Series
society
society
Virginie Platteau
13 min reading time
‘Strive for Quality Education, but Beware of Unrealistic Expectations'
From systemic teacher shortages to declining language skills, education in Flanders and the Netherlands faces similar problems. So, what can they learn from each other?
society
Jasper Van Loy
9 min reading time
Why Arts Education in Flanders Is Gaining Momentum
Teachers and students see that their schools are keeping up with the times. ‘Parents are seeing art education as a good choice.’
Series
All Animal
society
Derek Blyth
1 min reading time
Climb Every Dutch Mountain
Hiking enthusiasts in Europe’s flattest country have created the Dutch Mountain Trail.
society
Derek Blyth
2 min reading time
How the Dutch Like to Be Beside the Seaside
With its 500 kilometres of coast, the Netherlands is suitable for every holiday season. Thanks to the many beach bars, you do not have to compromise on comfort.
Series
Tour of Flanders
society
Edo Dijksterhuis
6 min reading time
Plenty of Weapons but No War Rhetoric in National Military Museum
The impressive museum, located at a former air base, is not a showcase for the Ministry of Defence but offers a balanced cultural-historical presentation.
society
Derek Blyth
1 min reading time
The Unique Leuven Male Ritual Listed by Unesco
Men from Leuven with the same year of birth unite at 40 to prepare for their 50th anniversary.
The L-Spot
society
Hind Fraihi
7 min reading time
How the Far Right Recognizes Itself in the Return of the Wolf
The return of the wolf in the Low Countries is accompanied by a blaze of controversy. But one group is an unconditional fan: the far right.
society
Lode Delputte
10 min reading time
How Animals Assumed Greater Importance
Despite rapidly losing touch with nature, we have also come to cherish animals in recent decades. That doesn’t come without legal, political and social consequences.
Series
The DNA of the Netherlands
society
Derek Blyth
1 min reading time
The Dutch Art of Uitwaaien
The Dutch are riding their bikes everywhere, always and in any weather. Even when they have to battle against gale-force winds.
society
Republic of Amsterdam Radio
1 min reading time
Sacrificial Pigs, Sexy Chickens and Scary Shipworms: Animals of the Low Countries
What do black chickens have to do with witchcraft? Why were pigs not allowed to walk the streets freely in the Middle Ages? And should we welcome the return of the wolf or not? You'll hear all about it in this podcast on the history of animals in the Low Countries.
society
Joep Janssen
8 min reading time
This Is How Dutch Farmers Are Saving Water
By 2050, Wadden Island Texel will be one of the driest places in the Netherlands. Local farmers are now combining ancient knowledge with innovative techniques to retain freshwater and prevent soil salinisation.
society
Derek Blyth
1 min reading time
The Flemish Flax in Every Us Dollar Bill
‘In God we trust,’ it says on every United States dollar bill. ‘In Flemish flax we also trust,’ it might add.
society
Derek Blyth
2 min reading time
West India House: The Amsterdam Building Where New York Was Founded
The company that "bought" Manhattan was based in a handsome classical building that is still standing on the Herenmarkt in the heart of Amsterdam.
history
Tom Christiaens
12 min reading time
Harvest of the University Press (autumn/winter 2022-3)
Our selection of recent university press publications in English on the Low Countries.
society
Derek Blyth
12 min reading time
Holy Halle!
On a visit to the Flemish city of Halle, Derek Blyth discovers a miraculous statue, a forgotten Flemish artist and an intriguing street art trail.
society
Derek Blyth
2 min reading time
The Singing Cycle Path
The Dutch artist and cycle activist Mapije de Wit encourages her fellow cyclists to sing while cycling.
society
Derek Blyth
10 min reading time
All Roads Lead to Tongeren
On a visit to the oldest city in Belgium, Derek Blyth discovers a Roman road sign, a lost river and a hoard of antique hunters.
society
Derek Blyth
14 min reading time
Peeling the Onion in Aalst
On a visit to the Flemish city of Aalst, Derek Blyth discovers a Carnival parade that likes to shock, a priest that took on the factory bosses and a utopian library.
society
Tom Christiaens
3 min reading time
The Top 7 Society Stories of the Year
Join us in bidding goodbye to 2022 with seven of the finest stories we published this year about Dutch and Flemish society that are worth re-reading or listening to again.
society
Edo Dijksterhuis
6 min reading time
Learn How the Netherlands Stays Dry at the Afsluitdijk Wadden Center
The Afsluitdijk Wadden Center shows how the 32-kilometre-long dam between the provinces of Noord-Holland and Friesland protects a large part of the Netherlands against flooding.
