ACCESS Autumn 2012

Autumn 2012 WWW

S E R V I N G T H E I N T E R N AT I O N A L C O M M U N I T Y

.ACCESS-NL.ORG

25

th

r

y

a

nn

iversa

Delve into Dutch literature and film Special features | Shocking realism, sex & emotions |

A film house trilogy | Dutch children’s books | What’s On | Treasures in Friesland | Absentee ballots | Come dine with us |

BI G BE N K ID S CENTRE 19-23 Zoutman Straat 2518 GL, Den Haag bigbenkids@bigbenkids.com

The choice for quality care in the Hague A dedicated Babies Centre.

A dedicated Toddler Centre (Day Care with pre-school).

A dedicated After School Club with pick ups from HSV, local schools, French Lycee amongst others.

Secure environment rich with toys and learning opportunities.

A superb and dedicated staff – qualified as teachers, nurses, and trained in first aid and emergency responses.

An active parents committee which makes all the major decisions.

Free administrative support from Blue Umbrella.

A wealth of extra-curricular activities – music lessons, Irish Dancing and Ballet.

All programmes are in English.

An all inclusive price which includes tax and admin, 2 hot meals a day, nappies.

500 sq metres of indoor space in a modern ground floor setting, 20m from Albert Heijn XL on Eland Straat.

One tram stop north of the city.

Great garden measuring 120 sq metres.

For enquiries, arranging a meet and greet contact: 06 27325236 Nikki Idrissi 070 326 5602 Parents Enquiry Line 070 363 4070 Admin Or email: bigbenkids@bigbenkids.com

ACCESS e-zine Autumn 2012 Vol. 25 No. 3

Contents • Letter from the Editor

Autumn 2012 Shocking realism, sex and strong emotions

• ACCESS news • Community news • What’s On • Cover: Shocking realism, sex & emotions • Travel: Treasures in Friesland • Absentee ballots: have a say • Dutch children’s books

PHOTO: www.dezeen.com / Merkx +Girod architecten

|

Wide-open treasure in Friesland

• A film house trilogy • Study secrets for the new-to-town • Food: Come dine with us

Copyright©ACCESS 2012 All rights reserved. No part of the ACCESS e-zine may be used in any form without explicit permission in ­writing from the Publisher. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this publication was correct at the time of going to press. However, ACCESS and its writers cannot accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information included.

A film house trilogy photo: Lantaren Venster

Publisher Stichting ACCESS - Zeestraat 100, 2nd floor, 2518 AD The Hague, Editorial content editor@access-nl.org, Advertising 070 345 1700, adv@access-nl.org, Editor Connie Moser, Assistant Editor Carina Hyllested, Design & layout Marek Moggré, Contributors Rosalind van Aalen, José C. de Boer, Mandie Rose Danielski, Kim Gehring, Ruud Hisgen, Arthur de Groot, Linda A. Janssen, Ann Jennen, Emmy McCarthy, Lesley Murphy, Kevin Rae, Karen Slingenberg.

photo: NBtc

• Meet the Trainers

Letter from the Editor

written something so perfect yourself. Words move us, resonate, and speak to us, as do films, in the shorter cinematic version of a director’s vision, combined with the actor’s expressive interpretation.

Dear ACCESS readers This autumn issue of ACCESS e-zine celebrates two of my very favourite things: books and films. I can still remember as a young child when I first learned to read and all of the letters on the page suddenly made sense; it was an epiphany, and the beginning of a life-long love of, and journey into, the world of literature, and of course, film.

How often in the expression of thought on the printed page (or website screen) have you read something so incredibly well crafted that in the re-reading you wished you had 4 | access | AuTuMn

Books and films express the universal condition, from the absurd to the sublime. We are curious about others, the world we live in, emotions we share, and exploring our commonalities and differences. Books allow us to learn. We are challenged to question our tightly-held views, change our perceptions, open our hearts to a myriad of possibilities, to be repulsed by horrors, reduced to tears or enticed by passion, and dare to dream. Drama, comedy, documentary - embrace all there is - visit bookshops, libraries, cinemas or online offerings, expand your knowledge, be entertained, enlightened, enjoy.

Contemplating the reviews of Dutch literature and film, should help our readers identify with their new home, and to understand the world we are living in. Moreover, travel tips, fairs and friendships offer new experiences for shared stories.

We hope you will enjoy reading this issue, our ACCESS guides and the website! editor@access-nl.org

About ACCESS is a volunteer not-for-profit organisation that serves the needs and interests of the ­i nternational community in the Netherlands.

It is supported by Dutch, inter­n ational and ­e xpatriate businesses and organisations through donations and sponsorship.

Executive Board

• Chairman: Gary Hays, TNK-BP • Vice Chairman: Kiri Kikis, Kikis Investments • Treasurer: to be appointed

• Secret ary: Imanda Wapenaar, WFIA

What we do

Established in 1986 ACCESS is a unique volunteer-based organisation. Representing an impressive cultural and ­linguistic variety, its dedicated volunteers work to: • provide guidance, advice, information to help individuals with settling, and/or living and working in the Netherlands • promote friendship, understanding and well-being of the members of the international community in the Netherlands • contribute to community development through skill training schemes and courses • serve as a bridge between local and international communities How you can help

ACCESS can be supported in many ways: • As a Volunteer: check the website for Information Morning dates or contact vrd@access-nl.org • As a Trainer: consult ‘Become a Trainer’ on www.access-nl.org • As an Associate or Partner: details of which can also be found on our website • As an Advertiser: on our website or in our e-zine.

Contact adv@access-nl.org • As a Friend: Like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter to show your support. Click on links below.

Members

• Charles van Beuningen,

van Beuningen advocaten • Willemijn van Oppen-Stuyt, Educaide • Jessie Rodell • Lars Tomson, ABN AMRO

ACCESS Zeestraat 100 2518 AD The Hague The Hague International Centre City Hall Atrium, Spui 70

0900 2 ACCESS (0900 2 222 377) local rate 20c per minute helpdesk@access-nl.org www.access-nl.org Join ACCESS on access | autumn | 5

Partners

Thank you for your support

PLATINUM • Gemeente Den Haag GOLD • ABN-AMRO Bank • The British School in the Netherlands •W est-Holland Foreign Investment Agency SILVER

Associates

Thank you for your support

• 10 for Kids • Bizstay The Hague • Bureau Kraamzorg Extra • Crunch Cafe • J.C.Suurmond & zn Tax Consultants • Petra Foesenek - Skin Therapy • De Regenbogen Beheer • STET The English Theatre

• American School of The Hague • GMW Advocaten • ICP – International Community Platform • International School of The Hague BRONZE •A ngloINFO South Holland • Big Ben Kids • T he British School of Amsterdam • Bronovo Hospital • B SN Language Centre •D irect Dutch Institute • DutchbuzZ • DutchNews.nl • F inancial Consultants De Boer • The Guest Card • The Hague Online • The Hungry Mind • I nternational Health Centre The Hague • Kickstart School • P arkhotel The Hague •R otterdam International Secondary School • ThexpatTV • T he Underground The Hague • Xpat Media • Z o! Kinderopvang & Bso 6 | access | summer

The ACCESS Associate scheme is aimed at small and start-up businesses to enable them to reach a diverse international audience. With our Associate scheme we offer the benefits of a l­isting both on the ACCESS website and in the ACCESS e-zine, and promotional opportunities to our Facebook and Twitter audience.

Contact fnd@access-nl.org to find out more about becoming an Associate.

Your organisation’s name here?

Supporting ACCESS means helping over 20,000 people in the expat and international community each year.

ACCESS news

Birth preparation courses in Rotterdam As of October 2012 ACCESS will be working with Ms Ria Wiertz, a local birth education trainer and the Rotterdam International Secondary School to provide our popular Birth Preparation Courses to expectant expat parents in Rotterdam. For dates, details and more information check the ACCESS website. «

ACCESSing the Netherlands Back by popular demand, and in conjunction with the International Community Platform (ICP), on October 1st 2012 ACCESS will be organising another Information & Seminar evening on topics relevant to the international community. Whether you have just arrived, or have been here for a while, experts will be on hand to brief you on what you need to know, as well as answer your particular questions. Details and sign-up on the ACCESS website. «

Quick reference Guides Every year the ACCESS team updates our information Guides, including a review by our relevant partners to ensure everything is as current as possible. In the most recent round of our updates we have made it easier to find the information people are looking for.

The new, revised Guides are now based on and designed around the Frequently Asked Questions ACCESS receives at the Help Desk.

Making it easier to read, and faster to find the answer you are looking for. Can’t find your question? Contact the Help Desk and we will find the answer for you. « access | summer | 7

Community news

Repatriate Nicole was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010.

She experienced that you are never ill on your own; having cancer strongly affects your spouse and children, your relatives and friends, your colleagues.

Together you try to make the best of things, and enjoy life as much as possible. Nicole’s friends from ‘home’ and (ex-) expat friends helped out a lot, driving her back and forth to chemo, giving mental support, sending encouraging emails, etc.

We’re in it together;

To celebrate that life is back to normal, Nicole, her daughter Laura, and her sister Eva will participate in the sixth annual A Sister’s Hope 60km Walk on 6 & 7 October, aiming to raise as much funds as possible for breast cancer research.

we can be our sister’s hope!

photo: Sister’s Hope

If you’d like to learn more about Nicole’s team ‘Kindred Spirits’, please visit: http://kindredspiritsblogenglish.wordpress. com/

8 | access | autumn

If you want to know more about A Sister’s Hope, have a look at: www.asistershope.org «

Community news

With Dutch elections approaching, on September 12, it will be interesting to see whether the continuing uncertainty surrounding the Eurozone (and potentially the European Union’s very existence in its present form) emerges as the key issue.

The 2010 election produced a turnout in excess of 75 per cent, resulting in a minority coalition government between the liberal-conservative VVD and the CDA, with the alliance being bolstered on key issues by the support of the right wing

EYE The newly opened EYE Film Institute is the only museum in the Netherlands that is exclusively dedicated to film and the moving image. EYE exhibits film as art, entertainment, cultural heritage, and a conveyer

For the uninitiated, the Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy where the Queen invites the largest party to attempt to form a coalition government on her behalf.

Parliament consists of two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate with elections via a system of ­proportional representation. This has produced a multi-party system featuring right, left and centre parties as well as some focused on single issues. «

of information. It offers exhibitions and corresponding film programs with a keen eye for current, historical and artistic developments. Located across from Amsterdam’s Central Station, on the IJ. Open seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., and until 2:00 a.m. on the weekends. « www.eyefilm.nl

photo: Iwan Baan

NL elections

PVV to secure a working majority – until the latter party withdrew its support last April on the issue of austerity measures.

This effectively triggered the upcoming elections.

access | autumn | 9

Community news

Autumn fairs well for the international community 16 September:

3 - 7 October:

Feel at Home in The Hague – the International Community Fair

ARTI12 – International Art Fair & Expat Day

movie: abcediting

photo: ARTI11

TheHagueOnLine.com (and ACCESS) presents the 2012 Feel at Home in the Hague Fair on Sunday, 16 September, from 11.00 to 17.00.

The region’s international residents, from newcomers to longstanding inhabitants, are invited to attend.Every visitor can expect to find something new to enhance their lifestyle and to assist them in feeling right at home in The Hague.

Some 40 galleries and design studio’s are ­presenting themselves at the ARTI12 in the Fokker Terminal, The Hague, a beautiful, light and spacious location. This year a special exposition will take place with seven different Spanish galleries. The Expat Day will be held on October 4 (15.00 to 22.00). Entrance €10, incl. a welcome drink and a guided tour along the galleries. Register to attend with fernandajagusiak@yahoo.com

10 | access | autumn

Community news

Annual fairs held for the international community continue by popular demand, with new exhibitors added to the mix. You’re bound to find just what you need to know, and some things you didn’t even know you needed, at these upcoming fairs.

7 October:

13 October:

i am not a tourist – Community fair for internationals

Bilingual People – International fairs for international people

movie: VoermanGroup

photo: Bilingual fair

The “i am not a tourist” Expat Fair at the Beurs van Berlage in the heart of Amsterdam serves the international community living, working and studying in the Netherlands. The fair has become an annual institution, catering for newly-arrived expats, long-standing residents, individuals and families alike. Expatica’s fair is about easing and enriching your life abroad and providing instant access to the international community.

Bilingual People revisits Amsterdam with the largest and most exciting career fair of the year, dedicated to bilingual and multilingual jobseekers and professionals. Come to NH Krasnopolsky hotel in Amsterdam from 10:00-17:00 and meet leading recruiters of bilingual and multilingual professionals, from some of the best companies throughout the Netherlands and Europe. Click here for free tickets. access | autumn | 11

Feelath ome in The Hague

The International Community Fair 2012

11am - 5pm Sunday 16 September City Hall Atrium The Hague

(re)Discover all the fun and entertainment available in the region.

It will be gezellig! w w w. Feel atHom ei nTh eHa g u e. com SPONSORS

PARTNERS

What’s on Autumn 2012

Special events in September WANT TO post a community event in this magazine? contact access MAGAZINE at EDITOR@access-nl.org, SUBJECT: ‘what’s on’.

7 – 15 September

8 – 9 September

Rotterdam Philharmonic Gergiev Festival

Heritage Days - throughout the Netherlands Almost every Dutch monument is open to the public, free of charge, in the weekend of the Heritage Days. The hardest part is what to choose!

photo: openmonumentendag

This year’s theme Sea & You explores the intensely personal relation between man and the sea in a broad programme of opera, enchanting symphonic music, happenings and musical pearls and gems. www.gergievfestival.nl/en/

21 – 23 September Art Fair International Groningen Widely acknowledged as an important platform for networking in the international art community, the Art Fair International brings together collectors, curators, artists and galleries from across Europe and the rest of the world. Collectors are drawn by an opportunity to discover a quality and geographical diversity of art not presented anywhere else. www.nkbbeurs.nl

www.openmonumentendag.nl

26 September – 5 October Netherlands Film Festival – Utrecht Watch a large variety of Dutch movies at the Netherlands Film Festival in Utrecht. Choose from the very famous to the truly obscure, from features and documentaries to short films and TV productions. Selected films compete for the much-coveted Grand Prizes of Dutch Film, the Golden Calf awards. Check the website for a full programme – and for movies being screened with English subtitles. www.filmfestival.nl access | autumn | 13

What’s on Autumn 2012

Special events in October WANT TO post a community event in this magazine? contact access MAGAZINE at EDITOR@access-nl.org, SUBJECT: ‘what’s on’.

photo: niekbavelaar.nl

3 October Relief of Leiden Leidens Ontzet (Relief of Leiden) is the event where Leiden commemorates the Spanish siege and subsequent relief of the city in 1574.

Leiden becomes one great festival for two days; enjoy the parade, fun fair, market, concerts, fireworks and traditional dishes. www.3october.nl

5 – 7 October

13 – 26 October

Lifestyle Fair Vught

Cinekid - Amsterdam & 30 other cities

Enjoy the beautiful beach and De IJzeren Man park in Vught, while shopping at the fair. Be entertained by animal, aquatic, and fashion shows - also children’s activities. www.xxliving-fair.nl

Cinekid – the international film, television and new media festival for children and young people. Cinekid is the world’s largest media festival for children where more than 50,000 children are given the opportunity to visit over 500 media productions selected by the festival: feature films, children’s documentaries, short films, animations, television series and single productions, cross media productions, interactive installations and set-ups as well as workshops. Locations in Amsterdam as well as 30 other cities!

5 – 9 October Indian Film Festival The Hague

www.indianffth.nl/en 14 | access | spring

photo: Cinekid

The second Indian Film Festival The Hague will take you on an unforgettable journey to India, an incredible country of overwhelming contrasts. Explore India’s changing identity through the eyes of filmmakers. www.cinekid.nl

What’s on Autumn 2012

Special events in November WANT TO post a community event in this magazine? contact access MAGAZINE at EDITOR@access-nl.org, SUBJECT: ‘what’s on’.

3 November Museum Night - Amsterdam photo: museumnacht

During the annual Amsterdam Museum Night, you can visit more than 40 museums between 19:00 and 02:00. The museums offer special activities, including music shows, performances, guided tours and much more.

The Amsterdam Museum Night attracts some 26,000 visitors every year. www.n8.nl

photo: Haags Uitburo

14 – 25 November

4 – 17 November Crossing Border The Hague

International Documentary Festival - Amsterdam The International Documentary Festival Amsterdam is one of the world’s most prestigious documentary film festivals. It offers an international film programme with a large variety of genres, often with a political interest. Next to an audience of 100,000 people there are many filmmakers in attendance, debates, workshops, master classes as well as European and World premieres.

www.crossingborder.nl

photo: IDFA

Crossing Border is the festival where literature, music, film and the visual arts are combined. For several days, writers, poets, musicians, filmmakers and artists will reign over The Hague’s cultural centre. Crossing Border The Hague is one of Europe’s main international literature and music festivals. www.idfa.nl access | autumn | 15

Shocking realism, sex and strong emotions An introduction into Dutch post-war literature

16 | access | autumn

Cover story

A thousand words on Dutch literature? Sure!

But where to start and which books to include?

BY Ann JEnnEn

After a fast-forward literature class by some Dutch friends and neighbours, I confidently step into an international bookshop. Glancing at the shelves, it becomes clear that quite some Dutch classics have been translated into English, and many other languages.

Back home with a surprisingly heavy bag of books, I immediately head for the bedroom. Door locked, feet under the duvet, nice Did ... w o n cup of tea, all set! you k ion new l l i m Over 1 blished each re pu Browsing through my books a e per country: e S . . r s a r e e y et huge pile of books, it orldom w . w w w s k o quickly becomes clear info/bo that the Second World War marked an abrupt change in the Dutch literary landscape. Some authors didn’t survive the German invasion, others went into hiding or ceased publishing out of fear. Those who survived the cruelties of wartime rejected each form of idealism and reflected upon the changed perception of reality in their works.

“Is it my father’s fault that your family has been murdered?”

The Assault (De Aanslag - 1982), probably ‘the opus magnum’ of Dutch post-war literature, tells the story of a Nazi revenge action on a Dutch family after the killing of a collaborator. The sole survivor is the youngest son, Anton Steenwijk. The quest for the guilty ones behind the assault and their motives is the central theme of the book. Each encounter with a person involved in the tragedy adds a nuance to the event, enhancing the complexity of the ‘who and why’ during the war.

Harry Mulisch’s masterpiece has been translated in more than 30 languages and has sold over a million copies worldwide. As it puts the guilt question during war into perspective, this work of art remains surprisingly actual.

“I screwed one girl after the other”

Where Mulisch chose the war as the subject for his novel, other authors rather expressed the cruelty of the past in their way of writing. In literary history, this post-war current is known as ‘shocking realism’: the prose is very explicit and characterised by a description of raw reality. A lot of attention is given to physicality and sexuality. » access | AuTuMn | 17

Cover story | Shocking realism, sex and strong emotions

design: Jan Vermeulen

photo: michelle-city.blogspot.nl

for his direct descriptions of sex. Turks Fruit is a wonderful novel telling the love story of a sculptor and Olga, a girl he meets while hitchhiking. She comes to live with him in his atelier in Amsterdam and their happiness seems perfect. But Olga isn’t satisfied with her life. One day, she goes on the run leaving the sculptor in despair.

Several years go by before they meet again. In spite of the love they still feel for each other, they don’t get back together. When Olga becomes terminally ill, the sculptor

An obvious example of this is Turkish Delight (Turks Fruit)

by Jan Wolkers. In the 60s, this author became noted

Not that much into books?

These films fill you in on Dutch literature in no time.

Three kids, a busy job and barely time to read the newspaper? Fortunately, some Dutch classics have also been filmed.

Rutger Hauer. People were queuing in front of the box office at its release. With almost 3,5 million visitors in the Netherlands, Turks Fruit remains the most visited Dutch film ever.

Turks Fruit (Turkish Delight, 1973) has been filmed by Paul Verhoeven, starring Monique van de Ven and

De Aanslag (The Assault, 1986) won the Oscar and the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Film in 1987.

18 | access | autumn

Director Fons Rademakers chose – again – Monique van de Ven and Derek de Lint to interpret the main characters.

Komt een vrouw bij de d­okter (Love Life, 2009) was filmed by Reinout Oerlemans. Carice van Houten was immediately cast for the role of Carmen.

The film was received with mixed reviews. Its biggest opponents state that instead of being a tribute to love, the film is rather promoting adultery.

Nevertheless, more than a million visitors went to the cinema to see Carice van Houten in what Het Algemeen Dagblad refers to as ‘her best role ever’.

photo: Querido / Nijgh & Van Ditmar Athenaeum - Polak & Van Gennep

Striking for its authenticity of emotions, the book is a quest for love: parental love versus paid love is one of the only people who keeps visiting her in the hospital. He always brings Turkish delight because it is the only thing she is willing to eat.

Published in 1969, bookstores soon ran out of copies. Without any doubt, the great amount of sex in the book is also responsible for its success.

Nevertheless, most Dutchmen felt this novel was a one-of-a-kind love story.

“People are as replaceable as a plastic bag”

Even though they are post-war, the next generation of contemporary Dutch writers is still influenced by ­history. Arnon Grunberg (1971) might very well be Holland’s most acclaimed contemporary author.

His family severely traumatised by the WW2. Next to his daily column in De Volkskrant, Arnon Grunberg is a regular contributor to key newspapers such as the New York Times.

In Blue Mondays (Blauwe Maandagen 1994), Grunberg brings the strongly autobiographic story of a young man on the run. His parents seem to be unable to love him. Expelled from high school, he spends his days and nights living on the edge in Amsterdam. He hops from one job to the next and visits prostitutes. The atrocities his parents lived through during the war is one of the side storylines. Striking for its authenticity of emotions, the book » access | autumn | 19

photo: www.luukkramer.nl

Feature header

PHOTO: www.dezeen.com / Merkx +Girod architecten

is a quest for love: parental love versus paid love. Blue Mondays received the Anton Wachterprijs for the best debut novel and has been translated into 13 languages.

“See you Friday at my funeral”

The ‘shocking realism’ current also leaves its traces in lighter contempo20 | access | autumn

Libraries are filled with wonderful possibilities to explore, to be enlightened entertained and amazed

rary books. For example, Love Life (Komt een vrouw bij de dokter - 2003) from Raijmondus G. N. van de Klundert, or Kluun, is extremely explicit and filled with emotions.

This fictionalized version of the author’s own life story tells the raw reality of a husband committing adultery while his wife is dying of cancer.

Cover story | Shocking realism, sex and strong emotions

Protagonist Stijn and his wife Carmen are living the fast life in Amsterdam: the money is rolling in, lots of friends and parties and a lovely little daughter Luna. When Carmen is diagnosed with a rare type of breast cancer, Stijn is completely losing track of his life.

While accompanying his wife to all her treatments during daytime, he loses himself in the Amsterdam clubbing scene at night. During one of these evenings, he meets Roos and starts an affair with her. Torn between feelings for his girlfriend and his love for his wife, his mind has a hard time resisting the flesh. Meanwhile, Carmen is making souvenirs for Luna in order to help her in remembering her mother while growing up. When the illness and the pain become unbearable, Carmen chooses to commit euthanasia.

Looking for some light literature?

The Dinner Club (De Eetclub, 2007) by Saskia Noort tells the story of Karen and Michel who escape the Amsterdam city life to bring up their daughters in the suburbs. Quickly, they get integrated in a local group of friends that gathers regularly to enjoy the finer things in life. When the house of one of them burns down and the owner with it, appearances quickly fade. As it turns out, their friend Evert has been in psychiatric care and had an affair with one of the other wives. When a second person dies under suspicious circumstances, friendships quickly fray. In 2010, the Dinner Club was successfully filmed by Robert Jan Westdijk, starring Thom Hoffman, Bracha van Doesburgh and Angela Schijf.

Sonny Boy (2004) by Annejet van der Zijl deals with the love story between Rika, a Dutch middle-aged mother, and Waldemar, a student from Suriname. Frowned upon by their surroundings, they struggle with life against the background of the Second World War. Almost 500,000 copies have been sold in the Netherlands. This bestseller has been translated in many languages and was filmed by Maria Peters in 2011. Nearly 400,000 visitors have seen the film.

Normal is crazy enough (Normaal

is gek genoeg – Dutch saying)

The professional press criticised this novel in an extremely negative way.

“The author is turning feelings of love, guilt and mourning into a cheap soap series,” stated the NRC Handelsblad.

Nevertheless, this novel was the bestselling Dutch debut ever: more than 1 million copies have been sold. While disapproving of the betrayal, Dutch readers admire Kluun for his honesty and candour.

Reading these books and writing this article, an interesting thought strikes me: the Dutch way of writing reflects their way of being quite well. After all, couldn’t a straight-forward, cut-thecrap attitude and a higher-than-average directness of these characters be the description for many of our Dutch neighbours and friends? « Reactions: annjennen@hotmail.com access | autumn | 21

Education | Partner feature

Nurturing creation and imagination

By Kevin Rae, Principal | The International School of The Hague

Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited while imagination embraces the whole world.

- Albert Einstein

As the newly appointed Primary Principal of The International School of The Hague, I look forward with a great deal of excitement and anti­ cipation to involving myself in this vibrant learning community. We are duty bound as educators to develop in our pupils the capacity for lifelong learning. We need to develop the skills, concepts and attitudes they will need to be reflective, critical thinkers and problem solvers.

Developing their ability as learners is without a doubt the singularly most important role for us as educators. It mustn’t be seen as a one-off experience or a series of activities, but must underpin all that we do.

Positive impact

Many of the careers we are preparing our pupils for do not yet exist and will require knowledge we do not yet have. We need to develop in all learners the ability to find solutions, and not to repeat the attempted and failed solutions of previous genera22 | access | autumn

tions. The role of the creative and performing arts in building this learning power cannot and should not be underestimated. Research projects from around the world are providing conclusive evidence that a strong creative and performing arts programme is not only valuable for developing, amongst other things, self esteem, confidence, collaboration, appreciation and enjoyment, but also has a positive impact on academic achievement.

Children enter school with an endless supply of creative energy but often as they develop and are exposed to a more formal style of education they become less spontaneous and are less likely to take risks. It is critical that we always recognise and acknowledge the need to continue providing opportunities for all pupils to participate in the creative and performing arts in order to confidently explore the unknown.

Infinite capacity to learn

Through exhaustive research, neuroscientists have proved that the neural connections that make it possible for us to learn, remember, problem solve and create, can

The encouragement of creativity from an early age is one of the best guarantees of growth in a healthy environment of selfesteem and mutual respect, critical ingredients for building a culture of peace.

- UNESCO c­ ontinue to form throughout life, particularly when we are in environments that are positive, nurturing, stimulating and that encourage action and interaction. This is contrary to the previous held belief that each individual had a finite capacity to learn and has implications for all learning communities.

The International School of The Hague has a tradition of developing the creative and performing arts, providing numerous opportunities within the daily curriculum and through extra curricular activities, not only for the children to be ­creative, but also to appreciate the creativeness of the world around them. I know that working together as a school community we can build on these strong foundations and continue to develop our learners of the 21st century. «

Kevin Rae Principal Contact: The International School of The Hague Wijndaelerduin 1 2554 BX Den Haag Secondary School +31 (0)70 328 14 50 Primary School +31 (0)70 338 45 67 ish.admissions@ ishthehague.nl www.ishthehague.nl

access | autumn | 23

Travel - Friesland

One might be surprised to find so much diversity in such a small country as the Netherlands; but this is one of the treasures of this nation.

Considering the fact that if you drive for three hours west, you will find yourself in another country.

It is amazing that Friesland, this province in the North has a separate language, and flag from the rest of the Netherlands. Not to mention those famous Frisian horses!

By Kim Gehring

Wide-open treasure in Friesland photo: NBtc

24 | access | autumn

If you are looking to get into the ­wide-open spaces, Friesland is the most unpopulated province in the Netherlands. At only 160 people per square kilometre there is space enough to breathe. The 195 windmills can testify to this.

Mudflats

This province boasts peaceful lakes, fields and forests, and kilometres of mudflats on the West Frisian Islands to meander through during low tide.

There are numerous excursions you can choose from to explore the mudflats. You have the option to meander the coast of Schiermonninkoog or walk under a moonlight sky in small town of Appelscha which is neatly tucked in between the dunes and wet peat. Check website for details: www.touristinfofryslan.nl Water Wonderland

The province of Friesland boasts 35 lakes, the most famous being the Sneekermeer. Not to mention kilo­ metres of interconnected lakes, canals, rivers and ponds to sail or boat upon this coming autumn. There are a number of categorized and charted routes you can sail listed on the tourism website above. This autumn could be the

time to venture out and sail the southern route, which still has relatively undiscovered Frisian nature.

Running

For the past fifteen years the Berenloop marathon and half marathon have become a rather big event in the northern part of the Netherlands. This run makes a challenging loop through dunes, forest, and the wide-open beaches of the island of Terschelling.

The event takes place on November 7 and it is rated as one of the most ­beautiful, but difficult, races in the Netherlands. The island is expecting to have 4,000 enthusiastic participants. www.berenloopterschelling.nl Walking

Surrounding these lakes there are also ample forests to roam if you have had enough of the open water. For enthusiastic hikers there are inexpensive pole walking tours you can join outside in the forests of Leeuwarden. This website contains the dates, times and prices. www.wandelpool-leeuwarden.nl/ Programma/Dagwandelingen.htm There are the National Landscapes of Southwest Frysland and Noardlike Fryske Wâlden, and the National Parks » access | autumn | 25

photo: Berbara Houweling

Travel | Wide-open treasure in Friesland

photo: fryslan marketing

Lauwersmeer, Schiermonnikoog, the Drents-Friese Wold and Alde Feanen, offering kilometers of beautiful nature to enjoy. For more information on these unique forests: www.visitfryslan.nl Sports

The Friesian people have a remarkable sport left over from the Middle Ages.

This game is a jewel that has survived thousands of years, and continues to thrive even in this digital age. Kaatsen is a predecessor to tennis; the game consists of two teams that are going at a solid leather ball with their bare hands.

26 | access | autumn

“ T his autumn, take the time to discover the Northern province with all its hidden treasures” You will have to ask a Friesian to explain the rules to you but it is a cross between football, ruby and tennis.

The main event is held in the city of Franeker so plan in advance if you want to make a weekend of it.

Another sport that is unique to Friesland is the Fierljeppen or otherwise known as “far jumping”. Contestants take a flying leap over a ditch or a body of water using a ten-foot pole; it is a bit like North American pole-jumping.

In the past this was a way to move from pasture to pasture but now has become a Frisian cultural sport.

The small town of Burgum is the ­capital of Fierljeppen, and it is the location of a cultural centre for this spectator sport. For more Did information: www.pbholland. you k com/?lang=en Over 20 now... ­ Frisians 00 years ago built Eleven cities of Friesland on mou their villages nds t the floo o escape Many people have heard of dwaters ! the famous speed skating race the Elfstedentocht and every year when the temperature dips we wait in expectation to see if the canals freeze. However, there is no need to wait until the winter to see photo: NBtc these beautiful Friesian cities. Take a week to bike through scenic, tranquil, Lekker Frisian treats green fields on your way from Leeuwarden to the oldest city in the Fryske dúmkes - sweet cookies with crushed hazelnut province Workum. Eight-day treks can Oranjekoeke - a kind of cake with orange snippers Drabbelkoeken - a buttercake, found only in Sneek be organized via this touring company.

Sûkerbôle - sweet bread with 40% sugar and cinnamon www.tripsite.com/bike/tours/ friesland-11-city-tour Beerenburg is the “national” drink of Friesland, made by adding This autumn, take the time to discover the Northern province with all its’ hidden treasures. Sit at a café and enjoy an Oranjekoeke with a Beerenburg while you wait for the Fierljeeppen competition to begin! «

a tantalizing mix of herbs to Jenever. However, it owes its origins to a famous spice merchant Hendrik Beerenburg from Amsterdam.

Don’t forget Frysk Hynder otherwise known as ‘Frisian horse’.

This is the only Frisian whisky, distilled in Bolsward. Ús Heit (Our Father) is also a characteristically Frisian beer brewed in Bolsward. Side note: Bolsward hosts the annual road bicycle racing tour. access | autumn | 27

«««««««««««««««««««««««««««

Absentee ballots:

photo: Studiomeiboom / designed by Studiomeiboom/Floor Wesseling

Supported by Studiomeiboom Design: Studiomeiboom/Floor Wesseling

Community

Election day in the US is Tuesday, November 6, with President Barack Obama running against former Massachusetts’ governor Mitt Romney to keep his seat in the Oval Office. In addition, 468 seats in Congress are up for grabs. Thanks to absentee ballots, the tens of thousands of Americans living in the Netherlands can make their votes count from across the pond.

have a say from far away

By Mandie Rose Danielski

28 | access | autumn

Red, green and blue

The US presidency has always been won by either a member of the Democratic or Republican parties, though other parties participate in the race, like the Green, Liberation and Constitution Parties. But what does each candidate stand for? The Consulate General in Amsterdam recommends finding out more through sites like the nonpartisan Project Vote Smart. With its nifty Vote Easy quiz, set on a virtual Capitol Hill, you can test which of the candidates is your best match on major issues like the economy, taxes, education, healthcare, marriage, immigration, the environment, foreign policy, etc.

Your vote matters

Maybe you already know who you would vote for but don’t think it’s worth the effort? Louie Pinna, Vice Chair of Democrats Abroad Netherlands (DA Netherlands), says, “A lot of people are surprised to learn that the [absentee] votes are actually counted. Even if you live abroad, if you want to have a voice, it’s very important to exercise your right to vote.” It’s estimated that 30,000 American citizens are living in the Netherlands. Assuming that at least 1/3 of those are of voting age,

that’s thousands of votes that Louie says can make a difference.

It’s true that a candidate can win the presidency without the majority popular vote. It’s happened four times in the country’s 236 years. By the Electoral College system each state has a number of votes based on population. The big states to win Did y are California (55 votes), o know u Texas (38), New York and ­Adams’ ... ­John house i n Hague Florida (29 each), became The the America Pennsylvania and Illinois n Emba first ssy the wor (20 each), and Ohio (18). ld in 17 in 82.

The swing or “battleground” states like Colorado, Michigan and North Carolina are those in which no single party has overwhelming support, yet they too can turn an election. Florida made unforgettable history in 2000 when the state sent George W. Bush to the White House on just 537 popular votes over Al Gore. Ohio helped Bush four years later with a 2-per cent victory »

Electoral College numbers 538: Total electoral votes possible 270: Electoral Votes needed to win the race 365: Obama’s electoral votes in 2008 vs. John McCain 525: Ronald Reagan’s electoral votes in 1984, the highest ever access | autumn | 29

Community | Absentee ballots: have a say from far away

photos: Democrats Abroad Netherlands

“ Have a say today in who takes the White House on January 20, 2013” over John Kerry. In fact, no Republican has ever been elected president without Ohio’s vote.

Stay politically active

Amy Peterson, Press Officer with DA Netherlands, is originally from Ohio.

She says that regardless of what state you’re from, “Just because we live far away doesn’t mean we don’t care about the people we’re connected to in our hometown. Everything from the presidency down to local school legislation 30 | access | autumn

could be on the ballot. You can still participate in the political process at all levels.”

Louie, Amy and the volunteers at DA Netherlands have campaigned strongly to maximize voting from abroad, including monthly social drinks events. Likewise, Republicans Abroad Netherlands (RAN) hosted a summer BBQ, and will arrange more events to get the campaign fever going before November. Vicki Read, Membership Director for the UK Chapter of Republicans Abroad said in an interview that for all Americans living around the world, the organisation is “a home away from home, a place

for political dialogue and more than anything, it keeps you connected.”

With programmes like these you can stay politically active all year ’round.

The Dutch interest

Our Dutch friends and neighbours will also be tuning in to see who is president and which party will dominate in the Senate and House of Representatives. The Netherlands’ economic interest in the US is longstanding, as there are more than 850 Dutch companies operating there, including Heineken, Philips, ING, Shell, Unilever and Rabobank, to ­mention a few. The Dutch are also awaiting word on the next nomination of the US ambassador, an empty posting here since October 2011.

How to vote from abroad

All Americans living abroad may vote in this general election but according to new rules, they must request their absentee ballot every election cycle.

That’s easy to do via Overseas Vote Foundation or VoteFromAbroad.org. You can also stop by the DA Netherlands voter registration tables at the American Book Center in Amsterdam and The Hague, or email RAN for more information. Regardless of your party

affiliation, both organizations can help. Every state has its own deadline so check in advance. You should receive the ballot 30 - 45 days before Election Day. If you don’t, then contact the Board of Elections. Don’t wait!

Have a say today in who takes the White House on January 20, 2013.

There are over 6.32 million Americans overseas For more about voting from abroad, and about the Military and Overseas Empowerment Act (MOVE), check out the AARO, Association of Americans Resident Overseas website. «

Election Day events – Tuesday, 6 November President’s Night at Melkweg, Amsterdam, plus All American Breakfast at the Stadsschouwburg, hosted by BKB Bureau.

Combo tickets for both events: €40.

Election Night Social at Boom Chicago, Amsterdam, hosted by Democrats Abroad Netherlands.

Election Results – Wednesday, 7 November The 9th “Who’s the President?” Breakfast will be held at the Kurhaus Hotel in The Hague. It’s organised by Overseas Americans Remember, in cooperation with the Embassy of the United States of America. Online tickets only, €25, (limit 5 p.p.). www.electionbreakfastkurhaus.nl access | autumn | 31

Education | Partner feature

Students take center stage at American School of The Hague While The Hague is known to most as the International City of Peace and Justice, many people come to The Hague to experience the thriving and dynamic arts scene. From the outstanding film and drama festivals to live stage productions and performances, there are a multitude of cultural events that residents and visitors to The Hague can enjoy.

By Lesley Murphy

32 | access | autumn

With such artistic influences in the city, it is no wonder that students at American School of The Hague enjoy participating in the dynamic and intensely developed Performing Arts program that the School has to offer. In the High School, students can choose from studying Theater at

the International Baccalaureate (IB) or Advanced Placement (AP) level, and can also explore the complexities of producing musicals and plays through Stage Production classes.

Wanted!

The IB Theater students tried their hand at script writing, and wrote and produced the entire script for their 2012 spring production; Wanted! a story about a family of lost clowns hiding out in the school theater.

Witty, sharp, and fun-filled, Wanted! was a huge success with families and students across all age groups – all enjoying this very professional performance – a testament to the excellent direction and teaching that the students receive during their IB Theater classes.

Proper technique

Connections with the current arts scene are also made through the Resident Artist Program.

Professional artists from the area and abroad come to visit the Middle and High School theater classes, to teach the students different aspects of theatrical performance that they are learning about through the curriculum. Recently, an Alumni of the

Wanted!, a story about a family of lost clowns hiding out in the school theater

School, from the Class of 2009, came back to teach the students current techniques for stage combat, focusing on how to combat safely on stage, and applying theories and techniques to make it look real while keeping safety in the forefront. The students were highly engaged in the workshops and inspired by seeing a recent graduate who is developing a successful career in the performing arts.

Lifetime appreciation

Parents are also central to learning at American School of The Hague – parents have developed an in-depth “Art Masterpiece” program that sup-

ports the Performing Arts curriculum and they bring their wealth of support and knowledge to the program. Central to the arts philosophy at American School of The Hague is the goal of cultivating a lifetime appreciation, enjoyment and love of the arts through creating and experiencing the discipline itself. Through the wide range of arts offerings, Music, Theater and Drama and Visual Arts, students are exposed to, and develop, an understanding of a variety of practical and fine arts – something they can carry with them throughout their lives and across all physical and other boundaries. «

Contact: American School The Hague Rijksstraatweg 200 2241 BX Wassenaar The Netherlands +31 (0)70 512 10 60 www.ash.nl

access | autumn | 33

Family

Dutch children’s books:

Jip, Janneke, Kikker and friends We are storytellers. Before language there was cave art to communicate our stories.

As expats, stories become even more important.

Anecdotes help prepare us for the highs and lows of expat life, and when we become parents, stories are a way of connecting our children to our childhood and to our home cultures.

BY EMMY MCCArTHY

However, books play another equally important role in the lives of expat children, that of integrating them Did into the culture in which they ow... n k u yo n e r live. Everyone knows about the to child g n i d a r e i R e h t Netherlands most famous rabevelop helps d age. bit, Miffy (or Nintje to give her langu 34 | access | AuTuMn

original Dutch name) but did you know there are a whole wealth of books for children of all ages which have been translated from their original Dutch language into English?

We asked the members of Amsterdam Mamas, one of the Netherlands largest English-speaking parenting communities, which books they would recommend for children to help them start exploring Dutch literary culture.

These are their recommendations.

Annie M G Schmidt

Hugely popular as the celebrated author of the Jip and Janneke series of children’s books (also available in English), Schmidt’s credits go far beyond the famous little boy and girl.

Why not also try her books Pluk, and Pink Lemonade.

Max Velthuijs

Endlessly popular with pre-schoolers, both in English and the original Dutch, where the protagonist is known as “Kikker”, these charming books with simple cartoonish illustrations are a joy to read with your little one. With titles such as Frog is a Hero and Frog Makes a Friend your children are sure to love them.

Hans de Beer

In de Beer’s delightful story Little Polar Bear, the littlest bear gets lost while out hunting and drifts all the way to the jungle where a helpful hippo shows him the way home. Wonderful to read with your pre-schooler.

Mathilde Stein

Stein has already had three of her books printed in English but it is her fourth book, Dear Daisy Dunnington, due for publication in October 2012, which is sure to make our holiday gift list. With recognisably Dutch illustrations by Chuck Groenink, Daisy’s story begins when an unexpected letter drops on her doormat, but what could it be?

Join Daisy as she imagines all the possible outcomes.

Hilda Van Stockum

Evocative and heartwarming, A Day on Skates: The Story of a Dutch Picnic, was written and illustrated by the author while she was studying in Dublin, based on her recollections of her Dutch child- »

More great books!

Children’s Books from Holland is published by the Dutch Foundation for Literature. Download PDF at www.letterenfonds.nl/ en/publications or contact post@letterenfonds.nl access | autumn | 35

Vocal Dance

& Voice Movement Integration with Patricia Bardi

• Applying voice, movement and experiential anatomy in dance and theater improvisation.

• Integrating bodywork techniques (Organ Rebalancing, Craniosacral Therapy and Body-Mind Centering) with vocal and movement expression.

• Certification Program leading to Somatic Movement Therapist/Educator (recognized professionally by ISMETA & CRKBO).

Somatic Training Program AMSTERDAM Nov 2012 - Jun 2013 Introduction Days: 29 Sept & 6 Oct 2012

www.patriciabardi.com info@patriciabardi.com Tel +31 (0)6 120 38733

Family | Dutch children’s books

hood. The drawings are lovely and the story perfect for the coming colder days wrapped up with hot chocolate under a blanket. The book tells the story of a brother and sister who go skating for the day with their classmates.

There are a whole wealth of books for children of all ages which have been translated from their original Dutch language into English

Guus Kuijer

Kuijer’s fame in the Netherlands comes from his popular series of books starring “Madelief” and his award winning book Polleke. They have yet to be translated into English but his lovely novel The Book of Everything has been. In this story our hero, Thomas, uses his imagination to escape an overbearing father and eventually overcome his fears.

Toon Tellegen

Whimsical and philisophical with a healthy dose of surrealism, Tellegen’s acclaimed Letters to Everyone and Anywhere are award winning both for their original content and their English trans­ lation. Letters from animals to other animals and the world around them are interspersed with stories. Fun for children and also a quirky read for adults. «

Thea Beckman

Author of acclaimed children’s book Crusade in Jeans, Beckman won the Children’s Historical Novel of the year in 1974 with her sweeping novel based on actual historical events across Europe. Recommended for ages 8+.

Check out the Recommended Reading shelf, selected by the Amsterdam Mamas, at Waterstones’ Amsterdam book shop.

Jan Terlouw

Emmy McCarthy is a serial expat and the director of Stichting Amsterdam Mamas, a not-for-profit organisation providing information and support to English-speaking parents. Her work with Amsterdam Mamas recently won the Expatica Expat of the Year award.

Click here for a video impression. www.amsterdam-mamas.nl

Set deep in the second world war, Winter in Wartime tells the story of Michiel who becomes involved in the resistance movement after coming to the aid of a wounded British soldier.

Perfect for teen historians.

About the author

access | autumn | 37

PHOTOS: LAnTArEn VEnSTEr

Feature header

A film house trilogy Alfred Hitchcock once said; “A good film is when the price of the dinner, the theatre admission and the babysitter were worth it”.

There can be no dispute that the netherlands caters well for mainstream film lovers. But what is there to offer for the more art house inclined film enthusiast? karen Slingenberg samples three lesser known art house theatres.

38 | access | AuTuMn

1

Lantaren Venster

Lantaren Venster in Rotterdam is a must-see cinema. It is located on the trendy Wilhelminapier near to the iconic Hotel New York. The contemporary building is flooded with light coming in through large windows offering views over the river. Not only is this a cinema, it is also a café, bar, restaurant and jazz venue. Live Jazz plays while people sit around with their drinks outside on the terrace in the sun or inside at the bar.

Arts & entertainment

The film theatres are hidden behind office-like doors, a far cry from standard cinema interiors. They are located on the ground floor as well as upstairs; almost comparable to a trip to the office with the one big exception that an art house film is the order of the day. The films that are shown are from world cinema as well as classics, whisking you back in time. Documentaries and high-quality children’s films can also be enjoyed here. www.lantarenvenster.nl

are called for. If you don’t mind the mustiness, then this intimate movie theatre will appeal to your film-lover’s heart. Their film selection varies from modern classics and cult hits to 40s classics and film noir. www.uitkijk.nl »

De Uitkijk

De Uitkijk, ‘The Lookout,’ is located in Amsterdam in the heart of the hustle and bustle of the Prinsengracht with a multitude of restaurants around the corner. This student-run film theatre, started in 1929, claims to be the oldest in Holland. The setting is an old warehouse that was transformed into a film-theatre to exhibit films as art as opposed to a cinema running films to entertain. The website promises a stylish 20s inte-

PHOTO: DE uiTkiJk

2

rior. In reality you step into the tiniest space imaginable and are aware that the ‘stylish’ vintage interior just appears outdated and worn. The only screen in the building is adorned with a balcony for extra space and a button for pressing when refreshments

access | AuTuMn | 39

Arts & entertainment | A film house trilogy

The more obscure cinemas in Holland are worth the film buff ’s attention

3

Filmhuis Den Haag

The Filmhuis in The Hague is located in the centre of town opposite the famous Anton Philipszaal and Lucent Danstheatre. It is best known for its choice of films based on a special theme or its place in film history. There is an alternative, intellectual vibe in the café downstairs, where film enthusiasts can ponder on a film with glass of wine in hand. The scene on the far wall from 2001: a Space Odyssey adds to the cult, arty feel.

Upstairs is the restaurant that can only be described as quirky and alternative and is set up around temporary themes creating a contemporary atmosphere. Not only are arty films played here, this film theatre also offers the

PHOTOS: FiLMHuiS DEn HAAG

chance to see documentaries, children’s and youth films as well as art house premieres.

There is also an educational extra by way of a library, the second largest in Holland.

It houses books, articles, reviews and DVDs which can be viewed on location only but can be copied on request.

They also have an English language website and monthly newsletter with information on the films that are scheduled to show. www.filmhuisdenhaag.nl

Satisfied film lovers

For an alternative big screen experience, the more obscure cinemas in Holland are worth the film buff ’s attention.

Whether it is a contemporary setting with an arty flavour or a more intimate setting with a vintage vibe, there are enough art house cinemas in the Randstad to satisfy most film lovers’ tastes. « access | AuTuMn | 41

Law | Partner feature

Sweet words rarely fall from the enemy’s mouth On stereotyped lawyers in Dutch literature

Arthur de Groot Lawyer at GMW advocaten Contact: GMW advocaten a.degroot@gmw.nl +31 (0)70 361 50 48 www.legalexpatdesk.nl Follow us on Twitter and Like us on Facebook www.gmw.nl/en

42 | access | autumn

Literature and lawyers are old allies, even though the common reader is not always left with the impression of lawyers in flamboyant roles as guardians of independent thinking. On the contrary: most prose in a legal setting contains no characters with whom an audience can effortlessly identify.

This perspective of the legal profession can hardly enable readers to see its real and fair functions fully and accurately, still less to appraise its contribution to the fabric of society.

To say this is not to criticise, nor to deny, the often fun and rather satirical perspective.

Lawyers belong to a profession ­proverbially energetic, even to turbulence, at times, the Wall Street lawyer in “Bartleby, the Scrivener” (1856) sort of stutters. In this short story Herman Melville, of Dutch descent and famous for his epic novel Moby Dick, places the lawyer

character between mildness and tediousness. His antipole in literature obviously is a remorseless ­‘devil’s advocate’, a real Lucifer, comparable to the devils introduced by the Dutch writer of tragedies, Joost van den Vondel in his work Lucifer as early as 1654, or – more

recent – Connie Palmen’s novel Lucifer (2007). Even less stereotyped lawyers still distort the real role of lawyers in society.

Exaggeration and satire

Of course stereotypes are more fun to read about and lean on the irresistible strength of exaggeration and satire. Myths die hard, and none die harder than the belief in a simple and equitable legal system.

The emergence of the ideals of the rule of law can’t meet those expectations. The somewhat arcane, technical legal language used in courts, is yet another stereotypical image to be dealt with. One of the first stories on trials that is not only satire, but also explains the plain legal system, is the Medieval Van den Vos Reynaerde.

A part of the French Roman de Renart, called Le Plaid – the plea –, inspired a certain Willem at around 1200 to write a supreme masterpiece of medieval literature, his own Fox-Fable.

Rhetoric and reality

In a legal narrative framework, Reynaerde the Fox is summoned to court three times to answer for his misdeeds. Reynaerde’s case is taken up by the eloquent Grimbeert the

Badger as legal counsel, who states so beautifully the old saying “viants mont seit selden wel” (“sweet words rarely fall from the enemy’s mouth”).

A characteristic aspect in the text is the extremely verbal nature: with sweet words Reynaerde himself paints a perfect picture of a world, which deviates from the events as they really took place. He exploits this gap between rhetoric and reality to the full. Even now, this gives us insight of where we ought to be going, and how law can modify our course in a proper way. In that view lies the chief significance of a stereotyped commentary. « access | autumn | 43

Health & wellbeing

Study secrets for the new-to-town

By Linda A. Janssen

If you’re one of the more than 80,000 foreign students who flock to the Netherlands, you know you’ll encounter challenging university programmes, Dutch history and culture, and the experience of living in an affordable, studentfriendly, educationfocused Western European country.

4 4 | access | autumn

To make the most of your university days in Nederland, it’s important to institute healthy study habits as soon as possible. So what can your fellow Dutch students teach you?

Follow the sun

Want to get off to a great Did y ou k start and impress your There is now... ­ also a professors? Begin your Student Hague Card study sessions the www.th ehague , st moment the sun goes card.nl/ udenten down. You’ll be hitting the books before 8:00 p.m. at the beginning of the academic year and at 4:30 p.m. by midterm exams in December. Just don’t oversleep and miss class with the later sunrises!

Not so fast with the Heineken

While a frosty Dutch beer is the way to go to relax, drink one while studying and you’ll nod off in your textbook.

Reach instead for the local favourite, a fruit and milk or yogurt drink to refresh and recharge those brain cells.

Discounts galore!

CJP is the Dutch Euro<26 card organisation, that offers ­everyone under 30 great discounts at over 1,500 places in the Netherlands. Get your discounts on cd’s, in shops, at ­museums, movie theatres, musicals or any place that carries the Euro<26 logo.

Down the hatch with herring

The card is valid for one year and can be renewed annually until the holder reaches age 30.

The Dutch love their fish, and herring is high in protein, vitamins D and B12 and anti-inflammatory properties, low in calories and cholesterol. No wonder »

Euro<26 is issued in 38 European countries, so any where you see the logo you are eligible for discounts. www.cjp.nl/cjpenglish and www.euro26.org access | autumn | 45

Health & wellbeing | Study secrets for the new-to-town

it’s called ‘brain food’. Eat it in true Dutch-style, dangling from your fingers and dropped into your mouth.

Get a bike

Your bicycle serves as transportation to and from classes, you’ll fit in your exercise and the resulting endorphins will keep you charged for a hard day’s learning.

Student organisations Most colleges and universities have student (studentenverenigingen) organisations that can provide invaluable support and give you opportunities to meet fellow students and exchange information. Many students are members of international ­student organisations.

European Student’s Forum - www.aegee.org World’s largest student platform - 110 countries - www.aiesec.org European Students’ Union - www.esu-online.org

Frites? Dank je wel!

Go ahead and indulge in the fabulous Dutch fries, just say no to the accompanying mayonnaise. You won’t feel sluggish while studying and it will help avoid the weight gain common among university students.

Museums and parks

Cosy study spots

In warmer, dryer weather head for the closest public park to access sun and serious study time. No matter whether you’re in a major city, mid-sized town or tiny dorpje (village), you’ll find a place to hit the books while enjoying nature. «

In addition to school study sites, consider these unusual places to study: check out your local public library.

With more than 1,000 Dutch public libraries, it isn’t hard to find one near you. They are terrific places to study or observe people, especially in a special space as spectacular as The Hague’s public library located in Richard Meier’s spectacular ‘Ice Palace’, or Amsterdam’s architecturally spacious public library.

Buy a museumjaarkaart (€20 for those 24 & under) for access to more than 400 museums in the Netherlands.

Enjoy the art and culture while scoping out quiet places to study.

About the Author Writer and expat Linda A. Janssen lives in The Hague and blogs at www.adventuresinexpatland.com.

access | autumn | 47

Language | Partner feature

Communication is only a few words away

By Ruud Hisgen, Director, Direct Dutch

Direct Dutch, one of the oldest language institutes in The Hague, explains why language learning is both a piece of cake and a tough cookie. The learning process is easy and at the same time, complex. A delicious challenge! The good news is that there is no bad news: the basics of Dutch are easy to master, especially for speakers of Germanic languages (such as English and German) and refining this mastery is great fun.

The greatest myth of all is that mastering a new language is only for those who have a linguistic talent.

Nonsense. Every human creature is equipped with a mind that can communicate. All humans can make 48 | access | autumn

their wishes, desires, visions, fears, hopes, and intentions perfectly clear to others. In other words, we all have a talent for languages.

The learning process is easy and at the same time, complex.

A delicious challenge!

We need words

The other myth is that Dutch grammar is incomprehensible. The truth is that Dutch, as English, has a fairly easy set of grammatical rules. These rules are used for statements, questions, commands and other messages in present and past. The rules are so few that they can be learned in a couple of hours. Easy…

However, a set of rules is not enough. We need words. And there are thousands of them. Several ­hundred thousand words in fact.

Not even a native speaker knows them all. Again there’s good news – successful communication can start with a few words (“Hello!”

“O hi!”). For daily communication one or two thousand words will do.

Surprise yourself ! Learn a new language. Teachers at Direct Dutch will teach you to speak, and in doing so, you will gain confidence. Don’t fear failure. Practice and make as many mistakes as you possibly can.

Be proud of them. For without mis-

takes there is no learning. Try and try again. And you’ll see that communication is only a few words away.

Feel up to this delicious challenge yourself ? Turn to our website www. directdutch.com, give us a call at 070365 46 77, or drop by at our institute at the Laan van Nieuw Oost Indië 275 to learn more about our courses.

Ruud Hisgen Director Direct Dutch

Upcoming courses in September:

• 10 September: Intensive Beginners Course (10 days) • 17 September: Intermediate Course (12 weeks) • 17 September: NT2 II course (12 weeks) • 18 September: Beginners Course (12 weeks) • 18 September: Advanced Course (12 weeks) • 25 September: Intermediate Course (12 weeks) More courses at all levels starting every month. «

Contact: Direct Dutch Institute Laan van Nieuw Oost-Indië 275 2593 BS Den Haag + 31 (0)6 286 343 83 +31 (0)70 365 46 77 www.directdutch.com

access | autumn | 49

Food

Come dine with us

A TV inspiration in Brababt

Breda Expats style

Come Dine with me is a Channel 4 TV progamme from the United Kingdom, where knives (and forks) are out as a group of strangers compete for the title of ultimate dinner party host.

by Rosalind van Aalen

Breda Expats version Come dine with us – an international experience

“Come dine with me”is an expression that brings images of Pride and Prejudice to mind. Imagine Mr Darcy saying to Elizabeth, “Oh, do come dine with me Elizabeth,” as they waltz off into the sunset.

The only waltzing in Brabant is the cycling off into the sunset after an intercultural ‘sensation’.

About the Author Rosalind van Aalen is a steering ­committee member of Breda Expats.

She also writes a blog about her ­experiences in the Netherlands. www.bredaexpats.nl www.talesfromwindmillfields.com 50 | access | autumn

Last year one of the Breda Expats founders and her partner got into the Channel 4 show. Ideas started whirring and the Breda Come Dine with us experience was aborn.

4 cooks from all over the world

The first Come Dine with us was in March 2012. Chefs from 3 different countries, UK, Netherlands and Argentina, took their turn in the kitchen, cooking up a 3 course meal for the 3 other chefs and their partners/ husbands. After each session the participants were given a comments form.

They commented on each dish and each chef was given a mark out of 10.

The marks were totaled and the first Come Dine with us winner was Frank Peters from the Netherlands winning

Ratatouille Tartlet

A recipe for success

Preparation Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 25 minutes Heat oil in frying pan. Add onion and cook, until onion softens. Add zucchini, capsicum and eggplant. Add tomato and cook, partially covered until vegetables are tender and sauce thickens.

Season with salt and pepper.

Preheat oven 220°C. Cut pre-made pastry sheet into quarters. Cut remaining pastry sheet into 1.5cm strips. Arrange pastry strips around edges of each pastry square and trim. Spoon zucchini mixture among squares and sprinkle with goat’s cheese. Bake until pastry is puffed and golden.

Ingredients

• 1 tbs olive oil • 1 red onion • 2 zucchini • 2 yellow capsicum, seeded • 1 small eggplant • 400g can crushed tomatoes • 2 sheets (25cm) frozen

ready-rolled puff pastry • 100g goat’s cheese

with his Italian-inspired theme. He was presented with a Cook&Co gift voucher.

The most recent Come Dine with us experience has just finished. One of the chefs was our own Steering committee

member Elaine Ferguson, originally from New Zeland. She cooked Ratatouille Tartlet, slow-cooked salmon with salad and rosti, and Tiramisu.

But was it enough to be crowned the next Come dine with us champion? « access | AuTuMn | 51

Finance - Partner feature

After many years of increasing house prices, the situation changed dramatically in 2008. The average selling price of existing properties has shown a slight, but gradual decline until now, but it is hard to predict how the market will develop in the near future. Many houses are for sale and prospective buyers can “cherry pick” their new home in such an abundant market.

Housing market update

By José C. de Boer MFP RLP

Prospective buyers are however, cautious in the current market.

Those who already own a property wait to buy a new house until their present home is sold. Also, financing has become more challenging than it used to be. And so the year began badly for the housing market.

52 | access | autumn

Prices declined further. This can be attributed to the fragile economic situation, the declining purchasing power and reduced borrowing capacity of first-time buyers.

Plenty of choice

However, the housing market is ­suffering more than it should be.

Since on the positive side, the amount of houses for sale is large and therefore there is plenty of choice and more room for negotiation. A house that was not within your budget three years ago could certainly be more affordable today.

Furthermore, interest rates are still historically low and anyone with good credentials can still get a mortgage and do a great buy. In other words, if you can show sufficient income, either in a job or being self-employed, banks are stilling willing to grant a full mortgage.

What are the advantages of buying vs. renting?

When you buy a property, you will actually own it. So in the long term you are building up assets. And you may make improvements to the home according to your own taste and desire. Furthermore, buying is

José C. de Boer MFP RLP

Contact:

cheaper in the long run, since rents increase with inflation and mortgage payments generally do not. And should you be able to get a mortgage with National Mortgage Guarantee (NHG), you can get help to some extent should you run into financial difficulties (through loss of job, ­illness, etc.).

What are the disadvantages of buying?

The disadvantage of being a homeowner is that you yourself are responsible for the maintenance of the property. And a mortgage is a long-term financial commitment.

Also, any future sale of the property may take longer than anticipated, as many homeowners are well aware of in the current market.

So is it sensible to buy a house now?

Well, the decline in house prices is slowing down according to the national statistics. So is this the right moment? Ultimately, this depends on your personal circumstances. What are your long-term plans? How much do you earn?

Meeting with your financial advisor can give you a clear idea of your ­possibilities. «

Financieel Voorlichtingsbureau de Boer / De Boer Financial Consultants tel office: +31 (0)70 511 87 88 mobile: +31 (0)6 557 603 99 www.fvbdeboer.nl Wassenaar/ The Hague office: Gang 3 2242 KD Wassenaar Amsterdam office De Lairessestraat 108 1071 PK Amsterdam

access | autumn | 53

ACCESS Trainers

Meet our Trainers ACCESS Trainers are an integral part of the ACCESS Community. They provide training opportunities on topics of relevance to the international community ACCESS serves, in English or other languages. Trainers who work with ACCESS are vetted for their relevancy to the international community.

of our courses are those related to preparing for a family, in which you meet others in the same situation (having a family far from family) and gain insight to how things may be a little different to where you are from.

We offer courses in the following categories:

• Childbirth and parenting • Personal development • Job seeking • Health and wellbeing • Creative • Languages and culture Are you interested in being part of the ACCESS trainer network?

The courses offered through ACCESS are aimed at providing opportunities for personal growth; supporting the development of ‘community’; learning something new; preparing for a new direction, cultural adaptation as well as pregnancy and childbirth.

ACCESS courses cover a variety of topics and they provide you with the opportunity to meet new people, while learning new skills. The most popular

Do you have a course, which provides value to the international community?

Contact ced@access-nl.org or click here for more information.

Have a look at all the courses and register online:

http://access-nl.org/about-access/whatwedo/courses-workshops/all-courses.aspx Meet our Trainers online:

http://access-nl.org/aboutaccess/how-we-doit/trainers/meet-our-trainers.aspx » access | autumn | 55

Trainers r e g i s t e r f o r c o u r s e s o n l i n e at w w w. a c c e s s - n l . o r g , o r c o n ta c t t r a i n e r d i r e c t ly.

Language Amina Abdelmoula Dutch language teacher Amsterdam & The Hague

Amina loves the intricacies, nuances and playfulness of language. Her interactive and hands-on approach to language has proven to be very successful! “This fantastic experience is what keeps me motivated as a teacher, and what makes me proud to say: ‘I’m a language teacher, I am Dutchessa!’”

www.Dutchessa.com

Digital photography Megan Alter Professional photographer & photography teacher Amsterdam

Learn to take better photos. Megan believes in learning by doing; her classes not only teach theory, but how to put that theory into practice. Sign up for a class now and take control of your camera so you can express yourself more fully and preserve beautiful memories with your images.

www.meganalter.com/classes

Career coaching Caroline van den Bogaard International career coach Amsterdam & via Skype

www.cctransitions.com

Caroline inspires and motivates international professionals to look for ways to continue their career in a new country, and to make the transition easier through career coaching. She knows the challenges and opportunities that professionals face when transitioning to another country, having lived and worked abroad herself. She is a certified career coach and has a Master’s degree in occupational psychology.

POWERtalk Marlene Burns Coaching in effective communication skills The Hague

www.powertalkeurope.com

56 | access | autumn

Marlene is an accredited trainer for Powertalk International’s Short Course, which she presents with fellow trainer Angela Tait. Both are experienced speakers at both local and international levels. Are you a nervous beginner or just feel the need to improve? This course offers in-depth training at all levels for effective speaking.

Trainers r e g i s t e r f o r c o u r s e s o n l i n e at w w w. a c c e s s - n l . o r g , o r c o n ta c t t r a i n e r d i r e c t ly.

Career and life coaching Marie Dewulf International career and life coach The Hague

www.en.coach2moveon.com

Marie is a coach who specialises in cross- cultural adaptation, communication skills and careers in transition. Her focus lies in helping people to be in control of their lives, rather than being at its mercy by using effective tools. Being an expat working mum for 17 years, she knows how relocating often is challenging and also very rewarding.

Diversity discussions Christine Fischer Multicultural coach The Hague

www.fischersfiresidechats.com

Christine holds an M.A. & a M.Ed. in multicultural counselling psychology from TC, Columbia University, NYC. She created FischersFiresidechat discussions, workshops, and seminars to foster warm, informal, yet informed environments for learning cultural competence. Her programmes cultivate awareness of one’s own cultural worldview, attitudes towards cultural differences and offer a variety of cross-cultural skills.

Childbirth preparation Truus Gale Experienced midwife and prenatal coach Amsterdam

www.childbirthclassgale.com

Truus has over 20 years experience in Dutch midwifery and related areas. She holds a Dutch equivalent of a BA in Educational Sciences from Amsterdam University and graduated from Amsterdam Midwifery College in 1988. Truus has been an ACCESS trainer since 2005, specialised in prenatal individual or group information sessions for expat couples expecting a baby in the Netherlands.

IT and Self defence William Rumley-van Gurp Professional personal development trainer The Hague & Rotterdam

www.cftrainingtoday.com

William is a qualified and experienced trainer, able to offer tailor-made courses in a range of IT and Self defense areas.

He has 26 years experience in Self defense and Karate. He has also been teaching people to use Microsoft applications since 1997 when working as an IT Trainer for an international organisation based in The Hague.

access | autumn | 57

Trainers r e g i s t e r f o r c o u r s e s o n l i n e at w w w. a c c e s s - n l . o r g , o r c o n ta c t t r a i n e r d i r e c t ly.

Medical advice Dr. Houser provides guidance on issues of great concern to expats - health & healthcare. She is a Johns Hopkins trained Physician advisor, expatriate (US) physician with experience in training Dutch physicians. medical concerns Her focus is assisting expats with the Dutch healthcare the Netherlands ­system, including both cultural and medical differences.

Dr. Houser lives in the Netherlands with her four children www.expatmedicaladvisor.com and her husband, who is Dutch.

Christine Houser

Breastfeeding Myrte van Lonkhuijsen Experienced lactation consultant, IaBCLC

The Breastfeeding centre in Amsterdam offers specialised individual help with breastfeeding, courses and a breastfeeding shop. Myrte and the centre can assist you in solving problems, and in fitting breastfeeding into your everyday life.

Amsterdam

www.borstvoedingscentrum.nl

Life-work balance Anja Ferrari-Malik Back pain specialist and orthopaedic surgeon, MD Amsterdam, The Hague & Rotterdam

www.ferrarimalik.com

Anja is a back pain specialist who has developed a specific method for stopping chronic pain. The method consists of a few individualised and targeted exercises that help to relieve pain and to improve back health. She has worked in her own private practice for over 10 years, giving workshops for individuals and in-company trainings.

Career coaching and Job hunting support Teresa Moynihan HR and career consulting The greater Hague area

www.moynihan-hr-consulting.com

58 | access | autumn

As well as being a Career Coach, Teresa also offers interim HR and Recruitment support to international organisations.

She is a member of NVP (Dutch Association of HR professionals), and Member of the WBII (Women’s Business Initiative International). Teresa offers career coaching and job-hunting support, company workshops or one-to-one coaching.

Trainers r e g i s t e r f o r c o u r s e s o n l i n e at w w w. a c c e s s - n l . o r g , o r c o n ta c t t r a i n e r d i r e c t ly.

Childbirth preparation Nester Moyo Senior midwifery advisor The Hague

www.access-nl.org

Nester is a Zimbabwean Midwife Educator who has lived in the Netherlands since 2001, and has worked with ACCESS conducting child birth preparation classes since 2002. Nester is well versed in the education and practice of midwifery in the Netherlands, as she has been a visiting lecturer to some of the midwifery universities in the Netherlands.

Weight loss support Jacinta Noonan Weight loss coach

Amsterdam & The Hague

www.bigontheinside.com

Jacinta specialises in helping people achieve their most healthy weight. She uses a unique, non-diet approach offering one-to-one coaching, support groups and workshops.

Jacinta holds a Bachelor of Science degree, is a certified NLP Master Practitioner and an ICF certified Coach. She is well qualified to work as a coach in the field of eating disorders and obesity.

Pre- and postnatal courses Joke van Roosendaal g

helpin help

you!

Breathing and relaxaation therapist/Yoga instructor The Hague

www.access-nl.org

Joke has been working in the yoga field for 25 years (Pregnancy yoga for 18 years). Through different kinds of schooling (Breathing and Relaxation) she has developed a practical preparation for labour and offers tools to cope with fear and pain. Being fully informed and prepared makes for a less stressful delivery.

Mind your stress Mary Jane Roy Stress and emotional resilience facilitator Amsterdam, The Hague &Â Rotterdam

www.creatingwaves.nu

Mary Jane will facilitate you learning simple, effective techniques to reduce, relieve, and release stress anywhere, anytime. She is available for presentations, trainings, workshops and one-on-one sessions, for individuals as well as companies. Her educational background is as a certified stress counsellor, NLP master practitioner, registered HeartMath provider, and she is a registered nurse. access | autumn | 59

Trainers r e g i s t e r f o r c o u r s e s o n l i n e at w w w. a c c e s s - n l . o r g , o r c o n ta c t t r a i n e r d i r e c t ly.

Creative art classes Marjolein van der Sluis Artist & Art instructor The Hague

www.vandersluis.com

Marjolein has exhibited her work in Europe and the US. She will teach you painting techniques and enable you to develop your own style to creatively express yourself in an artistic way.

Marjolein has developed an art and etiquette program for children as she finds it is important that children are introduced to the world of art and decorum at an early age.

International career coaching Dorota Klop-Sowinska International career coach & counsellor Amsterdam & The Hague

www.dosocoaching.com

DoSo! Coaching focuses on internationals living in the ­Netherlands. Dorota combines her education and work experiences as a coach/counsellor and her personal experience as an expat herself (the Netherlands, Mexico and Brazil) to help people to discover what they truly want to accomplish in their lives (professional & private) and provides them with tools so they can realise their goals.

Childbirth preparation Lee Tolman Fysiotherapeutacupuncturist The Hague

www.partnersinwellness.nl

Lee has undertaken extensive post-grad courses specialising in childbirth preparation, prenatal and postpartum complaints, menopause and infertility. Lee is currently practicing physiotherapy and acupuncture in a private practice in Voorburg and shares facilitation of the ACCESS childbirth preparation courses. She has been a Dutch resident for the past 20 years and a childbirth educator for ACCESS for 15 years.

Childbirth preparation Ria Wiertz Antenatal teacher Rotterdam

www.borstvoedingspijkenisse.nl

60 | access | autumn

Ria is a qualified antenatal teacher with over 15 years experience. Ria trained with the Stichting ter Verbreiding van de Psycho Prophylaxes Method, a Dutch Lamaze variant. She is a lactation consultant, personal coach and is qualified to teach Baby Massage. Ria is in the process of obtaining the official Lamaze Trainer Certificate so she can train others to give this wonderful course.

WELCOME TO THE NETHERLANDS ABN AMRO: Expert in financial services for expats ABN AMRO is literally and figuratively the bank for international customers. ABN AMRO is the financial specialist for expatriates residing in the Netherlands. And just like our expat customers, we aim to offer pioneering services complete with tailor-made products and skilled consultants who speak their language.

You have a busy job, so we would like to make banking in the Netherlands as easy as possible.

We will gladly assist you with your financial needs, not just after you arrive, but from the moment you know you are coming to the Netherlands. ABN AMRO is a trusted partner for expats, diplomats, civil servants and international organisations.

For more information, please visit www.abnamro.nl/expats Contact Amsterdam: 020 - 34 34 002 The Hague: 070 - 37 52 050 Rotterdam: 010 - 40 25 888

e-mail: expat.clients@nl.abnamro.com e-mail: international.clients@nl.abnamro.com e-mail: international.clients@nl.abnamro.com