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- 11th August – Feast of Sacrifice (Offerfeest)
August 2019 Important Dates & Holidays
Code Orange
The Netherlands and Belgium have recorded their highest ever temperatures today. The Dutch meteorological service, KNMI, said the temperature reached 39.1C (102F) at Gilze-Rijen airbase near the southern city of Tilburg on Wednesday afternoon, exceeding the previous high of 38.6C set in August 1944. City records in Amsterdam and Brussels are also expected to fall. Cities are particularly vulnerable in heatwaves because of a phenomenon known as the urban heat island effect, in which concrete buildings and asphalt roads absorb heat during the day and emit it again at night, preventing the city from cooling. KNMI has issued a code orange extreme temperature warning for everywhere except the off shore Wadden Islands and implemented its “national heat emergency” plan, while Belgium has taken the unprecedented step of placing the entire country on a code red warning.
Continue reading “Code Orange”July 2019 Important Dates & Holidays
- 1st July – Canada Day
- 4th July – US Independence Day
Food Festivals in the North of the Netherlands this summer
This summer, get out and experience all the tastes of the world from the comfort of the north of the Netherlands. Across the three provinces Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe, there is are a whole host of food festivals and events happening during the summer months offering a huge variety of culinary dishes.
Continue reading “Food Festivals in the North of the Netherlands this summer”Don’t text and cycle!
From 1 July 2019 it will be illegal in the Netherlands to hold your mobile phone in your hand while cycling, so be warned!
Calling, texting, WhatsApp, navigation, playing Pokémon Go, listening to music or just holding your phone in your hand to check the time will land you a €90 fine.
Continue reading “Don’t text and cycle!”June 2019 Important Dates & Holidays
- 5th May – 4th June – Ramada
- 4th June – Eid (Suikerfeest)
- 8th June – Luilak
- 9th June – Pentecost/Whitsun (1e Pinksterdag)
- 10th June – Pentecost Monday / Whit Monday (2e Pinksterdag)
- 16th June – Fathers Day (Vaderdag)
- 21st June – Summer Solstice – longest day of the year
Useful links and information for newcomers
If you are new to the North of the Netherlands and are feeling a bit out of your depth below is a list of some useful websites where you can gain additional information (generally in English).
Connect International has worked for over 20 years with the international community in the North of the Netherlands. Our ultimate goal is to help internationals coming to live in the provinces of Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe to feel at home as quickly as possible.
Continue reading “Useful links and information for newcomers”Dutch Snackbar: Nasischijf and Bamischijf
Following on the series, we are taking a look at another popular favourite from a Dutch snackbar, the nasischijf and bamischijf. These are two different snacks, but share many similarities.
Continue reading “Dutch Snackbar: Nasischijf and Bamischijf”May 2019 Important Dates & Holidays
- 1st May – Labour Day (Dag van de Arbeid)
- 4th May – Star Wars Day (May the 4th be with you)
- 4th May – Remembrance Day (Dodenherdenking)
- 5th May – Liberation Day (Bevrijdingsdag)
- 5th May – Cinco de Mayo
- 5th May – 4th June – Ramadan
- 12th May – Mothers Day (Moederdag)
- 30th May – Ascension Day (Hemelvaartsdag)
Bevrijdings Festival
On May 5, the Netherlands celebrates its freedom throughout the country at the various Bevrijdings Festivals, Liberation Festivals in English. All major cities have their own plans for the day. These are the plans for the three big cities in the north of the Netherlands.
Continue reading “Bevrijdings Festival”