Edition #6 September/October 2015 €3,95
THE INTERNATIONAL NEWSPAPER IN AND AROUND THE HAGUE
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The Underground is an independent newspaper for The Hague and surroundings. Experience The Hague with us! Absorb the cultural and social essence of
Publisher Saskia Laurijsen saskia@theunderground.nl Editor-in-chief Rosy Brega rosy@theunderground.nl Art director Remy Rond, Ronde Vormen remy@ronde-vormen.nl
this diverse city through the eyes of the international community and locals. You are The Underground! These days millions of people are seeking refuge from hunger or war. And you might not be aware of this, but hundreds of organisations in The Hague are involved in helping to solve these global issues. They are tackling security, crimes and justice and deterring potential conflicts. In this edition, we give you a little insight in what some organisations do and the people behind them. Much of it is connected to the Just Peace Festival, when you get the opportunity to visit the bigger organisations, but also to celebrating freedom. The Hague is the city of peace and justice and we can be proud of that. Enjoy our most peaceful edition ever.
Graphic Designer Melina Meijer-Durinck Melinastijl Grafisch Ontwerp Newsroom Ailie Conor, Arto Salojarvi, Megan Lloyd, Pascalle Kok, Ana Marija Prpic Antolic, Wendy Troost, Leonie Holly. Print Colorworks, Fred van Hoorn info@colorworks.nl Distribution Publiciteits Service Sales & marketing info@theunderground.nl The Underground Saturnusstraat 6o, unit 16 2516 AH Den Haag tel: 0031 (0) 70 8903535 info@theunderground.nl www.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. Cover Photographer: Maarten Fleskens, Maarten Fleskens Photography Model: Rosalie de Keizer Make up artist: Mandy Rond Special thanks to Caesar - Fitness & SPA Resort, The Hague, for the loan of their swimming pool.
Street art project ‘Moving People’ ‘Moving People’ street art takes underground refugee stories above ground The streets of The Hague and Amsterdam will be taken over by thousands of miniature figures. Guess what they’re doing there...
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Water is scarce, now what? page
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OPCW
International chemical weapons watchdog
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During the weekend of 18 to 21 September 2015 The Hague hosts the Just Peace Festival. With a wealth of activities, the city will celebrate the International Day of Peace. Here’s an overview of the activities! page
The printing of this issue has been sponsored by Colorworks.
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SHOPPING ROUTE Photo Exhibition World Press
Visit our website: www.theunderground.nl twitter.com/UndergroundTH facebook.com/TheUndergroundTH
World Press Photo exhibition 2015 is taking place in The Hague, coinciding with Just Peace Festival. This year’s photos from winners and contributors are raw and real.
“The Fred” has it all! It’s even won the award for the ‘Most atmospheric shopping street’ in the Netherlands. We’ve selected the best spots for you.
...and a whole lot more!
26-27 16-17
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Have you been moved yet? ‘Moving People’ street art takes underground refugee stories above ground
By Anneloes van Iwaarden
You may have already come across one of them on your way to work. Or you might find yourself sitting next to one while waiting for the bus. If from the corner of your eye you see a flash of colour next to a traffic light, don’t ignore it: it might just be a miniature Helen, Idris or Inas. Not sure what I’m going on about? In the month of September, the streets of The Hague and Amsterdam will be taken over by thousands of miniature figures as part of street art project ‘Moving People’. These miniatures represent 10 real people and their real-life stories of what it is like to be a refugee; they are small, tangible reminders (with a big arty-wink) of the human voices behind the endless intangible headlines.
This article takes you underground to museum Humanity House in The Hague, where visitors can see, hear and feel for themselves what it is like to have to flee a country in times of conflict or disaster (read the red subtitles throughout this piece). After this figurative underground experience make your way above ground to the streets of The Hague and Amsterdam. Street art project ‘Moving People’ created by Power of Art House features miniature figures modelled on 10 people and their real-life stories of how they were forced to flee their countries. And finally, from the 10th of September till the 31st of October, these stories will be put into context in the ‘Moving People’ exhibition back at Humanity House in The Hague.
...they’ve written down my name, taken my photograph, it’s all on this single sheet of paper, this is my life... Both Power of Art House and Humanity House focus on untold (and often unwanted) stories of human disaster. The purpose of doing so isn’t to point the finger of blame or judgement, but to extend the hand of empathy and compassion to all individuals in need. And before you think that this is all way too ‘come-joinus-for-a-group-hug’, rest assured, there’s nothing lovey-dovey about both these powerhouses of humanity. Power of Art House is actually an artistic collective/ think tank whose creative interventions and campaigns artfully combat apathy and indifference. Humour and art are weapons of choice in demobilising highly complex and politicised issues in order to make them accessible to a wider audience: all of us. Humanity House is no less ambitious in its aims and mission: ‘Humanity House raises discussion about humanitarian themes to enhance understanding, inspiring
people to contribute positively to a life in peace and freedom for everybody.’ The museum itself houses a permanent exhibit/experience and temporary exhibitions, hosts numerous lectures and debates on humanitarian issues and also screens the odd open air film or documentary. In short, Humanity House is an educational platform, museum and meeting place all rolled into one.
…what’s happening, why do we have to leave our home, I was just watching something, what is the news lady talking about… As Creative Director Saskia Stolz of the Power of Art House explains, the idea for ‘Moving People’ came to her about six months ago: ‘I missed the human focus in the discussions about refugees. For example, why do these people flee in the first place? I really wanted to add a bit of nuance to the debate.’ And so ‘Moving People’ was born. Miniature models based on real people and their stories would be produced and placed all over the city resulting in an eye-opening but strictly non-political - creative street art campaign. When Humanity House Director Lisette Mattaar heard about the campaign she jumped at the chance of contributing to the project. ‘Our permanent exhibit at the museum is just one way of attracting visitors. But Humanity House isn’t just a museum; we are always looking for new, creative and innovative ways of bringing our message of humanity to a broader public’ she says. Where ‘Moving People’ engages all people on the streets (www.movingpeople.nu), those who want a little bit more background information on the individual stories, the countries of origin as well as on the current global refugee status can visit the exhibition ‘Moving People’ (Humanity House, 10/9 – 31/10).
Museum Underground
…I think I should take something with me, clothes, definitely underwear, what about my books, wait, I need my phone, or my passport, too late… Coming up with the idea was one thing, getting this show on the road proved to be a whole new ball game. The scope and scale of this project is immense: 10 miniature models of 10 people each with their own story, multiplied by 1001 means a grand total of 10010 miniatures to be created, painted and placed all over The Hague and Amsterdam.
First of all, 10 real-life refugee stories needed to be found. The stories themselves weren’t enough; without real people willing to stand up, tell them and stand model for the miniatures there wouldn’t even be a street art project to begin with. From start to finish this campaign is a social endeavour; the 10 people with their individual refugee stories were found by use of social media networks, a supplementary crowdfunding campaign (next to funding by Amsterdams Fonds voor de Kunst, Fonds 1818 and VluchtelingenWerk) ensured that the necessary funding was in place and the people at the local sheltered workplace in Amsterdam (www.pantar.nl) helped produce all 10010 figures.
…no longer a passport, I’ll just follow the rest, all these noises, it’s very dark here, I wish the noise would stop for just a moment, I need to think…
Once the 10010 miniatures are strategically placed in the streets of Amsterdam and The Hague, the real fun begins. Envision a huge urban jungle hide-andseek game with a secret message of solidarity. The 10 miniatures can be absolutely anywhere: waiting on a park bench, lying on the curb, sitting against a lamppost. Will you stumble upon Arjuman, Halat, Istahil or Lin&Remy? And if you do happen to find one of these mini people, you can take it with you and place it somewhere else; the miniatures are only loosely fixed in place with a piece of sticky putty. In fact, the whole idea behind ‘Moving People’ is for everybody to physically move the miniature versions of the 10 people around the city so that even more people can (figuratively) be moved by their stories. In this way, the creators hope to engage as many people as possible to play their part in spreading the words of these smaller than small travelling storytellers. And as the ‘Moving People’ website states: sharing is caring. So whenever somebody moves a figure, they are asked to share it on social media (using #MovingPeople).
…let me explain, stop firing questions at me, who are you, I don’t understand, if I could just tell you, give me a minute, it’s hot in this cabin, I don’t know,
The temporary exhibition ‘Moving People’ (Humanity House) delves deeper into the background of all these personal stories and places them into the context of the movements of millions of refugees around the world. Using visual graphics, the exhibit provides facts and figures and more information on the countries of origin including the current situations in Iraq, Iran, Uganda, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Syria, Somalia and Rwanda. The movements of the 10 former refugees are personal, but they are only ten in the millions of other stories from all across the world.
…proof
of who I am, who am I,
I’m telling you the truth, I can’t go back, they’ll kill me, honestly, I don’t know what else to tell you… There are many ways of interpreting ‘Moving People’, one of the most significant underlying messages being that only people can move people … and, in turn, truly be moved by other people. Human stories are often hidden behind shocking headlines or overwhelming images on the news. There is nothing hidden in this street art project. Which leaves only one requirement for its widely anticipated success: move AND be moved!
what does that mean… All the miniatures have a sticker on them directing their finders to the main website www.movingpeople. nu. Here we find the 10 unique and moving stories of each of the participating former refugees. Take Alex, for instance, who was forced to flee Uganda because he is openly bi-sexual. Or Bahram, who’s trouble started when his mother converted to a different religion.
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Street art project ‘Moving People’ September – October 2015 www.movingpeople.nu
‘Moving People’ at Humanity House 10 September – 31 October 2015 www.humanityhouse.org/en
By Nicole Small
We take a look at how the city renowned for peace and justice has dealt with its own firsthand experience with war, and how the traces and memorials left behind, serve to reinforce the city's message for peace. As The Hague gears up to celebrate the UN International Day of Peace in September, for many this year's celebrations will have an extra dimension, with 2015 also marking the 70th year since the end of World War Two (WWII). WWII unleashed the terrors of war firsthand onto the Dutch landscape and its people with invasion and occupation. When the devastating air raids on Rotterdam were used as a threat against other cities, Dutch national defence conceded surrender and The Hague became command central for the occupation of The Netherlands. The city's landscape was forever changed by Hitler's decision to build a continental line of defence against Allied attacks with the construction of the Atlantikwall, a series of defences that stretched from Norway to Spain. Bunkers and barricades were set up along the Dutch coastline, and the local area was further fortified into a militarised zone to prevent ground attack by Allied forces. An anti-tank ditch was dug using the basin of the Haagse Beek (the existing creek stretching from Kijkduin to the Gemeentemuseum) as a basis for the route. This was followed by a large wall and barricades, looping around the Malieveld to Clingendael before finally connecting back up with the coastal defences, thereby encircling half the city and effectively splitting it in two. Over 135,000 people were forcibly displaced from Scheveningen and The Hague and over 3,000 buildings were demolished and whole streets disappeared. Further damage and casualties occurred when German rockets intended for Britain, crashed down on Haagse neighbourhoods, and when British forces accidentally bombed residential Bezuidenhout.
Today much of the obvious remnants of war have been erased. The large concrete wall that had divided streets such as Eisenhowerlaan was demolished immediately after the war to make way for new town plans, and more recently, the Haagse Beek has had its ecological balance restored with native vegetation and a more natural flow, its serene presence in stark contrast with its dark 20th century chapter. Bunkers and other coastline fortifications were generally either demolished or covered after the war, with just a few remaining visible, that now serve as one of the city's tangible reminders of its most challenging period in history. While few original traces of war remain, the city is adorned with post-war memorials, such as the Hague War Memorial opposite the Peace Palace, the Juliana van Stolberg Monument (which now doubles as a memorial to the Bezuidenhiout bombing), Madurodam (named for George Maduro and partly funded by his parents after his death in Dachau), the Jewish Children's Memorial in Rabbijn Maarseplein (with names of the children deported and executed), and the Stijkelgroep Monument at Westduin Cemetery, the plaque on the Scheveningen Prison, and the memorial at Waalsdorpervlakte outside The Hague (which all honour the memory of those who lost their lives working in resistance to occupation). You can learn more about the impact of war on The Hague at the Haagse Historiche Museum, which has a permanent exhibition room on World War Two, and Museon, which has a special exhibition about the Atlantikwall until 1 November, where you can also get a remembrance route walking map, taking you past key points of interest and the city's new on-street information panels. Visit also www.atlantikwalldenhaag.nl for a downloadable walking map and to see incredible contrasts of Hague landmarks now and then.
The Studentground
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Water is scarce, now what? Water covers 70% of the earth! How can it be scarce?
By Christian Schwieter
Yes, 1364,400,000,000,000,000,000 liters of water, but:
97,5%
is saltwater, and only
68,9% locked in glaciers
2,5% fresh water 30,8% groundwater 0,3% lakes and rivers
Of this amount, is used for agriculture.
70%
20%
Industry
10%
Domestic
And it's running out
FAST 2025
2015 % of world population with limited access to water
2050
Let's talk about water. Chances are you don’t think about it a lot, and why would you? You open the tap and voilá, you can effortlessly get as much water as you like. For many people in the world, however, this is not the case. The UN estimates that 1 in 6 people in the world struggle to obtain enough water for bare necessities on a daily basis, and the growing political, economic and ecological instability across the globe threatens the water supply for millions of people. Similarly, while water scarcity has long been considered a problem of the lesserdeveloped countries, the recent droughts in California have caused many in the developed world to reconsider the value of their seemingly secure access to water.
accessible while at the same time increasing conservation efforts? How do you price a commodity of existential importance to humanity while at the same time reducing excess usage of this commodity? One of the economists who try to tackle these problems is David Zetland, Assistant Professor of Governance, Economics and Development at Leiden University College in The Hague. In his books 'The End of Abundance' and 'Living with Water Scarcity', Zetland argues that current water management systems understand water as a good of sheer endless supply, an attitude that in no way reflects the reality of water being an increasingly scarcer resource. “It’s easy to see why mobile phone use is far outpacing access to water and sanitation” Zetland writes, regarding the extraordinary fact that approximately 600 million less people lack access to mobile phones than safe sanitation. The main difference between both businesses is, according to him, that the market for mobile phones is driven by a demand pull, where customers can actively trigger an increase in the supply of mobile phones, even in the remotest areas. The monopolistic industry of water, on the other hand, has hardly any competition or penalty for failure. Thus, the industry as a whole lacks a sustainable business model that would allow it to react sufficiently and timely to environmental pressures and water scarcity.
The Hague, as the City of Peace and Justice, with its vast amount of international organisations and institutions, is at the forefront of the global initiative to fight for the human right of safe access to water. Perhaps the most notable development in the region in recent years is the formation of the Water Diplomacy Consortium (WDC) by a variety of institutions, including The Hague Institute for Global Justice. This forum aspires both to contribute to conflict prevention and conflict resolution in relation to water management across and within national borders and to become a knowledge hub for water diplomacy, governance, and law.
However, many people oppose privatisation of water ideologically and see a global alternative in the remunicipalisation of water systems. A key component of this remunicipalisation are public-to-public partnerships, where well-resourced municipalities that have experience in water management provide technical and financial support to less developed cities. This way the inherent weaknesses of public institutions in regards to efficiency, finance and managerial capabilities can be diminished. The city of Amsterdam, for example, is part of such public-to-public partnerships, through which the Dutch capital provides, among other things, technical expertise to cities in Morocco, Indonesia and South Africa. The motivation behind these partnerships is solidarity, rather than profit, a characteristic that appeals to many from an ideological perspective.
However, the Consortium, just like other organisations and governments, faces one fundamental problem when it comes to the latter: the economical paradox of water. Water is a resource of undeniably high value in our lives, yet still it is usually sold at prices that in no way reflect this value. This leads to the conundrum of defining water as a human right. Water is of exceptional significance to every individual, inferring that it should be universally accessible. Universal access, many might argue, can only be achieved by making water available for very low prices, if not for free. Policymakers therefore face seemingly unanswerable questions as water becomes scarce around the world: how can you make clean water universally
Regardless of where you stand on the privatisation vs remunicipalisation debate, it is evident that water management systems all over the world have long facilitated an excessive, unsustainable use of a resource that we only seem to value when it runs scarce. We no longer live, to paraphrase David Zetland, in the era of abundance. The debate should not be whether private or public is the way to go. It is much rather time for both structures to develop methods to finally regard water as the scarce resource it is, and not as the abundant good it was. The city of The Hague and its institutions now have the responsibility to come up with sustainable solutions that reinforce the human right to water.
The Sponge
The fight to save cultural heritage from crime & war
Maxime Zech, aka The Sponge
Peace is the word, it’s got groove, it’s got meaning. Have a look at the news, not even the entire news, just watch one headline, no not even that, just have it on in the background and even then there’s no chance of you being able to stop the faith in humanity seeping out of you for ever and ever. It’s always been like this. People have always been terrible towards each other, and the world has been having the same conversation since the dawn of man: ‘oh this terrible war, isn’t it terrible?’ There has always been war. People have always disagreed to such an extent that sharp and pointy objects had to get involved. Back in the day, the only difference was that technology hadn’t yet made weapons powerful enough to be dangerous outside a certain range, making the area outside this range a prime spot to bring a lady on a date and watch the men defend the republic, with grapes and ale. People have always fought. But crucially, people have always sought peace as well. Unless you’re Tybalt, you as a human being enjoy the feeling of peace because it is not war. And here I will ask you to think about this in Baudrillardian terms, in that peace is valuable to us because it is not-war, it is war’s opposite. That’s what the hippies premise their entire being on: making love, not war. You don’t need a guru and a poor personal hygiene plan to love peace, though. Neither do you have to endure Cat Stevens. And yes I am talking to you Generation Z hipster outfit hippies who flock to festivals with vaguely psychedelic names and stare hazily over the tops of peoples’ heads while Iggy Pop is screaming abuse at his actual fans. Tom Wolfe will not write about you. My peace is often disrupted by cities. It’s always busy, sometimes so busy that you feel oppressed, with your personal space being invaded unapologetically by people. My misanthropic side takes over in cities. Especially a city like The Hague, where there’s always people everywhere looking at you with cynical smoggy city eyes. But The Hague has been very clever and thought about this. City parks are, for example, lovely pockets of peace that must be cherished and visited and sat in peacefully. Small café’s offer peace too, where the window between you and the outside world can make all the difference, and people can become curiosities. You have to make your own peace in a city. We can’t all live on an island, but we can create our own islands in the sea of people in this world. You know what they say; a moment of peace a day keeps the cynicism and creeping sense of doubt and despair about humanity away.
By Nicole Small
The Underground meets the extraordinary woman driving improvements to international legislation to protect artefacts in areas of human conflict. Tasoula Hadjitofi has spent thirty years working to track down and repatriate cultural artefacts that have been smuggled out of her native Cyprus during times of conflict and occupation. Her experiences have earned her the nickname The Icon Hunter, and today she is a sought after speaker and consultant, and has founded the organisation Walk of Truth in the global fight to protect cultural heritage against trafficking. News coverage of areas of unrest, such as Syria and Iraq, are increasingly including attention on the risk posed to the world’s irreplaceable cultural heritage by human conflicts. Civil wars, religious crusades and territory disputes all leave historical monuments and artefacts vulnerable, but treasures are not just casualties of war. Often they are either wilfully destroyed in a quest to supplant a pre-existing culture or religion, or are looted and sold, with sacred items often ending up in the living rooms of private collectors. There is also evidence that sometimes it is terrorist organisations that profit in the millions from cultural plundering. The plight to protect items of cultural heritage is not a path originally chosen by Tasoula Hadjitofi, rather one that chose her. Fleeing her hometown of Famagusta in Cyprus in the 1970s following Turkish occupation of the northern part of the island, Tasoula went on to study in the UK, before settling in the Netherlands. Her desire to help raise awareness of Cyprus lead her to be appointed the Honorary Consul at age 27. It was in this role that she was first approached by art traffickers to facilitate a buy-back of Cypriot treasures that had found their way to the continent. With the secret involvement of the late Archbishop of Cyprus, the Attorney General’s department in Nicosia, and international police forces, a sting operation resulted in the recovery of over 5,000 historical items that had been looted from various areas of conflict, including Cyprus.
The event marked a turning point in Tasoula’s life. Seeing the chisel marks where sacred frescoes, icons and mosaics had been crudely extracted from places of worship brought long-suppressed childhood trauma to the surface. She crystallised her pain into action and found her calling in protecting cultural heritage. Through years of speaking with police, lawyers, politicians, archaeologists, journalists, art dealers and museum directors, Tasoula amassed vast amounts of knowledge about the holes in the international legal systems that prevent those who destroy or traffic in artefacts being brought to justice. A desire to share this knowledge with the world and advance the legal protections for cultural artefacts gave birth to the Walk of Truth not-for-profit organisation. Walk of Truth exists to raise awareness about threats to cultural heritage from crime and war, and to foster discussion about how best to protect it by bringing together relevant international parties for vigorous debate. The organisation also validates and repatriates treasures, and lobbies for coordinated international legislation to combat trafficking. The most recent debate took place in The House of Lords in London, resulting in key recommendations, which are now being pursued and implemented. “Politics and religion may separate us as humans, but art and culture can re-connect and hopefully bring us to reconciliation”, says Tasoula. “I believe by coming together to protect cultural heritage, we can build trust and respect for our various differences.” Indeed the mission to protect cultural heritage of any origin has proved a healing force in Tasoula’s own life. “This is my own walk of truth too, towards my own inner peace”, she explains. You can get involved and help to save the world’s cultural heritage. Walk of Truth advocates a network of cultural crime watchers (Culture Crime Watchers Worldwide) whereby people can give information on suspected trafficked items in a safe and secure fashion. The organisation is also seeking help from anyone willing to lend their skills such as communications, archiving, fundraising, or legal services.
Visit www.walkoftruth.org for more information.
Community
You are confronted with scenes that are very shocking, but you need to go on with your work, even if you feel upset.
Pierre Crom Bearing witness Photo © Pierre Crom
French photo journalist Pierre Crom has spent the past year travelling between his home in The Hague and the war in Ukraine. The Underground spoke with him about what it is like, to live the city of Peace and Justice, while spending so much time in war and conflict zones. By Ailie Conor
Originally a commercial photographer, in 2000 Crom quit studio work looking for something less technical, and more personal. In 2004 he travelled to Israel & Palestine to photograph the separation wall, then a relatively new issue, coincidentally arriving the same time as Yasser Arafat’s death. The subsequent photo series garnered him the Silver Camera first prize for Documentary Photography, and cemented his move towards photojournalism. Despite being well known for covering Ukraine and Crimea in the past year Crom does not refer to himself as a war photographer; “I am not a war photographer going from war to war, I was a documentary photographer with interest in politics and geopolitics… which turned into war.” He emphasises that his work is tied to his personal interests and personality, and stories he think are worth telling, whether it’s Eritrean migrants jailed in Egypt, or Roma families being evicted in Amsterdam. “I need to really think before I go someplace, I am not trying to score some credits, going certain places to work.”
Not shying away from the unpopular, unpleasant or untold this genuine dedication to capturing stories is reflected in his work, and combined with an uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right time, makes Pierre Crom excellent at his job. Happening to be in the right part of Ukraine at the right time, meant he was one of the first photojournalists to capture images of the downed civilian plane, MH17. As an individual working with just an interpreter, a car and his equipment he had access to the site when even the recovery teams did not, with more than 20 vehicles and political tensions slowing them down. The importance of independent photojournalists in situations like this cannot be overstated, as they don’t rely on twitter or second hand accounts, they have to be on the ground to do their job. They are there as Crom describes it, to bear witness to the situation. After the crash he continued to take photographs of what was going on in the rest of region, not just the crash site itself, because as he put it “in the Netherlands you had this big emotional wave, which washed away all the rest, the context, the war.” The crash happened in the context of war, a war which continues and this should not be forgotten. Although undoubtedly an integral part of war reporting and the media, working in a conflict zone takes a toll, one which many struggle to leave behind when they return home, or continue in their work. “Of course as a human you are confronted with scenes that are very shocking, but you need to deal with that, and go on with your work, even if you feel upset.” Crom adds that returning home can be especially exhausting, as for weeks people will want to speak with him about his experiences and although he wants to tell these stories, he has to make sure he returns to the reality of his own life. He will continue to record events in the Ukraine, and travel to places and events with a personal resonance or importance, in-between his work here in The Hague. Follow Pierre on Instagram, Twitter or his website to see what is going on.
To see more of his great work, go to www.pierrecrom.nl
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The Willem Post
Mr. China Jochum Haakma, man of the world By Anna Italianer
Give Peace a Chance I vividly remember those first music records I bought here in The Hague. Romantic love songs like ‘Pretty Belinda’ from Chris Andrews that made me day dream that this pretty, little lady Belinda “living in a boat house down by the river” would walk straight into my arms. In hindsight I am happy that I wasn’t only seduced by stupid songs and romantic melodies. In 1969, millions of youngsters all over the world, including the younger me, rushed to the local record store to buy the new song written by Yoko Ono and John Lennon: Give Peace a Chance. We had grown up with all the horror stories of our parents from the Second World War and we were the “never again” generation. And we watched the horrors of a new war in the jungles of South East Asia on TV; the wounded and dying soldiers and civilians. Mass anti-war demonstrations erupted in the major cities of the world. The United States and The Soviet Union had veto power in the Security Council so a diplomatic solution through the United Nations was impossible. I remember those endless, fruitless shuttle diplomacy efforts of Henry Kissinger. There were so many promises but the war in Vietnam only escalated further. So we, the frustrated youngsters, listened for some comfort to this slow motion song that describes cynically all the fake talk about peace. I am still moved by those words full of hope but also despair:
Photo by Jelle Boontje
Jochum Haakma has travelled the world ten times over, working as a diplomat for the Dutch government, with emphasis on economic and business affairs. Currently, he is living in The Hague but that does not mean he has stopped travelling. He has moved to the private sector and as the Global Executive Director of business development for TMF-Group (135 offices in 86 countries) and chairman of the Netherlands Council for Trade Promotion (NCH) he still spends most of his time abroad. With the Underground he shares his views about the expat life, (trade) relations with China and The Hague as a city of peace.
Let me tell you now Ev'rybody's talking about Revolution, Evolution, mastication, flagellation, regulation, integrations, meditations, United Nations, Congratulations. All we are saying is give peace a chance.
In business with China
The song was written during Lennon's 'Bed-In' honeymoon in Montreal, Canada. When asked by a reporter what he was trying to achieve by staying in bed, Lennon answered spontaneously "Just give peace a chance". Now living in The Hague in 2015, I still have my fantasies and dreams like all of us. I am proud to live in a city known as the City of Peace and Justice. Such a title is a heavy burden for The Hague and the world. But there is no reasonable and moral alternative to strive for peace and justice. Of course the world is still imperfect like in the sixties. But finally there is in The Hague some sort of justice infrastructure that serves the world. We try to avert war with courts like the International Court of Justice. And if sadly enough war breaks out, if conflicts erupt and escalate with all the violations of human rights that come with it, we now have tools to try and punish war criminals. For the first time in world history we have a global tribunal, the International Criminal Court, to try and eventually put those war criminals in jail. Finally, we are unleashing the first waves of justice from The Hague. The inspring words of that song are a wake-up call for all of us, simple words of great wisdom: “Give peace a chance”
‘Mr China’ is the nickname of Jochum Haakma. Not surprisingly, due to his working experience in China as well as his role as advisor and board member of numerous institutions and organisations with links to Far East. For years he wrote a monthly column about cultural differences in the China Times. According to Haakma, present trade relations between the Netherlands and China are in pretty good shape: “The Dutch are the second trade partner of China in Europe, just after Germany. Also, the Chinese are investing more money in Dutch companies. For example, the Rotterdam based ECT (the biggest container terminal in Europe) is for 97% in Chinese hands. I see it this way: we are a small, service providing country and therefore it’s important to have open business opportunities that are mutually advantageous. China is the biggest market in the world so go there and join in! The market in China is opening more and more.” To the question of differences when trading with Chinese people, Haakma replies: “A personal relationship in China is far more important than a watertight contract. Making a joke or a social drink together pays off when you want to do business. I always advise people to invest in the human factor and use this instead of a contract as a base for building business relations with the Chinese.”
The Hague and Peace ‘I strongly believe that a better income and welfare division, not only in a country but also in a whole region will lead more easily to peace. One way to make this happen is by letting countries participate in world trade and this helps towards the democratization process of a country. The Hague is certainly known worldwide, not only as the city of peace and justice but also because it successfully held the 2014 Nuclear Security Summit with 58 Head of State representatives, including U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Moreover, more than 50 international organisations are based in The Hague. This reflects positively not only on the city, but also on the Netherlands; so many countries have chosen for Holland as a place of their representation, pretty impressive for such a small country. A good sign of successful diplomacy!”
“It is important to keep an open mind and never abuse the hospitality of the country you’re a guest of.” Life as an expat Jochum Haakma has lived abroad for many years. How did he experience life as an expat? “ As a diplomat in a foreign country, you shouldn’t have a label, you deal with all kinds of people and you should fit in everywhere. I have always loved that aspect of my work abroad. As an expat it is very important to always be curious, never judge people only from your own background but try to keep an open mind. Meanwhile, maintain your own personality. It is important to respect and adapt to local mores but I have seen expats who after three days are looking and behaving more Balinese than the actual inhabitants of Bali; that is taking it too far. It is important to keep an open mind and never abuse the hospitality of the country you’re a guest of. “
People & Passions
11
OPCW
International chemical weapons watchdog Ambassador Üzümcü, Director-General of the OPCW, talks to The Underground about the work of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, the future of the organisation and the importance of being based in The Hague. Sharon Reyes © 2015 Jurjenz Productions
By Daniel Taylor
'Besides the OPCW's traditional role as the leading Chemical Weapons watchdog, the organization is currently playing an increasing role in the areas of education, science and public awareness. As the OPCW's Director-General, how do you go about coordinating and strengthening the organization's capacity to meet these new challenges?' With only a small percentage of chemical weapons to be destroyed, we are increasing our focus on preventing the re-emergence of chemical weapons. Besides continuing to work with governmental authorities, we are enhancing our interaction with professional communities as well as the general public to promote awareness. We are actively engaging with academia, ministries of education and educators at different academic levels. The OPCW is also producing and making available educational materials. I recently proposed to Member States to establish an Advisory board of internationally recognised experts in this field, to further promote education and outreach.
'The city of The Hague has long been home to a wide variety of international organizations -including the OPCW- eventually earning it the status of 'International City of Peace and Justice'. What is it about the city that makes it such a suitable breeding ground for these kinds of (political) organizations?' It’s a combination of historical commitment, tradition and attachment to ideals. Since the late 16th century, this city has been home to great thinkers, like Hugo Grotius and Spinoza, known on account of their ideas on peace and freedom. In the development of international humanitarian law, The Hague Peace Conferences of 1899 and 1907 occupy seminal importance, in fact, the 1899 Hague Conventions constitut-
ed the first ban on the use of poisonous gases in wartime, thus setting the foundation for the Chemical Weapons Convention. This was followed by the establishment of the permanent Court of Arbitration. Developments such as these provided the impetus for the City to acquire its current status with the Peace Palace symbolizing the international quest for peace and justice. When the OPCW was awarded the 2013 Nobel Prize, we also saw it as honouring the city of The Hague and invited the Mayor van Aarsten to the prize ceremony in Oslo. Since then, in partnership with the City, we have established the annual “OPCW-The Hague award, in recognition to individuals and non-profit, non-governmental organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to advance the goals of global chemical disarmament.
'In celebration of the UN-declared 'International Day of Peace', the city will soon be hosting the annual Just Peace festival. Does the knowledge that vast groups of people stand united in their pursuit of peace and justice in any way strengthen your commitment to achieving the goals set out by the OPCW?' Disarmament is a collective effort. Scientists, governments, students, educators, industry professionals; all have been contributing to make our world free from chemical weapons. I believe it is most gratifying to know that people all over the world share the strong impulse for peace and for making our planet a safer place. On days like the International Day of Peace, when we hold an Open Day and welcome hundreds of people interested in our work, all OPCW staff draw great satisfaction and encouragement that our work is recognised as beneficial to the global community.
'In late 2013, The OPCW was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its extensive work in eliminating
the use of chemical weapons. Did the events in Syria, in your view, further underlined the importance of the OPCW's activities?' We all know the tense international situation in August –September 2013 following the Sarin attacks in Syria. A solution was found by reverting to a treaty-based framework to address the problem of chemical weapons present in Syria. Syria joined the Chemical Weapons Convention and an accelerated disarmament schedule was set up and implemented by the OPCW and the
Convention treats all countries equally, there are no privilege position holders and those who possess chemical weapons have to disarm. And in fact 90 per cent of all declared stockpiles have been eliminated under the OPCW verification. It also promotes international cooperation in the peaceful uses of chemistry and this is of great interest to the majority of our members who have developing economies. I think all these qualities explain the near universal adherence to the Convention, which has now 191 States Parties.
'How do you envisage the future of the OPCW? Would you say a world completely free from chemical weapons is feasible in the near or distant future?'
Sharon Reyes © 2015 Jurjenz Productions
UN working together. So indeed, the value of the Convention and the work of OPCW came to the fore as a vital factor for the promotion of international peace and security.
'The Chemical Weapons Convention has been described as 'one of the most successful treaties in history', with 90% of declared chemical weapons having already been destroyed. How, in your view, can the success of the treaty be explained?' The history of disarmament is full of false starts and disappointments. In the case of the CW Convention however countries have come together in an unprecedented manner. Chemical weapons are a category of weapons of mass destruction that have been used the most often, so a total prohibition on these weapons was an imperative. To its credit, the international community followed up its resolve to ban these weapons by creating a system of verification that promotes confidence that the treaty is being complied with. The
I have always maintained that we can keep the Convention and the OPCW strong by adapting to new and emerging challenges and we must now focus on preventing the re-emergence of chemical weapons. The threat of global terrorism makes it essential for us to extend our work into the area of chemical safety and security; and ensure that the ban on poisons as weapons is in place in the face of new scientific and technological advances. So we need to continue our work in education and outreach. At the same time, it is essential to be able to convince the 4 remaining countries to join the Convention and make it truly universal. We have repeatedly seen that chemical weapons inflict the worst suffering on unprotected and unprepared civilians. No military or strategic rationale can justify this kind of cruelty.
'In this, how do you see your own role as the organization's Director-General taking form?' My time at the OPCW is a time of transition. I would feel that I have made my contribution by providing the vision for the future I just outlined, a clear and solid direction.
All is Fair in ‘Love and Peas’ By Karen T. Slingenberg
As far as authentic eateries go, MiddleEastern vegetarian restaurant ‘Love&Peas’ on the Weimarstraat is making its mark. Inspired by the philosophy of food bridging cultures, Palestinian Muawiyah Shehadeh and Israeli Yuval Gal have done just that by partnering up and creating a place where all cultures can eat – together, even those warring with each other back home. A perfect setting in a multi-cultural neighbourhood, Love&Peas fits right in. It’s 70’s retro interior takes you back to the days of orange and brown furnishings and plastic wares. With an unassuming edge, note the inventively fashioned café sign out of cardboard,
the makeshift aluminium racks and single cable lightbulbs, this eatery has a calm yet familiar feel. The service is prompt and the waiter-come-chef, laid back and welcoming. The crudités offered as a pre-starter are a mixture of cucumber, pickled peppers and broken olives. The olive pit is semi-crushed to allow the olive to be imbued with the unique bitterness of the olive tree, so in mid chew, you are whisked a step nearer to those Middle-Eastern olive groves. When perusing the menu, the first thing you notice is the three different types of Humus on offer, one of which is a speciality from Galilee that stands out from the rest both literally and figuratively because of the copious amounts of garlic used. Make sure your beloved has the same dish! Other familiar dishes range from ‘Falafel’ to ‘Tabouleh’ and from ‘Tahin’ to ‘Baba Ganoush’. ‘Zahara’ and ‘Freekeh soup’ (don’t let the name put you off) are unfamiliar candidates screaming out to be sampled.
All the dishes are served with free bread and a jug of water, by way of helping to neutralise the garlic perhaps, but fear only the parsley in the tabouleh will make any difference. The soft, warm bread that compliments the mezze-style dishes is morish; luckily the chef-waiter is more than generous with it. The dish named ‘Zahara’ is a surprisingly fresh tasting fried cauliflower with a lemon and garlic dressing. The crunchiness of the cauliflower leaves you feeling content with the thought that the vitamins and minerals have been preserved and not boiled to oblivion. To end the meal, the Arabic coffee is a taste experience worth exploring if you like the spicy earthiness of cardamom, and coffee that packs a punch to the extent it puts hairs on your chest! Love & Peas is the perfect place to share tasty food in a (hip)py 70s setting. So go sample those chickpeas, throw caution to the wind and revel in all that garlic!
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Wine & Dine
Fish & Meat
15
A new ‘all you like to eat’ restaurant Jack Hu and his wife Ling are about to open their brand new restaurant Fish & Meat on the first floor of New Babylon when I meet them. Fish & Meat is a buffet restaurant with plenty of cuisines from all over the world. “We called it an ‘all you like to eat’ instead of ‘all you can eat’ restaurant because it sounds so much friendlier.” For € 28.50 (Monday through Thursday) or € 31.50 (Friday through Sunday) you can eat as much as you like here and the price includes two alcoholic beverages. Soft drinks, tea and coffee are included too. Fish & Meat offers discounted prices for children and senior citizens. And they have a great lunch deal for only € 9. “When you come in, our staff will explain the concept of Fish & Meat. You can order and pick up your food at one of the many buffets. The friendly and service-oriented staff cleans up the tables between courses. Fish and meat are always the main part of any dish. We aim for quality and a nice presentation of our dishes.” There is plenty of choice: between tapas, sushi, salads, soups, seafood, grilled
dishes, satay, Teppanyaki, Mediterranean, Chinese, Indonesian and Dutch dishes, there is something for everyone. For dessert Fish & Meat offers a chocolate fountain, ice cream, fruits and a dessert buffet. Jack, who used to own ‘Eten en zo’ in Zoetermeer, a similar concept, is very enthusiastic about his new restaurant. “Whether you want to have a nice dinner with your partner or whether you are looking for a place that can literally cater for very large groups of people: large families, staff associations, everyone is welcome.” Booking a table is only recommended for large groups. Anyone else can just come in any time.
Fish & Meat First Floor New Babylon Koningin Julianaplein 149 - 151 2595 AA Den Haag www.fishandmeat.nl Telephone number for reservations: 070 737 12 67
Specialty coffee in The Netherlands A report by Alex Kitain – Co-founder of The Coffeevine
The Dutch are crazy about coffee. That’s old news. The Dutch drink the most coffee per capita. That’s new news. According to Wikipedia, since this year they’ve knocked the coffee-crazy Finns off the top position and this development is a sure sign that something good is brewing in this country. When I launched The Coffeevine as my personal guide to the best coffee spots in Amsterdam back in 2012, I didn’t anticipate that the Dutch coffee scene would undergo such a spectacular transformation in such little time. It literally went from infancy to teenager in the course of three years. At the end of 2012 it was practically impossible to get a good cup of filter coffee or a well prepared flat white anywhere in Holland. In fact, when you asked for a flat white at most cafés that were open back then you’d often end up getting the evils from lots of clueless baristas. These days there are great little coffee roasters and cafés in every neighbourhood in Amsterdam. Even places like Rotterdam, Utrecht and Nijmegen have developed fun coffee scenes of their own. But what about The Hague? You may be lead to believe that the seat of government, home to major international institutions and popular beach resorts would have jumped on this specialty coffee band wagon ages ago but it didn’t. Why not?
Back in 2013 when I first came to discover the Haagse coffee scene the only place worth mentioning was Lola Bikes & Coffee. And, for a really long time it remained Lola. Sure, other places popped up but they decided to use industrially roasted beans or employ baristas with limited skills rather than offering something fresh and exciting. It just wasn’t moving at the same speed as the rest of the country.
Here’s to hoping that The Hague will finally get infected with the same coffee fever that has gripped the rest of the country for so long. Let’s face it, Haagenaars deserve decent coffee as much as anyone!
One of our own amazing baristas, Vinni Zwaan, who hails from The Hague, had some interesting insights for me: “It’s hard to say why there’s been so little development here. I believe the lack of a big university and a slightly older population might have something to do with it. A lot of young entrepreneurs headed to Amsterdam or Rotterdam to set up new ventures instead of trying their luck here, which is a shame. But, I see light at the end of the tunnel.” Indeed, there are some promising new coffee bars popping up in suburbs like Voorburg (Coffee Works) and Leidschedam (Zuivere Koffie) where the idea of a skillfully prepared cup of filter coffee is no longer a strange concept but rather, a way of life. What’s more, one of the country’s most important coffee institutions, Espresso Service West, recently opened its new showroom in The Hague, hopefully making more and more people aware of the full spectrum of possibilities in specialty coffee.
About Alex Kitain: Alex is the co-founder of the most popular specialty coffee blog in The Netherlands that attracts a large global readership. His personally written café reviews are often seen as a seal of approval and are highly regarded by industry specialists. Since last year, him and his business partner Erica Armistead, run Europe’s finest coffee subscription service and in June this year they opened their first filter coffee bar in Amsterdam. Find out more on www.thecoffeevine.com
SHOPPING ROUTE
Located in one of the most popular areas of The Hague, Statenkwartier, the Frederik Hendriklaan is a charming and unique shopping street that attracts visitors from out of town and rightly so. ‘The Fred’ as the locals call it, has it all: restaurants, fashion, delicatessen, books, jewelry, beauty and much more. The Fred is almost one kilometer long and houses about 125 shops. There is a community feeling to this street and there is something for everyone to be found here. A few years ago The Fred won the award for the ‘Most atmospheric shopping street’ in the Netherlands. The Underground selected seven gems for you this time.
To be continued in the next edition!
Christianne Dings Not your average jewellery store. Christianne travels a lot to discover new Italian, German, French and Spanish designers, which she sells exclusively in the Netherlands. You will find leading designers alongside work of unknown new artists. If you are looking for a unique design the goldsmiths here can help you create it. Or if you have a piece of jewelry of sentimental value that you want restored or transformed. For Christianne it is important that a piece of jewellery matches the personality and the image of the person wearing it. Twice a year she organizes an exhibition featuring the artist and his or her new collection. If you want to get an invitation for this event, you can register on the website. Highly recommended! Frederik Hendriklaan 115 www.christiannedings.nl
Kaatje aan de Rein
Flower shop Botanica
Kaatje aan de Rein is that shop you go to when you need a present for someone who has everything. Or for someone you hardly know. Or when you’re really desperate and you don’t know what to buy for your brother-in-law. Besides locally made products they import high level presents and special gadgets from more than a hundred countries and their assortment changes often.
Family business Botanica has run its flower shop on Frederik Hendriklaan since 1983. Botanica feels strongly about friendliness, service and quality and the staff manage to create a cosy atmosphere in the shop. Every three weeks they completely redo the interior of the shop and their assortment follows the seasons. Besides flowers and garden plants Botanica also sells vases, flower pots and other accessories. Flowers can be delivered throughout the Netherlands and they even have a web shop. At Botanica everyone speaks English and they’re happy to help with your weekly bunch of flowers at home or at the office.
And then once you’re there, you might as well buy a present for your spouse, your neighbour and yourself too! Shortly they will present their Halloween collection and after that Kaatje will start preparing her famous Christmas market. Plenty of reasons to visit often! Frederik Hendriklaan 63 www.kaatje.com
Frederik Hendriklaan 248 www.botanica-bloemen.nl
Shopping route
Kaasspecialist
ChoX
The Cheese Specialist is the dream shop of every foreigner. Both their selections of foreign cheeses and Dutch farmer’s cheeses are impressive. They import cheeses from France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Denmark, Norway and Switzerland, so when you have a craving for some cheese from your home country, they’ll probably have your favourite one.
Chocolate bonbons, who doesn’t like them? At ChoX you find an enormous selection of bonbons, made of the finest Belgian Barry-Callebaut chocolate. But there’s more. ChoX has a cosy café at the back of their shop where you can enjoy a hot chocolate, a cup of coffee or tea. ChoX also has a lunch menu and serves a complete high tea, which consists of unlimited tea or coffee, sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam and a selection of petits fours, small pieces of pie, choux pastries and bonbons.
Dutch farmer’s cheese is made of raw milk and is therefore tastier than cheese made of pasteurized milk. It’s the perfect present to take home and the Cheese Specialist can vacuum seal your cheese so you can take it almost anywhere in the world. They even send their cheeses to Dutch embassies abroad. Besides cheese they offer a selection wines and home roasted nuts. A one stop shop for a yummy evening in!
ChoX offers the option to organize your baby shower in their café and artists can exhibit their art. Definitely not a regular bonbon shop!
Frederik Hendriklaan 99 www.dekaasspecialist.nl
Frederik Hendriklaan 263 www.chox.nl
Delete Professionals in Waxing
Spijssalon
They’re the latest addition to The Fred: a brand new waxing salon. Delete offers various treatments, from body and face waxing to full Brazilians. The ‘wax angels’ take good care of their customers and make sure that you are comfortable and that the treatment is as painless as possible. The place looks trendy and hygienic. Definitely worth a try! Prices start from € 9,95 for a partial face treatment and Delete also offers attractive package deals such as a Lady Package (Brazilian, armpits and legs) for € 89,95 or a Full Body Wax (Brazilian, armpits, legs, arms, face, tummy and back) for € 149,95. Open on weekdays from 10am – 9pm and on weekends from 10am – 6pm.
Ice cream parlour Spijssalon daily produces its own artisan Italian style ice cream, using natural ingredients. They even roast and grind the nuts to make their pistachio and hazelnut gelato. The popular Smurf blue ice cream contains no artificial colouring. They prefer to use Spirulina, a blue-green algae. For people who have a lactose or gluten intolerance, Spijssalon has a selection of sorbets to choose from.The Spijssalon has a strong affiliation with the international community in The Hague. Kristian, the owner, who runs the ice cream parlour together with his wife, was born in Kenya and his wife is Australian, so “we feel a bit like we’re expats ourselves”. Alongside the delicious ice cream, you can also enjoy an excellent espresso. Life is good on the Fred.
Frederik Hendriklaan 288 www.delete-waxing.com
Frederik Hendriklaan 230B www.facebook.com/spijssalon
17
Store of the Future
Shop attendants in white coats, displays that show you what lipstick suits you best or that bring an armchair into your sitting room, virtually! Interact with a robot to buy an electric bike or drink a milkshake made with nitrogen! Go and take a look at the future now, in the first retail innovation lab in the Netherlands. You can download an app. in the store, also in English, that can explain the 15 or so different displays, for a futuristic shopping experience. And a chance to test the long awaited and hyped Oculus-Rift virtual reality headset with a “real” immersion in a supermarket. If you don’t believe us, try looking behind you…
New Babylon Anna van Buerenplein 7, The Hague
Tas-ka loves pretty household goods Nested in the hip Zeeheldenkwartier are many small, quirky designer shops and studios. Among them is Tas-ka, a trendy little shop for household goods. The owners of the shop, Jantien and Hester, share a love for designing prints and use this passion to create their own collections of linen items such as oven mittens, duvet covers, pillow cases and more. As well as their own creations, they’re also a retailer for other designer companies, selling crockery by Marimekko and cooking ware by Riess. Among their selection are also the beautiful hand crafted paper lamps designed by studio Snowpuppe, also available in the shop owners’ own design prints.
Goed Eten
Tas-ka Prins Hendrikstraat 97, 2518 HW The Hague www.tas-ka.nl
Situated at the start of the Reinkenstraat is the retro decorated organic deli, caterer and shop – Goed Eten. With a new daily special everyday and a seasonal menu to fit in with your quarterly needs you’re sure not to get bored of the pure and tasty food of Goed Eten. There are a few tables by the windows where you can order a cup of organic filtered coffee and a cake or have some lunch, whatever you’re after there is always something healthy and delicious to suit your mood whether you eat in or take away. All food is made on site where you can watch the owner, Jitske, cooking happily in the semi-open kitchen in the shop. We definitely recommend checking this place out for a casual coffee or for a full take away dinner on a day you have no time to cook.
Goed Eten Reinkenstraat 66K, 2517 CW Den Haag. www.goedetendenhaag.nl
Carice
Classic cars for the modern mentality Do you want a classic, vintage drive with a contemporary carbon footprint? We thought so. The dilemma of whether to buy a gas-guzzling vintage car has been solved by Delft start-up Carice, who are designing lightweight electric cars with a wonderful vintage aesthetic. Their flagship car, the MK1 weighs only 350kg and being a small company, each is made to custom order. The first pre-production models rolled out in June of this year, with the rest on the way. While they cost a pretty penny, if you are looking for a new ride with low energy consumption that is a little more stylish than your standard city car they are worth checking out.
www.caricecars.com
Prinsjesdag (and what it’s good for)
By Arto Salojarvi
So what actually is going on?
Prinsjesdag was always one of my favorite days of the year when I was growing up. The school year had barely started, and already in the third week of September we in The Hague would have a Tuesday off school. It’s one of those holidays that sneaks up on you, and you never know what to do with the free day – nobody really explained to us foreign kids what the day meant, they just told us that it was a once a year opportunity to see the Queen ride in a golden carriage through town, waving at people, escorted by royal cavalry, a marching band, and flamboyantly dressed people handing out oranges and pelting people with tiny cookies. Come to think of it, I may be mixing and matching two memories in my head.
The name Prinsjesdag has a few origin stories in different contexts, but the one I’ve chosen to believe is that it has its roots in the 1700’s when a royal birthday was something of a national day of celebration (a bit like King’s Day today). However, it turns out that Prinsjesdag isn’t actually a nationwide day of jubilee, but more of a political affair combined with a little spectacle for the crowds in The Hague. On this day, the King will ride to the Ridderzaal in Binnenhof, sit on his throne and present the budget for the upcoming year to the members of the Eerste and Tweede Kamer, followed by a televised speech discussing matters of national importance and the government’s plans for the coming year. After this the golden carriage will return home, and the day will conclude with the royal family waving at the muggles from atop their balcony at the Noordeinde Palace. This year Prinsjesdag will be celebrated as a festival spread over a long weekend and for four days we’ll be treated to bread and circuses as different city districts offer various activities ranging from history to culture to music and food (I’ll have to check about those tiny cookies). And that’s why I love The Hague. We’ll take an otherwise mundane event and build a gazebo at the back of it. And why not? We may be the city of peace and justice, but we’re also a town that loves a good shindig. So even if we don’t know why exactly we’re celebrating, let’s just go enjoy the day. Long live the King!
By Wendy Troost
RESPONSIBLE WHITE shopper This sturdy canvas bag holds all your essentials and more, and they are completely safe behind the zipper at the top. The bag is washable at 30 degrees and all O My Bag bags are made in India in a fair sustainable manner: fair wages are paid, benefits are provided for, education and training are offered, and women and minorities are given equal-work opportunities. A great bag in many ways! Shop online at www.omybag.nl.
When fall sets in, when it gets colder and rainier, nothing is better than curling up on the sofa with your iPad and shopping some fall favourites online. For this edition we decided on white as a fashion theme. The meanings of the colour white in different cultures all over the world include peace, innocence, purity light and new beginnings. Which goes well with the peace theme of this edition of The Underground. And white may also cause that summer feeling to last a bit longer…
COMFORTABLE WHITE pullover Dutch brand DEPT represents a youthful and edgy vibe. Pieces from the DEPT collection are easy to match with your wardrobe. This comfortable yet fashionable cotton pullover will keep you warm on chilly fall days. Shop online at www.deptwomen.com.
COOL WHITE sneakers
LUXURIOUS WHITE pants
Crafted from soft ostrich, nubuck and nappa perforated leathers, this urban cool HUB Footwear sneakers are just what you need this fall to keep you comfortable – the sole is comfy enough for the shoes to be worn for 24 hours in a row – and warm while being totally on-trend. The characteristic Z-stitch on HUB Footwear sneakers is a symbol for bringing people together in a specific place, a hub. Good news, these white beauties come in women’s and men’s sizes. Shop online at www.hubfootwear.com.
Dress up with these luxurious wool-cotton mix pants. Perfect for work or a business dinner in combination with a blouse and a blazer. To wear them in a casual style, combine them with the HUB Footwear sneakers and a pullover. Claudia Sträter (since 1970) is a stylish Dutch label that highly values functionality and quality. Shop online at www.claudiastrater.com.
(Advertorial)
THE DUTCH TAILORS
Customized suits and high service When I speak to Teddy Bierhuys he is in the middle of preparations to open his store, The Dutch Tailors, in New Babylon. Teddy: “The store will look like a walk-in closet, with white walls, black closets and a touch of copper.” What is the idea behind The Dutch Tailors? “We work ‘backwards’,” Teddy tells me. “We start with a confection suit as a basis and adjust and bring it to such perfection so that it looks and feels like a tailor made suit, for the price of a confection suit. We have our own workshop in Rijswijk where all suits are adjusted. This generally takes one day for altering the length of the trousers to three days for remodeling the jacket.” Besides suits The Dutch Tailors also sells OX4D shirts which can be customized. Roel Hamilton is the owner of OX4D and Teddy’s partner in The Dutch Tailors. Because of the price, these suits and shirts are accessible for everyone. “These days young men want slim fit suits, like the ones you see on Instagram. Our customers range in age from eighteen to 65+.” Why New Babylon? “I wanted a high-end location for my store. What I want to present, fits in here. Besides that, New Babylon is conveniently located between the ministries, TNO, the Royal Library and Leiden University. Peo-
ple who come here on weekdays during their lunchbreak are my ambassadors. They come back during the weekend with their families. And besides that I just like the place. I worked at a shop in New Babylon before and it’s like one big New Babylon family here. Personally I am looking forward to the opening of the new restaurant upstairs: Fish & Meat. It will bring a new vibe to New Babylon.” Many expats are used to custom made suits and a high service level and that is what The Dutch Tailors offer besides good coffee and, most importantly, knowledgeable staff. Going to The Dutch Tailors is a one stop shopping experience. Besides suits and shirts they offer all accessories such as belts, suspenders, breast pocket handkerchiefs and shortly there will be customized shoes. “Our customers can choose the front, middle part and back part of the shoe, the colour and structure of the leather and the stitching. The shoes are then tailor made in Portugal which takes up to five weeks. Prices start at € 249.”
www.thetailors.nl
Fashion & Beauty
Because of the civil war that raged in his home country Somalia, Omar Munie (1986) fled to the Netherlands with his siblings when he was a nine year old boy. Their mother was to follow them the next week but only arrived four years later. Omar lived in various asylum seekers centres for years, until he finally received his residence permit. He had no intention of becoming the accountant his mother wished him to be, instead he wanted to be creative and work with his hands, and successfully completed the Fashion Academy in The Hague.
By Wendy Troost After his first year Omar even won the prestigious prize of ‘Best student of the year’ and was awarded his own studio at the Binckhorstlaan in The Hague, where he established his company ‘Omar Munie Clothing’. After this award many more followed, such as “Best entrepreneur under 25” and “Most innovative entrepreneur of 2011”.
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OMAR MUNIE
FROM REFUGEE TO SUCCESSFUL FASHION DESIGNER bags, shoppers and everyday bags. He produces only 25 pieces of each model and they are all handmade in his studio in Bink36 in the Binckhorst in The Hague. The bags are now sold in eleven shops in the Netherlands. Omar's bags are also for sale in shops in Valencia (Spain), Lech (Switzerland) and Dubai (UAE). Prices range from €300 to €700. Recycled leather
Macy’s New York
After his graduation Omar began to develop more interest in designing handbags than clothes. He sold his very first handbag to a classmate. He then decided to start a handbag company for both women and men. After only six months, Omar was invited to the popular television shows Life & Cooking and RTL Boulevard. He even flew to New York where he presented his bags and eventually sold his products at one of America’s biggest department stores: Macy’s. Handmade in The Hague
Munie’s signature handbags are regarded as the perfect combination between functionality and design. They range from weekenders, purses, soirée bags, laptop
Omar can proudly add many big names to his portfolio. In 2012 he designed sustainable bags and travel accessories for Schiphol Amsterdam Airport, for which he used material that was recycled from leather airport lounge chairs. That same year Munie also designed bags for KLM, which he made out of recycled KLM uniforms. For these bags he received a sustainable design prize in 2013. His bags are worn by many national and international celebrities such as Hillary Clinton, Jane Fonda, Yfke Sturm, Jessica Mendels, Leontien van Moorsel, Edsilia Rombley, Caroline Tensen, Kim Feenstra, Inge de Bruijn, Quinty Trustfull, Jeroen Pauw, Paul Witteman and Fatima Moreira de Melo.
Visit Omar Munie’s Flagship Store in The Hague, which he opened in 2013, on the Noordeinde.
PICKS
Salt scrubs versus sugar scrubs
when to use each By Azra Secerbegovic
Walking down the beauty aisle could be also a cooking feast! Some of the products sound pretty gourmet. With delicious-smelling ingredients like sugar cane, cocoa butter, sea salt and lavender oil, it seems like these ingredients are a better fit for a bakery than an exfoliating scrub.
Photo by Christiaan van der Kooy
TodaysArt Festival 24-27 SEPTEMBER
The much-anticipated 11th edition of this festival promises 4 days filled of installations, performances, club nights and symposia as well as interventions on the beach, in the sea and in the air. On Friday 25 September and Saturday 26 September, The Pier in Scheveningen will be the centre stage of the best art festival held in The Hague. From Thursday 24 September until Sunday 27 September, you can experience 4DSOUND, interactive spatial sound performances in De Electriciteitsfabriek. A great programme and amazing international artists in fantastic settings, we are counting the days… www.todaysart.org
I have to stop myself from taste-testing these yummy concoctions, but they've certainly got me thinking. What's the difference between sugar and salt scrubs, anyway? The main difference between sugar and salt scrubs is the size of the exfoliating granules. Sugar particles are smaller than salt particles, making them less abrasive on the skin. Sugar scrubs are best for people with sensitive skin, and they're also preferable to use on the face instead of salt scrubs, since coarse salt granules can irritate delicate skin. The coarser texture of salt is ideal for buffing away thick, rough patches of skin like calloused elbows, knees and feet. Great product to use after your summer holiday! Salt also has many healing and antiseptic properties, which can kill bacteria and reduce inflammation.
Word of advice: Always apply scrub on DRY skin BEFORE the shower, NOT in the shower if you want to see the result.
Sugar and salt scrubs to try now: EmerginC ginger-lime sugar scrub
ART The Hague
FOKKER TERMINAL, BINCKHORSTLAAN 249, THE HAGUE 1-5 OCTOBER
A 100% natural, luxurious sugar scrub which exfoliates, hydrates, and conditions skin. Removes dry, rough skin and helps even skin tone and texture. Lime offers gentle exfoliating benefits while ginger oil reduces inflammation and brightens, revealing healthy, radiant skin. Shea butter and a blend of natural oils, including apricot, grape seed and coconut oils, nourish and condition for a smooth, supple feel you’ll love.
From Wednesday 1 to Sunday 5 October, ART The Hague, the contemporary art fair and platform for both up and coming and renowned art galleries in The Hague and the Netherlands, takes place in the Fokker Terminal. This year forty galleries in total will be presenting themselves and, of course, the artists and art works they represent. Besides entrance to the amazing exhibition space of the Fokker Terminal to view modern art pieces under one roof, tickets for 10 euros include entrance during these days to other museums and exhibitions like GEM, Gemeente Museum, Panorama Mesdag, The Hague Historical Museum and the People’s Palace (Volkspaleis). www.artthehague.nl
Mute Sounds Festival GROTE MARKT 9/10/11 OCTOBER
Mute Sounds festival is not your run of the mill music festival in The Hague. Since 2007 Mute Sounds has been organising a festival for deaf, hearing impaired and hearing people so that everyone can enjoy and interpret music in their own way. They do this by means of floor vibrations, sign language, dance as well as many other surprises along the way! This is a definite must-go if you’re looking for a festival with a difference and we’re definitely curious about this one. See you there! www.mutesounds.nl
Aromatherapy Associates Natural Exfoliating Scrub Experience the intensely exfoliating and invigorating powers of sea salt, coffee and grapefruit to revive and moisturise dull looking skin.
Exfoliating Foot Mousse With ground Tea Tree Leaf and Pumice, this concentrated rich, creamy textured Foot Mousse will scrub feet to perfection. The active ingredients of the Exfoliating Foot Mousse will help to remove the layers of dead skin while the Emu Oil rehydrates and deeply nourishes the skin.
Especially desig ned for feet!
XXX
DIRECT DUTCH
23
(Advertorial)
Language, culture and nice extras The lady at the reception desk is very friendly and her Dutch, though obviously not her native language, is impeccable. Director Ruud Hisgen takes me to a classroom on the second floor where he sits me down with a glass of water. Ruud started Direct Dutch in 1985, when he came back from Australia, where he lived for a year. “I would have liked to learn about Australian society sooner, I thought as I was returning home, and this gave me the idea to set up a language school for expats in the Netherlands which also teaches students about the culture of their host country.”
That is how Ruud, who has a degree in English from Leiden University, started Direct Dutch in the Anna Paulownastraat in The Hague. “Since 2001 we’ve been located on Laan van Nieuw Oost-Indië very close to railway station Laan van NOI, so we get many students from Delft, Zoetermeer and Leiden too.” The tram and the bus stops are right in front and parking is free in the afternoon and evening. “Our aim is to teach people to explore the Netherlands and learn the language. Our motto is ‘Home in on Holland’. In order to understand a culture, you have to learn its language, at least a little bit. Our courses consist of learning some practical Dutch very fast and besides that we tell you all you need to know about the Dutch history, their habits and mentality. If you know the background, it helps you understand the Dutch better and that makes you feel at home here.”
FRIENDS FOR LIFE “People from the United States for instance expect to be invited to Dutch people’s home straight away. The U.S. culture has always been very open, because it is very important to them to be friends with everyone. Dutch people are different. They want to get to know you better. But when they finally invite you, it means that you could become a ‘friend for life’.”
ALL IN DUTCH With so many expats in The Hague, people of many different nationalities follow the courses at Direct Dutch. People from India, Kenya, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Greece… the list is endless. So where do you start? How do you start teaching a language to someone who doesn’t know a word of Dutch? Ruud gets up and shows me. He holds a pen in the air and says: “Pen!” Followed by “boek” (book) and “tafel” (table). Then he moves onto: “een pen, een boek, een tafel”. And “Is dit een pen? Ja, dit is een pen.” I get the picture. This works fast! After only one lesson of one and a half hour, students are able to introduce themselves in Dutch and say something about where they work and live.
NOT FLAWLESS The next step is to go out and practise. It hardly takes effort and to see results so quickly is very motivating. “All our lessons are in Dutch from the very beginning. We only explain some of the grammar in English and some information about our society. What’s most important is that people just go out and do it. Make mistakes. If you get the article of a noun or the word order wrong, it doesn’t really matter. Even if you make mistakes, you can still communicate and that’s what it’s all about.” He adds: “Dutch people don’t
Direct Dutch provides beginners, intermediate and advanced day and evening courses and an intensive two week full-time day course, all with a maximum of eight students. Prices vary from 395 euro for a beginners course to 995 euro for the intensive course.
speak or write flawless Dutch either. If you want to make a Dutch person blush, ask them to explain the difference between ‘hen’ and ‘hun’!”
FREE WORKSHOPS What drives Ruud? “The kick of teaching is seeing that absolute beginners, who just arrived in the Netherlands, are able to express themselves in Dutch within a couple of weeks. Quick results. Motivated people. Besides that it’s fascinating to get in touch with people from so many different cultures, I learn a lot myself.” Besides courses Direct Dutch provides lots of free activities such as a Dutch book club, a Dutch film club and workshops on Dutch culture. Ruud: “For these events which we call Dutch Up we cooperate with the Hague Central Library. And once a year we organise ‘speak Dutch day’. It can be hard for expats to practise their Dutch because everyone in Holland speaks English. After a short workshop people go into town in groups, wearing ‘speak Dutch to me’ badges. The café or restaurant that deals with them in the best or most creative way, receives a trophy. It’s always lots of fun!”
All information can be found on their website: www.directdutch.com. Laan van Nieuw Oost-Indië 275 2593 BS The Hague The Netherlands Tel: +31 (70) 365 46 77
‘Faire de
Son Mieux’
By Pascalle Kok
Although it’s not rare in a city like The Hague to be well known as a musician at quite a young age, Camiel Meiresonne was only eleven years old when his musical career rapidly dashed. Starting out with the band ‘All Missing Pieces’, formed by him and his two even younger brothers Quinten (currently known from the booming indie rock band Taymir) and Wrister, they already swept hordes of young girls off their feet. Growing older, Camiel decided to take the next step in his musical career and became member of the band ‘Soul Sister Dance Revolution’. Now, at age twenty-two, he started his first very own solo-project called ‘Son Mieux’.
Lucky strike The name ‘Son Mieux’ originates from the French phrase: ‘Faire de son mieux’ and means: ‘do as well as one can’. “I found it quite a lucky strike, actually,” Camiel tells us. “I didn’t want to call the band/project my full name, because then the association with the kind of music and me would be so definite, whereas my music can take many forms in the future. I started to look for a name in which my personal name does appear in a way, so that it’s familiar, but not too prominently. I loved the sound of ‘Son Mieux’ and it’s almost an anagram of my surname ‘Meiresonne’, at least phonetically. Also the meaning of the phrase felt very in line with the meaning of my songs and the phase I’m currently in; living ON… to my full potential, keep on growing and leaving the past behind.”
A MUSICIANS’ FIRST TAKE Peace: “War is essentially all about not letting other people be. Music gives people a sense of freedom; whether you make music, listen to it or dance to it, you can always be whoever you want to be in your own peaceful, quiet place within. To me, that’s a moment of true peace” – Camiel Meiresonne (Son Mieux). Kasper van Steveninck.
Feels
The blossoming of Camiel on a personal level is reflected in his music; anyone who’s expecting vigorous rock-sounds a la ‘All Missing Pieces’ or ‘Soul Sister Dance Revolution’ is in for quite a surprise. Son Mieux’s songs can be described as personal, quite modest, singer-songwriterish, yet with a clear electronic sound. “The whole singer-songwriter thing is such a hype at the moment, in which of course I also tend to with Son Mieux. But with the electronic drums underneath it does get a different layer. I think that’s really cool.” So, what led to this turning point? “It started a year ago. Suddenly songs started rolling out in a whole other way. One night I came home drunk, grabbed my guitar, put a capodastro on it and suddenly I experienced a new way of playing the guitar than what I was used to. I saw the instrument in a different light. The next day I found out my guitar was tuned differently (false actually). All chords sounded different and that’s where Son Mieux begun. Before that, I got to the point where I started to feel a little bit limited in my guitar playing. But also in writing songs in Soul Sister Dance Revolution, for example, I just couldn’t get myself to write and when I wrote, it went nowhere. Since then, which was also after I travelled for a couple of months through Indonesia, I started to write about a quite significant period in my life where I lost myself, did too many drugs and got depressed. I noticed I’m only able to write when I’m feeling well and able to look back clearly on that period of time when I wasn’t feeling well, and my perspective changed. Now, for the first time ever, I feel like I have something to write about and I can translate the situations that have occurred in my life into songs, lyrically and in my chords.”
Pay-off And it pays off; Son Mieux already had some big live shows for a band that’s only three months old. “I was immediately asked to be support-act of the ‘Splendid’ club-tour. Shayenne and Timo joined Son Mieux just a week before this (almost fully sold-out) tour started and now we are talking with some booking agencies. Already we’re at the point where it took me with Soul Sister Dance Revolution two years to get to. So it’s going great!” Camiel admits this has also got to do with The Hague being – aside from the city of Peace and Justice – the city of music; ‘Den Haag Beatstad’. “The music scene in The Hague is one big family, which I got acquainted with at a very young age. There’s a lot of goodwill, everybody wishes each other the best and is willing to help each other. I think this is also a part of the flying start we had with Son Mieux. And that’s extraordinary.” Son Mieux is now working towards it’s first single, while making an EP. “I don’t believe in albums anymore, I think it’s an out-dated concept. Time goes so fast and you put so much time and energy in it; nowadays it’s better to bring out music in smaller pieces,” Camiel adds. “Besides, Son Mieux is still so changeable in form. It might grow into a ten-headed band or only me on an acoustic guitar. So with this in mind, every EP may be different. I’m entirely free in this project.” Son Mieux’s debut came as a dreamy song and associated video ‘Feels’ that can be viewed on Youtube. There’s more to come very soon, so follow Son Mieux on Facebook to keep posted!
Music
25
Nick Mulvey: ‘Divine Dissatisfaction, Blessed Unrest’ By Pascalle Kok
A MUSICIANS’ FIRST TAKE ON… Freedom: “Freedom is inside of me. It means I’m not hung up on anybody’s idea of how I should be” – Nick Mulvey.
Isadora Tanner.
“Good evening, The Hague; city of peace and justice!” UK’s singer-songwriter Nick Mulvey ushered his show at Paard van Troje last spring. Touring throughout Europe, Nick introduced his alluring debut album ‘First Mind’ with folk songs for the true connoisseur. Studying Art and Music in Havana, immersing himself in the musical culture of West- and Central-Africa afterwards and forming a band with Portico Quartet before he went on solo, young Nick (now only 30 years’ old) seems to have ‘already gained musical knowledge for a lifetime’.
Influences
Improvement
Nick switched the freeform jazz of Portico for a trusty acoustic guitar, which ultimately led to offbeat tones and rhythms, unorthodox guitar playing and quick draw picking techniques, adding a certain Spanish flavour to the sounds of his hypnotic songs on ‘First Mind’, released in 2014. “Overall I’m very proud of the record and the way it’s been received so far. I’m really humbled by it and it’s been a magical experience,” Nick tells us. “The record is reflective of my state of mind and therefore the best album I could make at the time. But it’s very easy for me to look for the things I want to improve.” Aside from his music, Nick’s broad musical knowledge is definitely something you can descry when talking about his (quite analytic) point of view on musical inspirations. “I love this amazing English guitarist, singer and songwriter John Martin. Also the English singer Nick Drake is a big inspiration to me. One of the key influences important for the record was Steve Reich, a musician from America, making modern contemporary classical music. When you examine it it’s really clever. He influences me in the textures I build, the way I use rhythm and always interlock layers of sounds. It’s complicated when you think about it, but it’s the feeling and absorbing it that makes it kind of simple. I’ve always studied music and thought about it, so it’s not like: ‘Wow, there’s a lot of detail in this but it’s only detail. To me that really matters.”
“I created the songs really for myself. That was my main goal; to express what I needed to express. I really couldn’t resist holding back and it was easy for me to put a lot of sounds and instruments into this record. Next time I want to hold back and create a more direct sound,” says Nick, as he admits constantly wanting to improve can be frustrating. “There’s a very strong identification with the project, sometimes maybe even over-identification. For a musician there is no satisfaction ever. I think I really need to create and accept that a lot of time that means I’ll be unsatisfied and still looking for something. A real eye-opener for me was reading this beautiful phrase from choreographer Martha Graham writing to younger choreographer Agnes De Mille, giving her advise on the creative process: ‘There is no satisfaction what so ever at any time, only a divine dissatisfaction.’ She calls it: ‘A blessed unrest’. It keeps you marching and it makes you more special as an artist. Otherwise, why create anything?” The upcoming year Nick has planned to bring out an EP. In the meanwhile, check out his album ‘First Mind’ on Spotify and iTunes; the unique sounds of singles like ‘Fever To The Form’, ‘Nitrous’, ‘Cucurucu’ and ‘Meet Me There’ will certainly be a valuable addition to your playlist!
(Advertorial)
SPECIAL UNDERGROUND TIP:
EXPLORE THE HAGUE PHILHARMONIC Autumn is here, it’s that time of the year again when you go inside and enjoy a beautiful concert! The Underground offers you a special deal. Choose the luxury version of going to a classical concert and enjoy Beethoven with a glass of prosecco and a meet and greet with the famous British conductor as a bonus!
THE HAGUE PHILHARMONIC OFFERS READERS OF THE UNDERGROUND A SPECIAL PACKAGE FOR ONLY € 39,(normal price € 55)
• Concert Richard Egarr's Beethoven • Tour of the new Zuiderstrandtheater • Deluxe Break including prosecco and a selection of nuts and olives • Meet & Greet with conductor Richard Egarr
After a successful start last year, Richard Egarr will continue to conduct a full cyclus of Beethoven Symphonies. Seated behind the fortepiano the famous British conductor will share his stories about the sometimes unruly nature of Beethoven. He will also explain how Beethoven composed his symphonies. The brand new Zuiderstrand theatre is a must-see. It is the only theatre that is located so close to the beach, overlooking the sea and the harbour of Scheveningen.
BOOK THIS UNIQUE EXPERIENCE NOW VIA WWW.RESIDENTIEORKEST.NL
Click on the concert, order and use this code for the special discount: Underground 9th of October 2015 8pm Zuiderstrandtheater Kranenburgweg 211 2583ER The Hague www.residentieorkest.nl
W RLD PRESS Exhibition It began as a simple means for Dutch photo journalists to be inspired and influenced by their international colleagues. Now it is one of the most prestigious awards a photo journalist can achieve in their career – it is the World Press Photo competition. Kacper Kowalski, Poland, Panos Pictures By Leonie Holly
Founded in 1955 it is now so much more than the competition itself, the aim is to inspire understanding through quality photojournalism. Visual storytelling can be one of the most real forms of journalism and World Press Photo reiterates that with every exhibition, shocking its way across the globe, showing appreciation for, and educating through, the work that photo journalists do in every corner of the world.
Sarker Protick, Bangladesh
Massimo Sestini, Italy
This year World Press Photo exhibition is taking place in The Hague, coinciding with Just Peace Festival. I spoke with Tessa Hetharia from World Press Photo and she explained to us the importance of the exhibition overlapping with the festival; “I believe we endeavor on similar values in character, which makes for a natural pairing”. The World Press Photo exhibition is ‘rich in topics’ but ‘always uncensored’ no matter what the audience or where it is presented. This year’s photos from winners and
Raphaela Rosella, Australia, Oculi
contributors are raw and real. Each photo strikes up some overwhelming emotion whether it is love, sadness, awe, anger, amazement or confusion. No leaf is left unturned as the exhibition includes photos that cover war, poverty, L.G.B.T. issues, abuse, sports achievements and sports disasters to name but a few. This year’s World Press Photo exhibition opens in the Atrium of The Hague’s city hall and will run from September 16th until October 1st. The exhibition displays press photos from 41 prize winners from 17 countries in several different categories from general news to contemporary issues to sports as well as many more. This event is a must see as part of Just Peace Festival. The Atrium is open especially on Sunday 20th September so visitors of the festival can catch the exhibition over the long weekend of events.
Åsa Sjöström, Sweden, Moment Agency / INSTITUTE for Socionomen / UNICEF
PHOTO
Photography
Streeters There’s an awful lot of great stuff to do in ‘the international city of peace and justice’. So, The Underground’s Dorine Schreiner asks people in the city where they go to take a break from festivals, entertainment, work and crowds.
“What is your most peaceful spot in The Hague?”
Monique van Zijl (38), policy advisor
Ronghui Chen, China, City Express
“The gardens by the palace. I read a book, sit quietly and spend alone time there. On other days I spend quality time there with friends by relaxing and catching up. I also like the Palace Garden because it’s one of the few green places in the city centre.”
Catherine van Beuningen (35), lecturer and researcher “The beach and the dunes. When I want to relax, I go there for a walk or take my racing bike. Sometimes I bring my sixyear-old son along. He also loves it.”
Bulent Kilic, Turkey, Agence France-Presse
Juliano Ruivo de Morais Schuermann (37), unemployed “I’m most at peace on my roof terrace. My hobby is gardening and collecting plants. I also like going to Haagse Bos. My house in Brazil was by a forest of about the same size, so it reminds me of home.”
Paulo Costa (41), sound and light technician “The dunes at Noorderstrand, because not many people go there and the nature is amazing. I cycle around or read a book in the grassy areas.”
Ami Vitale, USA
27
GET CLOSE TO TALENT! Naked Politics Polly Hofwijk Let Justice be done… That’s a line we hear a lot these days, and not only from our politicians. We Dutch have a certain reputation about telling the world how things should be done, and yes, we firmly believe that we are right. The Dutch word for right is ”recht”, meaning righteousness, justify and also rectify or straight. That’s why in political debates even those from the left side ask for “recht” to be done. Recently I met a diplomat from a country, geographical situated on the right-side of Poland. He was trying to empty his glass full of Triple-Seven… pardon me….Triple Sec and we discussed the family chronicles of Dagobert & Donald Trump…pardon me…Duck. Do we have the right, I asked him, to judge the democratic processes that certain countries apply in electing their next Chief? He commented by saying that justice should be done…. As we were sitting at the bar of Nieuwspoort, an anchorperson from the TV news overheard our talks. Nieuwspoort is the members-only Club connected to the Tweede Kamer (the Parliament) were Ministers, MP’s and journalists meet informally. The unspoken rule tells us that all that is said here will always be denied. By pure coincidence the breaking TV News at that moment was: The UN Safety Council didn’t reach unanimity over the MH17 case; and the Russians put a ban on the import of Triple Sec. Has justice been done? A few months earlier I had a very shaken G&T on a cosy terrace on The Plein, where politicians meet informally. Someone from the Dept. of Justice had just finished his very stirred Martini and was arguing with the waiter over the bill. He was having a memory lapse on the total amount of drinks he’d had. Now loss of memory is a common illness along politicians as we all know. But he was insisting on a correct invoice for expense claim purposes. Usually I don’t interfere with Affairs d’Etat, but this person had just argued with the whole Parliament over another questionable bill, namely of one million euros, paid by his Dept. of Justice to a crook as part of a deal in a criminal case. Our Martini lover lost that bill, couldn’t remember the amount that was declared. So this time he surely did want to do it “right”. Apparently, a cleaning lady from the Department found the million euros bill, between some empty bottles of Martini. The Prime Minister has since declared that Cabinet ministers may only drink shaken but not stirred Martini’s to prevent loss of memory. Was the waiter just serving Justice?
Korzo, with its vibrant year-round programme of contemporary dance is the place in The Hague that you can never get tired of re-discovering. Korzo is one of the largest production houses for modern dance in the Netherlands, helping to build Dutch top talents. The mix of international artist performing here brings to the public enjoyment and understanding by making dance relevant, meaningful and enriching. TIP: Meet artists from all over the world at the intimate and relaxed Korzo bar.
The Seoul Connection 18 September
Seoul anno 2015: the ultramodern and the age-old merge together. New architecture and centuries-old temples stand together resulting in a jumbled cityscape. Musicians are influenced by K-pop as well as by shamanistic culture. The arts, where the oldest traditions become enmeshed in Western elements, are blossoming as never before. And in the rest of the world Korean cuisine, fashion, and culture are hót. The Seoul Connection presents the leading music innovators from the lively Korean capital.
Dance meets puppetry
Première: 30 September – 2 October Duda Paiva is one of Korzo’s public’s favourites. This unusually talented artist creates performances intersecting dance, puppetry, and multi media, which create magical and intangible worlds. These worlds are inhabited by puppets carved out of foam rubber, and confront the audience with a deliciously disruptive chaos. His newest performance is a personal solo about a period in Paiva’s youth when he was temporarily blind. In BLIND, we follow a man in the different stages of his struggle with the psychological, social, and physical consequences of blindness.
The selection of Korzo and Nederlands Dans Theater Première: 8 – 10 October
Korzo has joined forces with Nederlands Dans Theater to optimally support up-and coming dance makers and to give them a suitable stage. Each year they select a choreographer that they support to create a new performance and to tour with that production. For this season, prize-winning choreographer Joeri Dubbe has been selected. This Fall, Dubbe creates Infant, a performance in which he explores the purity of our inner child.
India Dance Festival 16 – 31 October
The India Dance Festival has a well established reputation by now. The best artists from the Indian dance scene come to The Hague for fine performances, premieres, and exciting encounters. Tradition and innovation go hand in hand. Ranging from Kathak to Urban Indian Dance and from Bharatanatyam to contemporary; Korzo is thé platform for established and emerging talents.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TICKETS, VISIT WWW.KORZO.NL PRINSESTRAAT 42 2513 CE THE HAGUE 070-363 75 40
Museum Underground
WHAT THEY
DON’T TELL YOU ABOUT MOVING ABROAD
of being a u yo s se cu ac d an sb hu ur If yo
By Wendy Troost
When you move abroad as an expat family and things don’t turn out the way you expected, you could be faced with the choice between being prosecuted for child abduction or being accused of abandoning your child. When a couple moves to another country with their children and they decide to separate, it is not a given that the (in most cases) mother can take the children ‘back home’. The Hague Convention of 25 October 1980 on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is a multilateral treaty, which seeks to ‘protect children from the harmful effects of abduction and retention across international boundaries by providing a procedure to bring about their prompt return’. As lovely as this sounds, the treaty is not always favourable for expat kids. Even if you intend to stay in your new country only temporarily, which generally is the case as an expat family, you automatically change the ‘habitual residence’ of your child. Your expat country is now his or her new habitual residence. If you want to move back to your home country with your kids, you will need written permission from your (ex-)husband. Or you need a court ruling from your expat country, which could take up to five years to obtain and may cost tens
of thousands of euros. If you don’t have this permission and you decide to take your kids ‘back home’ anyway, the other parent can file a case against you for child abduction. This usually means that your kids will be back on a plane to the expat country in no time and you are left behind in your own country and you can’t visit them anymore. Worst case scenario you end up in jail for child abduction. So there you are, living abroad and usually the homemaker without an income, left with the choice between being a child abductor or a mother who abandoned her kids. In some cases the mother can stay in the expat country and find a job and thus make sure she can be with her children. In many cases she won’t get a working visa and has to leave the country, without her kids. Often these women have to spend a lot of money on legal fees, while being out of work and they often end up being homeless and penniless. The Treaty was put in place to protect children from being abducted by one parent, away from their habitual residence, their home country, to another country. These days, in times of globalisation, more families move around and decide to temporarily live abroad, usually with the intention to move back home after a few years. The Treaty does not cater for that variety. An organisation called ‘expat stuck parents’ is now campaigning to try and change the Treaty for expat kids. They argue that an expat child’s habitual residence should remain its home country for two years after the move, so that the mother can always take the kids home within two years if things don’t work out, without permission of the other parent or a foreign court.
child abductor
For more information: www.expatstuckparent.org www.hcch.net Dutch lawyers who are specialised in dealing with international child law, child abduction and the The Hague Treaty: Pauline Montanus: montanus@schlicheradvocaten.nl Ariane Hendriks: a.hendriks@vankempencs.nl
29
Political Arts
A Separate Peace, A Different Dissonance By Cissie Fu
70 years following the end of World War II, John Knowles’s Bildungsroman not only reminds us of the ambivalence of patriotism and sacrifice, but also recasts the fragility of innocence and codependence. Set in pre-WWII Devon, A Separate Peace traces the friendship of two war-eligible teenagers, with conflicts and complications equal to the moral psychology that marks us as human beings. Illustratively, the tone-deafness of one of the protagonists hardly reduces his appreciation of music: Despite the steady musical undertone in his speaking voice Finny couldn’t carry a tune, and he couldn’t remember the melody or the words to any song. But he loved listening to music, any music, and he liked to sing. Perverted as it may sound, the less we are equipped for tonality, harmony, and peace, the more we yearn for them. Finny’s appreciation of music and his various vocal colourations throughout the novel remain uncompromised by his inability to recognise atonality; predisposed towards the benefits of cooperation and the pleasure of consonance, we are nonetheless prone to distrust and discord. Whence peace and whither harmony? Beyond ethical precepts, legal principles, and social conventions, we might start listening for and attuning to each other’s differences. One tune does not fit all: the force and majesty of a national anthem sung in unison, while uniting a people and invoking collective pride, imposes uniformity and dampens variation in expression of self and community. Everyone singing his or her own tune, in turn, creates dissonance—the perceived stability or instability of two or more sounds. Dissonance is not deviance, nor is difference: it is rather a constructive compositional element which heightens tension and impels direction, suspending resolution while screaming for it. The dramatic and emotional power of this musical gesture is employed to terrific effect by Bach and Stravinsky. As a sonic device, dissonance, like difference, compels us to pause, puzzle, and perceive; it gives us a moment to inspect pervading values and established norms, and such moments grant us the space necessary for imagining and testing alternative and diverse routes to harmony and peace. For a taste of productive and provocative dissonance, catch experimental music by local talent through Het Nutshuis’s regular TEST extra programme and Studio LOOS’s interdisciplinary sound art improvisations, and don’t miss Oerknal! at GEMAK during The Hague’s Museum Night this 5 September.
URBAN mindfulness Chris Goto-Jones, www.mindfulnessphilosophy.com
Finding Peace in the International City of Peace Artwork by Ricardo Bessa, Copyright asiascape.org
Peace can only be found within; why do you seek it from without? Buddha
as in the tram. The ‘secret’ is to enjoy the rain (when it rains); such enjoyment is a quality of our experience not a characteristic of the rain itself.
Peace is often constructed as a political or legal concept, especially here in the International City of Peace (and Justice). It seems to be something external to us that must be judged and policed, often with weapons. Peace is enforced as a feature of most societies. We live in peace, as though peace were a location or a space, a place where we can rest and play. Peace forms part of the imaginary architecture of our cities, and not only in the form of the magnificent Peace Palace.
We try so hard to be happy that we end up missing the most important parts of our lives and destroying the very peace that we were seeking. Mark Williams
Yet the idea that places can be peaceful – full of peace – feeds into popular fantasies about the need to escape from cities in order to find it. This is because cities conjure a different kind of opposition to peace; cities seem to submerge us in the frantic and the stressful. Our ideal of a place of peace is more likely to be a moonlit mountaintop with a heavenly peach tree than a crowded tram barging its way through traffic.
The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking out new landscapes but in having new eyes. Marcel Proust, misquoted It is because of this tendency to locate peace outside ourselves that we so rarely find it. We search for it as we might for a lost umbrella, hoping to find something or somewhere that will shelter us from the constant downpour. Sadly, because peace is not only something external to us, but also internal, we can never find (or buy) such a shelter. An umbrella does not shelter us from our tears; we can be as stressed on the mountaintop
Of course, ideas about the peace of places and concepts of inner peace are interwoven in all kinds of troublesome and tricky ways. At the very least, they intersect through the medium of experience itself – when we experience the world we draw it into us and give it meaning. This is why we sometimes talk about mindfulness as pure experience; in mindfulness we practice experiencing the world just as it is, without judgements and abstractions. The rain is simply rain. But our outer and inner worlds also intersect through symbolism. One of the powerful principles embedded in the symbolic architecture of The Hague is that we all have a right to peace – we are entitled to it. It is not a luxury, but rather it is something basic to our health and wellbeing. Yet we focus so much on fighting about the external conditions of peace – trying to hold others responsible for these conditions – that we often forget that our right to peace also incurs responsibilities on ourselves. Our inner peace is not in the hands of others, but rather emerges from our own efforts. Next time you walk past the Peace Palace – that great icon of the International City of Peace – take a moment to breathe it in; remember that the palace is only one letter away from being a place of peace for you.
Lifestyle
31
Mandates by Molly I’m having issues with my residency permit. I want to stay here but I’m not sure I can. What do I do?
I am back from my summer break and I have no motivation to work. How do I get back into the swing of things?
I am considering getting a pet, but I’m not sure that it’s a responsible move. What do you think?
I am barely qualified to be an advice column writer. I am certainly not qualified to advise on immigration law. But there are many people who are! Ask around for friends or colleagues who have had assistance and get a recommendation for a good immigration lawyer. If you’re a student or working for a large company, the international office or HR department might be able to assist you.
Coming back to the real world, after a few weeks of laying on a sunny beach or traveling through a new country or just sitting in your camper van in France, is a difficult transition. I’m writing this column instead of answering my 867 emails in fact. Having a large amount of catch up work can be a challenge so try breaking it into smaller parts. Set a goal of answering 20 emails, for example. Feeling overwhelmed by just how much you need to do? Make a to do list. Just having everything compiled can make you feel like it’s an accomplishable task. If you’re really just missing that vacation spot, try putting a decorative umbrella in your morning coffee and reminding yourself that you need to work to afford next year’s getaway.
Don’t. Every year, animals end up in shelters because people underestimate how much time and energy is needed to care for them. If you don’t think you can handle it, you probably can’t. If you’re living in the country temporarily, you might not be able to take your pet with you to the next country you live in. If you’re really jonesing for some animal attention, try volunteering at your local animal shelter. Or you’re welcome to come over and walk my dog when you want.
PLINK REAL ESTATE AGENTS
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Cees Meevers Scholte has more than thirty years of experience in the field. “The market has picked up recently and more and more expats decide to buy a house instead of rent it. Because every situation is different, I always advise people to make an appointment for a discussion about what is best for them, without any obligations. If people are sure they will stay in The Hague for considerable time, buying a house or apartment is often a more profitable option.” Cees says that the children’s school is often leading when it comes to choosing a neighbourhood. With the French and German school located in Statenkwartier and the International School of The Hague and the European School located in Vogelwijk, there are plenty of options. Depending on family circumstances, Cees and his team will search for the most appropriate apartment or family home in the nicest areas of town and guide you through the whole process. What to take into account when you are looking for a house? Cees: “Location is the most important thing. When you buy a house, keep in mind that, if you have to move in a few years, the house will be sellable or rentable. There are no restrictions with regard to buying a house in The Netherlands, any foreigner can get a mortgage and buy a house.”
Plink Real Estate Agents Frederik Hendriklaan 59 2582 BT Den Haag
Tel: (070) 355 11 00 www.plink.nl
Why is living in The Hague pleasant for an expat? Cees: “The Hague is a relaxed city with plenty of green, lots of recreational opportunities, easy parking, good access to the highway and plenty of theatres and restaurants. And everything is just a short bike ride away.” And why should expats choose Plink Real Estate Agents? “We are like a spider in its web, right in the middle of the international zone of The Hague. We often hear about houses before they are advertised on funda.nl. Our team consists of people who speak English, French and German and we are open every Saturday from 10am-3pm.”
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