Post offices disappearing from the landscape
March 31, 2009 Leave a Comment
Almost 10 percent of post offices across the country have been closed within the space of a month. ING Bank and TNT Post, joint owners of the post offices, began the closures at the end of February. So far, 23 of the country’s 250 post offices have closed their doors. Over the last few years, [...]
links for 2009-03-30
March 30, 2009 Leave a Comment
Ending expat contracts in troubled times
Expats living in the Netherlands are having their contracts unceremoniously chopped as their employers feel the pinch of recession. But what are their rights?
(tags: English)
Q fever found on Limburg goat farm
March 30, 2009 Leave a Comment
A goat farm in the southern province of Limburg has been quarantined following an outbreak of the flu-like disease Q fever, news agency ANP reports on Monday.
The farm, which has 1,000 animals, is the second where Q fever has been found this year, ANP says. Last year there was an outbreak in Nood-Brabant province.
Q fever, [...]
Very low awareness of European elections among Dutch
March 30, 2009 Leave a Comment
Only 4 percent of Dutch respondents are aware that European elections are being held on 4 June. The various parties’ front-runners are virtually totally unknown, according to a survey by Synovate.
Only 20 percent of the Dutch know that European Parliamentary elections are being held this year. Just 10 percent knew the date is in June. [...]
New links on Crossroads
March 28, 2009 Leave a Comment
The following websites have been added to our list of links:
Links to Language courses:
Onthaalbureau Limburg: free Dutch language courses for expats living in Belgium; EUR 60 for expats living in the Netherlands
Officenter
Hendrik van Veldekesingel 150
3500 Hasselt
Tel: +32 11 24 78 02
website: Onthaalbureau Limburg
email: Onthaalbureau Limburg
Jules & You : Dutch language courses mainly for students; international [...]
4-5 April: Museum Weekend
March 28, 2009 Leave a Comment
For the 28th year running several Dutch museums (e.g. Hoensbroek Castle, Natuurhistorisch Museum Maastricht, Thermenmuseum Heerlen) will open their doors to the public for free on Museum Weekend.
For further details please check: http://www.museumweekend.nl/ (in Dutch)
Also check the website: Dutch Museums in English
Roman Baths in Heerlen (Thermenmuseum)
links for 2009-03-28
March 28, 2009 Leave a Comment
Welcome at Jules and You.com
Jules & You…
…is a novel and innovative company in Maastricht dedicated to establishing an all-encompassing, easily accessible network of customized services catering the needs of today’s students.
Jules & You fulfils the primary needs of students from the moment they decide to study in Maastricht, to the point they are ready to [...]
links for 2009-03-27
March 27, 2009 Leave a Comment
It’s Sesame Street – But not as we know it
Expatriates watching ‘Sesamstraat ‘with their kidsin the Netherlands will find things on the street somewhat different from the version they remember.
(tags: English)
New location for Historical Museum revealed
The National Historical Museum to be built in Arnhem will now be situated next to the Rhine beside the John [...]
links for 2009-03-25
March 25, 2009 Leave a Comment
‘Het Fries kan buitenlandse student niets schelen'
De belangstelling van buitenlandse studenten voor de Friese taal en cultuur is nihil, zegt Mark Kaspersma van promotiestichting Leeuwarden Studiestad.
(tags: Dutch)
Yes, Minister goes Dutch
The classic British sitcom Yes, Minister has been shown in many countries around the world, but only two - India and Turkey - have purchased the [...]
links for 2009-03-24
March 24, 2009 Leave a Comment
Vaals steunt kandidatuur regio Aken voor 'Duitse Floriade'
De gemeente Vaals steunt de kandidatuur van de regio Aken voor de organisatie van een grote internationale tuinbouwexpositie in 2017. Het evenement, vergelijkbaar met de Nederlandse Floriade, gaat volgens ramingen 200 miljoen euro kosten en zou zo'n twee miljoen bezoekers moeten trekken.
(tags: Dutch)
Buitengebied Margraten vol historie
Het buitengebied van [...]
Minister okays Dutch or foreign state support for mosques
March 24, 2009 Leave a Comment
The government is allowed to subsidise mosques, Home Affairs Minister Guusje Ter Horst has stated. Shhe will not take action either against donations from foreign regimes. The risk of these is exaggerated, Ter Horst writes in a letter to the Lower House.
“The principle of the separation of Church and State does not exclude any form [...]
European air agency launches new control system
March 24, 2009 Leave a Comment
A new air traffic-control system designed to double the number of planes over Europe while cutting flight times and airport congestion was put into operation by the continent’s aviation agency Monday.
The system is meant to eliminate the necessity for planes to travel along “air lanes” corresponding to lines of ground-based radio beacons. The lanes have [...]
links for 2009-03-23
March 23, 2009 Leave a Comment
Minder bezoekers kunstbeurs Tefaf
De kunst- en antiekbeurs Tefaf in Maastricht heeft bijna 68.000 bezoekers getrokken. Dat is acht procent minder dan vorig jaar.
(tags: Dutch)
Belgium: Mechelen celebrates its rich history
In Mechelen the cultural festival 'City Visions' kicked off Saturday in style amidst celebrations, fireworks, music and other festivities. For three months the city will be host [...]
Low budget culinary indulgence in Maastricht
March 22, 2009 4 Comments
What are the best cheap spots for lunch in Maastricht? Sina Spohr shares some of her favourite (and less favourite) addresses in the city centre.
links for 2009-03-22
March 22, 2009 Leave a Comment
Maastricht in Madurodam
De Onze Lieve Vrouwe Baseliek, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Wal, Helpoort en het Generaalshuisje zijn in het najaar te zien in Madurodam. Wethouder Jean Jacobs en Madurodamdirecteur Hans Steijn ondertekenden vanmiddag in Maastricht een samenwerkingsovereenkomst. En dat gebeurde in de stijl van Madurodam. De kleinste overeenkomst van Nederland mat drie bij twee centimeter.
Ook het [...]
links for 2009-03-21
March 21, 2009 Leave a Comment
Europees hoofdkantoor Mitsubishi naar Born
De Japanse autofabrikant Mitsubishi verplaatst het hoofdkantoor van Schiphol naar Born. Het gaat wel om een afgeslankte hoofdvestiging. Van de 157 banen blijven er 80 over. De verhuisoperatie moet eind dit jaar, begin volgend jaar zijn afgerond.
(tags: Dutch)
31 March-5 April: Festival Cement - Theater and Dance festival
March 20, 2009 Leave a Comment
Festival CEMENT brings you a special international programme!
Theater and Dance festival
Festival Cement is a festival that offers a wide range of performing arts. Festival Cement is owned by the young theater artists with the world at their feet. Fresh, promising, eager, searching. Festival Cement is owned by the professionals and the public facing the birth [...]
links for 2009-03-20
March 20, 2009 Leave a Comment
Macintosh weg uit Maastricht
De Macintosh-top verlaat Maastricht. Het concern laat een nieuw kantoor bouwen bij Maastricht Aachen Airport. De verhuizing is volgend jaar.
(tags: Dutch)
The Mosasaur pays a visit back to Maastricht
March 20, 2009 Leave a Comment
“Everyone in Maastricht is extremely excited that the Mosasaur is home again, even though it is only on a loan basis,” Dr Jagt, a paleontologist at the Natural History Museum in Maastricht told Crossroads writer Amandine de Rosnay.
The famous fossil is the prime item on display until June 21, 2009 in a new exhibition at the museum: ‘Darwin, Cuvier et le Grand Animal de Maestricht’.
links for 2009-03-19
March 19, 2009 Leave a Comment
Werkloosheid Limburg stijgt met 15 procent
De werkloosheid in Limburg is tussen oktober 2008 en maart 2009 gestegen met vijftien procent tot 39.148. Dat blijkt uit cijfers van het UWV.
(tags: Dutch)
Stijging aantal kennismigranten
Het aantal kennismigranten dat naar Nederland komt, is de afgelopen vier jaar fors gestegen.
(tags: Dutch)
MP calls Chinese "slit-eyes", then apologises
Conservative MP Arend-Jan Boekestijn has [...]
Film on the Frontline
March 18, 2009 Leave a Comment
‘Made in Europe’ Film Festival, Lumière Cinema, Maastricht
Wednesday 25 March to Sunday 29 March 2009
*International Night Thursday 26 March 2009*
By showing movies from all over Europe, the festival gives an accurate picture of Europe today: a beautiful, complex and culturally very diverse continent. It’s also a chance to watch special imports, join international avant-premières, and party! A preview by Howard Hudson.
links for 2009-03-18
March 18, 2009 Leave a Comment
Digitaal kenniscentrum over Tweede Wereldoorlog
Musea en instellingen die te maken hebben met de Tweede Wereldoorlog, hebben op internet een digitaal museum en kenniscentrum opgezet. Zij lanceerden op maandag www.wo2online.nl, een website met een zo compleet mogelijk overzicht van beschikbare en vooral betrouwbare kennis over de Tweede Wereldoorlog.
(tags: Dutch)
Maastricht airport closed after plane taxis off runway
Maastricht [...]
26 March: Made in Europe Film Festival presents international night
March 18, 2009 Leave a Comment
Announcement from Lumière Cinema Maastricht:
Made in Europe Film Festival is the biggest film event of this region and the perfect opportunity to come and watch movies you would normally never see.
From March 25th until March 29th films will be shown from all corners of Europe. This is your chance to see special imports and be [...]
Campaign attacks rude behaviour of the Dutch
March 17, 2009 Leave a Comment
Nose-picking, burping and noisy mobile phone conservations are among the top irritations for Dutch people - 95 percent of whom say they’re fed up with the behaviour of others.
These are surprising statistics for a nation renowned for its tolerance. The figures come from the Foundation for Idealistic Advertising (SIRE) which has conducted a survey into [...]
Railway tickets for sale on internet
March 17, 2009 Leave a Comment
The Dutch Railways company has announced that it is to begin trials of ticket sales on the internet. The company says there is considerable demand for such a service. It also says it wants to encourage travellers to use more trains outside the rush hours by offering cheaper off-peak tickets.
People who buy a ticket via [...]
links for 2009-03-16
March 16, 2009 Leave a Comment
Slide show: Images from the Fine Art Fair at Maastricht
Walking through the broad alleys of the 22nd European Fine Art Fair, which goes on until March 22, you would never guess that gloom is spreading in the big world. The record number of dealers taking part in the selling show, 239, and their efforts to [...]
links for 2009-03-15
March 15, 2009 Leave a Comment
Bed & Breakfast in Bemelen beste van Nederland
Bed & Breakfast 'La Gourmandise' in Bemelen is uitgeroepen tot beste Bed & Breakfast van Nederland. Dat maakte de stichting Bed & Breakfast zaterdag bekend tijdens een internationale beurs in Brussel.
(tags: Dutch)
links for 2009-03-14
March 14, 2009 Leave a Comment
Sabic schrapt banen en bevriest salarissen
De Saudische petrochemiereus Sabic in Geleen sluit een van zijn fabrieken, waardoor 25 arbeidsplaatsen vervallen. Over het hele jaar genomen moeten mogelijk 150 mensen weg bij Sabic, zo heeft een woordvoerder van het bedrijf vrijdag gezegd.
(tags: Dutch)
links for 2009-03-13
March 13, 2009 Leave a Comment
Diamond Fetches $5 Million as Dutch Fair Draws ‘Serious Money’
U.K. jeweler Laurence Graff sold a diamond for $5 million and bought a Jean-Michel Basquiat painting for 3.5 million euros ($4.5 million) yesterday as the world’s largest antiques and art fair opened in the Netherlands.
(tags: English)
Searching for cupcakes in the Netherlands
While the Netherlands offers a variety [...]
Six Jewish targets attacked in Netherlands, no arrests
March 13, 2009 Leave a Comment
During the Israeli attack on Gaza, at least six Jewish targets were attacked in the Netherlands. No suspects have to date been arrested. Nor is there any question of terrorism, Justice Minister Ernst Hirsch Ballin said in a letter to parliament yesterday.
The Party for Freedom (PVV) and small Christian party SGP had asked the minister [...]













