in the heart of the Archipel it couldn’t be more part of the community, and that is how it should be.

‘using creativity to improve social cohesion and community involvement is key’

Issue 18. September/October 2013

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BSN Rugby Club- Championship winning rugby open to all young players You don’t have to be a British School student to be a part of the success of BSN Rugby Club.

They train boys and girls aged 4 to 17 of all nationalities to play rugby in the Dutch National League and other international tournaments. No previous rugby experience is necessary.

DEN HAAG IN TRANSITIE (DHIT) Den Haag in Transitie (DHiT), or The Hague in Transition, began with a small group of people interested in reigniting Transition Town (TT) philosophy within the city. Seven months later that small group is a spirited team of fifteen and DHiT has piqued the interest of hundreds of The Hague’s residents.

Late 2012 saw many conversations throughout the city’s ‘living rooms’; around kitchen tables, in cafés, libraries and other borrowed meeting spaces. Those conversations had their roots in TT philosophy: how can the strength of the local community create a more sustainable and self-sufficient The Hague? There was already lots going on in terms of local sustainability but a missing element seemed to be a unifying factor between the many initiatives. Could the role of DHiT be to connect, catalyse and facilitate transition towards a more sustainable city? One way to test that idea was to just organise an event, invite the community and see what would happen…

On the 28th of April 2013 the Urban Gardening Event kicked off in De Bakkerswinkel. The response was overwhelming; more than 250 people took part in a day of workshops and lectures, hosted by, and about, The Hague’s many urban agriculture initiatives. DHiT had reached out to a diverse audience and especially a younger audience, and set the stage for people to meet and more importantly, to have fun!

A transition has truly been set in motion; many in a growing network see how DHiT acts as a frame of reference for what is already going on in the city, what the city needs and what we can all do. The Urban Gardening Flashmob transformed the Prins Hendrikstraat in one afternoon when more than 150 people landscaped shop fronts, street corners and kerbsides with 1400 litres of soil and 400 plants.

DHiT has tried and tested (and will do so indefinitely!) a formula that mobilises people within and between different neighbourhoods, initiatives and sectors. The success of the Urban Gardening Flashmob was predominantly down to creating a dialogue between the Prins Hendrikstraat retailers, the City Council ‘Groenbeheer’ and the many volunteers who are committed to making an idea a reality.

The club welcomes international families as a whole to come together and support and develop not just young players, but also rugby as a game in the Netherlands with coaches, referees, facilities and competitions of the highest standard. Above all, they aim to promote the spirit of rugby and team sport in everything they do. And there are barbecues, quiz nights and other social events to get the whole family involved.

They have had tremendous success both in winning the Dutch National competitions with their older teams (U15, U17) and in providing players to the Dutch National Youth squads.

Training is at the British Senior School, Voorschoten, on the beach at Wassenaar or Katwijk or at Bassets Rugby club in Sassenheim and families from throughout the region are invited to join us. Also, 21-25 October they host the Leicester Tigers Youth Rugby Camp, a great way to boost rugby skills and confidence with the Academy of the ten times English Champions.

Check out the website: www.bsnrugby.nl Go along to the Open Day at The BSN Rugby Club, Jan van Hooflaan 3, Voorschoten, 10am12pm Saturday 7 September.

They look forward to welcoming you to the BSN international rugby family!

Stichting Nationale Dierenzorg Located in the leafy town of Wassenaar, only a few steps from the The Hague border, Stichting Nationale Dierenzorg is a multi-disciplined animal welfare organization, with over 85 years of experience. It consists of an animal shelter, boarding department, doggy day-care, animal ambulance and a special rest-home for senior dogs and cats.

The future sees this young organisation continuing to develop as a networking organisation committed to connecting and catalysing the ideas and activities, and therein the strength, of the community. We are not there yet but we are well underway in transitioning towards a sustainable Den Haag.

How can volunteers apply?

They can send an email to info@ndz.nl with their preferences for a certain day, dogs or cats etc. We will then make an appointment to show them around and tell them more about our facilities. If they are still interested, they can help out one morning to see if they like the work. Many of our volunteers have been working with us for a long time, and we have many English speaking volunteers as well!

Connect with DHiT and stay up-to-date about upcoming projects and events! Visit our website www.denhaagintransitie.org and Facebook page fb.me/denhaagintransitie.

For more information on Stichting Nationale Dierenzorg, check their website: www.ndz.nl

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PEP-PASS FOR VOLUNTEERS ‘Appreciation of volunteers and carers is very important, says PEP. Anyone who does voluntary work through our affiliated organizations, receives a free PEP-pass, that provides a number of attractive discounts and free tickets for theatre, film, museums, entertainment, restaurants and shops. In The Hague there are currently over 41,000 cardholders and this number is growing every month.’ Regularly check the website of PEP for last-minute promotions or look at their free publication IEDEREEN.

Issue 18. September/October 2013

A VOLUNTEER FOR THE AGES •

By Heather Beasley Doyle

Imagine a volunteer so consistent, dedicated and passionate that more than 100 years later, her city would still talk about her impressive contributions—someone who went so far as to bring an infamous hangout ace into her service. In the mid-nineteenth century, Elisabeth Groen van Prinsterer-van der Hoop was that volunteer, working ceaselessly to contribute by helping The Hague’s disenfranchised, including children, the poor and women.

Born in 1807 in Groningen, Betsy (as Elisabeth was known) perhaps inherited a proclivity for public service from her father, the city’s mayor. Or maybe her mother laid the groundwork for a lifelong partnership of religion-fuelled humanitarian work by encouraging Betsy to say ‘yes’ to Guillaume (Willem) Groen van Prinsterer’s marriage proposal in the summer of 1827. In fact, the couple’s involvement in the Christian revivalist movement became a central part of their lives and their volunteerism, and Betsy became one of the driving forces behind the movement in the Netherlands, thanks to her religious persuasion and her involvement in good works. She also had more time to spend on philanthropic causes than many women of her day, as she and Willem never had children.

PEP/ VOLUNTEER THE HAGUE Got some spare time? Want to make a difference? Want to meet other internationals? These are the questions raised by the project Volunteer The Hague.

The Underground met Bastiaan Verbene, project manager for Volunteer The Hague, a project specifically aimed at the English-speaking residents of The Hague. It is operated

by PEP, -Participation Emancipation Professionals-, a local organisation dedicated to inspiring residents of The Hague to get involved and make a difference in the community.

In the centre of The Hague, overlooking a side of The Grote Kerk are the offices of PEP. The ground floor houses the volunteer vacancy bank (‘Vacaturebank’) and is simple and cozy, with staff that are volunteers themselves, welcoming people at their desks for a personal talk and helping them choose a volunteer opportunity that they like. Upstairs are the coordinating offices where all the projects are developed and executed. Bastiaan Verberne explains how Volunteer The Hague works: ‘ This is a new project dedicated to connecting English speaking residents who want to volunteer and local NGO’s, charities and community centres who are looking for English speaking people. A dedicated team, also made of volunteers, is continuously contacting organisations in The Hague and asking about volunteering opportunities in English. We then write a description of the organization, what they are looking for and their requirements. It’s a great way to connect people and the job is always inspiring.

We then place the information on our website and in our databank. We have made it easy for volunteers to apply, all you have to do is fill in a simple form online’ Alternatively, you can browse the volunteer opportunities downstairs with the help of the mediators and they can call the organizations to make an appointment for an intake.

A final question: why do people volunteer? There are ten reasons that volunteers have themselves given to this question and can be found on PEP’s website, on their English pages, why-a-volunteerRead them yourself and with all the cool opportunities on offer on their pages, get inspired!

PEP Riviervismarkt 2 The Hague volunteer@pepdenhaag.nl www.volunteerthehague

Call for action: The World in your Classroom In collaboration with the Gemeente Den Haag and Haagse Brug, PEP is organizing The World in your Classroom; they are looking for people to select and train from around 20 different countries who will volunteer to give lessons in English about their countries at secondary schools in The Hague. ‘ There are people from all over the world living in and around The Hague and why not take this opportunity to give young people a chance to hear about culture, tradition and current affairs from people who actually come from these countries’.

Are you ready for a challenge? Would you like to participate and talk to young students about your country?

The World in Your Classroom will run from 18 to 30 November. For information on how to be part of this initiative contact volunteer@pepdenhaag.nl

In 1831, Betsy and Willem established the Rusthof, a charitable home for financially needy and older single women and widows. That same year, Betsy partnered with her friend Caroline de Clercq-Boissevain to begin a nursery school and a sewing school for girls. With another friend, she visited impoverished prisoners and got involved with the Association of Friends of the Poor. Until 1852 Betsy and Willem served as regents of the Wallonian municipality’s orphanage, where Betsy became very involved on a daily basis, including with the orphans’ education. Although a falling out with the Wallonian church council severed the couple’s ties with the orphanage, Betsy soldiered on, and in 1865 started a clinic for widows and unmarried women. Eleven years later, at nearly 70 years old, she directed the Resurrection and Life Association to take its evangelical work into The Hague’s poorest neighbourhoods; ironically, the group bought a notorious dance hall to use as its on-site headquarters.

An impressive resume for any philanthropist, Betsy’s list of works and projects is all the more so for a 19th century woman. Although the revivalist movement was certainly a religiously conservative one, it is credited with giving women the opportunity to develop their intellectual and societal improvement skills. Whatever the opportunities, Betsy took advantage of them, and dedicated her life to helping the powerless and the disenfranchised. She remained involved in public service until her death in 1879, and her work lives on in the refurbished Rusthof and in her clinic, which is today’s Bronovo Hospital.

FUN TIME BEFORE BED •

By Jill Lieuw – Sjong

For a while I had been walking around with the idea of getting involved in volunteer work. I wasn’t really sure what kind of activities I wanted to be involved with, but I knew it had to be something close to the heart and that I would enjoy spending my spare time on. It was by accident that I came across the Voorlees Express, but I knew immediately that this would be it for me.

The Voorlees Express is an initiative that promotes the bedtime ritual of reading to kids with a language deficit. The majority of the families are immigrants or expats with kids learning to speak Dutch. The concept is simple: a volunteer is matched to a family and for twenty week pays weekly visits of an hour to read to the kids. And what an exciting hour it is! Funny voices, silly rhythms and a lot of imagination come to life in that short timespan. Eyes brighten, excitement grows and without them even noticing, their vocabulary just improved.

I’ve been reading for two seasons and love every minute of it. The excitement of the children when

you get to visit once again is heart-warming and the fast improvement in their vocabulary and the gratitude in the eyes of the parents is humbling.

In my first season I visited a Moroccan family with four kids.

The eldest daughter was a fond reader, but six year old Youssef preferred playing soccer with his friends. There were also a two year old who, when we met loved throwing books around, and a toddler who was observing it all. I made a deal with Youssef: in order to practice his reading skills, he had to read a book out loud for twenty minutes and the other half hour I would read him a story. As the weeks passed by he really got to like reading books and enjoyed being read to. Before I knew it, all kids would crawl up next to me on the couch to join in on the story. Mom made us tea and sweets and just like that we had our own reading ritual.

Around week seventeen I noticed the two year old sitting in a corner mumbling and holding a book upside down. At that moment I noticed that I made a lasting impression in the life of this family. www.voorleesexpress.nl

Issue 18. September/October 2013

Featured

’ at a re se Held tu ‘Haag ter of the Fu a h it king w munity Cen a e p s m in Co n Klein Karste le involved mayor op Deputy of all the pe komst). g e meetin is van de To u (Buurth

MEET DEPUTY MAYOR KARSTEN KLEIN Reina van Nieuwkerk talks to Karsten Klein In January of this year you officially opened, PEP, a new organization that strives to get residents of the Hague more actively involved in lending a helping help – in other words to participate in society through volunteering. They aim to involve 25% of The Hague’s residents by 2015.

Why is it so important?

Participating in society through volunteering is so important because the government is retreating in several areas; from culture to social welfare. I belief that not all activities in the city need to be done with expensive professionals or with a grant from the government. Residents can also do this on a voluntary base, and are often even more capable in doing it. When everyone feels responsible and actively participates, The Hague will become a more social and inclusive city. The results of this year’s city survey show good results already: 27% of The Hague’s residents was involved in volunteering in 2012!

You mentioned in your speech that you believe in a socalled civil society. Please explain.

A civil society is a society where people are actively committed to assist other people, by participating in associations, being volunteer or assisting in the care of their own (older) family. Of course, where people can’t take care of themselves the government will assist. By organizing the society in this manner people get more connected, and social cohesion will be enhanced, which I find very important.

During this year’s Vlaggetjesdag in Scheveningen you invited some of the Haagse Helden to accompany you on a special boat trip around the harbour. Who are the Haagse Helden?

Haagse Helden are heroes of The Hague. They are noble heroes who do indispensable work as volunteers, these heroes are an essential part of the realisation of a civil society. There are many different heroes: some are active in sport, others in welfare organisations, others assist elderly or children. We organize festivities for volunteers(‘vrijwilligersf eesten’), eight in total, one per borough to thank all the volunteers and we also organize other festivities like Vlaggetjesdag to honour and thank our volunteers.

How does the municipality intend to get people more involved in volunteering, specifically, the international community of The Hague?

There is a communication campaign to inform people about the possibilities of volunteer work and together with organisations in The Hague which are active in the international setting we try to involve the international community. For example, by making the website of PEP, where volunteer opportunities are listed, available in English (www. volunteerthehague.nl), by creating/gathering more volunteer opportunities for English speaking internationals on the PEP listings.

Also, we are starting a project where internationals give, on a voluntary base, guest lectures at Dutch high schools (The World in your Classroom). Volunteer work is also highlighted at the Feel at Home Fair on September 15 in the WTC. Here you can do volunteer work on the spot and talk to PEP for other volunteer opportunities. All these activities are focused on making volunteer work in The Hague more accessible and known among the many internationals that live and or work in The Hague.

Are there many opportunities for non-Dutch speakers?

There are very many opportunities for non-Dutch speakers! PEP, the organisations which lists the volunteer opportunities and assists in the matching, has a database that is continuously filled and updated.

Their goal is to have 100 English volunteer opportunities listed by the end of the year. A couple of examples are activity organizer for The Hungry Mind to financial manager for Gender Concerns, International or animal foster for the ‘Nationale Dierenzorg’ (National Animal Care) and many, many more are listed on www.volunteerthehague.nl. Other options are group volunteer activities that are available via Stichting Present. Stichting Present is an organization that assists in matching a group of volunteers with an activity. So if you want to volunteer with your collegues, friends, or family, Stichting Present will match you to an activity. Another possibility are the calendar activities of Den Haag Cares. Den Haag Cares offers flexible volunteer activities, gathered in a calendar. So if you are available next week on Wednesday you can check the calendar to see if they need any volunteers that day for an activity like assisting in Fitness & Aerobics for people with a disability, assisting in Resto van Harte, or assisting at the food bank to name only a couple of the many activities. Den Haag Cares is working at making their website also available for the international community.

Volunteering is the perfect way to get to know the Dutch community, it can assist you in your personal development, you help others and it is just fun!

Where can interested internationals receive information in English on volunteer opportunities?

They can go to different websites: www.haagsehelden.nl for general information, www.volunteerthehague.nl for the volunteer opportunities of PEP or dial 070 302 4444 to call PEP., http://www.stichtingpresent. nl/denhaag/cm/1343/english-website for group activities of Stichting Present Do you volunteer? Where?

Me and the other deputy mayors of the Hague find it very important to give a good example, that is why we participate in NL Doet (Netherlands Does) every year. NL Doet is the biggest national charity event of the Netherlands, and just like in 2012 we (The Hague) had the most volunteer activities and volunteers participating this year. There are many different activities, from painting a classroom to helping out in an elderly home and many, many more. This year I sanded and painted a boat from the scouts and the mayor painted a classroom of the community center De Mussen.

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Art & Design

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Issue 18. September/October 2013

THE NEW FAIR FOR CONTEMPORARY ART: ART THE HAGUE

Art The Hague provides excellent insights into contemporary art, but there is more. The art fair displays The Hague’s international character, organises tours and exhibitions and aims to further enthuse the business community for modern art.

From 2 Wednesday to 6 Sunday October, Art The Hague will take place in the Fokker Terminal in The Hague. Art The Hague is The Hague’s new art fair with a strong focus on contemporary art in which quality and cooperation are the main basic principles. It is the fair’s ambition to be a platform for both up and coming and renowned art galleries in The Hague and the Netherlands. Forty galleries in total will present themselves.

Art The Hague’s programme is interactive with special exhibitions, free tours and lectures. India will be centre stage at an international exhibition; the exhibition’s curator is Liesbeth Willems (curator of the KRC Collection) together with Indian artist Monali Meher. ‘This, too, relates to the city’, the organiser, Alex Lemmens says. ‘The Hague is an international city. Just look at the composition of its population and its character; a versatility that is reflected in Art The Hague.’

Side events include an Urban Art exhibition, a tour at the KRC Collection in Voorschoten, a visit to AEGON’s company collection and an after-party at Bink Vijf Hoog. Separate tickets can be ordered for these events.

GF Art Challenge One of the works at Art The Hague with a maximum purchase value of € 10,000 will be purchased by Global Factories and added to its art collection. Global Factories is an international company that wants to stimulate the entrepreneurship of artists and gallery owners. That is why the GF Challenge, apart from acknowledging talent, is intended as appreciation for and stimulation of entrepreneurship of artists and gallery owners. An independent panel of judges will select the entries and determine a winner.

A go as you please ticket for Art The Hague will be € 10 and certainly more than worth it. Moreover, it gives you access to interesting extras. For instance, an art route has been selected in The Hague with a number of interesting exhibitions at extraordinary locations. Your ticket will provide you with free access to the exhibitions in the Gevangenispoort (Sam Durant exhibition), at E.ON (Reynold Reynolds video) and - of course - the one at Art The Hague.

Art The Hague art fair takes place at the Fokker Terminal on Binckhorstlaan 249 in The Hague.

Opening hours Wednesday 2 October 17:00 – 22:00 Thursday 3 October 15:00 – 22:00 Friday 4 October 15:00 – 22:00 Saturday 5 October 11:00 – 20:00 Sunday 6 October 11:00 – 18:00 Or visit www.artthehague.nl

MY FAVOURITE PAINTING •

By Rebecca Seward

The painting I have chosen is A Calm by Jan van de Capelle. Born in Amsterdam in 1626, Capelle was a painter in the Dutch Golden Age. Independently wealthy he did not need to paint to make a living, so his painting was down to personal interest, and this interest was clear in his well practiced hand and large personal art collection. Jan van de Capelle was well known for his maritime landscapes, however unfortunately not many of his works have survived to the current day.

A Calm has been in a private collection since the nineteenth century, and is a good example of Capelle’s maritime painting, Two ships are in the foreground with more boats being visible in the background. A familiar aspect to many of Capelle’s maritime pieces are ships in estuaries and calm shallow waters, and through this motif one of his signature skills is visible, since the reflection of the cloudy skies in the still water below, is a beautiful effect that Capelle excelled at.

Considered one of the greatest marine painters of the Dutch golden age, Van De Capelle received no formal training, but he enjoyed ships and sailing and even owned his own yacht. This love of sailing and art are reflected in this fantastic maritime landscape. Although due to a consistency in his style of painting it is difficult to date Van De Cappelle’s paintings, it is believed this one was created in the early 1650s.

Issue 18. September/October 2013

Art & Design

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GEMEENTE MUSEUM MUSEUMS UNDERGROUND PART II •

By Damini Purkayastha

Hundreds of headless human forms stood inside the room. Tall and svelte, stocky and big, waists cinched in, some legless and some just torsos without any limbs. Chopped heads were kept on a shelf in the corner. Further inside, two women were dressing up another body.

The dress looked familiar – it was the pink dress worn by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffiny’s.

This strange, dream-like world lies in the basement of the Gemeente Musuem Den Haag. A storage room down a long corridor, where hundreds of mannequins stand in wait for their turn in the sun.

Madelief Hohé, the fashion curator of the museum, gave us a glimpse of the fascinating behind-the-scenes world of costume and history. The day we visited, they were dressing up mannequins in Audrey Hepburn’s clothes from their collection.

The iconic pink Givenchy dress was among them. ‘It’s not for an exhibition, but for a Japanese filmmaker who is making a documentary on Hepburn. They read about our collection and wanted to include these dresses in their film,’ explains Hohé.

The mannequins had to be carefully chosen to match Hepburn’s tiny waist from her younger days and her body from later years. Thankfully, the museum had hundreds of mannequins to choose from. Some of them are historic pieces in their own right.

There was a couture body that once belonged to a Parisian doll house and some tall, couture models from John Galliano’s collection.

The costume collection of the museum is among the largest and most comprehensive in the world. It includes over 10,000 fashion prints and drawings, and over 45,000 items of clothing and accessories. The oldest costumes date back to 1750, while the accessories and drawings go as far back as the 1600s.

Preservation, however, is tricky. ‘The temperature and humidity required is similar

to that of paintings, around 18-20 degrees. While costumes in good condition can be hung, the older ones are usually laid out in a costume box. The one here was specially designed in the 1980s,’ explains Hohé.

Whenever a new costume is acquired (bought, loaned or donated), it is first put in a deep freeze to ensure that any bacteria is killed. Restorers then carefully scan the fabric to document its condition and decide how best it can be kept. ‘We are very lucky that we now have all these facilities in-house, from preservation to photography, everything can be done on the premises.’

Sadly, not everything can be kept on display. ‘Costumes are very vulnerable, so we don’t keep an exhibition on for longer than 6 months,’ says Hohé. This doesn’t mean that they lie forgotten. Researchers, fashion designers, students of history and other interested parties often request a private viewing to study the garments.

Hohé explains that the museum hosts an annual show each year focussing on a specific period or designer. A show takes about a year to put together, from choosing/acquiring pieces, to the catalogue and so on. Last year, they hosted an exhibition on 50s fashion, called Fabulous Fifties and next year they will host a show on 19th century costumes.

From October 2013 to February 2014, they are hosting The Chanel Legend, a retrospective on Coco Chanel and the fashion label’s designs. Being held in collaboration with a German museum, the exhibition includes designs from the 1920s onwards and accessories such as an original 1921 bottle of Chanel No.5.

The mannequins in the basement will start getting ready for their big outing in September.

I thought I heard them whisper that they can’t wait!

People & Passions

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Issue 18. September/October 2013

MEET HAAGSE HARRY •

By Jans Schaper

If it’s true that you can’t’ claim to understand a language until you can comprehend its jokes, then you cannot claim to be a true resident of the Hague unless you’re able to appreciate the not-so-subtle humour of Haagse Harry.

Haagse Harry - who spends his days drinking beer, smoking joints and supporting ADO football club - is a caricature of a certain type of person who populates The Hague. If you’ve explored the city enough, you’ll have hit upon its split personality: there are the ‘Hagenaars’ who live in areas like the Benoordenhout and the Statenkwartier, and the ‘Hagenezen’ who traditionally hail from neighbourhoods like the Schilderswijk and Transvaal. (Scheveningers do not fit into this categorisation, and the debate over the extent to which Scheveningen is part of The Hague at all is a contentious one.)

The man behind Haagse Harry, Marnix Rueb, spent his youth in the Benoordenhout and didn’t come into regular contact with the ‘other side’ of The Hague until he moved across town to the Vaillantlaan in the Schilderswijk. ‘At first I didn’t understand what people were saying - except for the disease jokes’ says Rueb, referring to the particularly creative expressions, which Hagenezen use to insult each other. But he quickly developed an interest in the language of the streets, and currently keeps a database of expressions he has encountered. ‘You don’t come across this kind of verbal dexterity anywhere else,’ he says.

Rueb used his newfound appreciation of the local lingo to create Haagse Harry in 1991. It was initially just a one-off assignment that ‘got terribly out of hand.’ To date, Rueb has produced five comic books and several other publications. Because of comic’s focus on local use of language, which is written phonetically, Haagse Harry’s audience is confined to the Dutch-speaking world. But similar characters have been created in other countries: Reg Smythe’s Andy Capp can be seen as Harry’s English cousin.

In explaining Harry’s popularity, Rueb refers to the infectiousness of the local dialect. Haagse Harry is far from the first comic character to speak in the local vernacular, and appreciation of ‘Haags’ spreads far beyond the city’s borders.

But Haagse Harry sells best at home. According to Rueb, Hagenezen recognise themselves in Harry, and Hagenaars appreciate the humour too. Rueb’s anti-hero is both uniquely local and extremely recognisable.

www.facebook.com/HaagseScheuahkalendah

THE UNExPECTED AA BRONSON •

Arts Holland launches app for lovers of culture Arts Holland, the country’s art and culture showcase for the international culture tourist, has added a unique app to its portfolio. This app enables visitors to Holland to easily create a travel list en route, based on personal interests.

Arts Holland Travel Guide The ‘Arts Holland Travel Guide’ enables users to put together a personalised travel list, from their desktop or iPhone. Based on an agenda, disciplines, routes and a map, events and locations in the country’s four main cities may be added. The personal travel list guides visitors through these cities, based on a route description. By adding your own photos, the whole travel adventure can be personalised even further, and can be experienced again and again during and after the trip, and may be shared with friends on social media. The app can be used both online and offline to avoid high roaming costs. The user-friendly app is fully integrated with the Arts Holland website and the Arts Holland map, and is linked to the open data platform. The app can be downloaded free of charge in the iTunes App Store, and is available in English. The app will also be available for Android soon. www.ArtsHolland.com

By Damini Purkayastha

‘Expect the unexpected,’ says celebrated artist-curator and healer AA Bronson of his upcoming show - The Temptation of AA Bronson. A multi-artist, hybrid project featuring Bronson as artist and curator, subject and object, it is on at the Witte de With centre for contemporary art in Rotterdam till January 2014.

‘Threads of sexuality, spirituality, community, and queerness weave together the works in this show: mandalas, bodily fluids, sigils, nudity, and crystals abound. Sex, spirit, and community are intricately intertwined, especially in the queer community, and this exhibition explores some of that,’ says Bronson.

The show focuses on his works over the past decade and his collaborations with other artists. Works by over 28 artists from 11 countries – including a new iteration of Marina Abramović’s major installation Transitory Objects: Beds for Human and Spirit Use – are also part of the show.

Bronson’s contribution to art over 5 decades has been immense. In 1969 he formed the artists’ group General Idea with Felix Partz and Jorge Zontal – they worked together for 25 years, during which they also started FILE in 1972 - a magazine dedicated to art. After the death of his partners, Bronson began training in spiritual and healing disciplines from cultures around the world and in 1999 he began working as a healer. He founded the New York Art Book Fair in 2005 and is the director of the Printed Matter’s LA Art Book Fair.

Besides several solo shows, Bronson continued to collaborate with artists around the world. He is currently the official ‘mentor’ for artist Bradford Kessler, a master’s student at the School of Visual Arts in New York. Kessler proposed the collaboration shown in this exhibition – an up-dated version of Rembrandt’s Return of the Prodigal Son. ‘Both of us naked and splashed with multi-coloured paint reminiscent of Pollock… Bradford kneeled and embraced me in a perfect rendition of the Rembrandt pose. On the one hand it is the image of the forgiving father; on the other hand it represents master and apprentice. It’s an image with many subtleties of meaning, but it’s also a kind of low-key power game: the student convinces the teacher to be punished with buckets of slime,’ explains Bronson.

For the past year Bronson has been in living in Germany for an art residency programme.

Once things are settled with the show, he hopes to explore the layers of queer culture in Berlin – in the past and present. About the art scene there, he says, ‘Here in Berlin there are more than 180 artist-run project spaces, mostly small, mostly without any funding at all. The scene here is certainly very active, and very artist-centered. That is refreshing for me, after New York, where commercial galleries are the norm. It is possible to do a lot with nothing at all.’

Issue 18. September/October 2013

People & Passions

AMAZING VOLUNTEERS AND PROJECTS SNEHA SADANA HOME

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n 2005, Katy Bouwman–Satur and her family visited the Sneha Sadana Home project in the small town of Byadgi, South West India. The aim of the Carmelite Sisters who run the project is to give poor children, mostly child labourers, the possibility to go to school by providing lodgings, food, clothing, books and tuition support.

Katy was so struck by the desperate needs all around and also so impressed with the plans and project vision of the Sisters she promised to do her best on her return to The Hague. In 2008, with much help from friends and benefactors, a new building was constructed and the children and sisters were able to move from their former appalling lodgings. There are now 38 children at the Sneha Sadana Home and Katy has pledged to keep supplying the money for running the centre each year. She works at the Royal Conservatory for Music and with their agreement organises a benefit concert annually. She also organises a fund-raising dinner/concert annually with help from friends. In the words of the Sisters over the years: The Sneha Sadana Home for the underprivileged students was inaugurated in a small rented house on 1st March 2005 with 15 girls, who were mostly

child labourers and school drop outs. Today a few of them have climbed the college steps quite confidently and taken firm steps towards further development. Our vision is to provide for a child until adolescence and help her realize the dream of a dignified self reliant person. This means roughly 13-15 years of support for every child.

And the Sisters have expanded the project: at the request of poor mothers who usually go out to the chilly market to work early in the morning leaving their babies unattended, they have started running crèches. This has helped also older siblings, especially girls, to go back to school instead of baby sitting their baby brothers and sisters. The children in all the centres are given balanced food every day.

Behind this amazing project is the daily dedication of the Sisters, but the unsung hero is Katy who makes it all possible and humbly says ‘we just need to give our support every year’.

She is the guardian of the account.

Donations can be made to: Sneha Sadana School Rek. Nr. 97.55.65.338, The Hague

Photos by Miki de Best/deBestpix.com at the fund-raising dinner/concert for the Sneha Sadana Home hosted by Sonia Sin in June.

Micky de Best strives to make a photo reportage for a good cause at least once a year.

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History

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Issue 18. September/October 2013

THE NEW CHURCH De Nieuwe Kerk (The New Church) is a church building located on the Spui. It is one of the top hundred monuments on the Dutch UNESCO list. The church is one of the highlights of early protestant ecclesiastical architecture in the Netherlands. The New Church was designed by the carpenter Pieter Noorwits and his assistant Bartholomeus van Bassen.

City growth The Hague rapidly grew in size during the late Middle Ages. When the Ridderzaal was being built barely 1200 people lived in the village.

Only one hundred years later, ca. 1300, it had risen to 6000. The population rose steadily during the following two centuries and the Grote (large) or St. Jacobs Church quickly became too small and a new church became a necessity. In the 17th century one was built on the canal on the Spui.

Island The first stone was set in 1649; a year after the Republic had won the war against Spain. The church was completed in 1656. Anyone looking at old sketches might think they’re looking at fantasy images of fictitious canals. But the church was originally located on an island between the Spui, the Rotterdamse -, the Amsterdamse – and the Stille Veerkade, the Paviljoensgracht and the St. Anonusburgwal / Lange Gracht.

Filling In the intervening time, these canals have been filled in, as has the Turfgracht. Moreover, many of the houses that used to surround the church have been demolished.

Standing with your back to the Spuiplein, to the left of the church is Theater aan het Spui and the Hague Filmhuis (1992), whilst the Lucent Danstheater, the Anton Philipszaal and the Town Hall (1990) are opposite.

Turf The surrounding view was absolutely spectacular until the Turfgracht and the Spui were filled in about 1904. The black and white photo was taken about 1895 from the quay at the Nieuwe Haven and the Wijnhaven. The left quay on the Turfmarkt was called Houtmarkt (Wood market) and the right quay Turfmarkt (Turf market). It’s easy to guess what was unloaded and traded from these quays.

Spectacular One can say that this was the most spectacular view imaginable in The Hague and South Holland. The atmosphere of this whole area was destroyed for good by filling in the canals. It’s a real pity that the old canals were never restored. Maybe councillors and architects felt that their own work was more important than the Nieuwe Kerk.

Spinoza In actual fact, all the buildings on the Spui should have been tailored to the church and the canals should have been restored. The church itself still looks beautiful, as does the garden. In the garden is Spinoza’s gravestone, the renowned 17th century philosopher who lived on the Paviljoensgracht for many years. Currently, the Nieuwe Kerk is used mainly as a concert hall.

Architects: Pieter Noorwits and Bartholomeus van Bassen Built: 1649 – 1656 Style: Dutch classic / baroque National Monument

By Chris Schram, De Nieuwe Kerk: www.ifthenisnow.nl/nl/pointsofinterest/den-

Open Monumentendag During Open Monumentendag – every second weekend of September – thousands of historical buildings and sites (about 4.000) are open to the public free of charge.

Besides opening their doors, many locations also organize on-site activities like exhibitions, musical performances and guided tours. Each year around 80 to 85 percent of Dutch municipalities participate in the Open Monumentendag, organized by local committees. In recent years around 900,000 visitors have participated annually, making the Open Monumentendag one of the Netherlands’ premier cultural events. More information www.openmonumentendag.nl

WATER, EVERYWHERE In the dunes by Scheveningen, between Harstenhoek and Meijendel, opposite the Pompstationweg, is an old water tower. This monumental tower was built in 1874 when the Haagse Duinwaterleiding started to acquire drinking water from the dunes. The roof was renovated in 1990 and in 1994/1995 the exterior was restored. Since 1995 a kestrel has been nestling in the water tower.

The water tower, which is still in use, is a national monument. The tower was designed by the architect L.A. Brouwer and built in neoclassistic style. It was commissioned by the Haagse Duinwaterleidingbedrijf (currently known under the name Dunea).

Why a water tower?

In the 19th century it was discovered that polluted drinking water was the cause of Cholera and Typhoid. To prevent this a plumbing system was developed so that naturally purified water in clean areas like the dunes could be acquired. From 1856 more than 260 drinking water towers were built. There are now about 175 remaining, of which only a quarter are still in use. The water tower in Scheveningen is the oldest working tower in the Netherlands.

How does a water tower function?

The water tower has to compensate for potential pressure differences in the drinking water network. If a power failure occurs and the pumps stop working then the huge amount of water in the tower keeps the pressure on the pipeline network for one or two minutes, till the emergency power supply is activated.

Due to the height difference between the water at the top of the tower and the water in the water conduit, pressure is created naturally, mainly due to gravity and the ‘interconnected vessels’ system. For this reason water towers are always high constructions.

Largest water storage unit in South Holland Due to the two reservoirs of respectively 1000 and 1200 m³, the tower stores the most water in South Holland. The tower is 48,74 metres high. When the discovery was made that dunes filter water all plans for housing and road construction were stopped. As a result of this the dunes have been well preserved, although, there was a train that went from Rotterdam to Scheveningen through the dunes for a long time. But this service was discontinued in the Sixties.

River water Acquiring water has nevertheless changed the face of the dunes. By allowing river water into the dunes, it formed infiltration basins in the dunes, which was supposed to prevent the dunes from drying out. The river water contained nutrients that increased plant growth enormously. The basins quickly filled with reeds and the original plant life disappeared. Over the past few years more focus has been put into the preservation of nature when gaining water. By using other techniques the infiltration basins have become less significant. The water intake purification process has been greatly improved so that they no longer contain undesirable nutrients.

Information Morning at the Expatriate Archive Centre Tuesday 24 September 10am – 12pm Paramaribostraat 20, 2585 GN The Hague Please register asap - free event, but spaces are limited.

Refreshments provided. To register phone 070 427 2014 or email welcome@xpatarchive.com.

TIP!

Kestrel From the first of March it is again possible to follow the adventures of the kestrel live. From the numbers it is clear that the kestrel is very popular. On the 25th of March 2013, 36.000 people watched the kestrel. There is a lot of activity in the nest; it seems to be a favourite spot. After studying the images, it became apparent that there were several female and male kestrels visiting the tower. The kestrel that is most seen is a two year old male.

If the Scheveningen kestrel is avoiding the cameras, you can always try other nests via webcams: www.beleefdelente.nl/torenvalk

By Walter van Teeffelen, De oudste nog werkende watertoren van Nederland, www.ifthenisnow.nl/nl/pointsofinterest/de-oudste-nog-werkende-watertoren-vannederland

Travel

Issue 18. September/October 2013

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HIDDEN PARADISES •

By your Travel Adviser, Dicky H.I. Riel

Close by: Between The Hague and Amsterdam, located in Oegstgeest, you’ll find the elegant BEUKENHOF and once found you’ll never forget going there!

Unforgettably beautiful gardens, very pleasant rooms and suites, high quality food and an excellent service.

Also a venue for weddings, parties, celebrations and special meetings. The a la Carte Restaurant is known all over as one of ‘les Jeunes Restaurateurs d’Europe’ and the Hotel is connected with the Small Luxury Hotels of the World. Established in 1926, their guests’ list includes royalty and famous people like Liz Taylor, Jamal al Shehab, and Maria Callas. Please make a note of their phone number 071 – 517 31 88 or look it up at Internet.

Another Hidden Paradise close by is in Voorburg, the Hotel/Restaurant SAVELBERG! Located in the estate Vreugd en Rust, it is a member of the Relais & Chateaux Hotels and it is just 10 minutes away from the centre of The Hague.

A fantastic location with very charming and elegant rooms together with a high quality restaurant. This place has also welcomed many famous guests so treat yourself here to a dinner and/or stay and you will want to come back for sure! For reservations: 070 - 387 20 81 and/ or info@restauranthotelsavelberg.nl A bit further away: In Belgium, close to the very charming city Mechelen there is a very nice golf course at Keerbergen. And in the small village of Rijmenam nearby, you will find the charming Restaurant/Hotel IN DEN BONTEN OS! With 24 comfortable, luxury rooms and located in a green and woody area I am sure you will enjoy the extended breakfast (with home made jelly, home made ham) with all kind of cheeses, fresh juices, yoghurt and all you need to start the day in a good mood. Also very suitable for biking, visiting Mechelen and playing Golf at Keerbergen or combining with day shopping in Antwerp! The spacious car park is free For information: 0032 (0) 15 520450 and email: info@ bontenos.be

HIS ExCELLENCY H.E. FRANK GEERKENS OF BELGIUM

MEET THE AMBASSADOR

•

Text by Priya de Langen I Photo by debestpix.com

H

.E Frank Geerkens, Ambassador for Kingdom of Belgium speaks to Priya de Langen about promoting bilateral relations between the two countries and promoting the arts of Belgium

The history between the Netherlands and Belgium can be traced back for centuries. Though there are cultural, and language similarities between the two countries, Frank Geerkens, Ambassador representing Belgium in The Hague says that it is still a privileged posting for him. ‘There is so much that we share – the shared history (such as) 200 years of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands.

In that respect, it is very special.’

Geerkens reveals an interesting fact that Belgium has two ambassadors assigned to the Netherlands. He is the bilateral ambassador, overseeing relations between the two countries while his colleague is the multicultural ambassador who represents Belgium in the international arena such as in international organisations and Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

This is not surprising given the high volume of trade and the significance of bilateral relations between the two nations. According to Geerkens, trade between Belgium and the Netherlands is about 50 billion euros per year. This is much higher compared to trade between the Netherlands and Asia, including India and China that amounts to 35 billions euros per year.

For over the past two years, the ambassador has taken to strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries in various aspects, including trade. The maritime industry is an area that he has been paying attention to. ‘I had a meeting of all the ports bosses (from) Belgium and the Netherlands here with a special political guest,’ he says. Geerkens has also brought together leaders from both countries from the energy industry – gas and electricity. ‘They all know each other but sometimes it is good to sit together and have a look at the (industry) long-term and in the European context. Often we are competitors but sometimes we are in the same situation in the global or European context,’ he explains.

And further away; Venice, a well-known paradise, is a city you must see before you die (or so some people say), But Venice is overcrowded and accommodation pricey. An alternative is to stay at the hidden paradise of Venice Lido, a small island just outside Venice.

You can reach Venice Lido by car from the mainland and driving is permitted on this island. It boasts a very chic Casino, many hotels like the excellent Hotel Quattro Fontana and plenty of good restaurants. Venice is quickly reached buy watertaxi and waterbuses.

My advice for a truly great experience is to take a flight over Venice by water plane, departing and landing on the sea around Venice.

For free information please contact Travel a la Carte International Phone 06-16907617 or email dr@travelalacarte.nl

Work is not just designated to the office – the ambassador’s residence, a charming and lavish 1920’s building plays a big part in his work life. Besides living there, he hosts business meetings and parties there. He says: ‘This residence is a meeting place for Belgian and Dutch people from business, political, academic and cultural (industries). Bringing people together is one of the things that I do.’Geerkens is also actively promoting the arts of Belgium using his residence as a place to showcase them. He says that in his first year as the ambassador, there was an impressive collection of art from East Flanders. ‘We had 25-30 top pieces from artists from East Flanders such as Emile Claus and it was such a huge success that I am continuing it now.’

This year, he has decided to showcase contemporary art including sculptures, photos and paintings, from another province, Limburg. The exhibition will premiere on the 1st of September and will run for a year.

When asked if he chose any of the works, he says that he did not want to. He says that he gave the Art and Culture department of the provincial authority carte blanche to choose the work. ‘It was within certain limits of course. It is after all a residence and needs to represent a certain class and style and it still needs to be a place where you can receive people.’

‘I will have to see which province to choose for next year but it will be a neighbouring province,’ he adds.

Among Prins Techniek’s customers are numerous expats living in the Hague, Noordwijk or Wassenaar, and assisting them has only increased his agenda as the word has spread about his great services and passion for his work.

Business

Issue 18. September/October 2013

23

Commercial Stands and Shopping!

In the Commercial stands area, fairgoers can meet representatives from ABNAMRO, Bronovo Hospital, The Hague and Rijswijk Municipalities, the major international schools as well as several Dutch language schools.

There’s also time for shopping. Thanks to Charisma Fashion, visitors can have their measurements taken for a tailor made suit handcrafted from luxurious French and Italian fabrics. Meanwhile ladies can check out Gouda milliner Berry Rutjes’ custom made and prêt-à-porter hats. Plus, designer Omar Munie brings a selection of his exclusive, handmade handbags and accessories from his flagship store on the Noordeinde.

Unique Small Businesses A major drawcard for international visitors to the fair is always the small business area. Visitor’s will find unique and boutique entrepeneurs from providores of Canadian maple syrup to small aircraft flying schools. Many small business owners at the fair come from within the international community.

Lifestyle portrait photographer Vinita Salome is of Indian descent, but grew up in Okinawa Japan before moving to the Netherlands with her Dutch partner.

Born in Chile, wine expert Catalina Bertogliof, has lived in London, Berlin, Russia and is back in the Netherlands with her wine workshops and courses under the banner ‘Wine for Fun’.

The fair provides the opportunity for visitors to meet personally these standholders as well as their new beauty therapist, interior designer or child care provider all in one location.

Theme: Volunteering The theme for the 2013 edition is volunteering. Expats and Internationals interested in getting involved in the community, meeting new people or updating their skills can discover how volunteering can have them ‘feeling at home in The Hague’ in no time. PEP, The Hague’s organisation connecting volunteers and volunteering organisations, is both a sponsor and standholder at the fair and will advise prospective volunteers on everything they need to know.

FEEL AT HOME IN THE HAGUE FAIR 2013

E

very year since 2006, Feel at Home in The Hague The International Community Fair has welcomed hundreds of Internationals, Expats, Repats and anybody with an international mindset to discover all there is to do in The Hague region. On Sunday 15 September, 11.00 -17.00, new comers to The Hague and all those keen to find out what’s new for The Hague’s international community in 2013-2014, will discover all they need to ‘feel at home’ in this international city.

Exciting New Venue in 2013 This year sees the preeminent international fair move to its new location, the conveniently located World Trade Center The Hague. WTC The Hague offers a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere where visitors will easily ‘feel at home’. WTC The Hague’s hospitality plaza features food and beverage outlets the Coffee Company and Pepperoni’s so that fairgoers can spend a whole day at the fair in comfort. At WTC The Hague, fairgoers can wander through three zones of stand holders: Sports and Social clubs, Commercial and Small Businesses.

Sports and Social Clubs: Anyone for Chess?

In the Sports and Social Clubs zone, fairgoers can find a sport or hobby to suit: from golf, to martial arts, the various football codes to theatre. Social clubs like the St. Andrew’s Society and Hash House Harriers, networking clubs such as Connecting Women and of course support organisations like Access, the not-for-profit organisation that supports the international community in the Netherlands, will all be represented. A new attraction this year will be the simultaneous chess tournament. Chess champions and aspiring grand masters Talitha Munnik and Anna-Maja Kazarian will give a simultaneous chess demonstration where each will play against 10-15 fairgoers at the same time.

Surfschool, Surfshop, Webshop, Food & Drinks

www.alohasurf.nl SCHEVENINGEN

SINCE 2002

Live Demonstrations and Entertainment During the day, fairgoers will be entertained by a variety of local talents.

After the fair opening conducted by Karsten Klein, The Hague’s Alderman for Youth, Welfare and Sport, there will be demonstrations from local groups in The Hague including martial arts, visual arts and public speaking. New this year, is the American Book Center The Hague’s series of book readings, signings and poetry readings.

Pick up your FREE copy of The Underground at the Feel at Home Fair 2013!

Venue and Tickets Feel at Home in The Hague - The International Community Fair 2013 will take place on Sunday, 15 September 2013, 11.00 - 17.00 at the World Trade Center The Hague, Prinses Margrietplantsoen 25, 2595AM The Hague.

WTC The Hague is just a ten minute walk (or 5 minute cycle) from The Hague Central Station with convenient bicycle parking available. WTC The Hague has limited paid underground car parking with lift access.

Tickets are available for purchase on the day for just €5,00 at the door. Those under 18 can enter free if accompanied by an adult.

More Information For more Information see www.feelathomeinthehague.com. Stay in touch with fair updates on the Facebok page and at www.TheHagueOnLine.com.

Feel at Home in The Hague - The International Community Fair 2013 is organised by www.TheHagueOnLine.com in partneship with ACCESS, PEP and World Trade Center The Hague. The organisers thank the fair sponsors ABN-AMRO and Shell.

24

What’s on

Issue 18. September/October 2013

DOCUDENHAAG 2013: HEILIG… SACRED… At one time, all kinds of things used to be sacred: from marriage and tax relief on mortgage interest to a particular day in the week. But in much of northern Europe, the terms now seems to be fading into insignificance. There are of course cultures that still respect the sacred status of various objects, from religious buildings to holy cattle. So have we rid ourselves entirely of all things sacred? Is there nothing that we look up to, nothing that is sacrosanct? Is nothing sacred?

Movies that rock: rockumentary ‘A Band Called Death’ at Paard van Troje Before Bad Brains, the Sex Pistols or even the Ramones, there was a band called Death. Luckely we’ve still got the evidence on tape!

Resistance fighters, ‘church-goers’ in trance and my home is my castle The jury considered a huge pile of entries before finally choosing three photographers from The Hague( Mieke Meesen, Claudia Heinermann and David Galjaard) to implement their plan under the heading ‘Sacred’. They all embarked on a personal quest to find sacredness in today’s world.

David Galjaard discovered that many people want choose what they consider sacred. He asked people from The Hague to tell him about their favourite spot.

Sacred ground features nine people talking about their favourite locations, with David creating images to illustrate their stories. Mieke Meesen followed Mirjam, a young mother who has dedicated much of her life to Santo Daime, a religion with its roots in Brazil.

Claudia Heinermann went in search of the last survivors of the Oranjehotel (the nickname given to the prison in Scheveningen during World War II). There are obviously very few of them left and those that she did find were all well into their nineties. She interviewed and made a portrayal of these resistance fighters.

DocuDenHaag in Het Nutshuis DocuDenHaag (DDH) is a biennial documentary photography project run by Het Nutshuis in The Hague. It was first launched in 2009 in association with the municipal records office. DDH revolves around documentary photography and the development of the city. The project is meant as an incentive to help up-and-coming (documentary) photographers from the city and region of The Hague develop their professional talents.

The city in the broadest sense of the word is the recurrent source of inspiration for DocuDenHaag. This third edition is based on the theme ‘Sacred’. Photographers responded by submitting a plan and a carefully compiled portfolio, from which a jury selected the best three entries. The three winning photographers were given the opportunity to implement their plans and put together an exhibition with funding from Het Nutshuis.

This year’s jury consisted of Kim Knoppers, Femke Lutgerink, Wim van Sinderen and Mirjam Zweers.

Photo exhibition 6 Sept -25 October 2013 MON to FRI 11.00 to 16.00 hrs.

Opening 5 SEPT at 17.30 Free admission Featuring photographers David Galjaard, Claudia Heinermann, Mieke Meesen (Photo).

Kim Knoppers is an art historian and curator at Foam.

Between 2008 and 2011, she chaired the Steenbergen Stipendium, a prize awarded to budding young photographers in the Netherlands. Femke Lutgerink is the figurehead and artistic leader of FOTODOK, the international platform for documentary photography in Utrecht. Femke studied history of art and is an independent curator. Wim van Sinderen is one of the founders and senior curator of The Hague Museum of Photography. He also manages the photo collection of Gemeentemuseum Den Haag and compiled the publication Fotografen in Nederland. Een anthologie 1852 -2002. Mirjam Zweers is Head of Programming at Het Nutshuis. As a cultural and theatrical historian, she previously worked as programmer and independent curator in the field of performance art. Mirjam was a member of the jury for the Silver Camera Awards in 2011 and 2012.

Punk before punk existed, three teenage brothers in the early ‘70s formed a band in their spare bedroom, began playing a few local gigs and even pressed a single in the hopes of getting signed. But this was the era of Motown and emerging disco. Record companies found Death’s music— and band name—too intimidating, and the group were never given a fair shot, disbanding before they even completed one album. Equal parts electrifying rockumentary and epic family love story, A Band Called Death chronicles the incredible fairy-tale journey of what happened almost three decades later, when a dusty 1974 demo tape made its way out of the attic and found an audience several generations younger. Playing music impossibly ahead of its time, Death is now being credited as the first black punk band (hell...the first punk band!), and are finally receiving their long overdue recognition as true rock pioneers.

On the 21st of September Eye Tunes presents this beautiful rockumentary ‘A Band Called Death’ in Paard van Troje, and it’s a must see!

For the full program at Paard van Troje, more information or tickets, please check www.paard.nl

INDIAN DANCE FILMS In close partnership with the Indian Film Festival The Hague and Film Divisions (India), a special film program was compiled for the India Dance Festival. Various documentaries give an impression of important choreographers, dancers, and the various dance styles, often with exclusive footage. The showings of these documentaries begin at 19:00 hrs. in Club Korzo. There will be a marathon showing of the entire program on Sunday 14 October. This program is definitely not to be missed by fans of Indian dance. www.korzo.nl

INDIAN FILM FESTIVAL THE HAGUE Full of colourful characters, an array of timeless stories presented in ‘reel time’. The Indian Film Festival The Hague is a grand celebration of Indian cinema and culture. A festival which entertains the public with a surprising diversity of colours, personalities and emotions. The line-up transcends the popular Bollywood genre, presenting a more realistic image of the glorious India of today allowing thought provoking discussions. As a visitor you can enrich yourself in all aspects of Indian culture such as; culinary tradition, inner well-being, music, fine arts and of course cinema!

With this third edition the growing platform of Indian cinema in the Netherlands once again returns to The Hague. The theatres showcasing films are the Filmhuis Den Haag and Pathé Buitenhof. For five consecutive days the visitors can choose from a special selection of current movies from some of the most interesting Indian talents as well as from the diaspora. Examples of cinematic pieces we will show include the world premiere of Touring Talkies, The Lunchbox, Ballad of Rustom, Kai Po Che, UGLY and the recent Cannes celebrated ode to 100 years of Indian cinema; Bombay Talkies.

On Wednesday 2 October the 3rd edition of the festival shall be inaugurated by the new Indian ambassador to the Netherlands, Mr. Rajesh Nandan Prasad.

©Dekh Indian Circus

We are proud to announce some highlights of the upcoming edition, together with the full program of events from 1 September onwards, on our website; www.indianfilmfestival.nl.

Music

Issue 18. September/October 2013

25

End of Summer Party 2013!

Saturday 28 September Beach Club WIJ! © Phaeleh @ SolTek (London) www.facebook.com/SoltekUK Photo credit: Adil Sheikh

DANIEL MEETS PHAELEH •

By Daniel Taylor

J

ust days before Phaeleh was set to release his new album ‘Tides’, I met up with the UK-based electronic music producer at a show in Brussels. By chance, I had first met Phaeleh at a show in Amsterdam a month earlier, where he treated us to a passionate story about how much he loved his pet fish (pictures and all). It’d be a sin to just leave it at that though, so this time, the focus was mainly on the music.

Your new album ‘Tides’ features collaborations with several different artists. What does the collaborative process usually look like?

‘I think collaborations are really interesting because you’ve obviously got two people’s creative ideas coming together. In terms of singers, it’s normally finished tracks I’ve made that I send to them, but it just really depends on who you’re working with. The new album features tracks with Soundmouse, Jess Mills, Augustus Ghost, and Cian Finn. It’s cool because I really rate all the people on the album as writers and musicians.

Collaborations are great because you’re getting all these different ideas, but it’s difficult when you need something done and they’re touring or have other commitments.’

What has working on the new album been like?

‘I’ve been writing for this album as my main objective for a year. In that year, I split up with a girlfriend, lost my hearing for six weeks completely in one ear, my speakers blew up, I found out I had to move house last minute... it’s been very hard getting it done. I’m glad I waited and stuck with it though, I think a couple of the stronger tracks on the album wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t have waited.’

Download Phaeleh’s new album ‘Tides’ on iTunes.

You can also find Phaeleh on: Facebook: facebook.com/Phaeleh Twitter: twitter.com/Phaeleh Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/Phaeleh Mailing list: ymlp.com/xgjmebsegmgj

In what way would you say your new album is different from past releases?

‘I think it still sounds like Phaeleh, as there’s still a strong emphasis on emotion and melody, but I think it’s just a little bit more open-minded creatively. It kind of reflects when I started making electronic music, where I’d make a song regardless of whether there was other stuff like it. It’s a little bit more adventurous in a way.

I wanted to make the album I wanted to make rather than the album I thought people wanted to hear… I think that’s how I’d summarize it.’

You mentioned you’re pretty much making music all the time, are there ever any moments that you just can’t get anything out creatively?

‘Oh mate, all the time. When an album’s nearly finished, you get into this weird zone where you can just keep creating and know within thirty seconds whether it’s going to be good or not. Once you’re out of that zone, writing can be really hard. I’d say I write a hundred songs for every one people get to hear…’

Have you ever considered combining your set with live elements?

‘Logistically, it’s a nightmare just how much it would cost to fly five musicians around the world with all their equipment. If people knew how much money it’s costing me out of my pocket to go to America with just one singer, they’d understand why I can’t bring a full band just yet. In a couple of years though, I’d absolutely love to.’

How do you handle the DJ’ing lifestyle?

‘I don’t! *laughs* I’m rubbish at it. I don’t ever catch up with the sleep, I’ll just go and drink coffee for a day and try to stay awake. I think if I was a bit younger it’d be easier. All I can say is, if you’re going to be a DJ, make sure you can sleep on trains, planes or buses, which I can’t...’

After the great success of the Experienz! Beach Party in Beach Club WIJ, we had no doubt which venue to choose for our End of Summer Party 2013… of course Beach Club WIJ in Scheveningen! The outdoor terrace, the luxurious decoration and the perfect location will guarantee us to provide our event with the ultimate summer vibes. Come and meet other expats or expat related people and have a chat and drink in the Lounge Area, or dance the night away on the dance floor where our DJ´s play the latest Summer Hits. The Summer will come to its end, but for the last time this year we will dance, drink and party @ the beach for 6 hours!! Make sure you will be part of this unforgettable ´End of Summer Party´ Early Bird Tickets (only 100 tickets) are now available only online: www.expatevents. com Time: 21.30h - 03.30h.

Tickets:Early Bird € 6,50/Regular € 12,/Door Sale € 15,Dress Code: Summer Smart Location: Beach Club WIJ

Wine & Dine

26

SPOTTED

Issue 18. September/October 2013

RECIPES OF THE MONTH •

Recipes by Jesse Johnson I Photos by Paco van Leeuwen

De Smulhoeve •

By Jesse Johnson

Lunchcafé De Smulhoeve is a department of Ipse de Bruggen whose foundational attitude of inclusion has transcended the company into a league of it’s own. They have created an environment where diverse forms of respite flourish. On staff employees of Ipse de Bruggen direct the developmentally challenged members so they can feel comfortable in taking part in everyday interaction.

Programs like De Smulhoeve are found throughout the Netherlands . De Smulhoeve is part of an initiative launched by Ipse de Bruggen.

Dates with Blue Cheese and Almond -Pit the dates -Stuff dates with blue cheese and almond -Eat

-Thinly slice brie -Slice or shred apple -Wrap Brie and apple in Parma ham and eat.

If you want to do a little twist, wrap stuffed dates with parma ham, bake in oven at 200 until crisp.

Also delicious as a sandwich or on a cracker.

Enjoy!

For the past five years,De Smulhoeve has been inspiring those involved with their various programs to progress, through facilitating an environment which focuses on qualities vs. disabilities. Whether working in the restaurant as a server or cook,or assisting with the animals at the neighboring city farm Landzigt of The Hague,there is a outlet for all their members.

Simple and delicious. Throw these ingredients together then get out there and give back to your community!

ROOTS & RECIPES Music venue Paard van Troje launches ‘Roots & Recipes’ Free magazine for fans of roots music and American cuisine now available. In cooperation with Kelly’s Expat Shopping, Paard van Troje now introduces the ‘Roots & Recipes’ Magazine; a free booklet consisting roots related concerts in Paard van Troje, fun facts about the United States and typical American cuisine.

Consequently, De Smulhoeve offers a unique lunch experience to customers and staff alike. Adjacent to a child friendly farm De Smulhoeve enourages customers to enjoy what the menu has to offer while observing the interactions between the ever grazing goats, cows and sheep. Occasionally the kitchen incorporates some fresh produce from the farm, giving their current special’s local flair. De Smulhoeve’s love of children shows with a quaint but stimulating play area and the sale of 50 cent bags of vegetable allowing your child to momentarily be a goats best friend.

‘Roots’ is the term for four music styles: folk, blues, americana and country. The upcoming months, Paard van Troje offers a wide range of concerts within these genres. These shows, including artists such as The Tallest Man On Earth, Lloyd Cole, Israel Nash Gripka and Heartless Bastards, are now bundled in ‘Roots & Recipes’.

Pick up the magazine for free at Paard van Troje, Kelly’s Expat Shopping or one of the many cafes and restaurants in the centre of The Hague.

Whether you go with your family or by yourself, you are guaranteed a great experience; the jovial staff exude passion, a reflection of how places like De Smulhoeve truly make a difference in peoples lives.

Socrateslaan 73 2493 ZV Den Haag T:(070) 444 43 00 E: smulhoeve@ipsedebruggen.nl www.smulhoeve.ipsedebruggen.nl

Parma Ham, Apple, Brie

Check out our Halloween recipes on our website!

Indian Restaurant ‘Taj Mahal’ . Maliestraat 5 . 2514 CA . Den Haag info@tajmahalrestaurant.nl . Phone: 070-3310 669 www.tajmahalrestaurant.eu

Wine & Dine

Issue 18. September/October 2013

27

food for thought ...

RESTAURANT REVIEW HARBOUR CLUB

•

Text by Jesse Johnsen, Photos by Paco van Leeuwen

Set along the breathtaking water front of Scheveningen, The Harbour Club offers its guests access to a patio and wrap around terrace. Guests are able to enjoy the activities of recreational and professional sailers alike with the sea air providing refreshment even before the wine reaches the table. Venturing inside, you notice the modern elegance of the interior decor paired with the catch of the day displayed on ice! Once seated we anxiously await the first of two courses to arrive.

The Spanish white, Albarino O’ rosal, was the suggested wine to accompany the appetizer. After detecting the peach and apple notes, curiosity of the food pairing peeks just as our waiter Carlien approached with the first course.

To start, the atlantic king crab salad set the foundation for the buttery seared scallop and purple shiso. The dish was partly balanced by the bitterness of the endive, the acidity of the citrus mayo and sweetness of the green apple. The well layered flavour profiles entice your tastebuds and leave you wanting more.

The second course was served with a Australian white: Wirra Wirra’s 12th Man Chardonnay. The oak is apparent as well as citrus and perhaps vanilla notes. Once again the kitchen impressed. The vibrant red tomatoes were roasted, and like the mashed parsnip and salted spinach, stayed true to their earthy flavors while gracefully balancing the oak of the chardonnay. The red gurnard went well with the tarragon sauce, while the tender octopus was brilliant on its own.

All in all, the whole experience was a positive one. With the attentive staff, delectable food and superb location, the two course lunch (€24.95) is ideal for business meetings, or co-workers seeking refuge in the midst of a hectic world.

‘Attentive staff, delectable food and superb location’

What You Need to Know: Where Doctor Lelykade 5 Scheveningen Contact +31(0)70-891 32 24 www.theharbourclub.nl Opening Hours Sunday-Friday 12pm-1am Saturday 4pm-1am Price Irresistible two course lunch (€24.95)

‘If it’s British, it has to be Stonemanor’

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Events

Issue 18. September/October 2013

29

A palette of a billion, timeless stories presented in reel time. The Indian Film Festival The Hague is the finest celebration of Indian film and cultural arts, entertaining audiences with colour, personalities and emotions.

SAVE THE DATE

September 5 September 2013 Oh Oh Intro 7 September Open Day at The BSN Rugby Club, Jan van Hooflaan 3, Voorschoten, 10am-12pm 6-8 September 2013 48 uur Haags Cultuurweekend 8 September 2013 European LifeI Live festival 8 September Fair www.fabulouswomen.nl 15 August-21 September 2013 100 jaar Vredespaleis

4-5 October 2013 New Sounds from Amsterdam www.korzo.nl

14-15 September 2013 Ooievaarsrun

5 October 2013 Open Havendag

15 September 2013 Feel at Home Fair

6 October 2013 Dichter aan huis

14 September 2013 Open Monumentendag Den Haag

12 October 2013 Protest Rock a Rail

15 September 2013 Prinsjesfestival

13 October 2013 Kinderboekenmarkt

16-17 September 2013 Prinsjesnachtmarkt

19-20 October 2013 Art & Antique fair

21 September 2013 Vredesloop

25-26 October 2013 Halloweenmarkt De Keizerstraat (Scheveningen Dorp)

27 -28 September 2013 Todays Art Festival 28 September 2013 End of Summer Party

October

26 October 2013 Schatkamermuziek! Festivaldag

3rd edition

2 - 6 October 2013

www.indianfilmfestival.nl

How do Rugby Champs like these ….

18-27 October 2013 De Betovering 18 October -2 November 2013 Indian Dance festival www.korzo.nl BSN Turvens 2013 (8-9 yrs)

Nightlife

…. become National Champions like these?

Pip Events www.pipdenhaag.nl Het Paard van Troje www.paard.nl

Theatre Korzo www.korzo.nl

BSN Cubs (U15) & Juniors (U17)

By joining BSN Rugby Club - OPEN TO ALL! You don't have to be a British School student to be a part of the success of the BSN Rugby Club. We train boys and girls aged 4 to 17 to play rugby in the Dutch National League and other international tournaments. No previous rugby experience is necessary.

2-3 October 2013 Art The Hague www.artthehague.nl

@undergroundth

2-3 October 2013 Indian Film Festival www.indianfestival.nl

@TheUndergroundTH

4 October 2013 O’Caseys 20th anniversary Party

Dutch National League Champions 2013

@undergroundth

Our club welcomes families as a whole to come together and support and develop not just our young players, but also rugby as a game in the Netherlands with coaches, referees, facilities and competitions of the highest standard.

Check out our website: www.bsnrugby.nl or visit us on www.facebook.com/BSNRugbyClub Come along to our Open Day at The British School, Jan van Hooflaan 3, Voorschoten, 10am12pm Saturday 7th September or visit our stand at the "Feel at Home in the Hague Fair" at The World Trade Centre, 11am-5pm on Sunday 15th September.

We look forward to welcoming you to our team.

E: info@bouwlust-administratiekantoor.nl T: 015-2135999

Administrative and fiscal services

Administration

For custom tailored work in the areas of administration and taxation.

The needs of one entrepreneur are very different than the needs of another. We therefore adjust our services to the specific needs, wishes and expectations of you as our customer. We call it customized service.

Setting up and management of your bookkeeping. Budget maintenance via monthly, quarterly and yearly reports. We can help you set up your administration which you can manage on your own. We offer periodic checking of your administration.

We make up your annual report and account in compliance with all Dutch law and taxation requirements.

Payroll Services

Taxation Matters

Payslips provided for all employees, processing of all tax reports, registration of all employees at the required social services institutions and much more.

Maintenance and accurate administration of all legal and union regulations.

Proforma salary calculations in order to allow you an indication of the salary costs involved when hiring new personnel.

Registration and administration of all relevant taxation issues pertaining to your company, its staff and current tax legislation.

Advice

Costs

Advice offered on a variety of legal and fiscal issues.

Our rates for bookkeeping matters as well as settling your taxes are 50.64 Euro per hour.

- On starting your own business - On personnel issues - On financing your company - On the structure of your company - And much more...

You can come to Dijkstra Chiropractic for advice over problems in the following areas: Arm / shoulder: Carpal tunnel syndrome, wrist problems, elbow or shoulder pain, frozen shoulder, bursitis. Headaches / migraines: Facial pain, stress headaches, jaw (TMJ) problems.

Joint pain: Ankles, elbow, hips, knees, wrists, shoulders, and feet. Low back: Low back pain; stiff back in the morning; low back hernia; radiating pain en loss of sensation in legs and feet or arms and fingers. Neck: Neckpain, tight neck muscles, neck hernia. Sports injuries. Whiplash: Arm-, neck- en scoulderpain; headaches, focus problems; dizzyness. Babies: Colic, KISS syndrome, Preferential postures (only want to turn to one side or have a preferred breast while feeding). Children: Leg length difference, growing pain, scoliosis, bedwetting.

Pregnancy: SI instability, groin pain, low back pain.

Advice offered on tax and taxation issues.

Guidance and advice during tax audits.

For the yearly reports as well as the additional taxation related work we charge 76.48 per hour. Our rates are indexed at a yearly rate of 3%.

We do not claim to know everything and in some exceptional cases we need to call in the help of specialists. In these very specific cases we will inform you of the reason(s) for calling in a specialist and of the additional costs involved.

Dijkstra Chiropractic • Waldeck Pyrmontkade 27 a • 2518 RS The Hague Tel. (070) 345.09.91 • Fax (070) 345.85.28 • Member of NCA and SCN WWW.DIJKSTRACHIROPRACTIE.NL • INFO@DIJKSTRACHIROPRACTIE.NL

prins techniek - with 45 years of experience with tires. adress

tel

web

facebook

Keyserswey 14-16 2241 CW Noordwijk

088-3852900

www.prins-techniek.nl www.spikesspider.nl

Prins Techniek Spikes Spider NL

070-3852900

Classifieds

Issue 18. September/October 2013

31

Register now for a first free lesson! info@swimkids.eu or +31 (0)70 36 41 443

Planning a Party ?

• Great location • Spectacular harbour views • Free parking • 3 sunny terraces • For business or pleasure • Capacity: 30 to 250 guests • Affordable and flexible

Small groups Individual instruction Playful teaching

www.bluevents.nl

www.swimkids.eu Baarn I Arnhem I Amsterdam I Leiderdorp Den Haag I Scheveningen I Rotterdam

Hope to see you soon!

5% discount

Spring is in the air!

All your beauty needs answered in one place!

Quote “The Underground” when booking and get 5% discount on a treatment of your choice.

We offer: exclusive products, facials & anti- aging treatments, mani & pedi, eyelash extensions, tanning, massages, yoga lessons, weight loss program, waxing, hair styling and pampering parties! www.aspadirect.com Alexanderplein 2 2585AZ The Hague 070 345 0215/0651137656 info@aspadirect.com

VIBOS Europa AG Everything for your home

Always dreamed of

horse riding along the * Offers services in home renovation, maintenance and restoration. * Small Projects, big projects and house restoration including roofing. * Plastering, tiling, painting, bathrooms and carpentry.

beach of Scheveningen?

Enjoy the salty breeze that strikes through your hair as you ride along the coast .

We organise horse riding throughout the whole year for beginners and experienced riders along the beach of Scheveningen.

Serving The Hague, Leiden and Delft areas.

See You

ou

FREE PROFESSIONAL CONSULTATION AND REFERENCES AVAILABLE

Contact: Viktor Samoylov & Jochen Schneider Tel: 06 587 60 30 Tel: 071 30 20 207 info@vibos.eu www.vibos.eu

Stalhouderij Het Fjordenpaard Jan Lips Overaseweg 158 4836 BC Breda (0031) 06 51382833 www.stalhouderij-hetfjordenpaard.nl info@stalhouderij-hetfjordenpaard.nl

AeroHolland Flying Training

A SPECIAL PILOT COURSE FOR EXPATS! TRIAL LESSON €150

info@aeroholland.com

+31 6 238 29 269 / +31 6 519 97 399

www.aeroholland.com

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Advertentie_Artthhague_Underground.pdf 1 31-7-2013 23:33:52