society
society
Derek Blyth
2 min reading time
Heisteeg, a Microcosm of Amsterdam
Heisteeg, one of the narrowest streets of Amsterdam, has sparked off a furious debate about overtourism.
society
Lotte Jensen
10 min reading time
How the Struggle Against Water Shaped Dutch Identity
Traumatic feelings about inundations that expose the vulnerability of the Low Countries go hand in hand with a certain pride.
The L-Spot
society
Derek Blyth
2 min reading time
Café Vlissinghe, Possibly the Oldest Pub in Belgium
Although its roots date back to 1515, Café Vlissinghe in Bruges is anything but sleepy.
society
Tom Christiaens
8 min reading time
Harvest of the University Press (autumn 2021)
Our selection of recent university press publications from all over the world that deal with the Low Countries.
Series
The DNA of the Netherlands
society
Derek Blyth
2 min reading time
The Oldest Reading Table in Town
The reading table is a piece of Dutch heritage that has survived in lots of cafes, including the one named after writer Harry Mulisch in Café Americain.
society
Albert Meijer
7 min reading time
A Monument Against Fake News: The Planetarium of Eise Eisinga
The oldest working planetarium in the world can be found in Franeker in the Dutch province of Friesland: the Royal Eise Eisinga Planetarium.
Postcard
society
Lode Delputte
11 min reading time
Looted Art Must Return to Congo, but How?
Which objects are we talking about exactly? Who claims them? And what should be done with them in the country of origin?
society
Tine Danckaers
8 min reading time
Seventy Years On, Do We Still Believe In the UN Refugee Convention?
Even in the Low Countries, not everyone is convinced that the anniversary should be celebrated with much fanfare.
Hind Fraihi
history
Yves Segers
12 min reading time
When Farming Had to Become Big Business
The 1971 farmers’ demonstration In Brussels was the tipping point for our agriculture sector.
society
Derek Blyth
2 min reading time
Cheers in the Amsterdam Stock Exchange
Amsterdam has overtaken London as Europe’ main share trading hub for the first time since the 17th century.
society
Derek Blyth
2 min reading time
The Battle of the Gravensteen
The only remaining medieval castle in Flanders with a virtually intact defence system faces a new threat.
history
Lotte Jensen
7 min reading time
Dear Government, Please Make Use Of Historical Knowledge to Defeat the Pandemic
Four leading Dutch historians call for insights from the past to be used to defeat today's pandemic.
society
Cyd Sturgess
12 min reading time
Visibility Still Matters. Trans Rights in the Low Countries
The Netherlands and Belgium lead the way in terms of granting equal rights to transgender citizens in Europe. But the daily struggle against discrimination continues.
history
Tom Christiaens
6 min reading time
Harvest of the University Press (winter 2021)
Our selection of recent university press publications in English on the Low Countries.
society
Derek Blyth
2 min reading time
The Lure of the Amsterdam Ferry
When in Amsterdam, Derek Blyth likes to travel by ferry. It's free and fun.
society
Sylvie Walraevens
11 min reading time
Hendrik Tratsaert: ‘Flanders’ Greatest Enemies Are Self-Censure and Self-Hate’
The new director of Ons Erfdeel regrets that the debate about Flemish self-awareness has degenerated into a polarisation between the populist right and the tendentious left.
society
Hind Fraihi
8 min reading time
When Fighting Racism, Skin Colour Should Not Be an Issue
According to Hind Fraihi rabid Black Lives Matters supporters view colour blindness as a form of micro-aggression designed to erase ethnic identity and experience.
society
Luc Devoldere
2 min reading time
Spread the Spark
Editor-in-chief Luc Devoldere bids his readers farewell.
society
Derek Blyth
2 min reading time
How the Bicycle Became a Family Car
Have you ever wondered where those cargo bikes come from?
society
Tom Christiaens
2 min reading time
The Top 5 Society Stories of the Year
Our best society stories of 2020, handpicked by the editor.
