Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker
The synchronized system for obstetrical careBy PhilipsFeaturing The Medical Center Leeuwarden’ February 28 2025 5 min read Case studyWomen's and maternal healthPatient monitoringThe Medical Center Leeuwarden (MCL) made the strategic decision to replace its outdated electronic medical record with the Epic EMR
When the hospital implemented a new EMR system
they chose to add IntelliSpace Perinatal (ISP) from Philips
their long-time patient monitoring partner
ISP is used to monitor obstetrics patients throughout the hospital because of its interoperability
adaptability and coverage of the obstetrical care continuum
Creating a connection between Epic and IntelliSpace Perinatal was complex because it required supporting the flow of information across many locations of the hospital
“Our staff felt quite anxious about making this change because our department has a high-risk factor
It’s like an emergency department in that respect.”
Enhancing OB patient carePatient safety is the priority for all staff members on the maternity ward
“Our work can be very chaotic with lots of surprises
so it’s important for us to have a perinatal monitoring system that we can blindly trust
We have to know that we are putting the right data from the right patient in the right file,” said Lida Flapper
MCL Clinical Manager of IntelliSpace Perinatal
To provide a current and unified record for each patient
Epic and IntelliSpace Perinatal use context synchronization
which keeps the patient or user focus in sync between the two systems
When a user selects a patient in the Epic system
IntelliSpace Perinatal automatically also selects the same patient
Both applications can be accessed via the same workstation
In the department’s previous perinatal system
staff might sometimes work in two different patient files at the same time
meaning they could inadvertently enter data from patient A into the folder of patient B
because Epic and IntelliSpace Perinatal synchronize with each other live
and IntelliSpace Perinatal follows so we know we are always working in the right file
IntelliSpace Perinatal also reduces our keystrokes when entering data
It only takes a few seconds for changes to be updated to either system
so we know we are always seeing the latest information.”
Fostering communication across the hospitalIntelliSpace Perinatal allows staff members to monitor the status of all patients in labor at the hospital: in display screens in the maternity ward
outpatient clinic and surgical recovery room
Flapper said she recently saw a child with a bad CTG on her IntelliSpace Perinatal screen in another room and could bring that to the attention of her colleagues in the outpatient clinic
“IntelliSpace Perinatal is beneficial not only for the mother and child
but it also supports us as medical staff by alerting us to potentially dangerous situations
it fosters better communication between staff on the maternity ward and different hospital locations,” says Flapper
The department’s obstetricians can log into the system from home and view everything in the application
This allows them to consult with a physician’s assistant who is on the ward
“This capability is extremely important for our process
A mother in labor is going through an extremely fragile process
and we want to do everything we can to make it go smoothly and to intervene immediately if the patient has an issue.”
Flexible planningIntelliSpace Perinatal is designed to simplify maintenance and updates for IT departments
we switch to the emergency protocol and the nurses have to go back to pen and paper
we can do a lot remotely and we can first test an upgrade offline so we know exactly how long it will take and what issues we might have
That allows us to limit our downtime as much as possible,” said Thony van der Veen
IntelliSpace Perinatal is a stable product
we received dedicated training and tools from Philips that help us quickly figure out where it’s going wrong
Staff in several locations can easily monitor the status and alarm indications for all patients
Many parties worked intensively to implement the connection between the IntelliSpace Perinatal system and Epic: the MCL applications
Philips IT specialists and the Epic engineers
Colleagues from the MCL Medical Technical Department were involved from the start in the project and played a significant role in successfully implementing Philips hardware in the hospital infrastructure
“Philips understands how the care process works in obstetrics departments
We received a lot of support from Philips and had a real lifeline with them when we were making the switch and that continues today
and they are not hesitant to share their expertise with us.”
Medical Center Leeuwarden Intellispace Perinatal case study
Stalls for Rent at Durondeau Dressage in Peer, Belgium
Exceptionally Well Located Equestrian Facility in Wellington, Florida
Well-built Equestrian Estate With Multiple Business Opportunities in Sweden
Stable Units for Rent at Lotje Schoots' Equestrian Center in Houten (NED)
For Rent: Several Apartments and Stable Wing at High-End Equestrian Facility
Stable Wing Available at Reiterhof Wensing on Dutch/German border
Real Estate: Well-Appointed Country House with Extensive Equestrian Facility in the U.K.
Rémi Blot
PETAWAWA – The mayors of Petawawa and Leeuwarden stood shoulder to shoulder
looking on as the Royal Canadian Dragoons (RCD) marked the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Dutch city from Nazi occupation with a parade of reverence and commemoration
We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentThe Dragoons have traditionally held the annual celebratory parade at Garrison Petawawa but this year it was held in the Kinhut parking lot near the Petawawa Civic Centre allowing for participation from the greater community.
Serviss explained that in that spirit of remembrance, over 200 students from Petawawa schools had been invited and were in attendance at the ceremony to honour the RCD and commemorate Leeuwarden’s liberation 80 years ago. The Petawawa mayor then recognized the bravery and sacrifices made by all the liberators.
“Thank you so much to the RCD veterans who fought bravely throughout the Netherlands to liberate the Dutch people 80 years ago and to the heroic Dutch people and the resistance fighters as well who did their part to assist in the liberation. We honour them all for their sacrifice and will continue to ensure that their legacy lives on.”
In his remarks, Leeuwarden Mayor Sybrand van Haersma Buma began by sharing how his city annually commemorates its liberation and honours the Dragoons, and how the Dragoons annually reciprocate, no matter whether they are at home or deployed around the world.
“It’s heartwarming to see that for you, like for us, this memory remains so lively,” he said.
He called April 15th, 1945 a “defining day” in the history of Leeuwarden and described how the Dragoons were welcomed with joy, cheers and the waving of flags.
“They (Dragoons) handed out chocolate — the people hadn’t seen that for five years – and cigarettes and they received flowers and kisses,” he said.
He said it was great to have Petawawa students in attendance at the parade and told them it was for people like them that a booklet titled Leeuwarden – a City in Wartime, had been created.
“I hope it gives you some understanding of what five years of brutal occupation brought about in Leeuwarden. But above all, I hope that you will realize how horrible war is and how grateful we may be to live in peace, together. So to all of you who say those liberators stood for something greater than themselves, they fought for people they didn’t even know, far away from home, and for that we are ever grateful,” van Haersma Buma said.
The Leeuwarden mayor noted that both Petawawa and Leeuwarden also share military heritage in that they both host a military base – Canadian Forces at Garrison Petawawa and in Leeuwarden a Dutch Air Force base.
Maj.-Gen. (Ret’d) Stephen Cadden, Colonel of the Regiment, addressed the troops on parade following an inspection.
Cadden said this year’s event was particularly special because town council and the Town of Petawawa invited the Dragoons to hold the commemoration amongst the Petawawa community where the troops families, friends, and neighbours could take part in the remembrance.
He also praised the troops on parade for their dress and deportment but mainly for their commitment to defend Canada, and if necessary to go overseas to defend and assist our allies.
Turning to the Dutch delegation, he thanked the members for travelling so far to visit adding their presence represents the friendship between Canada and the Netherlands; Petawawa and the Royal Canadian Dragoons and Leeuwarden.
“By being here, you honour our soldiers and the soldiers that are on parade because the soldiers on parade represent a line of soldiers going back to 1883, across many battles where there been many losses. Your presence shows them that the sacrifices that their predecessors made and that they continue to make, the pain endured and the separation from families, is very gratefully remembered,” Cadden said.
During the Dutch delegation’s visit to the area, the members were treated to lots of hospitality in Petawawa including an ATV adventure on area trails with Petawawa Mayor Serviss.
transmission or republication strictly prohibited
This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Sneek Sneek was founded in the 10th century and served as an important trading hub for many years
Like other mercantile cities in the Netherlands
Sneek features a canal belt that was built in order to facilitate water traffic flowing through the city
These waterways lead onto Sneek’s most iconic landmark: the Waterpoort
a Mannerist-style gatehouse with two pointed turrets
Sneek, Netherlands | hoch3fotografie / Unsplash
This picturesque, coastal village serves as the county seat of Terschelling Island
multi-tiered lighthouse called Brandaris stands in the centre of the village and has watched over Terschelling’s shores since the 16th century
The village is surrounded by grassy dune lands and looks out onto the Wadden Sea – an area that’s protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site
Cyclists through nature in Terschelling | Wim Van T Einde / Unsplash
Dokkum Dokkum’s fortified town walls are among the most well-preserved structures of their kind in the Netherlands and follow a star-shaped canal that circles the city’s historic centre
thousands of tulips burst into full bloom in gardens along these defenses
creating a stunning walking route that flows through the city
Dokkum also features two working windmills that stand on the western side of its bulwarks
This coastal village developed around an ancient church called Mariakerk that was built on an artificial mound in the 13th century
Although the church originally stood inland
it currently overlooks Wierum’s shoreline due to floods and coastal erosion
Wierum’s economy revolved around fishing and there are many monuments in the village dedicated to the trade
including Mariakerk’s ship-shaped weather vane and a memorial on Wierum’s seawall honouring the memory of 22 fisherman who died at sea during a severe storm in 1893
Stairs on a sea dike with sheep in the north of Holland | Jurjen Veerman / Shutterstock
its docks still receive considerable trade and feature many stunning buildings that attest to Harlingen’s seafaring heritage
Sign up to our newsletter to save up to $800 on our unique trips
See privacy policy
which houses a large collection of academic artefacts
Street with monumental houses in the center of the Frisian town of Franeker
Makkum Makkum lies just beneath the Afsluitdijk causeway
which connects Friesland with North Holland
artificial hill that was built in order to safeguard against the frequent floods that plagued the area until the 20th century
this seafaring town has developed into a major beach resort
Due to its proximity to waterways that flowed between the North Sea and Zuiderzee, this former Hanseatic city was one of the most influential trading centres in Friesland for several centuries
Many buildings from this time have survived until the present day
including Bolsward’s stately town hall that’s recognised as one of the most complete examples of Frisian Renaissance architecture
Canal houses in the center of the picturesque town of Bolsward in Friesland
Sloten Sloten is the smallest city in Friesland and currently houses around 760 inhabitants
Its small population mainly lives inside Sloten’s historic town walls
which are surrounded by a wide moat that feeds into a nearby lake
the city features several other points of interest
including an 18th-century windmill and rows of charming
waterside houses complete with pointed gables
Tom Coggins writes about culture and travel
Guides & Tips The Most Naturally Beautiful Destinations in the Netherlands
See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in September
Art 6 Highlights of Amsterdam's Stedelijk Museum
See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in July
See & Do Lesser-Known Summer Destinations to Visit in Europe
Guides & Tips Beat the Crowds with these Alternative Summer Destinations
Guides & Tips The Best European Cities to Visit in November
See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Autumn
See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in October
Guides & Tips The Best European Cities to Visit in December
See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Summer
Guides & Tips This Is Europe's Ultimate Road Trip
US: +1 (678) 967 4965 | UK: +44 (0)1630 35000
tripssupport@theculturetrip.com
© Copyright 2025 The Culture Trip Ltd
A large fire that broke out at nightclub Zayn Nightlife in the center of Leeuwarden late Saturday night is now under control
Emergency crews worked for hours to contain the flames
which sent thick smoke billowing over the city and prompted evacuations
Authorities confirmed shortly after 1 a.m. that the fire had been brought under control. Evacuated buildings in the Ruiterskwartier entertainment district were reopened around 2:30 a.m.
"The fire could no longer be fought from within," the fire department said, explaining that crews had to combat the flames from the exterior. Drone footage failed to pinpoint the exact source of the fire, complicating firefighting efforts.
An NL-Alert was issued Saturday night, advising residents to stay indoors, close windows, and turn off ventilation systems due to the heavy smoke. Veiligheidsregio Fryslân also warned that asbestos may have been released in the fire.
Five people were assessed for possible smoke inhalation, according to emergency services. Witnesses reported that some residents evacuated with their pets, while others watched from the nearby Nieuwestad.
The Ruiterskwartier was sealed off for emergency services, and large crowds gathered in the area. Omrop Fryslân reported that many people had been out for the evening, with Zayn Nightlife scheduled to host a "Back to the 90s" party at 11 p.m.
© 2012-2025, NL Times, All rights reserved.
Petawawa – The Royal Canadian Dragoons (RCD) and Town of Petawawa held a special parade at the Petawawa Civic Centre last Tuesday (April 15th) commemorating the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the City of Leeuwarden, Netherlands, from German occupation in 1945.
Over 200 local students who had recently learned about the liberation in class were among hundreds of people including veterans and dignitaries who met to mark the occasion. Among the special guests were the Mayor of Leeuwarden, Sybrand Buma, Major-General (Ret.) Stephen Cadden, Honorary Colonel of the RCD, and the family of Don White, the last surviving Dragoon who Liberated Leeuwarden in 1945. He passed away in 2023.
The event began with a commemorative parade by the RCD. While it was short, only about 300 meters, it was certainly something to behold. It started with a marching demonstration down Volunteer Way before converging in the Kinhut Parking Lot, which served as a parade square where spectators were gathered. From there, RCD soldiers conducted several drill manoeuvres before the crowd was asked to stand for the arrival of the reviewing officers.
Maj.-Gen. (Ret.) Cadden was then escorted by the commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Chloeann Summerfield and Regimental Sergeant Major, Chief Warrant Officer John Nickerson of the RCD to inspect the parade. Petawawa Mayor Gary Serviss, Mayor Buma and Deputy Head of Mission for the Netherlands, Paul van Oostveen, were invited to accompany the inspection.
The ceremony following the performance began with the raising of the Leeuwarden flag and the Dutch national anthem before Mayor Serviss took the stand. He thanked the distinguished guests, the Mayor of Leeuwarden for making the trip from the Netherlands, Mr. van Oostveen and the Dutch Defence Attaché, Colonel Mark de Wit. He then introduced Heather McVety, Holly and Steve White, the daughters and son of veteran Don White.
“Don White, as many of you know, was one of the first RCD soldiers to enter Leeuwarden on April 15th, 1945. Unfortunately, Don White passed away two years ago in 2023. But last year at the 2024 Remembrance Day ceremony at Valour High School, the students of Valour honoured Don’s legacy with a commemorative brick at the Juno Beach Memorial in France.”
He called the members of the White family to accept a replica plaque of the Juno Beach Memorial brick. Mayor Serviss thanked the RCD soldiers on parade for their “incredible display of skill and discipline.” He gave a brief synopsis of the liberation of Leeuwarden and reflected on the enduring bond between the Netherlands and Canada.
“After suffering for several years under Nazi rule, the Dutch people heard rumours of an advancing allied force, which raised their spirits,” the mayor explained. “At 11 a.m. on April 15th, the first vehicles from the RCD entered Leeuwarden, sending the entire population into a spontaneous celebration.”
Mayor Serviss told the audience that Leeuwarden continues to mark the occasion annually and emphasizes teaching the next generation to honour their liberators. He said the town invited over 200 local students to the parade in that same spirit. The mayor continued to give the students some homework.
“It’s your job today and every day going forward to continue to remember the sacrifices made by our veterans, and carry on this remembrance with you as you grow older. For completing this task, we are offering each student here a traditional Dutch stroopwafel cookie, handmade by sisters Claire and Hilary of Stroop & Wafel from Deep River.”
Mayor Serviss introduced Mayor Buma and presented him with a plaque symbolizing the connection between the Town of Petawawa and the City of Leeuwarden. The mayor closed off his speech by recognizing the RCD veterans who fought bravely throughout the Netherlands and the heroic Dutch people and resistance fighters.
“We honour them all for their sacrifice and will continue to ensure their legacy lives on.”
Mayor Buma thanked Mayor Serviss and expressed his appreciation for town locals and the RCD for their hospitality. He went on to discuss the significance of the commemoration parade.
“Today marks exactly 80 years after the liberation of Leeuwarden, the capital of the province of Friesland in the Netherlands,” the mayor said. “It is heartwarming to see that for you, like for us, this memory remains so lively.”
He told the audience about several ways the people of Leeuwarden recognize the history locally, like how their city hall has an embedded plaque honouring the RCD.
“Each year including today, the Dragoons flag is raised there and a wreath is laid. Because of the time difference it has happened there already six hours ago at 11 o’clock, and I just saw the first pictures coming in,” Mayor Buma continued. “So, April 15th, 1945, will forever remain a defining day to the history of our city.”
He explained on that day, the Royal Canadian Dragoons’ C-Squadron were the first to enter Leeuwarden, soon followed by infantry and a procession of artillery and tanks. He said there was no German resistance, as they had fled in the days before.
“So, to all of you I say, those liberators stood for something greater than themselves, they fought for people they didn’t even know far away from home, and for that, we are ever grateful.”
Mayor Buma added Dutch National Remembrance Day is held on the 4th of May, and that they celebrate the Netherlands liberation the following day. Recognizing most of the attendees had never experienced the war personally, he shared his father’s experience growing up.
“For example, my own grandfather, who was a mayor like me, an officiant. He stood up against the occupiers. My father was just nine years old when in May 1941, his father was arrested at home and taken away in front of my father’s eyes. The little boy would never see his father again. His father died a year later in a German concentration camp, 30 years of age, leaving a wife and four children behind,” the mayor explained.
“This is only just one story. Countless families lost loved ones, fathers and mothers, sons and daughters. Soldiers, resistance fighters as well as innocent civilians like more than 100,000 Dutch-Jewish citizens. Three quarters of the Dutch-Jewish population lost their lives.
“There may be an ocean between Petawawa and Leeuwarden, but in today’s troubled times we stand together, trusting each other as longtime friends,” Mayor Buma remarked. “Let us stand together as friends to protect our freedom. Because that we owe to our children.”
Maj.-Gen. (Ret.) Cadden stepped down from the stage to address the hundreds of attendees. He told them to not take life for granted and gave his suggestion some context.
“Most of us slept in a warm bed last night. We had a hot breakfast this morning if we wanted it. We’ve got friends and family, there will be a hot shower later on in the day if we want it,” he said. “And most importantly, nobody’s shooting at us.”
He said it’s fitting how the event’s weather was a “little bit miserable,” given how it’s a solemn commemoration, not a celebration. He thanked the mayors for their speeches and highlighted a few regimental family members who had attended.
“We’ve got General Rick Hillier who’s with us, Major General Dean Milner, retired. General Pete Atkinson, General George Russo, former colonels, commandants, former colonels of the regiment, former commanding officers,” he continued.
“Names that would strike fear into regimental members back when they were serving.”
Maj.-Gen. (Ret.) Cadden added the parade and ceremony are family events and represent a living link to the past. He said this year’s celebration is a special occasion since the Town of Petawawa invited the RCD to commemorate the liberation with the community instead of amongst themselves on base.
He went on to thank the troops on parade, which he added was not the whole regiment as many of them are preparing to deploy or supporting those entering active field duty.
“Everybody has a battle to fight every day. But you have signed up to be prepared for a bigger battle if necessary. You’ve made a commitment to defend our country, and if necessary to go over and defend our friends and our allies,” he continued. “And for that choice, I thank you.
“We took our time going through on the inspection. I wanted to talk to every Dragoon there to let you know that what you’re doing is appreciated and you’re the pride of our country.”
He thanked the Dutch delegation for their presence and the important memories they bring with them, saying they honoured RCD soldiers going back to 1883 by being there.
“I hope we never need the Dutch people to fight on behalf of Canada, but it’s reassuring to know we have friends and allies that we’ve stood with in the past, and we’ll be prepared to stand with in the future. Thank you very much for being here and helping us to remember.”
In closing, Mayor Buma took to the stage to present some gifts before the ceremony concluded. He gave Mayor Serviss a special vase made in Leeuwarden, which leans when laid down flat to symbolize Oldehove tower, a local landmark. He also presented Lt.-Col. Summerfield with an RCD-themed jersey from the Leeuwarden Football Club, which he went on to explain.
“They’re playing a match against Arnan in a special tunic, which is based on the Dragoon’s colours and on the fact that in May 1945, an allied team played Leeuwarden’s soccer team. The allies won.”
Grab a few groceries There are still a few things for sale at Museum De Grutterswinkel which served various purposes over the centuries before being converted into a small grocery store
The Feenstra sisters inherited the place in the early 20th century and
managed to turn it into a thriving business that catered to Leeuwarden’s elite
Local politicians and others flocked there for its fine selection of coffee, tea, and wine. The sisters retired and the store closed in 1973, but it was eventually converted into a charming museum
The store hasn’t changed much since then and a variety of classic products are still on the shelves
The museum also has a cafe and displays upstairs devoted to old products from various Dutch grocery chains
Be sure to have a look at the baby carriage in one of the bedrooms
It contains a secret dating back to World War II
the speakeasy and distillery in the basement ceased operations about a century ago
Have a wild time You can explore the Netherlands by land and sea along with more distant locales all under one roof at Natuurmuseum Fryslân
There are four floors full of wildlife displays
Visitors can go on a quick trip through the nation’s waterways and get a glimpse at the inhabitants of the Wadden Sea as well as lakes and rivers
Along with that, there’s the opportunity to drift through time at Dino Dubbelgangers, an exhibition about prehistoric life and how modern animals help researchers learn more about the habits of these ancient beasts which runs until January 5, 2025. Polar bears, beavers, otters and other creatures both big and small are also waiting to greet you at Leeuwarden’s AquaZoo
Be on the lookout for Leeuwarden’s smallest citizens If you encounter very tiny folks in random spots around town
They’re the work of photographer Michel Tilma who used them for a project back in the mid 2010s and later donated them to the city
Peer into the life and times of Pier Pander Sculptor Pier Pander overcame a disability and literally carved his way out of poverty to become one of the region’s best known artists
His most famous work is arguably a portrait of queen Wilhelmina that was used on a coin in the late 19th century
A small shrine dedicated to the sculptor can be found in the Prinsentuin, a park located along the Noorder Stadsgracht. It’s one of two buildings that serve as a museum devoted to his career
The park itself is also well worth checking out and was once off limits to mere mortals
given it was a private garden for the royals
King Willem I donated the park to the city 150 years later and its gates were finally opened to the public
Explore the countryside Leeuwarden is a good gateway to the Frisian countryside and a 15 minute bike ride will transport you to the middle of picturesque fields and open vistas
If you’ve ever wanted one of your photos to appear on an RTL weather report
this is a good place to snap a gorgeous shot of fluffy clouds that would look great on TV
Cycling route maps are available at the visitor centre across the square from the Oldehove. If you’ve got a boat, the region’s waterways are your oyster and Leeuwarden is home to a few of the country’s best marinas
If the weather is cooperating, aim for Stek
This small cafe’s terrace is the perfect place to watch boats leisurely float by
but the tables fill up fast around lunchtime
Vegetarians and vegans will probably want to steer clear of the Meat Room but their dinner offerings are bloody good in more ways than one
Restaurant Eindeloos specialises in locally sourced ingredients for their scrumptious offerings. The truly unique SPOONK Art Cantina serves vegan lunches and coffee in a quirky gallery full of modern art and vintage clothes from the ‘40s through the ‘70s
Leeuwarden is home to several fantastic coffee cafes if you find yourself in need of a place to kill some time on an rainy afternoon. Barrevoets is cute and they have a lunch menu. Farid Saaidi quit his job a few years ago and bought a one way ticket to New Zealand where he learned pretty much everything there is to know about running a coffeehouse. He’s now the proprietor of the very cool Fer Koffie
It’s one of the best places to grab a latte in the Netherlands
Bars don’t get much more Dutch than Oranje Bierhuis. It’s one of the oldest in Friesland and it still has rugs covering many of the tables inside. In De Brouwerij is another great spot to grab a beer
The journey to Leeuwarden’s train station from Amsterdam Centraal is typically around 2.5 hours
Travelling there by car is usually a two hour trek that will take you across the Afsluitdijk on the A7
Leeuwarden’s city centre is compact and easy to get around
Leeuwarden has one of the country’s best tourism websites I have found and it’s packed full of helpful tips and suggestions. If you click on a dead link, you’ll be treated to a cheeky animation of a poor guy trying to prevent the Oldehove from falling over and crushing him
Click here to read our first Dutch destinations article about Leeuwarden from 2018 to learn about other places you can visit in the city.
We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day.
Many thanks to everyone who has donated to DutchNews.nl in recent days!
We could not provide this service without you. If you have not yet made a contribution, you can do so here.
Please help us making DutchNews.nl a better read by taking part in a short survey.
Dutch side SC Cambuur announced a special kit to be worn in honour of the Royal Canadian Dragoons, who helped liberate the team's home city of Leeuwarden from Germany occupation on Apr. 15, 1945.
The shirt features a Canadian Maple Leaf pattern on the front of the kit and the insignia of the Dragoons on the back of the shirt.
"This is to honour the heroes who fought for our freedom and to convey the important message that freedom is not something to be taken for granted," the team said in a statement.
Cambuur currently plays in the Eerste Divisie, the second division of Dutch football. They currently sit fifth in the table, four points behind Excelsior for the final automatic promotion spot. The team last played in the Eredivisie in the 2022-2023 season.
Among those who used to play for the club include legendary Manchester United defender Jaap Stam and former United States manager Gregg Berhalter.
The special edition kits will be worn for Sunday's match with Jong FC Utrecht.
HomeTributes & FuneralsView PhotoFuneral NoticesVAN LEEUWARDEN
VAN LEEUWARDEN John 'Joop' Late of Hamilton Formerly of Edgeworth Passed unexpectedly 6th April
2025 Aged 95 Years Dearly loved husband of The Late Rene Van Leeuwarden
Much loved father & father-in-law of Bert & Carol
Loved and adored Opa & Great Opa of their families
The family and friends of John are warmly invited to attend a Celebration of His long Life to be held in The Chapel
Mayfield West (Entry via Steel River Estate) this Saturday 12th April
Please visit; pettigrew.com.au/vanleeuwarden-john
in lieu of flowers & In Memory of his beautiful wife
donations to 'Cancer Council' may be made at the service
Next Tuesday will mark eighty years since the Royal Canadian Dragoons regiment liberated the Dutch city of Leeuwarden from German occupation
and that kind of history isn’t lost on Dutch second division side SC Cambuur
While the club itself was founded 19 years after the end of World War 2
SC Cambuur is keen to honour the sacrifice and history behind the liberation of its home city with a new kit that honours the Canadian lives put on the line to liberate the Leeuwarden citizens after years of occupation
SC Cambuur has unveiled its 80 Years Liberation kit
which is flush in red-and-white with a series of fluttering maple leaves:
Gekomen als bevrijders. Gegeven wat onbetaalbaar is. Geëerd voor altijd. pic.twitter.com/OaOHkLOPcS
April 15 will mark exactly eighty years since the Royal Canadian Dragoons liberated the Dutch city of Leeuwarden
just one day before the the regiment’s final action of the campaign
The Dragoons were tasked to cut all main communication routes coming from the city
isolating the German soldiers and capturing the city itself if this became viable
A series of engagements took place in the days preceding liberation
including a five-hour struggle at the Tjonger Canal
In the days before the occupiers were pushed out of the city
members of the Dutch Underground and Resistance movement from the city were able to establish contact with the Dragoons
this bonds has stood the test of time – and it’s wonderful to see it reflected in all aspects of life
Gebaseerd op het klassieke uniform van de Royal Canadian Dragoons 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/hyMIYeZ2PP
The club will be honouring the historic liberation and its Maple Leaf-leaden kit in the days leading up to and including its home match against Vitesse on April 25
“SC Cambuur will be wearing a special uniform based on the classic uniform of the Royal Canadian Dragoons
with the characteristic Canadian maple leaf as pattern in the shirt to honor the heroes who fought for our freedom and to proclaim the important message that freedom is not to be taken for granted,” reads a release from the club
Fans who might be interested in picking up the kit for themselves can do so here
The shirts were sold out in a very short time for people of Canada and of course supporters of cambuur i know the club is trying to order more this could take some weeks or months
as i know for now keep a eye on the link or try to contact Cambuur you can find the contact details online
Ok you can pre-order now again be fast if you want one you can order one at: https://www.voetbalshop.nl/adidas-sc-cambuur-bevrijdingsshirt-2024-2025.html
The Dutch vinyl pressing plant Deepgrooves has announced its closure amid claims of “fraud” from some of its customers
but several labels and artists who worked with the plant are now claiming that they are still owed substantial sums of money that they had been promised
As reported by Resident Advisor
are now claiming that they are owed thousands of Euros for vinyl deliveries that never arrived in what amounts to a fraud by the pressing plant
Into The Deep boss Arthur Lastmann says he sent £3,500 to the plant in January this year for a vinyl order of an upcoming release
but only received a defective test pressing
He was then sent a series of email contacts but did not receive his order before the bankruptcy notice was filed
“I think Deepgrooves knew back as early as 2023 it was in a dire financial state and still took orders it could never complete.”
but experienced faulty communications before learning of the bankruptcy
Deepgrooves’ affairs are now controlled by a trustee
who told Resident Advisor: “Products that have already been produced are available and can be delivered
For products that haven’t yet been manufactured
there is potential for these to be fulfilled in the event of a restart
and it may not be possible to assist everyone affected.”
Artist Kylian Van Beem says he is owned over £4000 by the company for a printing for his band Ardor Lane
and has said that he and other victims are exploring the possibility of legal action
Deepgrooves’ website says it intends to “make a fresh start”
with investors Jan’t Hoen and Arnoud Aalbersberg committed to giving “the only green vinyl pressing plant” in the Netherlands a second life
In August, a report was published examining the environmental impact and carbon footprint of the vinyl industry
The Vinyl Record Manufacturers Association and the Vinyl Alliance found the footprint of a single record is in the region of a 1.15kg carbon dioxide equivalent
but more than a load of laundry or a pint of milk
Elsewhere in the vinyl production business, independent record labels have expressed worry after a large vinyl distribution company
has started to involve major labels in its finances
The world’s defining voice in music and pop culture: breaking what’s new and what’s next since 1952
Leeuwarden mayor Sybrand Buma’s car went up in flames in the driveway of his home early on Tuesday morning
Records show firefighters were dispatched for a car fire on Zwaluwstraat near Pelikaanstraat in the Friesland city at about 5:30 a.m
Firefighters struggled to extinguish the fire in the hybrid car
The 2022 Audi Q3 E-Tron was badly damaged and towed away by a salvage company
The police believe arson was involved, a spokesperson for the Noord-Nederland police confirmed to Dagblad van het Noorden
The spokesperson could not confirm that it was Buma’s car
According to Omrop Fryslan
Buma is the second well-known Friesland politician to get his car torched in less than a year
D66 parliamentarian Tjeerd de Groot’s car was set on fire in Nagele in the Noordoostpolder
There was a shooting early Sunday morning at a bar on Peperstraat in the city center of Groningen
police also reported that gunshots were fired in a bar in Leeuwarden during the overnight hours
The incident in Groningen happened at about 5:50 a.m
Police confirmed that one person was shot and injured when a gunman opened fire in the cafe
they found the wounded man from Groningen lying in front of the building
The victim was taken to an area hospital, police said. Their condition was not released. Photos from the scene published by RTV Noord showed a small pool of blood outside on the street. The area was marked off for police to conduct their investigation.
The police arrested a suspect in the area shortly afterwards. It concerns a 49-year-old man from Groningen. The injured man was also arrested to investigate his role. He was conscious when he was brought to the hospital. The investigation is ongoing, police said.
A firearm was found on the street in front of the building. It is being investigated whether this is the weapon that was used in the shooting. There were still people present in the cafe at the time. They were frisked, but no other weapons were found on them.
Police in Leeuwarden also said they were investigating a report of shots fired at a bar in the Friesland city. Police said it was not clear if anyone was injured in the incident. It also was not clear whether any gunshots were actually fired.
There were no arrests made. The police spoke to several people who were present in the building. They were also searched for weapons, but nothing was found.
Police were still at the scene canvassing for information at about 4 a.m.
Photo: Cambuur MediaA football shirt commemorating the liberation of Leeuwarden by the Royal Canadian Dragoons 80 years ago was sold out within the hour
The success of the shirts, worn by Leeuwarden football club SC Cambuur, came as “a huge surprise,” SC Cambuur marketing manager Ruben Sijtsma told broadcaster NOS
The shirt takes its inspiration from the uniform of the Royal Canadian Dragoons
which featured a red coat with a black collar and black trousers with yellow stripes
the symbol for Canada is also part of the design
Reactions started pouring in as soon as the shirts went online
“Our reception staff had to do a quick English course because they had to field so many calls from Canada,” said
or relatives of soldiers who fought in Europe and Canadians who feel proud
because their father or grandfather fought in the Netherlands,” Sijtsma said
Sijtsma quickly ordered more shirts once the stock had vanished
“When you hear these emotional stories you can’t say no
it’s just that delivery time is three months
Sijtsma’s favourite among the reactions came from 100-year-old veteran Jim Parks, the only living veteran present at the liberation of Leeuwarden and who featured in a video about the shirts
Sijtsma also fielded numerous requests for interviews from Canadian media
and the Canadian army offered to play a match against Cambuur
Asked if Canadians were more enthusiastic because of the rise in patriotism boosted by the actions of Donald Trump
“I see reactions on social media that say: this is how it should be done
People feel pride and a connection with the Netherlands
We want to celebrate freedom and that message is being felt there too,” he said
SC Cambuur will be wearing the shirt in their game against Vitesse on April 25
The event will feature other events linked to the Liberation
“I’m not going to tell all but there will be old army vehicles and the Dutch national anthem will be played to honour the heroes of that time,” Sijtsma said
We could not provide the Dutch News service
without the generous support of our readers
Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter
and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day
Many thanks to everyone who has donated to DutchNews.nl in recent days
We could not provide this service without you
Please help us making DutchNews.nl a better read by taking part in a short survey
Two separate fires forced the evacuation of an apartment building in Leeuwarden and a student housing complex in Amstelveen overnight
Firefighters had to rescue one Leeuwarden resident with a crane truck
No significant injuries were reported in either fire
The Leeuwarden fire broke out at around 2:20 a.m. on the ground floor of an apartment building on Albert Schweitzerstraat, a spokesperson for the Veiligheidsregio Fryslân told NOS
Most residents were able to get to safety under their own power
but one resident could find no safe way out
Firefighters rescued that resident with a crane truck
Paramedics treated one resident at the scene for smoke inhalation
Firefighters had the blaze under control by around 3:40 a.m
The fire brigade declared five homes uninhabitable due to smoke and fire damage
The Amstelveen fire broke out in a flat on the fifth floor of the Uilenstede student campus at around 00:30 a.m
Firefighters evacuated dozens of residents
The fire brigade quickly got the blaze under control
and most students could return to their homes at around 1:30 a.m.
along with hundreds of variants over the centuries
2018’s European Capital of Culture is the world’s undisputed capital of place names
The historical Oldehoofsterkerkhof square in Leeuwarden
the capital of the province of Friesland in the Netherlands
is a striking muddle of the weird and the wonderful
Leeuwarden is a striking muddle of the weird and the wonderfulThere is De Oldehove, the unfinished tower from the 16th Century that’s so crooked it leans further than Pisa’s. There is the dazzling Princessehof National Museum of Ceramics
a renovated stately house filled with Ming rarities and pieces by Picasso
but also once the childhood home of MC Escher
the 20th-Century graphic artist who created impossible dreamscapes of never-ending staircases and mind-tricking waterfalls
where the Dutch first heard of the legend of Grutte Pier
a giant pirate with superhuman strength who set out to kill anyone that wasn’t Frisian
But arguably stranger than all of this is Lân fan taal (‘land of language’ in Frisian), a house dedicated to thousands of languages. A permanent addition to the square since January, the building has been erected as part of this year’s Leeuwarden-Friesland European Capital of Culture 2018 programme
a comprehensive catalogue of world tongues
too; particularly because Leeuwarden – or Ljouwert
as it has been variously called between the 11th to 19th Centuries – is known as the City of 100 Names
• The country with the ‘wrong’ name
• Europe’s strange border anomaly
• The country with 11 official languages
and there’s nowhere better to do so than in a place with its own unique linguistic history,” said Siart Smit
and there are 128 nationalities living in Leeuwarden
That nearly half of the world’s languages are threatened with extinction is reason enough to explore Lân fan taal
wooden blocks inscribed with languages dangle from the ceiling in alphabetical order – a brief snapshot lists Swedish
Suruí do Pará – most of which are unknown to the average visitor
showing how people use different words to express the same idea
suffuse the whole place with rainbow light
We’re trying to give life to languages
and there’s nowhere better to do so than in a place with its own unique linguistic historyBut while Lân fan taal’s remit is to promote dialectal understanding
Leeuwarden maintains a deep linguistic strangeness of its own creation: its very name has been in a state of flux since the 10th Century
consult Guinness World Records and you’ll find Leeuwarden has 225 different variations
not just the 100 alluded to in its nickname
So how on Earth did this northern Frisian town come to have so many names
Consider that Friesland is also the least-densely populated part of the country and that sense of seclusion was alone reason enough for the Franks
This cultural pollination meant Leeuwarden’s pronunciation and spelling soon began to change
To learn more, I contacted city historian Henk Oly from Historical Centre Leeuwarden
who told me an explanation of the names was neither easy nor straightforward
Leeuwarden has a number of forms: Frisian (Ljouwerd)
and two in the local dialect spoken in the city itself
also known as Liwwadders (Leewwadden and Liwwadden)
the city is known as Luwt in other parts of the province
while throughout the centuries scholars frequently Latinised the name to Leovardia
and everyone wrote more or less the way they used to pronounce the words,” Oly said
“You could write Ljouwerd or Ljouwert because the ‘d’ on the end of a word sounds like a ‘t’
as they are also pronounced the exact same way
world-beating list is the legacy of 19th-Century record-keeper Wopke Eekhoff
the son of a silversmith who took up the job of city archivist in 1838
The first to be appointed to such a role in the Netherlands
he was charged with a clear agenda: to collect everything he could find on Leeuwarden’s history and curate a municipal art collection
As Leeuwarden had accumulated dozens of monikers over the centuries – from 1500 to 1520
the spelling of the city’s name changed almost every two years – it was a complex situation at best
Yet Eekhoff would go on to tirelessly chronicle two 400-page volumes of city history
eventually drawing up a timeline from Livnvert in 1039 to Luweden in 1846
Even today the names of Dutch towns and villages have never been officially standardisedBy the end of the century
further changes arrived when both the Koninklijke Nederlandse Akademie van Wetenschappen (Royal Dutch Academy of Science)
and Koninklijk Nederlands Aardrijkskundig Genootschap (Royal Dutch Society of Geography)
published the country’s first lists of place names
according to contemporary rules of orthography
the Dutch and Frisian forms became the de-facto standards
“Even today the names of Dutch towns and villages have never been officially standardised by the Netherlands’ government,” explained Oly
adding many of Eekhoff’s maps and reference works are still in use
we’ve written Leeuwarden in Dutch and the Frisian government stick with Ljouwert as its official form.”
imprinted on its flag and on government buildings
Depicting a golden lion rampant against a royal blue crest
the flag is crowned by an emerald- and ruby-studded coronet
“Most people think ‘Leeu’ means lion and we are a ‘lion city’ because of the crest – but this isn’t correct,” tour guide Christina Volker told me while we explored the centre’s vibrant streets
“The name originally came from ‘Leeuw’ – meaning no wind – and ‘warden’ – meaning little hills – in Frisian
The city is built on three artificial dwelling mounds
which protect and shelter the area from the sea
For all that it was once quiet, Leeuwarden is embracing its latest buzz-worthy name: the European Capital of Culture. It is apparent in the queues at the Museum of Friesland and in the multiple views of the city in paint and print
first collected by Eekhoff and now on display in the Historical Centre Leeuwarden’s galleries
In putting such rich linguistic history front and centre of this year-long cultural festival
it could be argued that Leeuwarden has come full circle
the Frisians are confident the world will get its name right
Join more than three million BBC Travel fans by liking us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter and Instagram
If you liked this story, sign up for the weekly bbc.com features newsletter called "If You Only Read 6 Things This Week". A handpicked selection of stories from BBC Travel, Capital, Culture, Earth and Future, delivered to your inbox every Friday.
Mubble Fubbles: Six forgotten words you'll need this summerWho doesn't love a spot of sunset gongoozling on their summer holiday?
Words that reveal if you are an extrovert or an introvertHyperbole is now a 'mega' part of the English language, but why did it happen?
A message from the world's oldest living cultureThese ancient engraved sticks hold the memory of the world's oldest continuous living culture.
The mysterious Mormon alphabet that time (almost) forgotThe Mormons launched a new alphabet in the 1850s. It was a costly failure, but now it's more popular than ever.
Hikikomori: What drives us to withdraw from society?Do we need to isolate in order to regenerate and reconnect with the self?
Naag Nool: The women embracing an iconic Somali phraseWe meet the women embracing an iconic Somali word.
Oachkatzlschwoaf: The word that's 'impossible' to sayCan you say 'oachkatzlschwoaf'? Nenda Neururer explores her changing relationship with the German word.
Nalingi Yo: Why the word 'love' holds so much powerRachel Isabel Mukendi explores the power that love holds and the meaning in her language Lingala.
How women are penalised for their emotionsWhy are certain emotions judged differently if they're expressed by a man or a woman?
The long-lost words that perfectly describe your feelingsA compilation of little-known words for your feelings.
Are these the unluckiest words in the world?Etymologist Susie Dent charts some of globe's least-loved words.
How a US island kept hold of its 17th Century dialectOcracoke Island in North Carolina has only been accessible by boat for centuries, creating its own unique brogue.
The art of mashing up words to invent new onesHow English speakers fill gaps in their language with genius new word mash-ups.
Nouchi: Why the future of French is AfricanHow forcing a colonised people to speak the colonisers' language backfired in Africa.
The perfect insults you’ve never heard ofTwo labels that are five centuries old, but the individuals they describe are still instantly recognisable.
The happy history of the word ‘cheers’When it comes to raising a glass to toast good times, the word ‘cheers’ is never far away.
The strange world of collective nounsFew areas of language get people talking quite as much as the
The surprisingly literal story of stealing someone’s thunderWhy the phrase stealing someone’s thunder comes from London’s theatre district.
The fascinating history of the f-wordIt's one of the most versatile words in the English language.
The English language 'laws' you never knew you knewWhy all English-speakers follow laws they never knew existed.
oak and elm ambling through Leeuwarden’s streets offers vision of a greener future
But then a “walking forest” of 1,000 trees was never going to move at speed
volunteers have been transporting the native trees planted in wooden containers along a 3.5km stretch through the centre of the northern Dutch city of Leeuwarden
giving people an opportunity to experience an alternative
“We are a generation that has almost lost all hope,” says Johan Lakke
a student at the University of Groningen who is helping with the project
meaning “forest” in the local Frisian language
“It shows us that if you’re crazy enough to think outside the box
More tree cover in urban environments means lower land temperatures – a planning feature that is becoming increasingly crucial in a heating world. A study conducted across nearly 300 European cities showed that urban trees can cool the land surface temperature by up to 12C in summer
The brainchild of landscape architect Bruno Doedens and his longtime collaborator, the late Joop Mulder, Bosk emerged from Doedens’ 2021 essay Planet Paradise
which questioned humans’ relationship with the natural world
we as a species are behaving like adolescents who don’t want to clean up their room,” says Doedens
“We need to grow up and stop making a mess of everything
We need to take care of our surroundings.”
View image in fullscreenPassersby stop to appreciate the trees along Tweebaksmarkt in Leeuwarden city centreIn addition to the grand spectacle of the “walking” forest, the Bosk programme
exhibitions and performances around the theme of reconnecting with nature
says: “We need art and artists to help us imagine different possibilities.”
The first stop on the walking route was Stationsplein
people immediately felt relaxed,” says Sjoukje Witkop
Witkop has been inspired to to install 10 large plant pots outside the hotel
“Why didn’t we have trees there before?” she says
View image in fullscreen‘Calming effect’: the walking forest provides a space to unwind in Leeuwarden
The map indicates the route the trees will takeWhen the “walking” forest is stationary
seating areas are provided between the trees
Some hotels are offering picnic baskets to guests so they can unwind in the shade
The 1,000 trees are made up of 60-70 native species
Each has a QR code providing details such as species
A soil sensor alerts the city’s gardening team when the trees need water
“These are some of the best cared for trees in the world,” says Doedens
The project has received overwhelming local support, and people of all ages, genders and backgrounds have volunteered to move the trees. A local brewery has even developed a special beer – BoskBier – with 10 cents from every sale donated to Plan Boom
Managers of other city centres in the Netherlands have also come to see what can be done. “Even churches want to be part of Bosk,” says Bootsma.
people have enjoyed the trees so much they want them to stay
“We created a ‘walking’ forest and people want us to leave it in place,” he says with a laugh
Some feel the project is a waste of time and money
Others dislike the fact that they have to park elsewhere for a week
or vehicular access to certain places is blocked because of the trees
who is leading the project for the municipality of Leeuwarden
the streets are so noisy and you have to watch out because drivers are going to kill you with their cars,” he says
View image in fullscreenLeeuwarden train station gets a green makeoverFrom 14 August – 100 days after they arrived – the trees will be planted around the city, including in low-income neighbourhoods, where greenery is scarce. Friesland aims to be the most circular region in the EU by 2025
Find more age of extinction coverage here, and follow biodiversity reporters Phoebe Weston and Patrick Greenfield on Twitter for all the latest news and features
Best in Travel is here! Discover 2025’s destinations
The 30 best countries, cities and regions to visit in 2025
Plan your trip with Elsewhere, by Lonely Planet
See where a Lonely Planet Membership takes you
Subscribe to our weekly newsletters to get the latest travel news, expert advice, and insider recommendations
Explore the world with our detailed, insightful guidebooks
Stay ahead of the curve with our guidebooks
Uncover exciting new ways to explore iconic destinations
Every month, we release new books into the wild
Search Search Close search menu Explore Best in Travel 2024
Africa Close menu Countries
Antarctica Antarctica Close menu Regions
Asia Asia Close menu Countries
Australia & the Pacific Australia & the Pacific Close menu Countries
The Caribbean The Caribbean Close menu Countries
Central America Central America Close menu Countries
Europe Europe Close menu Countries
Middle East Middle East Close menu Countries
North America North America Close menu Countries
South America South America Close menu Countries
for the birthplace of mathematical improbablist M
the Friesland capital of Leeuwarden has installed some thought-provoking and brain-shorting phantasmagoria for its year as the European Capital of Culture in 2018 – but wander the city with a curious eye and you’ll discover a deeper behind-the-curtain brilliance
the Capital of Culture award can allow a city to suspend belief
defer normality and ultimately redraw our opinions of a place
what will leave visitors spellbound in Leeuwarden
When was the last time that you saw magic? Real magic. Not simple pick-a-card chicanery or vanishing coins, but true out of this cosmos conjuring. Well, Leeuwarden has put infinity on display at the Fries Museum
the limitless bounds of human comprehension
nothing more than an immersive artwork called Luminal by Dutch artist Matthijs Munnik
But the installation uses sensory isolation techniques to fool the brain into believing that the soft red glow of its chamber goes on indefinitely
The piece encourages the curious to lean into the fuzz of forever
dangling their legs off the end of the black pontoon like fishing rods
but it always prevents the inquisitive from ever touching the edges and re-grounding in reality
And that's not the only exhibition to play with visitors perceptions. The Giants of the Royal de Luxe – huge, moving puppets the size of houses – will take over the city for three days in August, roaming between the houses and sleeping in the squares, while the Sense of Place land art series will turn a field of wheat into a colossal grass sculpture
the city’s sorcery spans way beyond these one-off shows
Leeuwarden is the last major city in The Netherlands before the cold froth of the North Sea
The provincial capital manages to condense the finery of the Dutch Golden Age into dioramic form: its cobbled streets are lined with individually decorated gabled buildings; the sails of shining skûtsje boats flap and whip in the wind; and there’s a collection of sandstone chapels that hide and peep from the city’s side streets
But it’s the magic of an unfinished church, the Oldehove
that’s Leeuwarden’s most intriguing landmark
builder Jacob van Aken had planned for the spire to rise to 120m and sever the clouds
overshadowing Groningen’s Martinitoren in a bout of neighbourly rivalry
the church began to sink during its construction
It only ever topped out at a height of 39m
Efforts to straighten it only made it lean further and it now rests over the city square like an accidental M.C
Climb the 183 steps for the best views of the city
To see a deliberate Escher piece, head to Princessehof National Museum of Ceramics , the delightfully whimsical ceramics museum which took over the house where the graphic artist was born. A version of his Two Birds hangs on the exterior wall of the museum and is just one of a number of artistic nods to the city’s heritage.
With the largest collection of Chinese porcelain in the Netherlands and some wonderful Frisian pottery, the ceramics museum itself is something of a national treasure. It also invites contemporary artists to display their works. David Zink Yi’s striking ceramic squid — laid lifeless on the floor, pooled in black blood — and Céleste Boursier-Mougenot’s hypnotic clinamen (where ceramic bowls float in a pool, periodically clinking into one another) are among its recent coups.
A much more amiable addition to Leeuwarden’s cultural offering is the renovation of the foreboding former prison, Blokhuispoort. Ex-guards offer tours of the cells each Saturday at 2pm and 4pm, but its current inmates are more likely to be ateliers who have taken residence in Cell Block H selling art, cheese and handmade jewellery. There’s also an onsite hostel where guests bed down behind bars.
Daniel Fahey travelled to Leeuwarden with support from Visit Holland. Lonely Planet contributors do not accept freebies in exchange for positive coverage.
International UAS Flight Moved Seamlessly between Military and Civilian Airspaces
LEEUWARDEN – 02 September 2021 – In cooperation with UK and Netherlands airspace authorities
and the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF)
MQ-9B SeaGuardian® Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) today from RAF Waddington across the North Sea to Leeuwarden Air Base in the Netherlands
completing a two-day series of flights between the two airspaces
This multi-day demonstration displayed SeaGuardian's maritime surveillance capabilities in support of international allies
SeaGuardian returned to RAF Waddington at the conclusion of the event
The flight is part of a maritime demonstration series that began in August and continues through September
The goal of the flight series is to showcase the many operational capabilities of the MQ-9B
including the platform’s advanced maritime Intelligence
The RNLAF has ordered four MQ-9A RPA and the first is expected to be delivered to Leeuwarden later this year
“Today’s flight is a major milestone for us
It demonstrates the ability of the MQ-9 to operate in our airspace and validates the procedures for air traffic control
It also familiarizes the air traffic controllers with Remotely Piloted Aircraft
which is an opportunity we have not had before,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Boudewijn Roddenhof
commander of the RNLAF’s 306 squadron
“We’re thrilled to showcase the game-changing capabilities of our RPA for the Royal Netherlands Air Force,” said Robert Schoeffling
vice president of International Strategic Development for GA-ASI
“We appreciate the international cooperation we’ve received from the RAF
the RNLAF and civil aviation authorities such as the UK Civil Aviation Authority
Our MQ-9B series is built and equipped to meet certification standards that will allow it to fly in non-segregated airspace.”
The flight to Leeuwarden was conducted as Operational Air Traffic
under the control of UK military air traffic controllers at Swanwick
up to the boundary between the UK’s and the Netherlands’ controlled airspace. At the agreed crossing point
Dutch military air traffic controllers took responsibility for the flight
SeaGuardian will participate in the UK-led Joint Warrior exercise
which will showcase how the MQ-9B’s maritime capabilities can be integrated with other air
SeaGuardian’s maritime capability includes a multi-mode maritime surface-search radar with Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR) imaging mode
an Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver
Electronic Surveillance Measures (ESM) along with the standard High-Definition
Full-Motion Video sensor equipped with optical and infrared cameras
The flights also demonstrate GA-ASI's revolutionary Detect and Avoid System
a safety and situational awareness enhancement designed to support MQ-9B flight in non-segregated airspace worldwide
DAAS enables MQ-9B to operate among civilian aviation traffic in the national airspace
SeaGuardian is the maritime version of the MQ-9B SkyGuardian®
SeaGuardian and SkyGuardian are registered trademarks of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems
For more information contact:GA-ASI Media RelationsGeneral Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.+1 (858) 524-8108ASI-MediaRelations@ga-asi.com
Go Back
The newspapers were unable to go to print due to a significant press failure that occurred overnight on Friday
According to reports from the affected media outlets
the issue followed a power outage and a subsequent system restart
some components broke,” the outlets reported
subscribers across the region found no newspapers in their mailboxes on Saturday morning
all affected newspapers made their Saturday editions freely available online via their websites and apps
“We are doing everything possible to ensure that the presses will be operational again by tomorrow,” the publishers stated on their respective websites Saturday morning
it is still uncertain whether the Saturday editions can be printed later and delivered together with Monday’s paper.”
other national and regional papers such as De Telegraaf
and Noordhollands Dagblad—which are also partially printed in Leeuwarden—were able to complete part of their print runs before the press failure occurred
Een trekker van John Deere bij Ysbrechtum
Kies voor een van de onderstaande abonnementen om direct verder te lezen
Wil je liever advertenties zien die aansluiten bij jouw interesses
in samenwerking met gelieerde partijen die net als zij onderdeel zijn van de Mediahuis-groep
gezamenlijke groepsprofielen op om je op basis daarvan gepersonaliseerde advertenties te tonen
Met jouw toestemming delen wij de volgende gegevens met gelieerde partijen binnen de Mediahuis-groep voor gepersonaliseerde advertenties op de platforms van Mediahuis Noord en deze gelieerde partijen:
Meer uitleg over hoe we je gegevens gebruiken vind je in ons privacybeleid en cookiebeleid
Last year, a geothermal well was drilled near the city of Leeuwarden in the north of the Netherlands
The target of the borehole was the Rotliegend of the Friesland Platform
a relatively stable structural element where the Rotliegend had already been proven by previously drilled hydrocarbon exploration wells
Yet, the project reported disappointing test results once the reservoir had been penetrated
A number of press statements has since been issued
it remains unclear what is causing the real problem and despite some attempts we have not been able to get to the bottom of this
Permeability appears to be the key problem behind the disappointing test results. However, the initial logging exercise seemed to have been insufficient to fully understand the problem, which explains why the project operator Warmte van Leeuwarden needed to organise another logging operation in January 2022
Now, following lab tests – presumably of cutting material or sidewall cores – the operator announced that another well test will be performed in April this year. This newspaper article further describes that it is the deeper section of the well that will be tested in this case
it appears that the wrong section of the reservoir was tested initially
This may be explained by one thing we learned while investigating the matter: even though the Rotliegend reservoir had been completely penetrated
the succession is significantly thicker than initially foreseen
This must have obviously been a deviation from the per-drill prognosis
which can form an explanation – probably combined with a minimal logging exercise to start with – why a suboptimal interval was chosen to perform the test in
a test at the wrong depth does not seem to be the only problem
The newspaper article also mentions a cleaning operation of the well
This may in turn point to a degree of formation damage
based on the sparse amount of information released it looks as if the well experienced multiple surprises
both geological and possibly also operational
With the nearest Permian well penetration – Leeuwarden-05 – only a few km to the SE
it is clear that even in a place where offset data is present
Henk KombrinkHenk.Kombrink@geoexpro.com+44 77 8899 2374
Sales DirectorIngvild Ryggen CarstensSales EnquiriesIngvild.Carstens@geoexpro.com+47 974 69 090
you probably picture the massive stores where you can spend hours exploring the countless showrooms and eating Swedish meatballs
The new IKEA store that recently opened in Leeuwarden is 46 to 63 times smaller than what you’re used to
at just 650 square metres compared to the 30.000 to 41.000 square metres that IKEA stores usually are
they can go down to the store to examine and feel the kitchen cabinet they’re considering and then order it there
There is also a limited number of products which shoppers can buy in-store
The Swedish company has plans to open more of these smaller stores in the Netherlands. The Plan & Order Points would be located in centres of larger cities where there is a lot of footfall. Stores like this already exist in cities such as Hamburg
An advantage to having small stores in cities like Leeuwarden is that shoppers don’t have to travel to the larger stores located further away on the outskirts of cities like those in Groningen or Zwolle
Smaller purchases are also easier as you won’t have to walk through a huge store
More of the small stores could show up in other Dutch cities in the near future
but IKEA spokesperson Jurriaan Zuiderhoek doesn’t want to reveal where yet “for competitive reasons”
Thumb image credit: T.W. van Urk / Shutterstock.com
BookmarkSimone JacobsEditor at IamExpat Media
Europe started designating cultural capitals in 1985, an initiative spearheaded by then Greek Minister of Culture, Melina Mercouri; since then, over 50 cities have been recognized. To apply
the city government submits a proposal for consideration
Applications are reviewed and then narrowed down to a short-list; final contestants resubmit a more detailed application
two cultural capitals are identified and honored each year
with countries rotated annually to ensure fairness
winning cities have four years to plan the celebration—a year-long party
a "pageant of the seas" in June—including boat races and fireworks—and a book festival in November
If Malta's not on your 2018 itinerary
you might want to consider making a pitstop
Can't make it to Malta or the Netherlands this year? Start planning trips for the 2019 Capitals of Culture: Plovdiv, an ancient city in Bulgaria built around seven hills, and Matera, Italy, which has a winery in a cave—enough said.
Bridget Hallinan is a former digital editorial assistant at Condé Nast Traveler. She loves cooking, exploring, and everything Game of Thrones. When she's not writing, you can find her brainstorming new recipes (which usually involve cheese). ... Read moreRecommended
up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel
Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse
We understand that time is the greatest luxury
which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal
or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world
cafes and cultureLeeuwarden in the Netherlands is quiet
because this picturesque provincial capital - along with Malta's Valletta - is European Capital of Culture for 2018
FishmanWelcome to the Middle AgesSince 1524
Leeuwarden has been the capital of the state of Frisia
Over 500 historical monuments bear witness to the town's wealthy tradition
Gabled houses and picturesque canals also characterize the inner city
construction work began on what was planned to be a 120-meter-tall church
The builders tried unsuccessfully to compensate
Building work was suspended when the tower reached a mere 40 meters
The church was eventually torn down but the leaning tower remains
Leeuwarden boasts several architectural accomplishments
Small shops and cafés line the banks of the canals
A good example of this flair is the old weigh house (Stadswaag) dating back 1596
Count William Louis of Nassau-Dilleburg was made stadtholder of Leeuwarden in 1548
effectively making him the head of state at the time
What followed became a golden era for the city of residence of the noble family Nassau
These Frisian rulers were ancestors of today's King of the Netherlands
dowager Princess of Orange once held court in this elegant palace
Today it is home to the National Ceramics Museum
Here you can admire treasures including porcelain from China
Frisian ceramics as well as some impressive Art Deco pieces
This memorial is dedicated to the mysterious and most famous Leeuwarden resident
Born as Margaretha Geertruida Zelle in 1876
she later became famous under her stage name Mata Hari
she was suspected of being a double agent and convicted of being a spy for Germany during World War I
She was executed by a firing squad near Paris on 15 October 1917
Museum de Grutterswinkel is an authentic old-fashioned Dutch grocery shop
which was founded in 1900 by the family Feenstra
Today's museum still has the original interior of the shop
the wooden till and the glasses filled with licorices and sweets give you a sense of traveling back in time
Frisians are proud of their history and traditions and have created a museum dedicated to preserving Frisian culture
kitchen utensils and everyday objects recount 200 years of Frisian history
the Frisian language is recognized as the second official language of the Netherlands
Traditional wooden clogs in the Frisian colors are surely a fantastic souvenir
but inexperienced feet should definitely wear them with caution
So we can conclude that there is much to see and do in the European Capital of Culture 2018 - but in order to do so well
Copyright © 2025 Duquesne University Athletics
Accessibility and Legal
Thanks for visiting
The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy
We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here
The best way to see this year’s joint European Capital of Culture is to ask the residents to show you their city – for free
It’s just after 10am and I’m cycling through the narrow cobblestone streets of Leeuwarden in the Netherlands
past canals with ivy-covered banks and perfectly preserved 17th-century merchant houses
“Bike is by far the best way to see the city,” says Mila
“The only rule is you’ve got to bring us back afterwards
but Porridge-style cells double as wonderfully kooky reading rooms)
but right now I’m in need of more sustenance and an hour alone with Dostoevsky isn’t going to do it
Not far down the street is the Post-Plaza Hotel and Grand Café that Wilmar insists I visit following our tour
the brasserie was once the main post office and a haphazard array of antique mail boxes and letter trays are lovingly preserved
In keeping with the city’s flair for reinvention
the adjoining boutique hotel has redefined the architectural lines of a former bank
after plates of buttery prawns and delicious North Sea bass
is a coffee paired with a hazelnut and aniseed dúmke
a biscuit – I’m told – shaped like a Frisian’s thumb
visible on the distant fringes of the old town
is far more extraordinary than Pisa’s leaning one; it’s so crooked it could never be finished
he nevertheless created some of the most memorable images of the 20th century with his mathematical dreamscapes; Stanley Kubrick and Mick Jagger were fans
the Phantom Limb exhibition (until 6 January 2019) features postmodern homages to this master of illusion
a novel walk-in micro-distillery located a block from the ceramics museum where juniper
liquorice and sweet calamus are steeped in alcohol
“Leeuwarden is ready for this party,” artist Dioni ten Busschen tells me over a glass of wild blackberry-infused spirits in the tasting room
showing a photograph of her most recent work
a life-size Friesian horse sculpted from peat
The European Capital of Culture’s imperative is to put a destination on the map
but it seems that Leeuwarden really didn’t need that much help at all
This is the archive of The Observer up until 21/04/2025
The Observer is now owned and operated by Tortoise Media
start and finish line of the world-famous Eleven Cities Tour and historic Oranje-Nassau city
a cosy city centre with more than 800 monuments and special modern architecture
A stroll through the streets will immerse any visitor in its rich history
Modern art adorns the cosy streets of the historic city centre
graffiti artists paint bring colour to grey walls and the ancient leaning tower Oldehove is the backdrop for many festivals
Opposite the monumental station stands the tall mist fountain ‘Love’ by the Spanish artist Jaume Plensa
The historic city centre is small enough to make anyone feel at home but at the same time large enough to wander around for hours
Leeuwarden is full of hidden gems: cosy bars in unexpected places
restaurants located in beautiful monumental buildings
Winding canals crawl through the entire city centre
surrounded by lovely terraces on the waterside
In the heart of Leeuwarden is the bustling Nieuwestad street with the city canal
Behind the beautifully refurbished old facades
The Kleine Kerkstraat has been voted ‘Best Shopping Street in the Netherlands’ twice
Leeuwarden-Fryslân was European Capital of Culture
a year in which the entire province committed to art and culture for a new Fryslân in which we take better care of each other and the earth
Leeuwarden-Fryslân 2028 (LF2028) builds on this
A triennial is organized every three years – in 2022
2025 and 2028 – and involves young culture makers
creating in surprising places and building a creative programme
Leeuwarden will celebrate its first Triennial: the Arcadia
The city will celebrate 100 years of culture
Creatives will show the world through installations
They will expose old traditions and new visions for the future
By working with young people to instill new skills and create a good atmosphere
Leeuwarden is finding a new way to share its cultural secrets
European cities present how they use culture to connect communities
The cultural sector plays a role in the fight against climate change
Cities can show you how and are ready to take the next steps
European Capital of Culture (ECoC) 2018 is here to prove it
The Dutch-Frisian city with over 100,000 inhabitants has unveiled the impact report of the year showing impressive results
We are a community of more than 200 European cities
Your e-mail address is only used to send you our newsletter and information about the activities of Eurocities
You can always use the unsubscribe link included in the newsletter
Sustainability - Data journalist Jelmer Visser analyzes the effects of the hot summer on the warming of Dutch cities in a new series
That means that this summer heat island series is almost over
the Dutch city of Leeuwarden is playing the starring role
Because a very innovative art project passed through the city center last summer
bearing the somewhat nondescript name of ‘Bosk’
The Frisian art collective Acardia treated the historic city center to a green metamorphosis between May and August with the help of more than a thousand trees in planters on wheels
This meant that every few weeks a different location had its turn
Some things are best shown rather than explained
You can see the impact of all that greenery on the streetscape in this aftermovie
Not only did the impact of so many trees transform the streetscape
theoretically it should also be detectable on the ECOSTRESS satellite measurements that have been used to create many a city map over the past period
even in this special episode we will begin with an overall picture
Has the Frisian capital managed to master the heat in its streets even in the absence of a mobile jungle on wheels
Despite the fact that it was about two to three degrees less hot here than many other places in the country
the ground temperature figures here are pretty much on par with the rest
a parking lot of an indoor ice rink is the very hottest location in the Frisian capital
While the center is admittedly free of such outliers, at the same time a sizeable area with values above 45℃ has been measured here. This could rise to around 46.5℃: this did not exactly make Leeuwarden the best kid in the class in this series
Waagplein and the old narrow streets north of Nieuwestad warmed up the most
have a noticeable exception in the Huizum neighborhood
It reached a whopping 47℃ in the streets of this pre-war neighborhood on August 12
You would expect conditions like these to be more common in a business park or furniture mall
Several other heat islands also stand out in a number of neighborhoods around the city center
Conditions in almost all suburbs were not too bad to cope with on this hot summer day
you will have to head toward the water for the biggest source of cooling
Something of which there is absolutely no shortage of in the newly built Blitsaerd neighborhood and Zuiderburen Vinex district
former “Vogelaar neighborhoods” Heechterp-Schieringen and the Vrijheidswijk are among the cooler zones
It seems that the large-scale refurbishment of several years ago has paid off
This is quite different in comparable neighborhoods in many other cities
Because just what exactly is the effect of those thousands of Bosk trees on ground temperatures
the satellite only passed over the Netherlands in the middle of the night or in cloudy weather
the data from this month is unfortunately unusable
These four snapshots in time provide an excellent basis for analysis
You can zoom in or out on the environment using the Easyzoom magnifying tool
you can do this with your fingers on mobile devices
while desktop readers can use their scroll wheel to operate the magnifying glass
16 – compiled two days after the roaming forest left town – serves as the basis for this
Bosk was in a different location in the city each time on June 17
Where the trees were at those times is indicated on these maps by a green circle
The black circles indicate a former or future location
The little trees indicate permanent vegetation with no artistic merit or tour schedule
the Nieuweburen is a little warmer than the surrounding streets on the canal and the oldest part of the center
The street is by no means a refreshing oasis
but temperatures did not rise significantly at that time here
This is about one degree higher on the August 16 control map
The adjacent area to the east across the canal is also slightly trailing in temperatures on that map
Will those thousand extra trees have caused this difference
But as far as irrefutable proof is concerned
it seems that there is no question of that as yet
Did the situation return to ‘normal’ at the second time – Monday
the plant platoon has since left and can be found at Gouveneursplein
the differences seem to be much more pronounced than on June 17
This becomes even more notable given that the maximum temperature according to the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) reached ‘only’ 19 ℃ on August 1
while the ECOSTRESS algorithm was not hampered by any cloud coverage during the measurement
it still warmed up considerably on the ground surface in parts of the city
Gouveneursplein remained remarkably cool when Bosk came to visit…
The differences compared to the immediate environment and the rest run as high as 2.5 ℃
This bears the strong hallmarks of a significant disparity
it cannot be ruled out that this conspicuously cool zone could be attributable to a breeze from the west
the substantially lower air temperatures or some other cause
In order to genuinely demonstrate the effect of Bosk in a fully scientific way
much more accurate measuring instruments and points in time are needed
The last stop of the mobile city park should therefore be visible on the final map of Friday
where the citizens of Leeuwarden were able to bit farewell to their travelling trees over the course of two more days
Although the eastern part of the square hardly differs from the streets that surround it
it is as much as three degrees cooler on the ground in front of the historic Oldehove on Friday
Albeit that there is room for nuance here as well
A blistering hot spot like this square is not found on any map
the differences are considerably greater than on June 17
That probability seems increasingly likely judging by the four maps
Use the interactive tool to zoom out in particular to see the whole picture
Then you can see how Nieuweburen is all the way back to ‘normal’
while the cobblestones of Gouveneursplein hit a higher reading than the surfaces of its southern neighbors
Has the ECOSTRESS satellite thus conclusively established that Bosk is responsible for 1.5℃ to as much as 3℃ of cooling
Further research is needed to determine this which requires for more precise measuring equipment
more measurement times and the expertise of experts who are able to rule out other factors
Yet we would not at all be surprised if these findings reveal parallels to this global method
which left downtown Leeuwarden much less green in one fell swoop
Are these kinds of elaborate green art projects the future
And if the heat stress failed to dissipate
at least it looked impressive and beautiful
But will Bosk fix all of Leeuwarden’s heat stress
This would take far more than a thousand trees
And that also without wheels or a touring schedule
The following is once more the ‘control chart’ from Aug