A look at Dutch quirks and curiosities by the editors at Radio Netherlands Worldwide
This week, they say he threatens Dutch democracy, but why is Geert Wilders so popular? The landmark court case that threatens to close coffeeshops across the Netherlands. The opulence of Oman - the new exhibition that’s lighting up Amsterdam’s Nieuwe Kerk. And of course our regular look at the Dutch music scene. This week: Moke. All in all, one Curious Orange! Listen to the show
Photo: ANP
For richer or for poorer, in good times or bad.
In its twenty-third year, PAN Amsterdam is the Netherlands’ premier art and antiques fair. The fair has something for everyone with a range of high-quality international offerings. Diverse styles, from different periods are available to suit every budget. Whether you’re after paintings or sculptures, design, glass, silver, antique, jewels, photography, PAN Amsterdam is an inspiration for anyone who loves beauty or is in search for gifts with a history.
This week on the show we look at Dutch art in New York. Find out more on the RNW site
So much art from such a small country! says the curator of the New York Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). In the past year, the leading New York museum has set up several exhibitions of Dutch artists.
A few rooms in the immensely big Museum of Modern Art have been dedicated to the exhibition ‘In & Out of Amsterdam: Travels in Conceptual Art, 1960-1976′. A work by Jan Dibbets hangs near the entrance.
MoMA’s Swiss curator Christophe Cherix, who put together the exhibition, explains: “This work consists of 80 photographs, all together in just a single frame. Each photograph was taken from the same spot in his home, looking in the direction of the garden. The idea, the concept behind this work is to document an entire day by taking a photograph every eight minutes.”
Are you a blogger and are you looking for bigger exposure for your blog? You can sign up and have your blog featured at Radio Nertherlands Worldwide’s main site - you can also include a widget which means fellow bloggers can rank your content.
New research shows the world has a bigger problem, literally, with obese people than it does from those suffering from hunger, at least this is what the World Health Organisation is saying. It says one in ten kids around the world is overweight.
The Dutch may have a reputation for being super fit, but it is a problem here too. This video features a special institution in the Netherlands designed to help overweight kids.
This week on the radio show we have a fascinating feature on Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh, an insight into his work and life via means of his own letters.
Listen to the show
There’s also a look at the life of illegal aliens in the country, a discussion on Sunday trading and some very noisy music.
This week’s feature artist Aux Raus.
Want to tell people what’s happening in the world where you are and what would you like to see done about things? We’re a running a unique competition at Radio Netherlands offering people the chance to profile the issues dearest to them - follow the link.
Top prize is an internship at RNW.
There’s been a lot of talk about right wing extremists this week here in Europe following the appearance of British fascist Nick Griffin on a BBC discussion programme.
A group here in the Netherlands has launched a really interesting video posing the question, what would happen if all the, Moroccan, immigrants were to leave the country.
A man cycles in his dressing gown to collect his own newspaper from a pile in the street – the Moroccan delivery man has left the country. Streets are strewn with litter, buildings fall into disrepair. Stranded commuters queue for taxis, with no one left to drive them. “Last Moroccan leaves today,” reads the newspaper headline, as a plane overhead flies south.
This is the world envisaged in a video featured on the website munt.nu – one in which everyone of Moroccan descent has left the Netherlands.
Cocaine factory Amsterdam
A new book reveals how a secret Dutch cocaine factory turned soldiers into war machines. We hear from the New Yorker who’s digging up more than just his Dutch family roots. Contemplate the meaning of life by burying yourself in a grave and the Dutch neo-folk band that’s turning pop music on its head.
This week’s show is presented by Paul Anstiss.
Listen to the show here
Next week sees the influential Amsterdam Dance Event ADE getting underway.
From Amsterdam city website:
The Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE)
is the Gateway to the international electronic music scene. The ADE is Europes leading electronic music conference as well as the world’s biggest club festival. Celebrating its fourteenth year, ADE is the ultimate platform to meet international business partners, introduce your business to an international audience and get in touch with new people, new music and new trends.
In 2008 the conference attracted 2,000 music professionals and 90,000 visitors enjoyed performances by more than 700 DJs and acts at 44 clubs and other venues.
