Off the beaten track: Five hidden gems in Maasmechelen, Belgian Limburg
April 14, 2009 1 Comment
Say the word Maasmechelen and it is instantly associated with Maasmechelen Village – the outlet shopping centre for discounted brand clothing. Surely however, thought Crossroads writer Colette Victor, the local people of this former mining community don’t spend their weekends hanging out in this tourist magnet. When she asked them, they proudly revealed some of their hidden treasures.
The Netherlands to work more closely with Belgium
April 14, 2009 Leave a Comment
The Netherlands and Belgium are to work together more actively, Trade State Secretary Frank Heemskerk announced following a visit to Belgium. He signed a memorandum of understanding with Vincent van Quickenborne, the Belgian Minister of Business and Simplification. “We will among other things join forces to promote open standards and open source software internationally,” said [...]
Bonnefanten Museum 125 years: anniversary programme
April 12, 2009 Leave a Comment
Anniversary programme 2009 The Bonnefantenmuseum celebrates its 125 anniversary with seven exhibitions. Exile on Main St – Humour, exaggeration & anti-authoritarianism in American art (17 February – 16 August 2009) Exile on Main St. is the title of an exhibition of American art. Ever since the sixties, American art has had connotations of sensationalism and [...]
links for 2009-04-10
April 10, 2009 Leave a Comment
Biologische markt Maastricht een van de lekkerste De biologische markt in Wyck in Maastricht staat in het aprilnummer van het blad GezondNU op de lijst van elf leukste en lekkerste biologische markten van Nederland. De markt is uitverkozen door lezers en redacteuren. Drie kramen telt de markt die wekelijks op donderdag van 13.00 tot 18.30 [...]
7 May: Schuman Lecture: Political Economy of Reinventing Europe by Professor Rick van der Ploeg
April 10, 2009 Leave a Comment
Date: Thursday 7 May, 8pm Location: Collegezaal/Auditorium Tongersestraat 53 Free admission Given the enlargement of the European Union, the fall-back in productivity growth and the lack of success in implementing further structural reforms, Van der Ploeg highlights the political economy of the European Union and discusses the role of the Maastricht Treaty as an impediment [...]
links for 2009-04-09
April 9, 2009 Leave a Comment
"Dutch schools should not be turned into fortresses" The friendly village school where the doors are always open still exists, but the number of Dutch schools taking serious security measures to keep out aggression is growing fast. Metal detectors, cameras and security guards are all used to ensure that schools remain a safe place for [...]
links for 2009-04-08
April 8, 2009 Leave a Comment
As economic turmoil grows, it’s getting harder to be an expat With fluctuating exchange rates and companies less willing to keep expats on their payroll, the economic landscape for expats is changing drastically. (tags: English) Opening a Dutch bank account Expatica's guide to opening a bank account in the Netherlands. (tags: English) Belgium puts iodine [...]
Job vacancy for German native speakers
April 8, 2009 Leave a Comment
The Selfservice Company is looking for German native speakers to fill a vacancy as a content editor. The requirements are: – university (or similar) education – affinity with language and writing – good command of English This vacancy is ideal for people with families: – flexible working times – job is parttime 24-32 hours a [...]
links for 2009-04-07
April 7, 2009 Leave a Comment
The other side of the coin. Part I People in other countries often think of the Netherlands as a well-organised society, where everything is planned to perfection. However, many Dutch people say life is unbearable because they have to deal with a maze of rules of regulations and a stifling bureaucracy. Houseboat residents in Amsterdam [...]
Defence ministry allows Dutch troops to join Gay Pride in uniform
April 7, 2009 Leave a Comment
Members of the armed forces are allowed to take part in Gay Pride in Amsterdam wearing uniform. Defence State Secretary Jack de Vries has given permission, De Telegraaf newspaper reports. Until recently, De Vries opposed the participation of uniformed troops in the gay parade. His view is that the “extravagant” and “exuberant” boat parade through [...]
Report says education gap threatens democracy
April 7, 2009 Leave a Comment
Educational level has replaced social class as the main division in society, according to a report published on Monday entitled Diploma Democracy. The report by professors Mark Bovens and Anchrit Wille of Utrecht and Leiden universities says that because the political elite is entirely made up of people with a high level of education, less [...]
Yearly survey shows big variation in local taxes
April 7, 2009 Leave a Comment
Local real estate tax rates for 2009 vary widely around the country, according to the University of Groningen’s ‘Local Tax Atlas’, published on Monday. This year’s atlas shows variations ranging from a 9 per cent cut in the local tax rate to a 41 percent increase. The local property tax is based on a property [...]
More visitors to the Netherlands this Easter
April 7, 2009 Leave a Comment
The number of people visiting the Netherlands this Easter is set to rise; that’s according to the Netherlands Board of Tourism and Conventions (NBTC). The organisation says it expects around 800,000 tourists will come to the country this coming weekend – that’s 100,000 up on Easter weekend 2008, which fell in late March. The NBTC [...]
14 April-7 June: Exhibit: Superior children – Hitler’s elite schools in the Netherlands
April 6, 2009 Leave a Comment
Centre Céramique presents a very special exhibition of previously unpublished photos of two Dutch ‘Reichsschulen’: educational institutions for children (10-18 years) who were destined to form the future elite of Hitler’s Third Reich. In 1942 two such schools were opened in the Netherlands: one for boys (in Valkenburg aan de Geul) and one for girls [...]
links for 2009-04-06
April 6, 2009 Leave a Comment
Dutch museum shows New York's 'birth certificate' To see some of the most important documents in the early history of New York, you need to go to Amsterdam. The Rijksmuseum, the Netherlands' national museum, put those documents on display Friday, including early maps and the only report of the purchase of Manhattan by Europeans. The [...]
9 April: New cricket season opens in Heerlen
April 6, 2009 Leave a Comment
On Thursday 9 April, Heerlen Cricket Club opens the new season with its first outdoor training of the year. Heerlen Cricket Club has been in existence for 6 years and is the only cricket club in Limburg and the Euregio. After several years playing in the Netherlands, since 2007, the club has been competing in [...]
Netherlands from 12th to 5th place in Europe on cannabis usage
April 6, 2009 Leave a Comment
Contrary to what is often claimed by supporters of the tolerant Dutch drugs policy, cannabis usage by young people in the Netherlands is not lower but actually higher than average in Europe, it emerges from the European School Survey on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) over the year 2007. On usage of cannabis, the Netherlands [...]
23 April: Film showing at Bonnefanten Museum: ‘In the shadow of the light’
April 5, 2009 Leave a Comment
Date: 23 April 2009 Location: Bonnefanten Museum Time: 8:30 pm Film: ‘In the shadow of the light’, a film about Jonas Mekas made by Sarah Payton and Chris Teerink. The filmmakers, Sarah and Chris, will give a short introduction (in English) to the film. More information: Bonnefanten Museum
27 April: War Child: documentary and discussion on child soldiers in Lumière Cinema
April 5, 2009 Leave a Comment
Movies that Matter Maastricht, part of Amnesty International, will present the film War Child at Lumière Cinema on April 27th at 7.30 pm. War Child tells the compelling story of Emmanuel Jal, a former child soldier who overcame the hardships of war-torn Sudan to become a internationally renowned hip hop-artist. The screening will be followed [...]
24-26 April: Landflair: Garden, Lifestyle & Luxury Fair
April 5, 2009 Leave a Comment
Landflair is a Garden, Lifestyle & Luxury Fair at Kasteel De hoogenweerth in Maastricht. More information (in Dutch): http://www.landflair.nl/site/landflair/home/1 http://www.kasteeldehoogenweerth.nl/NL/id/1
23-26 April: Book Fair at MECC Maastricht
April 5, 2009 Leave a Comment
About the Book Festival (source: Boekenfestijn website) The Book Festival is the place to be for people who would like to buy affordable books and multimedia items. Being the only one of its kind the Book Festival always attracts thousands of visitors. The wide range of almost a million items is overwhelming. Imagine a hall [...]
26 April: Farmers’ market at Gaia Park and Kasteelpark Born
April 5, 2009 Leave a Comment
Gaiapark: There will be a farmers market on Sunday 26th April. Perfect chance to taste local specialties, watch a knights fight and children can have their face painted again. Also during April, a falconer will do performances! For further information please check www.gaiapark.nl Kasteelpark Born: There will also be a farmers market (10 stalls) at [...]
26 April: Open Air Museum Bokrijk celebrates Belgium’s Independence
April 5, 2009 Leave a Comment
On Sunday, 26th April the Open Air Museum Bokrijk will celebrate a special event and remember Belgium’s Independence (1839). Actors from all over Europe will participate and visitors will get a flavour what the independence war (1831-1839) was all about! Perfect chance to step back in time, watch actors perform plays, etc. More information: Bokrijk [...]
21 April: Maastricht Debates: What do people need from the EU in times of crises
April 5, 2009 Leave a Comment
GIVE YOUR VIEWS ON WHAT PEOPLE NEED FROM THE EU IN TIMES OF CRISES How are EU and developing countries related? What do developing countries and their inhabitants need most importantly? Which conditions are attached to development aid? How are people in India and Kenya affected? Is development aid outdated? You are welcome in the [...]
11 April: M-Town Reggae at Muziekgieterij
April 4, 2009 Leave a Comment
M-Town Reggae PT.2 with Lady K-Wida & Poor Man Firend, Reggae Vibes Crew & Special Guest Kennyweed Muziekgieterij, Bankastraat 3, Maastricht Door: 8:30 pm / Damage: EUR 10 Lady K-Wida is a female toaster with a lot of power in her voice! She started singing with different bands at the tender age of 15. Since [...]
25 April: Piano Concert in Utrecht
April 4, 2009 Leave a Comment
He must soon come back! Wrote the music critic in The Hague after pianist/composer Daniel Abrams’ outstanding debut in l954 at the age of 23. And now, after fifty some years, he is finally returning. Invited to teach master classes at the Conservatory in Utrecht, and to perform a concert of music from his Opera [...]
20 April: Lecture: Will science and research survive in times of economic crisis
April 3, 2009 Leave a Comment
Lecture by Dr. Janez Potočnik, European Commissioner Science and Research, organised by UNU-MERIT On Monday 20 April UNU-MERIT welcomes Dr. Janez Potočnik, the European Commissioner for Science and Research, who will deliver a lecture ‘Will Science and Research Survive in Times of Economic Crisis’. Earlier in the day Dr. Potočnik will visit UNU-MERIT. About the [...]
links for 2009-04-03
April 3, 2009 Leave a Comment
MVV wil ook geld van de provincie MVV vindt dat het evenveel recht heeft op subsidie van de provincie Limburg als de nieuwe fusieclub Sporting Limburg. De voorzitter van de club in Maastricht, Joseph Gommans, heeft dit vrijdag in een brief aan de provincie laten weten. MVV beroept zich op het gelijkheidsbeginsel. (tags: Dutch) Provincie [...]
21 April: Maastricht Debates: What do people need from the EU in times of crises? Insights from India and Kenya
April 3, 2009 Leave a Comment
Does the current global, economic recession have negative implications for the lives of people in developing societies ? And if so, how can these be countered? The speakers of the evening will give their views on the developments and ideas in their countries and on how major donors like the European Union could be of help. [...]
16.5 million Dutch residents
April 3, 2009 Leave a Comment
According to Statistics Netherlands, there were 16.5 million people living in the Netherlands on 16 March 2009. In the past year, the Dutch population grew by approximately 200 each day, but the growth is slowing down. The 16 million mark was reached eight years ago. It took five years for the population to grow from [...]
