march issue the underground

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The Underground The Hague Issue 5 / March 2012 Experience The Hague with us! Absorb the cultural and social essence of this diverse city through the eyes of the international community and locals. You are The Underground! www.theunderground.nl © ‘Outdoors’ graphic by Vaida Statkeviciute Outdoor & Nature March issue Haagse Hofjes Page 4 Lange Voorhout Page 14 pg.12 Outdoor tips The Great Outdoors, Closer Than You Think spring picnics, best spot to do a cart- wheel and best place to get lost in pg.9 Neighbours Linda A. Janssen in- terviews independent wildlife filmmaker Michael Sanderson on making nature his life’s work pg.11 Lifestyle Who says building work is not for girls? Hedda Pier renovated a former dairy shop in the Archipelbuurt FREE COPY!

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The UndergroundThe Hague

Issue 5 / March 2012

Experience The Hague with us! Absorb the cultural and social essence of this diverse city through the eyes of the international community and locals. You are The Underground!

w w w . t h e u n d e r g r o u n d . n l

© ‘Outdoors’ graphic by Vaida Statkeviciute

Outdoor & NatureMarch issue

Haagse HofjesPage 4

Lange VoorhoutPage 14

p g . 1 2 O u t d o o r t i p s

The Great Outdoors, Closer Than You Think spring picnics, best spot to do a cart-wheel and best place to get lost in

p g . 9 N e i g h b o u r s

Linda A. Janssen in-terviews independent wildlife filmmaker Michael Sanderson on making nature his life’s work

p g . 1 1 L i f e s t y l e

Who says building work is not for girls?Hedda Pier renovated a former dairy shop in the Archipelbuurt

FREECOPY!

March 2012The Underground

The HagueThe Underground

The Hague

For a just a couple of days Holland’s landscape was transformed into a magnificent Breugel’s winter scene. Children and adults alike, snugly wrapped in woolly scarves and knitted mittens, turned out en masse to take to the ice sometimes gliding for miles along the coun-

try’s countless canals. For a short moment there was even hope of an Elfstedentocht, but this sadly dissolved with the melting ice and it is time to move on. What better than to focus on the buds of spring, the great outdoors and nature in all its splendour. With a thicker issue this month, there’s even more to read.

We have listened to readers’ feedback and you will find varied articles of shorter length for your reading pleasure. We have a new monthly feature called ‘Artisans’. Each month a local craftsman will be interviewed giving us a glimpse into their specialized skill.

Our website www.theunderground.nl has been overhauled and from this month ‘The Stu-dentwire’ was officially launched, featuring articles written by students for students in The Hague.

If you’re off for the spring break, enjoy, and we’ll see you next month!

Reina van Nieuwkerk-RáczChief Editor - [email protected]

3T h e H a g u e

The Underground is a FREE monthly paper published by Simone Branson [email protected] Phone: + 31 (0) 6- 815 050 49

Graphic Design:Simone Branson HarperLara MaitreMikee StevensVaida Statkeviciute

Chief Editor: Reina van Nieuwkerk-Rácz

Editorial Adviser: Jane DeanProofreading: Cora van den Bossche

Communications advisor: Nataly Parson

Social Media: Kathyusjka Rodriguez

Student wire: Chief editor: Cora van den BosscheAnna PosthumaCarla Martinez, Sofia Lotto Persio

Photographers: Minna Sun KimCharlotte MeindersmaMiki de Best

Contributors: Lucy Bosscher, Linda A. Janssen, Keith Powell, Heather Tucker, Aine Camp-bell, Hedda Pier, Patricia Nelson-PassarelliKathy Voyles, Ingrid Schippers, Lucy Bosscher, Jane Choy , DM Henry, Lee Fergusson

Book reviews: Jo ParfittAsk Brigitte: Brigitte SpiegelerAdo News: Neal McClimonPoem: Sareen McLayAntique specialist: David Aardewerk

Print:Wegener NieuwsDruk BV

Advertising:Simone BransonWendy [email protected]

Distribution: PS Drukkers

© DisclaimerWhilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for omissions and errors . All material in this publication is strictly copyright and all rights reserved.

Ed

itoria

l

Letter from the Editor

25+

We are keen to hear your views, suggestions and feedbackLike us on Facebook & follow us on Twitter: @UndergroundTH

Email: [email protected]

© Photo by Charlotte Meindersma

ACCESSAlexandre Le Salon kapperAmbassadorsChoice ChacalliAmerican School of the HagueAmerican Womans ClubAmerikaanse kerkAppeltje eitjeAustralian EmbassyB.I.E. InternationalBagel Alley Wassenaar Bagel & BeansBank of FriendshipBel Air HotelBerlage brasserieBig Ben KidsBilberberg Europa HotelBoemerang KindermodeBoterwaagBRISDET SPIEGELER LAYERSBritish EmbassyBROODBSNCafe BroedersCafe de Bieb Cafe de BokCarlton Ambassador HotelCarlton BeachCheesecake CompanyCity Hall AtriumCourt Garden Hotel

Crowne PlazaDe Markiezen van WassenaarDe BakkerswinkelDe OpkikkerDe PaljasDen EngelDomestic OutsourcingDr. Anton Philipszaal/Lucent DanstheaterDudokDuitse biebEnglish ChurchEPOESTEC . NoordwijkExcelsior HotelExpatriate Archive CentreFABFine Fresh FoodFlavor’sFranse BakkerHaagse LenteH.U.B.Haagsche School VereenigingHaagse KluisHands at workHilton HotelHogere HotelschoolHungry MindsIndes des hotelInst.of Social Studies

Insteken OmslaanInternational School of The HagueIndian EmbassyIsabelle’s NatureJuliana’sKaatje aan de ReinKaldiKelly’s Expat Shopping The Hague & WassenaarKoninklijk ConservatoriumKon. Aca. V. Beeldende KunstKurhausLa Buena VidaLa Mano MaestraLa ville hotelLibary WassenaarMercure hotelMurphy’s lawNATO C3 Agency LibaryNovotelNul 70O’Casey’s Irish PubOPCWDe PaasPakschuitPaleis HotelParkhotelPosthoornQuirky CafeRoem in de KeukenRijswijkse Schouwburg

ScallywagsSchlemmerSeptemberShell outpostSherlock HolmesSofitel babylonStatenhotel Den HaagStayOkayThe British ClubThe English Theater STET The FiddlerThe Hague International CentreUndutchables Toni&GuyTulip Expats ServicesTweeduizendvijfUNVitale Functies OpleidingenVVV MondialWalongWarenar TheaterWish 4 WindowsZeldenrustZwarte Ruiter

Would you like to be added to our distribution list get in touch!

[email protected]

Where to find us?

‘The Underground stands out from the crowd and becomes a part of it with interesting local facts and things to do in The Hague and its surroundings. With this great initiative we feel that the ser-vices we offer compliments the one stop shop principle in its widest perspective to feel home at The Hague and Ambas-sadorsChoice’ www.chacalli.com

Distributor of the month

March 2012 March 2012The Underground

The HagueThe Underground

The Hague

1. Wassenaar girl found: three arrestsA young girl reported missing on 20 Janu-ary in Wassenaar was found by police in a house on Rochussenstraat in The Hague. The police raided the premises acting on a tip. Three people were arrested suspected of deliberately abducting an underage minor.

2. More boating on Hague waterwaysThe plans to make The Hague’s waterways more attractive for recreational, leisure and business purposes have been well received in the city. Those directly involved are pleased with the ideas intended to make the city’s water attractive for boating.

3. Gay- friendly living complex COC Haaglanden has confirmed plans for a gay-friendly residential complex in The Hague on the Buitenom near the city cen-tre. Gay men, lesbians and others positive towards gays will be able to rent or buy apartments in the complex.

4. First euthanasia clinic in The HagueThe former abortion clinic on the Eisenhou-werlaan in The Hague is being considered as a possible location for the first clinic for euthanasia in the Netherlands. Patients will undergo an intensive intake process be-fore being accepted. Six specialised teams consisting of one doctor and one nurse will begin working next month. The euthanasia process will not take place in the clinic, but at the patient’s home.

5. Girl with a Pearl Earring The Mauritshuis is closing its doors to the public on 2 April 2012 for extensive renovati on work. In the mean time parts of the col-lection will be exhibited in other museums throughout The Hague.

6. Popular clothing stores to openFive popular clothing retail chains are plan-ning to open shops in The Hague’s city centre. In the coming few years Hollister, Forever 21, Topshop, Marks & Spencer and Primark will open new megastores in the city.

7. Feed the birds, say expertsResidents have been advised to feed birds by the Bird Protection Society, Vogelbesch-erming Nederland. Because of snow and ice, birds are finding it difficult to feed. Some can lose up to 10 per cent of their body weight during the cold nights. During the day, they must replace the lost calories or they could die.

8. New children’s ward to open at BronovoThe new children’s ward, Willem-Alexander, will open at Bronovo Hospital at the end of March. The ward will be available for chil-dren up to the age of 16. Bronovo says the special ward offers more comfort and privacy for patients with the added benefit that par-ents can stay the night with their children.

9. Warme truiendag a huge successRoughly 100 primary schools in Zuid Holland joined in with the Warme Truiendag or ‘Warm Pullover Day’. The initiative, which took place on Friday, encourages organizations to turn down the heating and put on a warm pullover to try and slow down global warm-ing.

10. The Hague needs more bike parkingDue to the increase in bikes, The Hague Central Station will need to double the space for bike parking in 2020. Currently, there is only room for 5100 bikes. In 2020, the Municipality, ProRail and NS expect the demand for parking spaces to exceed 11,000. Extra bike parking areas will also be needed at busy tram and bus stops because of the increased use of the rail connections, especially, to Rotterdam.

• Heather Tucker slides back the gate on these hidden mini-communities

Each step down the alleyway takes you further from the hustle and bustle of streets bursting with cyclists, cars and trams. However, it isn’t until you push back the green sliding door at the end of the road that you truly enter a garden of peace. A large brick building complete with a reddish brown door and shutters provides the backdrop to manicured hedges, planted

flowers and cobblestone paths converging at a central, white, elevated birdhouse topped with a red slanted roof.

The location? The Garden of Hesperides, part of the Hof van Wouw, located in the centre of The Hague. The Hof van Wouw is one of more than 100 Haagse Hofjes in the city of The Hague. Hofjes are mini-communities of small houses surrounding an inner garden. They grew out of the need for suitable housing for the elderly when urbanization reduced the sprawling city homes, able to accommodate large extended families, into smaller, single-family homes.

Originally seen as quaint and idyllic properties, in reality the homes were often dark, cold and in disrepair. Many were abandoned following the war in favour of newly built apartment buildings. In the 1980’s, the Ministry of Culture designated the hofjes as ‘cultural monu-ments,’ paving the way for grants to restore and modernise, returning the hofjes to desir-able residences once again.

Many of the hofjes are not open to the public (the Hof van Wouw, for example, is only open for organized functions, group tours and on open days), but once inside you are able to ap-preciate a true oasis in the middle of a loud and chaotic city.

A list of the hofjes in The Hague can be found at: www.nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lijst_van_hofjes_in_Den_Haag

and the Hof van Wouw’s website is located at: www.hofvanwouw.nl

The title of the narrowest house is most likely attributed to a narrow building on the Korte Po-tenThere is an Italian restaurant located on the ground floor, where a wall has been demolished in order to make it wider than the living area upstairs.

Another house located on the corner of the Kle-ine Wagenstraat and the Lutherse Burgwal is also very narrow. I have been inside it and I can tell you that a 2 metre wide bed could not fit in it. The width of the building is approximately

1 metre 90. When it comes to the narrowest facada, the record belongs to a building on the Lange Voorhout. Right in between these wide and majestic buildings there is a very special house whose frontage is no wider than 1 meter 83 centimetres, exactly the width of one window. It was commissioned by the second residents of the much wider adjacent house, Huis Huguetan. The rooms of the house run partly behind the side facade of Huis Huguetan and the house itself is not as narrow as it looks in the front. It is ap-proximately 2 metres and 40 centimetres wide.

N e w s & V i e w s4 N e w s & V i e w s 5

Top 10 Headlines from The Hague OnlineD a i l y n e w s a n d v i e w s f o r t h e i n t e r n a t i o n a l c o m m u n i t y

w w w . t h e h a g u e o n l i n e . c o mGet Going!Reina van Nieuwkerk-Rácz discovers a real piece of history

A mysterious black round object, no larger than a tennis ball, protruding from the fa-çade of a typical Dutch stepped gable house catches my eye. I detect another lodged into the front wall of a neighbouring house. Re-ally? Cannonballs! I am walking along the Kaai in the picturesque town of Veere in Hol-land’s southern province of Zeeland. Veere is a town steeped in history, invaded by the French, attacked by the English and once upon a time inhabited by mainly Scots. It was formerly part of an island but its sea ac-cess was cut off in 1961 after a dam was built to protect against flooding. The former strategic position as a thoroughfare to vari-ous major ports made it an important trading post with a flourishing harbour. In fact the locals, and in turn invaders, had to persis-tently fight off intruders such was the desir-ability of this region.

In 1444 the marriage of Wolfert VI van Borselen, Lord of Veere to Princess Mary Stewart, Countess of Buchan and daughter of James I of Scotland, led to strong rela-tions between the people of Zeeland and the Scots. In 1541, Veere was granted ex-clusive staple-rights to Scottish wool for the Low Countries, encouraging Scottish mer-chants to establish themselves there on a permanent basis. In exchange, this Scottish community received special privileges: it had its own church (part of the main church of Veere), jurisdiction,tax exemptions and special accommodation.

The Napoleonic Rule of the Netherlands brought an end to this lucrative period and forced the Scots to return to their homeland. As Napoleon’s powers increased, he had himself declared Emperor and his brother King of Holland. Fearing its close proxim-ity, the English decided to capture Veere in 1809 rather than risk being invaded by the French. The stormy sea resulted in cannon-balls aimed at the town hitting the houses standing along the quayside, whilst others flew over the small town landing in the wa-ters on the other side. According to locals, the reason the cannonballs were not re-moved from buildings was because a tax law decreed that compensation would be granted if a house was damaged by warfare and what better proof than the cannonball itself.

They also told me that the clog wearing Zee-landers fighting the French were referred to as saboteurs (the clog wearers) - who knew!

The answer to last month’s competition: The mother with her two children depicts

“Safety in Traffic”. The statue dates from 1937 and was made by the sculptor Dirk Wolber

Winner: Muriel Pineau

Guess the statue & win

WIN

Win 2 tickets for Expatation XXL “The Biggest

Expat Event of the Year”: A silver-themed ´Disco meets

Dance´ night at Paard van Troje 31st March.

Send your answer to [email protected]

before 25th March.

DENTAL PRACTICE DENTAL CARE 4 YOU

Piet Heinplein 50 Zeeheldenkwartier +31 70 346 86 56 www.dentalcare4you.nl

Did you know? The narrowest houses in The Hague are located at...

Haagse Hofjes: An Oasis of Calm in the Middle of a Bustling City

© Gemeente Den Haag/Piet Gispen

March 2012 March 2012The Underground

The HagueThe Underground

The Hague N e w s & V i e w s N e w s & V i e w s 76

• byNealMcClimon

The winter transfer window closed at midnight on Tuesday, 31 January. A few changes at ADO: Out went fan favourite Wesley Verhoek to FC Twente. In came a loan signing from Chelsea, Milan Lalkovic, and on a free transfer came Ebi Smolarek, former Feyenoord and Borussia Dortmund player.

Another event at ADO putting a frown on fans’s faces was the injury to Mike van Duinen. While playing for the youth team he broke his metatarsal and will be out of action for a long period. A great loss to the club as he is a very bright talent; he will be missed.

Weather caused chaos resulting in a postponement of ADO v AZ. The game played four days later and saw ADO suffer a disastrous 0-6 defeat. The away game at FC Utrecht resulted in a hard fought 1-1 draw

The men’s team plays at home three times in March, on the 3rd against Heerenveen with kick-off at 18.45. Club cards not required, just go to ticket office with photo ID to purchase tickets. On March 18, ADO plays their biggest home game of the season against Ajax of Amsterdam. Kick-off 12.30. For this game you must be a season ticket or club card holder to get a ticket!

Final game of the month is another big match, this time against highflying FC Twente of Enschede on 24 March. Kick-off 20.45. Club cards not required, just go to ticket office with photo ID to purchase tickets.There are no home fixtures for the ladies team in March.

For more information on tickets, club cards, match reports and all ADO news in English, visit www.adoforexpats.com.

ADONEWSDENHAAG

Question to Brigitte from a reader:Last weekend we went biking in the dunes. On the way to Katwijk, I got knocked over by some fanatic on his racing bike and ended up with a broken arm and a damaged bike. What can I do? Can I claim damages? What rights do I have?

Unfortunately this happens more often than people realise in a bike crazy country like the Netherlands. Bikers are vulnerable and often the victims of a small mistake or inattention by the other party. Getting run over or falling off a bike can cause serious damage, not only physically but also to the bike. It is sensible to know your rights before you are on the ground, in pain and confused, so you can take appropriate action. After the initial scare, and in order to determine who is at fault and responsible for the accident, it is good to check your surroundings. If the road surface was bad and somehow you or the other party fell into a pothole and caused the accident then the Gemeente (local municipality), which is responsible for road maintenance, might be at fault. They are liable for the damage unless they can show the damage was inevitable.

If the accident had involved a car, in many cases the driver would be responsible and he would have to pay you the damages. Only in cases of force majeure might the driver not be liable. If the accident was between two bikers the situation is more complex. Liability has to be proven by you or recognized by the other party. You have to show the other party made a mistake causing the accident and your damages were a result of this.

In any event it is important you get the other parties contact information and insurance details. A mobile number is not sufficient. It is also impor-tant to have the names and contact details of people who have witnessed the accident. When the other party notifies his insurance company you can then send in your claim. If this is not the case then, unfortunately, you have to discuss this with the other party in order to settle the matter and you might have to go to court to get your damages paid.

Please note: it is advisable to be insured for legal assistance, rechtsbi-jstand verzekering. Nowadays you can choose your own lawyer, you are not obliged to work with the legal expert from the insurance company.

Article 92 from the law of the 25 June 1992, provides that: 1) When it is necessary to a judicial or administrative proceeding, the insured is free to choose a lawyer or any other person who has the qualifi-cations required under the applicable law on procedure for its interests to defend, represent or serve2) Whenever a conflict of interest with his insurer occurs, the insured is free to choose a lawyer or another person qualified under the applicable procedural law

The European Court of Justice, in a judgment from 10 September 2009, recognised the free choice of lawyer in this situation. In this Eschig case, the Court overruled a condition in an insurance policy, which restricted this freedom of choice and decided that a European directive granting free choice of lawyers had to be respected regardless of the insurance condi-tion. The Dutch Supreme Court, Hoge Raad, has ruled on several cases that where injury or death has resulted from traffic accidents involving injured pedestrians and cyclists, a fixed minimum percentage in damages is owed by the liable motor vehicle driver (law of 1994).

However, in a situation where two cyclists are cycling behind each other, one of them turned left and the cyclist behind did not see the other turn-ing and runs him/her over, no motor vehicle is involved. Article 6:162 of the Civil Code (Burgerlijk Wetboek) states that depending on the circum-stances, the cyclist who turned will probably bear responsibility (if he or she did not warn the other cyclist) unless the cyclist behind contributed to the accident by not paying attention.

Enjoy your bike ride, but always be vigilant!

Do you have a legal question for Brigitte?

Email: ASK [email protected]

Ask Brigitte• by Brigitte Spiegeler

Real fans wrapped up warm to watch ADO. © itpphotography.com

A C C E S S C a n c e r l i n k• by Aine Campbell

It can be an overwhelming experience when your life is touched by cancer. More so if you live away from your home country and your normal support group.

ACCESS Cancerlink provides support to English-speaking people who have cancer, or are in recovery, and for those who are concerned about family and friends with cancer.

This service is provided by counsellors from Interna-tional Counselling Connections (ICC) working in co-operation with ACCESS, which has been serving the needs and interests of the international community in the Netherlands for over 25 years. The Cancerlink team is also comprised of ACCESS volunteers with a background in oncology nursing or experience as a cancer survivor or carer.

Our goal is to provide a safe and caring environment where individuals affected by cancer can find the un-derstanding and support they need to enhance their ability to cope. Talking about cancer relieves some of the anxiety and is the first step towards dealing with it. Emotions may be confused and hard to share with friends or family. Our volunteers have the skill and

understanding to help explore complex feelings and how best to meet your needs. It is easier to find rel-evant information when someone can help you clarify questions and point you in the right direction for an-swers. We can also connect you with cancer survi-vors, who can be a great source of support and hope to people in early stages of diagnosis and treatment.

ACCESS Cancerlink offers:

Free telephone support • Information about services and organisations

providing support to people affected by cancer• Opportunities to connect through telephone

networking or group events. For example, in January Art Therapist Audrey Weinberg gave a workshop in Intuitive Painting.

• Help with finding one-to-one counselling

If you need help with a cancer-related issue, e-mail [email protected] or telephone International Counselling Connections at 06 2259 0772.

www.access-nl.org www.icconnections.org

About The Studentwire

The Student Wire is a guide for all students, both in-ternational and Dutch, who want to keep up to date with all that is hip and happening in The Hague,

ensuring that their university years in this city are memo-rable. Armed with a grand sense curiosity and a dash of adventure, our writers, Sofia Lotto Persio, Anna Post-huma and Carla Martinez unravel the hidden gems The Hague has to offer, sharing their discoveries with you.

We also welcome budding writers to contribute to The Student wire, offering readers a glimpse of The Hague through their eyes. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and visit The Student Wire online to read Sofia’s inspir-ing article about a fellow Haagse student making a difference in Uganda!

[email protected]

WWen will we see you?

Meet the Artisans............What you do?De Fietsfabriek produces high-quality, unique customized bikes. Every bike is lovingly handmade, readily recognizable and extremely safe.

Where did you learn about this business? I attended an automotive business school, and after that went to university in Amsterdam for an education in Business.

What is the history of your business? De Fietsfabriek was the first producer of cargo-bikes and family-bikes in Amsterdam. In the last few years it has developed into a world-wide business and is the highest quality producer of customized company bikes.

Who are your customers? Our customers are families with children, people looking for a trendy city-bike and companies that use the bikes for their marketing and transportation needs.

What are your future dreams for your business? To produce the best customized bikes for clients who love riding them.

www.defietsfbriek.nl,

O u r d r e a m n o w a n d f o r t h e f u t u r e i s t o b u i l d a n d d e s i g n t h e b e s t c u s t o m i z e d b i k e s , f o r c l i e n t s w h o l o v e r i d i n g t h e m .

A picture is worth a thousand words!

Every month, The Student Wire, in line with The Un-derground, follows a particular theme. We welcome all students to send in a photo taken in The Hague which

they believe reflects this theme.

The image which get’s the most ‘ Like’ on facebook will see their picture published on The Student Wire website.

So get your cameras and phones out and snap away!March theme: Outdoors and Nature

Pictures should be emailed to [email protected]

March 2012 March 20128 9The Underground

The HagueThe Underground

The Hague

Gorgeous Gina needs a home. 6 year old sterilised Stafford Gina has

been in the animal shelter longer than any other dog. If you have the time, patience and motivation then contact:

Stichting Haags DierencentrumLozerlaan 595, 2544 MC Den HaagPhone: 070-3661806

In many countries the power of animal pro-tectionists is underestimated as has been

proved by the Dutch De Partij voor de Dieren, The Party for the Animals. It was founded by Marianne Thieme, Lieke Keller and Ton Dekker prior to the Dutch National Elections of 2003, but the idea of representing the welfare of animals within parliament was the concept of Niko Koffeman going back as far as in 1992. The party has become so popular it now has two seats in the Dutch House of Representa-tives and one in the Dutch Senate.

It is neither left- nor right-wing, rather it is supported by people who have put aside political ideologies, united by their con-cern for the welfare of animals. There are many forms of animal abuse: mass production for the food industry, experimentation, entertainment, and inhumane treatment of pets.

The aim of the party is not to turn everyone veg-etarian, but to defend animals’ rights and sustain-ability in every sense: good quality of the air, water and soil, and attitudes which respect both humans and animals. These are not the idle notions of dreamers. The party for the animals is aware an enormous change is needed and points out the economy would benefit from this change too. They

believe the current global crisis is an indication we have gone beyond what nature can sustain.

Many people talk about global warming and green-house gasses but few know that at least 18% of polluting gasses are emitted by livestock farming, versus 13% from to traffic and transport. Even less

people realise that to produce 1 kg of meat a huge amount of water is needed, the same as an average household consumes in almost a year.

The party stands for sustainable, locally produced food, for animals not to be subjected to painful ex-periments and to live according to their natural behaviour, even if kept for production purposes. They de-mand the end to preventive culling of healthy animals, long distance transportation, a ban on barbaric traditions, and the prohibition of ge-netically modified crops and over-fishing. They defend animal rights,

but also those of humans entitled to clean energy by means of renewable resources.

Leonardo Da Vinci said, ‘The time will come when men such as I will look upon the murder of animals as they now look upon the murder of men’ and that time is today.

www.partyfortheanimals.nl

T h e H a g u e

In the beginning The Dutch Animal Protection Agency known as the Dierenbescherming was founded in 1864 under the name of the ‘The Hague Society for the Protection of Animals’. In the early years the main focus of the organisation was to educate people on the subject of animal treat-ment. Its high ranking members active in the association considered animal cruelty to be ‘uncivilized’ and ‘improper’. They fought for the abolition of the cart pulling draught dogs, for the improvement of living and working conditions of horses and the improvement of slaughter regula-tions. In 1877, through the cooperation with many local organisations a national association was founded, which was re-named the Dutch Society for the Protection of Animals, Nederlandsche Vereeniging tot Bescherming van Dieren. Results

Only eleven years after its founding, on 5 June 1875, the first law was introduced that focused entirely on the welfare of animals. The law stipulated it was illegal to intentionally mistreat dogs and cats. From 1880 onwards legislation offered legal protection to animals used for agriculture and silviculture (forestry). In 1886 a new article was added to the Penal Code, that declared animal abuse a crime. From then on legal protection was applicable to all animals. Over the years the Ani-mal Protection Agency has affected a number of very important laws. From forest rangers to inspection agency

There had to be a way of ensuring laws regarding animal cruelty were enforced, and as the police did not see this as their priority the Dieren-bescherming founded its own inspectorate in 1920. At first it consisted of forest rangers who were allowed to fine and or reprimand citizens violating the animal laws existing at the time. In 1975 the National Animal Inspec-tion Service, Landelijke Inspectie Dienst, was established. The foundation currently has 12 professional inspectors who have investigative powers.

They are supported by 200 volunteer inspectors throughout the country. To-gether with the police, LID ensures the laws concerning animal welfare are re-spected and enforced. The Hague Department The Hague has had its own Animal Protection Agency division since 1918, with the current office situated on the Frederick Hendricklaan. It is staffed by a number of permanent employees, who work alongside several hundred volunteers. The department is a point of contact when animal abuse or ne-glect is suspected. Staff and volunteers can provide advice and answer ques-

tions about animal welfare, or refer people to a bird or animal asylum. The Hague department also provides information on Animal welfare at special events and on request by the public. In addition, there are spe-cial education classes for children at primary schools, data on circus animals and promoting responsible pet ownership. The Hague Animal Department also follows local politics and where necessary seeks to influence public opinion towards a more humane policy in The Hague. The Knaaghof Since 2010, The Hague Animal Protection Agency owns a rabbit and rodent shelter called the ‘Knaaghof’ which takes in animals from the region, that is sadly often required. Rabbits and rodents are regularly bought on a whim and when the care of these animals is more than ex-pected, they are discarded. At the ‘Knaaghof’, the animals receive the care and attention they need. They can also play with peers in one of the spacious playing fields. All animals are examined by a veterinarian. And sick animals are quarantined to ensure that diseases are not spread. In short, an active department that accomplishes may things for a lot of animals in the region!

WANNA PLAY?A New Reality in the Dutch Political Arena• Annalisa Branca presents the Partij voor de Dieren, representing more than the interests of humans

The Dutch Animal Protection Agency, the Dierenbescherming

Neighbours: Michael Sanderson • LindaA.JansseninterviewsindependentwildlifefilmmakerMichaelSandersonaboutmakingnaturehislife’swork

N e i g h b o u r s

As a teen, Michael Sanderson liked taking pictures as his way of ‘just playing around with the camera.’ The son of British parents who met while working at the European Space Agency, he grew up in Wassenaar.

Today he works out of studio space in the Laakhaven-West neighbourhood of The Hague, and still calls this area home.Those early days of snapping photographs sparked enough interest for Sanderson to choose Media Technology as his course of study back in his parents’ Britain, attending what is now Southampton Solent University. After a year immersed in the technical side of the evolving audio-visual industry, he found himself in Madagascar in 2001 on a summer conservation project.‘It was ten weeks working in a forest, in dry scrub land. One day I shot my first close-up head shot of a wild lemur,’ recounts Sanderson. ‘I really didn’t know where I was, I was completely lost. But when the lemur looked directly at me and I got the shot, I remember thinking ‘this is amazing, this is what I want to do’.’Rather than transfer to study biology or zoology, Sanderson decided to make the most of both interests. In his final project he combined wildlife and technology by ambitiously building and testing a thermal wildlife tracker. Passive infrared sensors would detect the animal’s movement and move to its position, swivel 360 degrees as needed and record until the animal moved outside the camera’s field of vision.‘It worked well indoors proving the concept, but outside I encountered problems with wind and the movement of trees and so on’. Regardless, he’d found his career path, and he’s been combining technology and wildlife ever since.Sanderson took a Masters degree in Documentary Film-making at Royal Holloway, University of London, learning every part of the process from pre-production and production to post-production and editing. It was there that he made two wildlife films that would prove instrumental in his career. The first, Wolves of Lusatia, documented that species’ return to Germany and was selected for film festivals in Sicily and Estonia. The second film, Wild Flevoland, focused on the retaking by nature of the Oostvaardersplassen Nature Reserve northeast of Amsterdam.Fresh from school and eager to find work, Sanderson headed to Bristol, home of the BBC’s Natural History Unit. He did a number of odd jobs, including research work on the show Planet Earth, before being hired as an assistant cameraman with a company working on the 10-part BBC series on insects Small Talk Diaries. During this two and a half year commitment, which included filming in France, he mastered the use of macroscopes and lenses (‘making small things big’) and worked his way up to cameraman. The show was a huge hit worldwide winning multiple prestigious awards in the US, Japan and elsewhere. These included two in the WildScreen Festival held in Bristol: Best Series and Best Innovation, the latter for utilizing moving robotic arms, special camera techniques and extreme close-ups in high definition.‘The fact that I could put BBC on my curriculum vitae was important,’ he explains. ‘It still gets me jobs today.’

By 2008, Sanderson was working as a freelance cameraman when he joined forces with a colleague from university days to pitch a project about the wolf population returning to the nuclear-ravaged Chernobyl landscape. The renowned Austrian public broadcasting entity ORF commissioned the project, with the BBC, US Public Broadcasting Service and German broadcasting company joining as co-producers.‘This was my first commission for a ‘top slot’ (i.e. prime time) film. We were able to push the boundaries on wildlife film-making with a new camera known as Red One Camera,’ Sanderson shares. ‘It uses 4,000 resolution, twice that of high definition; it’s the digital equivalent of 35 mm film, with the footage residing in the hard drive. I configured the camera so that it could be operated by a single cameraman for use in filming wildlife rather than the typical crew of 4-6. It was an amazing project, we even caught a small number of wolves and tagged them with GPS radio collars to track their movements.’At the height of the project a reorganization forced out his partner, and by extension, Sanderson.‘I went from marvelling at how far I’d come in such a short amount of time to dealing with the disappointment of losing that project,’ he muses. ‘In the long term, it taught me far more than if we’d completed the project. Learning how it went wrong, the need for maintaining communication, that downfall taught me valuable lessons, including the ethics of film-making.’He regrouped, working on corporate projects for clients such as BMW and Audi and commercials for National Geographic, including one in Bolivia. He also continued enhancements on the remote-controlled helicopter camera, dubbed the CopterCam, he’d been developing for the Chernobyl project. These days his expertise and technical skills are in high demand. He’s been working on a programme for the Dutch Bird Conservation group Vogelbescherming and National Geographic about migratory birds in Burkino Faso, Tunisia and here in the Netherlands, with popular presenter Eddie Zoey narrating. Sanderson appeared recently on the Pauw en Witteman show on Nederland 1 to demonstrate his CopterCam. A project doing more macro-filming of insects in Brazil is lined up for later in the year. Sanderson’s experience filming large wildlife, his prior macro work with the BBC, technological industry enhancements to Red One Camera and development of the CopterCam have all culminated in his latest project: being asked by Dutch company EMS Films to help make a feature film of the Oostvaardersplassen.‘It’s the biggest Dutch wildlife film ever, made to BBC standards for cinema,’ he enthuses. ‘The working title is Nieuwe Wildernis, and we’re filming wild horses and cattle, 200 species of migratory and resident birds, insects. This is the first place in which the Sea Eagle (Zeearend), the largest European bird of prey, has bred in this country in more than 150 years. We’ve started filming but it will take another year and a half.’‘This is big,’ he continues. ‘There is no wildlife film industry in the Netherlands yet, although there are topnotch wildlife photographers. This could really help start such an industry.’

www.msfilms.eu

l.t.r. Micheal Sanderson taken at Burkino Faso, Wolves, horses taken at Oostvaardersplassen by the CopterCam, called OVP Coptercam

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Who says building work is not for girls?..............• HeddaPierrenovatedaformerdairyshopintheArchipelbuurt

For many people the thought of renovation work sends shivers down their spine. Rogue builders, woodworm, bankruptcy and marital meltdown spring to mind. Not so for interior designer Hedda Pier. Last summer she and her husband bought the house next door to the Sherlock Holmes pub on the

Sumatrastraat. ‘This street was one of the first to be built in the Archipelbuurt in 1869,’ Hedda explains. ‘There is a lot of history here.’ Once the local dairy shop, the property more recently housed a dermatology practice. ‘It was unloved and had small dark rooms, but it was structurally sound. It had potential,’ she says. ‘I knew I could make this into a perfect family home.’

Step one of the transformation was the task of finding a suitable contractor. Four potentials were invited to pitch for the job; an interesting experience complete with inebriated Czech contender (remarkably he came recommended). Needless to say, he did not go through to the second round. But a good one was found.

Five months of building work followed. There were a few nasty surprises. Rotten beams hiding under a false ceiling. Woodworm in the attic. The original basement, seen on ar-chitectural drawings, remains a mystery. ‘We spent an entire day cutting holes in the floor and digging them out to find it but it just wasn’t there.’ Despite the surprises their choice of contractor made for an exceptionally positive renovation experience. ‘From the demolition stage to working out the details, I enjoyed the entire process’ says Hedda.

Having project managed the renovation Hedda emphasizes that planning is key. One of her major challenges was what is known in the Netherlands as the bouwvak (literally ‘building holiday’). This coincides with Dutch school holidays in the three educational zones. ‘Even if your builders are willing to stay, the suppliers are closed. Our Slovakian builders were due to leave four weeks into the renovation. Luckily we were also working with a Dutch contrac-tor from a different part of the country whose holidays didn’t coincide with theirs. In the end we only lost a week and a half.’

Being a female building site manager made for some comedy moments. At first the Slova-kian builders were baffled by Hedda’s desire to be hands on. ‘They would jump in constantly and try to do things for me saying that it was a man’s work’ she says. Other times she had difficulty explaining her design choices. ‘I was determined to have an exposed brick wall in the toilet. Try explaining to a builder that you want one wall newly rendered but to chip all the old plaster off the wall opposite to expose the brick work!’ In the end it turned out beautifully. The same builder even took a photo to show his wife back home what a crazy thing he’d done. And apparently she liked it!

The project was finalized in December and the couple and their daughter moved in just be-fore Christmas. ‘We even managed to have my husband’s family over for dinner on Boxing Day!’ When they bought the property people warned against living next to a pub. One of the decisions the owners made was to insulate the walls on the pub side of the house. Sitting in the large new family kitchen you would never believe there was a Saturday afternoon rugby match going on next door. ‘We don’t mind living next to the pub at all’ Hedda laughs, ‘Our baby monitor has reach!’

P e o p l e & P a s s i o n s

Brutiful Force and Amazing Pace

• Rollerderby’sknock-onaffectasseenbyPatriciaNelson-Passarelli(akaShankChinaski.)

Enter ‘roller derby’ in Google and you get 12,100,000 hits. Results include roller derby’s in-triguing history, its re-emergence as a real sport in 2000, hours of footage on YouTube and gear sites galore from socks to socket wrenches.

Today there are 1190 roller derby leagues worldwide, from every continent. The Netherlands has 12 leagues. Last August an American expat (a skating instructor from NYC) and a group of dedicated players, who are from The Hague,

started a league. It’s called The Parliament of Pain, a name-twist typi-cally found in roller derby, such as Rotterdam’s Death Row Honeys and Zwolle’s Bashin’ Blue Fingers.

But wait. What is roller derby?It’s a fast-paced, full-contact sport, played on a flat track by women who are wearing quad (not inline) roller skates. A roller derby match or bout involves only skaters: blockers who use regulation shoulder or hip checks for simultaneous offensive and defensive strategies to aid or impede the point-scorers or jammers. Head-to-knee protective gear, including a mouth guard, is worn. No external equipment is used. Rules are strict. Rule-breakers get penalties. Safety standards are enforced. Violent or dangerous play is forbidden. Roller derby provides plenty of family-friendly spills and thrills to keep spectators amazed and players addicted.

A bout looks something like this…Two jammers, we’ll call them Red and Blue, race against each other to be the first to pass through a skating pack of blockers – the Reds and the Blues. Suddenly, Blue jammer falls. Red jammer jumps over her, lands skillfully, absorbs some hard-knocks from Blue blockers but avoids more with help from Red blockers, who get her through and past the pack. Then Blue jammer gets through. Both teams gain points for each of the opposing blockers their jammer has passed on the track. But the bout is not over. Jammers Red and Blue must keep racing each other around the track, repeatedly trying to pass through the pack to score more points until the jam ends.

The Parliament of Pain roller derby league trains three times weekly to perfect skating skills, build endurance, improve physical condition and develop game play strategy. Women over 18, who want to learn the game and commit to becoming dedicated players, are welcome. The league also invites men and women who want to be referees.

L i f e s t y l e

Tips and tricks for a successful renovation

Do…1. Request the original architectural drawings of

your house! You can get these for a small fee at the Dienst Stedelijke Ontwikkeling (DSO).

2. Find out if you need planning permission! Speak to someone at your local Stadsdeelkantoor about the rules and regulations for building in the area.

3. Hire a contractor that speaks the same lan-guage! It is crucial that you can make yourself understood so your wishes are carried out cor-rectly.

4. Research products and materials online! Some-times sourcing outside the Randstad or even abroad can work out cheaper.

5. Plan ahead! Think of everything before your con-tractor asks you about it, you don’t want to make hasty decisions.

Don’t…1. Plan your building work to start in the summer!

If you can, aim to finish the work in early July or start in September.

2. Underestimate the cost of building work! Making a realistic budget will make the renovation expe-rience more positive and less stressful.

3. Forget to check if there are subsidies available! There may be subsidies available for fitting double-glazing, insulating your roof or floors and more.

4. Neglect to make accurate drawings! This is especially important for lighting, kitchens and bathrooms, otherwise it will be done the way you want it.

5. Wait too long to decide on kitchen and bath-rooms! They may go in last but you need to have your plumbing and electrics in place from the start.

For all your building solutions, big or small

www.dutchhandyman.nlMaarten Verharen • mobile: 06 22 19 32 99

© De Bestpix

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North Sea Wild and wind swept, take a kite!

Of course it is hard to ignore the North Sea (which I attempted to do for quite some years as I pinned for my Waiheke Island beaches in my home country) but in the end I have succumbed to its charms and wild windy surf and dunes. We usually head for one of the surfing schools with wet suits and boogie boards as the weather improves or walk away from the wind, scanning for shells and sea treasures as we join the many dog walkers and sturdy stalwarts. There are always ships to spot and the changing mood of the sea to observe plus playing in the sand holds endless attraction for kids. I like the area at the very end of Scheveningen where the surf school has a temporary cabin and the kids bob up and down on their boards waiting for that first wave. Afterwards we pop up to F.A.S.T for a hot chocolate and to change out of wetsuits. If you really need to take the car then park at La Cantina and unload your balls, buckets, spades and beach paraphernalia for an afternoon’s beachwork in a less crowded spot. There’s nothing like a day on the

beach to wear you and the family out in a healthy way.

13H i d d e n T r e a s u r e s

At this time of year I begin to long for the great outdoors, greenish and the touch of a feathery spring breeze. I yearn for the smell of fresh cut grass and to see the first bloom of apple blossoms on my trees. I remember the shy warmth of a weak spring sun and contemplate my small urban space with a new eye. My fingers itch to plant my first nasturtium seeds as I look forward to salads of bright orange flowers mixed with home grown blue borage flowers and ruccola.

It seems to me that I have been incarcerated by dampness and chill and that I must force myself outdoors to prepare to greet the change of seasons head-on or stay for-ever in my sheep’s wool boots and merino linings! So to inspire myself and you (hopefully) here are a few of my favourite spots for a bright spring day.

The Great Outdoors, Closer Than You Think - spring picnics, best spot to do a cartwheel and best place to get lost in.. by Kathy Voyles

Sorgvliet Park - The Hague’s best kept secret

Living in the centre of The Hague as I do, it seems all paths lead to my favourite secret, the Sorgvliet Park, a gated forest- like wilderness just past the Peace Palace. This is the ideal retreat from the city, a place to walk and sit in peace and greenery, to gaze upon secret dark waters and observe squirrels, ducks and birds. Just to walk its many paths gives one a feeling of earthiness, and adventure - it’s large enough to lose yourself in yet small enough to not be afraid. It costs less than a tenner to make this your own Hi-awatha’s playground and to visit it year round (closed Christmas Day) and to take in two others on your card. It’s an excellent spot to lay your picnic blanket out on a warm day while kids look for woodlice and make daisy chains. Take a simple picnic of Brood’s spelt flour loaf, some wild garlic cheese from the Boerenmarkt or Marqt, a little homemade chutney or tapenade, an apple coleslaw and some homemade raspberry and lemon cordial. Fill your thermos with good coffee (my favourite brew is the Milano from Simon le Velt’s shop). Make it simple and serve it on secondhand china from the little shops on Piet Heinstraat. Bring it all in a shopping trolley and then lie down on the spring grass

and look through the trees while the kids play. Lovely.

Westbroek parkThe best place to do a

cartwheelWe also like to hire one of the little boats at the cafe in Westbroek Park and tumble down the nearby hill, taking care not to fall into the pond which is full of bright green frogs and tadpoles as the weather im-proves. That park has the softest grass in town and is a pleasure to do cartwheels and forward rolls in (while avoiding any piles of goose and duck drop-pings left there by the local bird population). The playground is pretty fun too, although on a lovely day you’ll be sharing it with a fair few others. And best of all, take your footie stuff, your cricket bats and enjoy the space to have a good run about. Many a child has learned to skate, scooter and bike along the paths in this park, each sporting a wor-ried looking parent puffing behind them. We usually take a high tea picnic here with warm scones and finger sandwiches, homemade pizza and fresh fruit

and sit under the trees.

Louwmans Car Museum

and the Flying FoxLastly take a bike ride into the woods via Louwmans car mu-suem and get lost (but not too lost!). I did precisely that, a couple of weeks ago and found myself without a map in farmlands out the back of Voorschoten. It was a lovely if chilly journey past hofjes and houses, over tiny bridges and green fields, catching glimpses of huge houses and ancient trees. Take water and a raincoat and be prepared to detour and discover a different Holland to the usual urban sprawl. If your kids are under 10 they will like the adven-ture playground in the Haagshe Bosjes and the flying fox. Carry on past the playground and bike through the dark and shadowy woods where a teddy bears picnic

would not be out of place at all.

By Sareen McLay

Mother NatureFickle decorator of our landscapeLaying carpets on empty streets.

A change of mind, discarding With a flourish, time to start afresh.

Light as fairy dust, blossom flutters byCovering streets in a baby pink blanket.

Confetti in the air, a promise of hopeSoft and gentle the mild wind blows.

A clean sweep, lazy summer days.Too hot for carpets, in their place

Blooms create a fragile layerAn artist’s palette of colours.

Soon she transforms all again.The burnt colours of the leaves fly by

A deceiving warmth as the winds Grow colder and sweep us off our feet.

After a time the bareness of the treesStand harsh against the glitter of snow.

A lush white layer untouchedThe cold drives us all inside.

H i d d e n T r e a s u r e s

• By Lee Ferguson

As the importance and potentially devastating im-pact of our carbon footprint becomes increasingly apparent, many of us are seeking an alternative approach to how we can function as a society.

Permaculture, developed as a systematic method for sustainable living in the early 70’s by Australians Bill Mollison and David Holmgren, is an ecological design system that tackles this very issue head on.

Eetbaar Park – or Edible Park - is a permaculture project that has been created in The Hague’s Zui-derpark. The man behind the idea, British artist Nils Norman, envisaged an artwork that could showcase the possibilities of sustainable gardening.

Eetbaar Park offers an educational experience that allows visitors to get a better understanding of

how a permaculture system can operate in an en-vironmentally friendly way while also contributing to the local food supply.

“In our gardens there is always something edible growing.” Said Louise van Luijk, one of the 8 ac-tive volunteers behind the day-to-day running of the project.

For people interested in learning more about perma-culture, Eetbaar Park will be offering a wide variety of lectures, workshops, presentations and courses on healthy and sustainable food, food production and eco building, throughout 2012.

www.eetbaar-park.nl

06-26130464 Anna Polakweg 21

2533 SW Den Haag

Nourishing the Earth – Eetbaar Park

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• Ingrid Schippers explores the history of Het Lange Voorhout

It is interesting how certain places in the world are favoured over others and attract royalty through the centuries. Het Lange Voorhout might not stand out in a row of internation-ally famous streets like Fifth Avenue or Champs-Élysées or Kalverstraat in Amsterdam, but The Hague’s most famous

street enjoys local fame and ranks high in the list of best known streets in the Netherlands.

It started in 1404 when Margaretha van Kleef, second wife to Alfred van Beieren, donated a piece of land to Dominican monks who used it to found a monastery. The Kloosterkerk, monastery church, is frequented to this day by the Dutch royal family. It dates from 1420 and is one of the oldest remaining buildings of Het Voorhout, as it is known by locals.

The name Voorhout is derived from its location at the edge of Het Haagsche Bos, hout meaning wood and voor meaning in front of. Literally translated Voor hout means ‘in front of the forest’. Originally the Voorhout was an agricultural settlement lined with farmhouses, but in 1536 Charles V, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, or-dained that four rows of lime trees be planted, changing the nature of the area. It soon became a place to see and be seen. As early as the 17th century, Het Lange Voorhout was a regarded as hotspot for trendwatchers. Famed warrior Maurits of Oranje, who died in The Hague in 1625, tried to dig a canal in his beloved Voorhout, but due to the sandy soil this was impossible.

In the 18th century, most of the older, smaller houses were replaced by more prestigious buildings, lived in by the rich and famous. What is now the Escher museum was originally a home built for a well to

do statesman and became a royal palace in 1845 when it was purchased by King William II. Queen Emma, the greatgrandmother of the present Queen Beatrix, used it as her winter palace until 1934. In 1991 it was sold to the nation by her granddaughter, queen mother Juliana, and it was turned into a museum in 1992.

Today Het Voorhout attracts people from all walks of life and is famous for its flower bulbs in springtime, antique markets in sum-mer and outdoor sculpture exhibitions. It has a famous restaurant where many a political deal has been struck, with the houses of parliament just across the street, but most of all it is famed for its royal connections.

Strolling along the Lange Voorhout

H e a v e n l y s c u l p t u r e s o n t h e L a n g e V o o r h o u t

By Brigitte Spiegeler

It is no surprise that The Hague, city of international peace and justice, with its numerous international organizations in political, legal and diplomatic areas, hosted an exhibition in

2011 of Chinese contemporary art on the Lange Voorhout. Last year marked the hundredth anniversary of the arrival of the first Chinese indentured labourers in the Netherlands, many of whom settled in The Hague. Every year from, June until September, the Lange Voorhout is adorned with the beautiful sculptures. Last year’s The Hague Sculp-ture exhibition was entitled ‘The Hague under the Heavens’. Started in 1998, the exhibition has a specific topic each year linked with the international and multicultural spirit of The Hague. The organization of The Hague Sculpture attracts famous artists from around the world. Each of the previous exhibitions mirrored a relation-ship between two countries in the European Union, or retraced an important event that allowed two countries, in or outside the European Union, to cooperate. In 2010, Spain and Belgium were sharing the presidency of the Eu-ropean Union, the reason The Hague Sculpture displayed works by important artists from these two countries. The exhibitions retraced the expansion of the European Union, and accentuated changes that have occurred, making it the cultural place it is today. Aside from the international element of the exhibitions, hosted in the open-air in the historic heart of The Hague, the other important part is the location. It is strategically placed and suits the mindset of the art-ists, bringing a wide-ranging audience to a marvelous public space.

Although these are days of financial cut backs, it seems The Hague Sculpture will endure with the support of numerous companies and individuals, as well as cultural foundations such as the Mondriaan Fonds.

15 C u l t u r e

• By Lucy Bosscher

For Guelareh Marzband, as for many others in the Persian Diaspora in this country and else-where, March is a busy month. Her ‘to do’ list is two pages long but she keeps adding things: buy new clothes and gifts, sprout wheat seeds, cook, gold fish, prepare the Haft Sin table…. all this in preparations for Nawruz, the Persian New year. ‘Nawruz is the favourite holiday in my family. It is spring, the time of renewal and a natural new beginning. You can’t come unprepared to the new beginning, can you? I simply want to make sure that everything is ready and everything is perfect’, say Guelareh

And there is simply a lot to prepare. The Sofreh Haft Sin to start with. It is the focal point of Naw-ruz festivities and Persian families go to great lengths in putting it together to represent all that they wish for in the New Year.

The word Haft means seven and Sin stands for the ‘S’ in the alphabet. The spread contains the seven specific things that start with ‘s’- sabzeh sprouted greens, sonbol — hyacinths, sib — the apple, serke — vinegar, seer- garlic, and other items that signify renewal, happiness, wealth, good health or anything that you might desire for the New Year.

Far away from her native Teheran, Guelareh Marzband, this year will again be organizing the Red Wednesday Bonfire Festival the day before Nawruz when children and adults jump over fire to mark the victory of light over darkness. And on Sizdah Bedar, the 13th day of the celebrations, she will take her family to the Clingendael Park for a picnic to connect with nature and to let the sabzeh float away into the world hoping for the good things to come.

And Guelareh Marzband is not the only one ada-mant to keep the tradition alive. It is believed

that some 300 million people across the world in the Balkans, the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea regions, the Caucasus, Central and South Asia, and the Middle East celebrate Nawruz. Nawruz literally means ‘a new day’. It takes place on the day of the spring equinox. Every year the equinox occurs at a different point in time, so the date, although accurately measured, is different each year but close to March 20th. On the moment the equinox actually happens during the Sa’at-e Tahvil (New Year’s Eve) is an important; it is a time for forgiving, putting differ-ences aside and looking forward to building con-structive relationships. The countdown is often followed on satellite television as families gather around the Haft Sin table in their new clothes. Legend says that there is a bullfish in the ocean of time carrying the world on one of its horns. When the Sa’at-e Tahvil arrives the bullfish tosses the world over to the other horn resulting in a tremor that will dislodge the egg and send it rolling to the side of the mirror.

In 2010 the United Nations General Assembly recognized March 21 as the International Day of Nawruz. The spring festival of Persian origin cel-ebrated for more than 3000 years was officially registered to the UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Traditions of Humanity.

Honouring this cultural tradition reconnects us with the earth, and encourages reflection and dialogue and connection among friends and neighbours. Reflecting ancient culture, Nawruz re-affirms the cycles of renewal in life. Celebra-tion overrules differences. Like the pollen of spring, hope and peace can spread all over the world. Say good- bye to the greyness of winter. Embrace spring. And like the great Persian poet Omar Khayyam said to greet spring with ‘wis-dom, insight and sagacity.’

Nawruz: Embracing Spring and Hope

The legend of Hans Brinker has fascinated Americans for more than two centuries. Brinker had been popularized as a fictional character in a collection of stories entitled Hans Brinker or the Silver Skates, written by American author Mary Mapes Dodge in 1865. One of the stories

relates the tale of an unknown Dutch boy living in Haarlem, who stuck his finger in a leaking dike. He stayed there overnight in the freezing cold until adults come to repair it the following morning. Through his heroic efforts, this anonymous boy saved Holland from flooding and became known as the ‘Hero of Haarlem’. Read-ers assumed the unknown boy was Hans Brinker.

Many American tourists have visited Holland to see the infamous dike only to be disappointed to discover that Hans Brinker never existed. Several Dutch tourist bureaus took action and erected statues of ‘Hans Brinker’ in Spaarndam (1950), Harlingen (1962) and Madurodam (2006). Although a popular statue of the Hero of Haarlem adorns the entrance of Madurodam, the legend of Hans Brinker is widely unknown to the Dutch. Brinker has become a symbol of American Folklore in Holland, emphasizing Holland’s infinite battle against the sea.

The Legend of Hans Brinker

By DM Henry

Hans Brinker

© Photo by Charlotte Meindersma

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The Hague I n t e r v i e wB U I L D I N G B R I D G E S G L O B A L L Y & L O C A L L Y :

When I sit down with Willem Post, he has returned recently from an extended trip to the US to cover

the state of American politics in general and the early Republican presidential primary races in particular. Despite being jet-lagged, hounded on his cell phone and juggling appointments, Post is gracious, focused and eager to share his insights.After winning the New Hampshire primary, American newspapers carried Mitt Romney’s victory speech allegation that President Barack Obama seeks to impose a Euro-style welfare state on the US, and indeed is more willing to take direction from European capitols rather than America’s cities and small towns. The Washington Post newspaper immediately sought the views of Post, the top Dutch pundit on US politics.

While fully aware that much of the likely Republican presidential candidate’s comments was simply political posturing to that party’s right-wing constituents, Post quickly pointed out the inaccuracy of the Republican portrayal of a US shift toward so-called European socialism.

‘There is no reason for this sort of Euro-bashing,’ he tells me, reiterating his response in the Washington Post article. ‘Now in Europe you actually see a decline of the welfare state and increased privatization, so it is factually wrong.’

‘We should be building bridges between Europe and America, and other countries as well,’ Post stresses amiably. ‘We share the same basic freedoms. In the Arab streets in 2011, protestors held up signs that said ‘Yes we can, too’. They have been longing for democracy, and I believe that Europe and the US have something to share about democracy. After all, Europe is the birthplace of the Enlightenment.’

The foremost Dutch authority on American history, politics, economics and society, Post is used to being in demand for his astute observations and ease in conveying complex concepts. He writes regularly for the Financieele Dagblad (Financial Daily) and is often quoted in major newspapers such as the Telegraaf, Algemeen Dagblad and NRC Handelsblad.

At the Clingendael Institute of International Relations Post teaches classes on international affairs and American politics. As the author of seven books on topics ranging from John F. Kennedy, the Reagan-Bush White House, the impact of the September 11th attacks and most recently Obama World, he is in demand for television and radio news coverage and talk shows as well as on the speaking circuit. He also serves as an International Advisor to the Gemeente of The Hague.

A familiar face in Washington, Post is an Honorary Member of the US National Council of International Visitors (NCIV), a non-profit organization dedicated to expanding opportunities for increased international understanding by helping members become more effective citizen diplomats. He lauds that organization’s efforts to build international bridges, and it is in fact the NCIV that inspired Post to encourage and support The Hague’s efforts to initiate a Hospitality Centre and eventually become a driving force behind the creation of The Hague Bridge program.

‘The mayor of The Hague and his deputies are strongly focused on building bridges between the internationals

living here and the local Dutch community,’ Post shares. ‘The Hague Bridge brings international bridge-building to the local level.’

Recently completing the initial three-year phase, The Hague Bridge seeks to connect ‘a city of island behind closed doors’ by stimulating civic pride, bringing internationals and locals in contact and building networks, and celebrating The Hague’s designation as the City of Peace and Justice by bringing it as close as possible to the people. Events included regular neighbourhood walks throughout the city’s eight districts, lectures and special programmes, a recent Walking Dinner showcasing local restaurants and a distillery and the popular City of Peace and Justice tour that took place in December 2011.

‘Increasing contacts is a wonderful and important way to get people involved,’ Post offers excitedly, ‘and the Hague Bridge program has been a huge success. We’ve had great participation, and coverage by local and national Dutch media as well as the expat media sources.’

The Hague Bridge now moves on to its second phase with a more city-wide emphasis, with the theme for 2012 being the United Nations.

‘Being new, the first phase was top down, but the second phase will be more focused on being generated from the ground up. There will be some city-wide events developed by The Hague Bridge team. But we also have contact persons in every city district office and we want people to come with their own ideas. Money is tight in this global economic environment, so we are looking for low-cost ideas for strengthening bonds and moving forward. Perhaps in some cases the Gemeente might be able to contribute small amounts toward these projects.’

‘There could be teens from local Dutch and international schools coming together to debate topics such as peace or justice,’ Post suggests when pressed for examples. ‘Perhaps neighbourhood associations and organizations supporting the international community might host events celebrating connections between locals and internationals. The main thing is that we want these ideas to come from the people, from the inhabitants of The Hague.’

Returning to the concept of international bridge-building, Post notes that the current generation is growing up amidst globalization, celebrating diversity and utilizing social media.

‘Members of the Facebook generation are natural bridge-builders with transnational thinking and connectivity,’ Post explains. ‘Forms of social media are positive in their terminology and very nature; in Facebook you ‘friend’ someone, the concept is positive. They link people and allow them to share great hospitality from around the world.’

‘These ‘First Globals’ are sharing about their own cultures, and learning about and demonstrating respect for other cultures,’ Post continues. ‘It’s a global phenomenon. I’ve travelled around the world, to Dubai, China, Thailand, talking with leaders and with the people in the streets. If you experience the cultures of Asia, you learn that opening yourself, your home and your culture is a sign of sincere respect.’

What is next for the busy Willem Post?

‘Perhaps also a special edition magazine focusing on what I believe will likely be the Obama-Romney presidential race. And obviously supporting the Hague Bridge.’

• LindaA.JanssenspeakswithWillemPostaboutTheHagueBridgeandmoreUnique Antique

A r t & D e s i g n

Each month David Aardewerk, a certified gemmologist and diamond grader will appraise watches, jewellery and pre-cious stones belonging to one of our readers.

Jewellery and NatureJewellery by its sheer composition is a gift of nature. Precious stones and gold can be found in alluvial deposits. Thanks to ice and water the precious metal and stones are washed down from the mountains into the valleys and stocked up on beaches and in bends of rivers. Not all treasures can be found that easily. For some treasures we need to go underground or high up in the mountains or even into the sea. What the consumer does not realize is that reaching these gifts of nature can be a real challenge. That is why quite a few dealers in precious stones are also excellent alpinists. Climbing is needed to reach the prospectors who are, in hard conditions, exploring these alluvial deposits. This is a quite a contrast to the world where these treasures end up in.

Through the ages nature has been a great source of inspiration in jewellery design. The Greeks and Romans had crowns and wreaths composed of flowers, leaves, fruits and twigs. These designs where turned into jewellery when they were directly copied into gold. During the 18th century flowers became fashionable in jewellery design, like the flower baskets, giardinetti (gardens) that originate from Italy. During the 19th century we find big brooches and corsage ornaments comprising of flower arrangements abundantly set with diamonds.

In the 18th and 19th century it became fashionable to go on a grand tour. An educa-tional trip for European often upper class young men of means. The journey, most often to Italy, could range from months to years, was meant to study the cultural legacy of classical antiquity and the Renaissance. But also to get acquainted with the ways of the world. When returning home one brought expensive souvenirs from these countries. The small coral brooch I am describing today is an example of such a souvenir. Dating from the mid 19th century it is an arrangement comprising of a tree branch encircled by a snake (symbol of eter-nal love, healing, fertility, wisdom and immortality) surrounded by fruit and flowers. This brooch was most likely produced in Naples because this colour of coral was plentiful in the Bay of Naples and its surrounding sea.

The brooch is beautifully carved and shows little wear. Rocks and Clocks is currently offering this brooch for €850,-

Next month issue of The Underground has the theme: Royal The Hague. If you have a piece of jewellery that fits this theme and you would like it to be valued please send an email to [email protected]

Contact Paul • T: 070-8882929 • M: 06-3305-3311 • www.pauldirkse.nl

Paul Dirkse, a native of the Netherlands, was born and educated in The Hague. If you are interested in viewing some of Paul’s artwork, please contact him to arrange a personal viewing in your own home. Paul can bring you a selection of paintings with no

obligation. He can also help you select a professional frame for your painting. Paul has been commissioned by many personal clients to paint individual pieces of art.

DFAS The Hague Celebrates its 20th Anniversary!• by Jane Choy

DFAS, The Hague (The Decorative and Fine Arts Society of The Hague) is concluding its 20th anniversary year in March 2012. Keeping a small society like this afloat is a challenging task which is why we are so proud to be reaching this memorable milestone. Open to all nationalities, it is an English-speaking society dedicated to the enjoyment of the arts and is affiliated with the National Associa-tion of Decorative and Fine Arts (NADFAS) in the United Kingdom. NADFAS has societies in the UK, mainland Europe, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. DFAS, The Hague is the only NADFAS society in The Netherlands. DFAS The Hague offers art related lectures from September through to June besides additional cultural activities. Each illustrated lec-ture is delivered by a leading European speaker, who is an expert in their field. Lecture topics include: paintings (all genres), sculpture, photography, stately homes, gardens, antiques, artists biographies), collectibles, ephemera, libraries, jewelry, museums, music, cities, architecture, and more.Special Activities include: guided museum visits, private concerts, arts fairs, archives, cultural study/performance, exclusive tours and lectures, private collection visits, film evenings, study sessions, and more.The highlight of our anniversary year was an evening entitled The Portrait Talks, supported by our patron, His Excellency, Mr. Paul Arkwright, Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and his wife Tricia Holland. A portrait of Mary Stuart, better known as Mary Queen of Scots, came to life with a dramatic narration by actress Nina du Pre. New members and guests are always welcome. Reservations are not necessary to attend lectures as a member or guest. The venue is the Cultural Centrum Warenar, Kerkstraat 75, 2242 HE Wassenaar. Doors open at 19.15 and the lectures begin at 20.00. It is accessible by car or public transport.The Warenar has bar service with coffee, tea and drinks for sale before and after the lectures. DFAS welcomes expatriates and local attendees to all lectures. DFAS is not just a great way to learn - it’s a fun way of making new and lasting friendships. In this way we try to be true to the founder of NADFAS Patricia Fay who said, ‘Above all NADFAS must be fun!’

More information www.dfas.nl and on Facebook.

19th century Coral brooch, collection Rocks and Clocks, The Hague

March 2012 March 201218 19The Underground

The HagueThe Underground

The Hague H o r o s c o p e s

@home in Dubai getting connected online and on the groundAnne O’ConnellAre you planning to move to Dubai? Then this is the book for you. Packed with practical information about every aspect of life in Dubai, this book is a must read to ensure a smooth transition and an enjoyable stay. It is also a joy to read as it also contains lots of interesting short stories and amusing anecdotes that were experienced both by the au-thor and other people she interviewed. I particularly enjoyed reading the sto-ries about the woman who was denied

phone access to a joint bank account and the lady who was told off by her driving instructor for stopping at a stop sign.

This is more than a guidebook. It is a window into another culture. From visas and work permits to getting help around the house, this book will provide answers to all your questions concerning life in Dubai. - Rawia Liverpool -

Expat Teens Talk: Peers, Parents and Professionals Offer Support, Advice and Solutions In Response to Expat Life Challenges As Shared By Expat Teens Dr. Lisa Pittman and Diana SmitSummertime Publishing183pp, paperback, €14.99

Books addressing issues associated with raising expatriate teenagers, also known as Third Culture Kids, are few. Now Expat Teens Talk adds to the on-going dialogue with the experiences

and challenges expat teenagers encounter, presented in their own words. Topics include mourning one culture while trying to fit into another, identity, handling unrealistic expectations, stress, family/peer relationships, bullying, risky behavior, and what these teens might expect as they reach adulthood.

Their peers respond candidly, offering insights and practical advice. Parents and professionals working with expatriate teens provide additional perspectives and suggestions, making for a comprehensive, well-rounded approach. The conversational tone reflects both youthful exuberance and the often-sobering challenges faced by these teens; this thought-provoking book offers a good starting point for discussions with and among such teens and the adults who care about them. -Linda A. Janssen-

Laptop Entrepreneur – how to make a living anywhere in the worldNick Snelling and Graham HuntSummertimepublishingwww.expatbookshop.com 223 pages, paperback, €17.50. Also available on Kindle

The authors, two succesful expat Inter-net entrepreneurs, explain how to make money with a laptop from anywhere in the world.

The book gives practical advice on how to create an online business, by explaining concepts and cutting out jargon and misconceptions. Themes such as blogging and copywriting are easy to understand and technical terms are well detailed. There are six different case studies of people who have been successful. They explain how they started, their challenges and how they grew their businesses before moving on to suggest useful and precious tips to move forward in a similar business.

A handy guide for anyone who would like to start an online port-able business and needs a roadmap. It is also a blueprint for existing business to help them become more successful. -Sonia Nding-

B o o k s & R e c i p e

BookReviews

@home in DubaiAnne O’ConnellSummertime Publishing306 pages, paperback, €14.99

Expat Teens TalkTeens Dr. Lisa Pittman and Diana SmitSummertime Publishing183pp, paperback, €14.99

Laptop EntrepeneurNick Snelling and Graham HuntSummertimepublishingwww.expatbookshop.com 223 pages, paperback, €17.50. Also available on Kindle

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Thai Cooking Classes

Are you interested in the art of Thai cuisine? Malee Dirkse, a native of Thailand, will teach all levels of home chefs and give tips of her passion. Classes are given at your house with a minimum of 3 people. Prices begin at euro 45 depending on choice of menu. She also provides catering for small groups.

For more information, call Malee at 070 888 2929 or mobile 06-4547-0191 www.thai-cooking-classes.nl

A n I t a l i a n f a m i l y r e c i p eYou need:• 6 large eggs, separated in egg-whites and -yolks• 125g butter• 300g quality bittersweet chocolate

Put the egg-whites into a large mixing bowl and whisk until firm and forms peaks. Melt the butter with the chocolate in another bowl until it becomes smooth and well blended. Set aside to cool slightly. Slowly stir the egg-yolks into the chocolate butter mixture (do not whisk in). Now carefully fold the mixture under the whisked egg-whites until fully combined.

You can place the mousse au chocolate in one large or single serving bowls at this point. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving this delicious treat!

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Aries Leo Sagrittarius

My wife asked me ’ I don’t look 50, do I darling?’

I said ‘Not anymore’ -Bob Monkhouse-

Now I am over 50 my doctor says I should go out and get more fresh air and exercise. I said, ‘All

right,I’ll drive with the car window open.’-Angus Walker-

First you forget names, then you forget faces. Next you forget to pull your zipper up and finally you

forget to pull it down-Leo Rosenberg-

CapricornTaurus Virgo

Gemini Libra Aquarius

Cancer Scorpio Pisces

©Elise Talgorn

March 21 - April 20You have to choose between doing the right thing and doing what feels right to you. It may be necessary to break with convention because you are having such a hard time living with the thought of what is expected of you in this situation. If you decide to show up, you need to be to-tally willing to mind your manners, and do whatever the Romans are doing. This is no time to be flaunting your differences, even though your differences seem to be what defines you at the moment. If you’re in no mood to conform find a way to get off the hook without hurting anyone.

April 21 – May 20In situations like this it’s hard to separate truth from lies. When the gossip gets out of hand it’s best to give everyone the benefit of the doubt and forget about it. You have nothing to gain by feeding into the need to root out whoever’s at fault, and it will take a while before you detach enough to just chalk it up to experience. Avoid anyone who insists on dredging up the past and keep reminding yourself that the old story not only no longer applies, it is no longer of any interest to you. For now letting things be will open the space for a whole new chapter to begin.

May 21 – June 20You have too much going on and all of it is top priority. Time constraints, and the weight of others who don’t know how to pick up the slack, have only made things crazier. If you can manage to maintain yourself for another week or so, you’ll be able to pull everything together in a way that makes it manageable. At the moment juggling an elephant on the head of a pin appears to be working for you. If others decide to drop out of the race, if deals fall through, and/or outer pressures reveal cer-tain things to be out of the question, con-sider it a blessing.

June 21 – July 20You’ve managed to hold your own in the midst of a lot of challenges. At this point, waiting for it to be over is the issue. It might be best if you dig in and prepare yourself for the long haul because whatever the problem is, none of it will get resolved overnight. The relationship situation is call-ing a lot of you to hold off making any final decisions until you know for sure whether to give up or keep going. Others seem more willing to bend than they have in a long time. Could it be that they’ve finally figured out how to step up to the plate and love you?

July 21 - August 20You aren’t up for dealing with people who can’t take care of themselves. Exhausted by your own issues you don’t have the pa-tience to hear about their problems or even stop to give a hoot. No one told us that the Good Samaritan had taken good care of himself before he reached out to others. Don’t beat yourself up over this. Pulling away from involvements that suck your energy requires firm boundaries, so draw the line and don’t waste your time trying to do for others what they could easily do for themselves.

August 21 – September 20Outwardly things look pretty much the same, but something in you is operating from a place that is totally different than where you were at a year or two ago. Oth-ers are a little confused by your behavior. It would be much easier for everyone if you could remind them that your desire to grow is by no means a reflection on how you feel about them. As much as it appears as if you are drifting away, this is less about that than it is about finding yourself. It would take so much tension out of the air if you could reassure them that your feelings for them have not changed.

September 21 – October 20You can’t expect others to be anything but themselves. Don’t take this seriously; as much as someone has totally turned the tables on you, they not only don’t have a plan, they didn’t expect you to take them at their word. Things have gotten out of hand because neither one of you knew how to stop the madness. Now that your situa-tion has gone off the cliff, getting back to square one will require a U-turn on deci-sions that were made a month ago. This is your baby too; don’t overlook the need to take a different approach and resist the urge to add more fuel to the fire.

October 21 – November 20You need more out of this; either that or you need to expect less. It’s hard to say what’s going on. Instead of looking out-side of yourself for the answer it would be good if you could become more self suf-ficient. Whether you know it or not, others weren’t born to make sure your life is work-ing. Whoever isn’t giving you enough has enough to do. If you are trapped in the illu-sion that love is about someone else com-ing along to fill the void that lives in you, a little common sense will tell you that this only subtracts from the love and multiplies the emptiness times two.

November 21 – December 20You are deluding yourself if you think you can keep this up. It doesn’t take much to see that you don’t have the will or the means to go out on a limb. More than any-thing, you need to be realistic about who you are and what you can handle. To con-tinue to persist when errors in judgment have already shown you how wise it would be to stop right here, will only create moun-tains of Karma. The last thing you need is more dues to pay so swallow your pride and leave this course of action before you lose the possibility of finding happiness in being satisfied with what you have.

December 21 – January 20For too long you’ve done everyone’s think-ing for them; at this point it may be OK to ease up and start thinking about yourself. Changes in the way things operate, along with a need to play watch dog for more than one person, place, or thing have shown you how much you’ve had it with the ‘leave it up to me’ routine. This isn’t news to any of you; but for the first time in your life you understand that it is less important for you to be all things to all people than it is to be your own person. Now that your ex-periences have opened your eyes, maybe you can get on with the show.

January 21 – February 20If it isn’t one thing it’s another. You are no stranger to chaos. What’s great about this stretch of craziness is; it isn’t anything you haven’t seen before. In and around a few weeks of interference the long term pic-ture is looking better than ever. For some reason whoever’s in charge is happy with the way you do things, and your spirits are higher than they’ve been in a while. Thankfully you’re never one to let false confidence get the best of you. If you can remain true to yourself and the task at hand, everything that you’ve built up will carry you to the finish line.

February 21 – March 20You have people showing up who are here for a reason – but don’t get stuck on the idea that they need to stay. Sometimes we connect for short periods of time, to get a lesson, or a piece of information about our-selves, or an experience that is needed for the growth of each individual. If this rings a bell relative to your current situation, you’d be wise to cultivate enough detachment to embrace lessons in love that could turn out to be way more than you bargained for. The best advice I can give you would be to say let yourself have the experience, but don’t expect it to last.

March 2012 March 201220 21The Underground

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The Hague E v e n t s

March 2012MusicCuban HeelsIf you are a fan of raw garage blues, then you will definitely enjoy swaying to the rhythm of the band Cuban Heels which will be performing in The Hague.Date: 3 March 2012Time: Doors open at 19:30, Performance starts at 20.30hPlace: Paard van Troje, Prinsegracht 12Cost: €12,00

The Hague PhilharmonicThe Hague Philharmonic will be perform-ing throughout the month of March. One of their notable performances is “Animal and Music”, a performance you will not want to miss. You can purchase tickets online on the website.Date: March 7, 2012 Time: 20:15hPlace: Dr Anton Philipszaal, Spuiplein 150Cost: € 28,00

The MagnetsThese amazing English artists will perform a number of classics from AC/DC to Lady Gaga a capella, make sure you do not miss this incredible performance. Date: March 17, 2012Time: 20:15hPlace: Lucent Danstheater, SpuipleinCost: from € 19,50

The New World of Don QuixoteVisit the magical world of Don Quixote during an enchanting night with flamen-co guitarist, Vaarzon Eric Morel. For more information visit:www.westlandtheater.nlDate: March 16 , 2012Time: 20.15 hPlace: Westland Theatre de Naald in NaaldwijkCost: € 23.50

23rd Edition of Dag in de Branding celebrates John Cage’s 100th Anniversa-ry SAT 10 MARCH 2012 | G23 DAG IN DE BRANDING | FESTIVAL FOR NEW MUSICVarious locations in The Hague | Starts at: 15:00 Entrance: € 40 (passe partout)Tickets and reservations via www.dagindebranding.nl

15.00Korzo theater, Prinsestraat 42Ensemble Modelo62 – work by John Cage, Alvin Lucier and Gilius van Ber-geijk

17.00Paard van Troje, Prinsegracht 123rd edition of DAYDREAMING 4 adventur-ous afternoon concerts Jóhann Jóhanns-son and Hildur Gudnadottir

19.00 (passe partout holders only)Theater de Regentes, Weimarstraat 63Junko Ueda

21.30Theater aan het Spui, Spui 167Slagwerk Den Haag, STET The English Theatre, Royal Conservatory, Gerard Bouwhuis (piano)

The City Wears a Slouch Hat [Dutch première] Credo in Usand pieces for prepared pianoDariush & Faramarz Aslani Live in ConcertDariush Eghbali and Faramarz Aslani share the stage - expect a spectacular

eveningDate: March 17 2012 Time: 20:30h Place: World Forum TheaterPresale: €39,00 / €45,00 / €55,00On the day: €49,00 / €55,00 / €65,00VIP: Vanaf €80,00

The Medicssupport: A Polaroid ViewGenre: rock/indieDate: 10 March, 2012Time: 21:30hPlace: SupermarktCost: Free

Shaking Godspeed + Bombay Show PigGenre: alternative/indie/rockDate: 16 March, 2012Time: 21:30hPlace: SupermarktCost: €5,- (excl. servicekosten)

FootsteppaGenre: bass/dubstep/deep house/hiphopDate: 22 March,2012Time: 22:00hPlace: SupermarktCost: Free

SistaflexGenre: rockDate: 23 March,2012Time: 21:30hPlace: SupermarktCost: Free

Birth of JoySupport: The TimefliesGenre: rock/grunge/psychedelicDate: 30 March,2012Time: 21:30Place: SupermarktCost: Free

FilmsMovies That MatterTake a break from the usual Hollywood movies by enjoying the “Movies That Matter” Films festival in The Hague. Featuring this month: movies like ‘The Fifth Heaven’, ‘My Lovely Sister’, ‘Foot-note’ and ‘Restoration’. For a complete guide of the movies with English subtitles, dates and times throughout the month of March, check out the website: www.filmhuisdenhaag.nl Date: March 2012Place: Filmhuis Den Haag,Spui 191

Theatre & Dance[IKI, SHI, TAI]The korzo production IKI SHI TAI starts with 3 Japanese men on an empty stage. In a delightful and entertaining manner they slowly fill the stage with colour and invite you to open the door to Japan.Date: March 5,2012Time: 20:30hPlace: ZeebeltCost: €10,00 / €15,00

Making RoomMaking Room is a performance installa-tion by Michiel Pijpe and Malu Peters and is on the cutting edge of expressive arts and sound-theatre. Date: 16, 17, 18 March 2012Time: Various

E v e n t sPlace: ZeebeltCost: € 8.00/ € 6.00

Beats of the Spanish StreetsIf you want to enjoy something dif-ferent from the usual with a more up-beat rhythm then clear your schedule for Cuadro Flamenco, they will be performing Beats of the Spanish Streets, in a refreshing performance. Date: March 7, 2012Time: 20.15hPlace: Lucent Danstheater, Spuiplein 150Cost: € 32,00

I have the Three penny BluesDon’t miss this delightful performance put on by Claron McFadden and Sven Ratzke in this mix of opera, jazz, cabaret and music theatre. Date: Saturday 24 March 2012Time: 20:15hPlace: Theater De Regentes, Wei-marstraat 63 in The HagueCost: € 25.00

Swan LakeVery few other performances are as astounding and captivating as Swan Lake. If you have not seen it yet, then this is your chance to enjoy a high-class show unlike any other. Date: March 24 & 25 2012 Time: March 24 at 19.30h and March 25 at 14.30hPlace: Lucent Danstheater, Spuiplein 150Cost: € 52,50

Herakles Witness the story of Hercules, son of the god Zeus, as he battles his way in a long journey that is brought to life in this incredible performance. Date: Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays until May 27, 2012Time: 11:00hPlace: Appel Theatre, The HagueCost: Regular entrance fee € 25.50

Who’s afraid of Virginia WoolfAmazing, timeless and intriguing play that is brought to stage and that with-out a doubt you will want to see. Date: March 03 2012Time: 20:15 uurPlace: Theater Warenar

Vd Laan & Woe - SuperlatiefThe new show of Van der Laan & Woe mixes humor, great acting and lively music in sketches full of talent

that have won them a nomination for the prestigious Holland’s Hope 2011 award.Date: March 10 2012Time: 20:15hPlace: Theater WarenarCost: Regular entrance € 17,50

Saturday Night FeverCounts with the custom-made cover of ‘Staying Alive’ and tells the story of Tony Manero comes from a poor Ital-ian immigrant family in New York and his dreams to escape reality. For more information, call Tickets: 0900-1353Dates: 21 to 25 March, 2012Time: Varies depending on the dayPlace: World Forum TheaterPrices: Range from € 39.50 to € 54.50

CabarestafetteTake the time to enjoy this comedic performance by three young talents that together have definitely made an impression at several Comedy and Cabaret Festivals for their amaz-ing humor. For more information, visit: http://www.westlandtheater.nlDate: March 17 2012Time: 20.15hPlace: Westland Theatre de Naald in NaaldwijkPrices: normally € 18.50 / € 17.50 CJP

WickedA tale of an unlikely friendship, a musi-cal that has been seen by more than 27 million people and has debuted in Broadway, Wicked shows that noth-ing is what it seems. For more informa-tion regarding tickets: www.webshop.seetickets.nl/shows Date: All year longTime: Depends on the dayPlace: Circustheater, ScheveningenCost: Tickets start at € 25,00

Shen Yun Performing ArtsDiscover the glory of China’s fan-tastically rich culture brought to life through brilliantly choreographed dance and uplifting, all-original orchestral compositions. For more information visit: www.ShenYunPerformingArts.org or call 070 - 88 00 333Date: March 12 and 13 2012Time: 20:00hPlace: Lucent Danstheater, Spuiplein 150, The HagueCost: € 65 - 110. VAT, wardrobe, Shen Yun program book and a drinkduring the break included.

AuctionsSarnelli House Dinner-Auction-DanceWhat better way to walk into March than by reaching out to those in need? Participate in this Charity Event: Sarnelli House Dinner-Auction-Dance for the Sarnelli House, an orphanage for abandoned children and children with HIV/AIDS in Nong-kai, Thailand. The event includes: Live band / Disco, Charity Silent Auction, and Asian Buffet dinner. For more info contact: [email protected]: Parish House Koningin Marialaan 2 Den HaagCost: € 50

FestivalsWomen Emancipation FestivalSupport this amazing initiative in hon-

our of women. The Festival is organ-ized to inspire and motivate change by offering a variety of activities hosted by different organizations in The Hague. For more information visit: www.8maartfestival.nlDate: From March 1st to March 8th

International Women’s Day Event 2012Expect an inspiring evening that will mark International Women’s Day by celebrating success and focusing on opportunities. The 2012 WBII Entrepre-neurial Awards will also be presented on the night recognizing Ambition, Social Innovation and Networker of the Year. www.wbii.nlDate: March 8, 2012Time: From 18:30-22.00h Place: Bel Air Hotel, The HagueCost: Member tickets: € 55,- per person Non-member tickets are € 70,- per person, including 3-Course dinner and drinks.

Museums & ArtElise Talgorn solo exhibitionBetween the world of shapes and the world of non-shapesAfter a quarter of a century of sketch-ing Ilse decided it was time to pro-duce some more imposing artwork and began painting. Don’t miss this inspiring exhibition!Date: 31 March - 17 April 2012Time: Monday to Saturday 14:00h – 20:00h, Sunday by appointmentPlace: Star Galerie, Borneostraat 116, 2585TW, The Hague

Temporary and Permanent ExhibitionsThe Gemeente Museum has sev-eral temporary exhibitions that The Ouborg prize, Mondrian and De Stijl, XXSmall Straight-Backed Chairs, Al-exander Calder- The Great Discovery and Upright Citizens. Ending dates for these exhibitions may vary, but you can check in advance through their website at http://www.gemeentemu-seum.nl/Date: Sun, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat until March 25 2012Time: Tuesday to Sunday 11:00h to 17:00hPlace: The Gemeente Museum, Stad-houderslaan 41Cost: €10,00.

Jacques LipchitzThis exhibition presented for the first time outside Israel, comprises a col-lection of seventy-five bronze objects of the Lipchitz Collection of the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. Date: Until June 3, 2012Time: Tuesday to Sunday from 11h to 17hPlace: Museum Beelden aan ZeeCost: Regular entrance fee €9,00

‘‘My work is my biography”Sculptures by Maja van HallIf you have not been to the Museum Beelden aan Zee to view the amaz-ing works of art by Maja van Hall, now is the perfect time. This exhibition is only temporary, so you cannot miss it.Date: Until June 3, 2012Time: Tuesday to Sunday from 11h to 17hPlace: Museum Beelden aan ZeeCost: Regular entrance fee €9,00

In Search of…Matthew Day Jackson transports you to the past and back to the present in this masterful exhibition that has been set up in cooperation with MAMbo in Bologna, Italy and Kunst-museum Luzern, Switzerland. Date: Until May 6, 2012Time: Tuesday to Sunday from 12h to 18hPlace: Gem Museum, The HagueCost: Regular fee € 6,00

Between Fantasy and RealityThe cityscapes of B.J. van Hove created beautiful paintings of streets, squares, canals and fantasy townscapes that are influenced by existing building styles mostly in The Hague and in Delft. For more informa-tion, call: 070 364 6940Date: Until April 29, 2012Time: Tuesday to Friday from 10h to 17hPlace: The Hague Historical MuseumCost: Regular entrance fee is € 7,50

The Tjong KhingAn interactive exhibition created by one of the most important artists from the Netherlands. Inspired in the magi-cal fairy tale world, this exhibition proves to be exciting for the whole family. Date: Until August 31, 2012Time: From Tuesday to Friday from 14h to 17h. Weekends and Wednesday from 12h to 17hPlace: The Children’s Museum in The HagueCost: Regular entrance fee is € 7,50 for adults and € 6,00 for children from 4 to 18 years old

Sports & Leisure

ADO Den Haag vs sc Heerenveen If you are a devoted sports fan, then no doubt you will enjoy the month of March, featuring live football (soccer) almost every weekend. Come and support our local team ADO Den Haag vs sc Heerenveen.Date: March 3 2012Time: 18:45hPlace: Kyocera Stadion, Haags Kwartier 55 Cost: Tickets range from €17,00 to €27,50ADO Den Haag vs AFC AjaxDate: March 18 2012Time: 12:30hPlace: Kyocera Stadion, Haags Kwartier 55Cost: Tickets range from €22,00 to €32,50

ADO Den Haag vs FC TwenteDate: March 24 2012Time: 20:45hPlace: Kyocera stadion, Haags Kwartier 55Cost: Tickets range from €22,00 to €32,50

ABN AMRO CPC Loop The HagueTake part in one of the most antici-pated races of the year by partici-pating in the 38th Edition of the ABN AMRO CPC Run The Hague. Register through the website and find more details: www.cpcloopdenhaag.nl

[email protected]

E x p a t E v e n t s • by Keith Powell

The goal is to bring expats together in a social environment and make them feel at home

´This is just a hobby for us – we have jobs’, says Stanley Ui-jleman Anthonijs of Expat Events. For the past nine years, together with partners Edwin Jungschlager and Marco Blonk, this trio has been behind some of the most popular events aimed at the international community in The Hague. If you’re an expat you have likely been to one of their beach parties in the summer.

If it’s just a hobby you would think that they would at least try and make a few bucks to sink into the next event. Per-haps even take a little money to keep the operation from be-coming tedious. But surprisingly, it is not a priority for them.

‘Our objective is to break even. We can monitor how ticket sales are going and then, sometimes, spend that [money] on the same event.” explains Jungschlager.

The roots for Expat Events began to grow when the three of them were working at an international organisation and saw how difficult it was for newcomers to find things to do. Being Dutch themselves, they decided to organise events to bridge the gap between the expat community and the lo-cals. ‘Locals know what there is to do,’ says Jungschlager, ‘and there were problems with foreigners not being allowed into discos by the bouncers. So we started organising small events.’

This has bloomed into four big events a year and they will be adding regular smaller events starting in March, such as speed dating and expat drinks nights. ‘The goal is to have monthly events –twelve a year at least,’ says Uijleman Anthonijs.

At the end of March Expat Events will be organising what they are calling “The Biggest Expat Event of the Year”: A sil-ver-themed ´Disco meets Dance´ night at Paard van Troje.

Dance & Party EventEXPATATION XXL. Biggest

www.expatevent.comDate: 31st March 2011

Place: Het Paard van TrojeTime: 22.00-04.00

March 2012 March 201222 23The Underground

The HagueThe Underground

The Hague C l a s s i f i e d s

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C l a s s i f i e d s

Classifieds

Your Classified here?

ONLY€10,-ClassifiedsPlease include the category, your name, phone number and contact details. Classified max.170 characters €10,-.Submit your classified by email; [email protected]

Driving LessonsDriving LessonsDriving lessons given in English or German in the area of the Hague and surrounding towns.Ron Keislair, for information telephone 06 44 302 594 or www.ronkeislair.nl

I read about english driving lessons in the classified section of

The Underground. It won’t be long before I will be driving!

Cooking CourseItalian Cooking course (6 lessons), in Leiden. Every evening we prepare and enjoy typical Italian dishes on a different theme (appetizers, pastas, meat, fish and desserts) combining them with Italian wines. For informa-tion visit the website: www.bplusc.nl and click on: Centrum-voor-kunst-en-cultuur/ volwassenen/ lifestyle/ eten-en-drinken or contact : [email protected]

Kathy’s CookingEat a Rainbow – World Cooking from Mexico, Vietnam, the Antipodes and Italy. Easy, delicious recipes to recreate at home and impress your family & friends – all vegetarian and mostly organic, using local produce where possible. Cooking is fun, easy

and yummy! Ages/Level: from 5 to 85 parents & kids. Monday 19 and 26 March from 15:15 – 16:30/ € 10 per session Contact: Kathy Voyles 06 24215449 – [email protected]

CoursesAID & C.P.R. Course Do you know what to do at the scene of an acci-dent. Every second counts! Learn life-saving skills and resuscitation with the defibrillator (A.E.D.). All our courses are available in English, Dutch and French at affordable prices. www.vitalefunctiesopleidingen.cominfo@vitalefunctiesopleidingen.com

Home ImprovementGraham Montage Painting & decorating. Small joinery jobs in The Hague Area. Mobile: 06 45 482 26 Email: [email protected]

Handyman ServicesEnglish speaking maintenance spe-cialist. Carpentry –painting –kitchen/bathroom –minor plumbing. For a free estimate call Ronald 06 55913888

Wish 4 WindowsUPVC Windows & DoorsWish 4 Windows is a small family busi-ness situated in The Hague. We offer a personal approach and excel-lent customer service. Our records confirm that 95% of our business is received through recommendations and repeat customers. This shows we must be doing something right! To read what others say about Wish 4 Windows, please see our recommen-dations. Wish 4 Windows the glazing company you can trust!www.wish4windows.com

Housing for sale

Lower Price! Private sale possibleService flat Cees Laseurlaan 1005. spacious living/diningroom/2 bed-room/ Located in Clingendeal/ near Wassenaar/Diner service & Restau-rant/ shops and public transport 5 min. walk. Also rental possible.Price: € 169.000 k.k. Phone: +31 (0) 6 54957490

Holiday Home

La Marteille - Troche-PompadourLocated near Pompadour/Dordogne in France. A lovely get away in the country for 2-4 people/2 bedrooms/2 bathrooms/veranda/fully furnished/garden/wood burner/ etc Per week € 595,-Bookings: www.micazu.nl/vakantiehuis/la-marteille-10437

Garage SalesGarage Sales in Denneweg: Design Furniture, Antique, Book & DVD, Kitchenware, Complete Bathroom, iPod, speaker, etc. For full brochure, price & appointment, pls email [email protected]

Health & FitnessCreating WavesIn the ‘Mind your Stress’ program you will learn to:increase your emotional balance . ecognize your stress trig-gers . neutralize the effects of your stress reactions . increase your en-ergy & vitality . transform your stress ‘on the spot’ anywhere, anytime . improve your mental clarity . make more supportive choices for yourself. Starts 23.03.2012.

More info: [email protected] www.creatingwaves.nu

HandsatWork Hara CenterMassage & Wellness - Detox & Body Toning - Health & VitalityLaan van Meerdervoort 45, 2517 AD Den Haag, T: 06-11910900

For online reservations please visit our website: www.haracenter.nlHandsatWork B.V. Business Vitality, Motivation and Inspiration T: 06-51776196

Thanks to our classified in The Underground we have rented

out our apartment! -Susie Toppler- The Hague

Gestalt (Boswijk)

PsychotherapyFernando Criado

in English, Spanish or DutchLocated in Delft

T 015 364 1425 E [email protected]

Charge according to income

Teaching you stress resilient tools for handling stress

where it matters most -in your

Reduce, Relieve, and Release your stress

www.creatingwaves.nu

Eye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouEye See YouMiki de Best+31 (0) 6 - 287 641 [email protected]

www.debestpix.com

Language coursesWould you like to improve your Dutch or English? Kickstart School offers Dutch and English courses to small groups and individuals.

We offer General English Courses at Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate, Up-per Intermediate, Advanced level. Also conversational groups available. Are you new to The Netherlands? Or do you still need to learn Dutch? We can help!

Our Starterpack course for beginners provides the basic essentials of the Dutch language with an emphasis on speaking. We also offer three inter-mediate follow-on courses. We can also prepare you for the NT2 Exam or help you improve your writing through our digital writing courses. Lessons can be held at Kickstart or we can come to you.

Give us a call on 070-360 78 60 / 06-55 88 56 18 or please see our website www.kickstartschool.nl for further details.

French Lessons with Sarah Nichols, native French and English speaker. With extensive experience in teach-ing all levels and ages, Sarah can offer you individually tailored lessons, in a friendly, creative and pleasant atmosphere. Every lesson is designed and tailored to meet your personal needs and help you reach your goal at your own pace. Email: [email protected]: 0641 483 219

Music LessonsMusic lessons for all ages! Kinder-musik, clarinet lessons, music theory lessons, Clarinet Club & Kid’s Choir. Contact us: www.gracemusicthehague.nl [email protected] 06 4212 2366.

Drums & Percussion LessonsAldo Aranda. Master Degree gradu-ate from the Royal Conservatory of Antwerp, Belgium and The Hague, Netherlands. Fluency and experience in all kind of percussion instruments and all kind of music styles like, Clas-sical, Jazz, Contemporary, African, Latin American, Rock & Pop. All ages and levels are welcome. Languages: English, Spanish & Dutch (70%). Free Trial Lesson!!

www.aldoaranda.weebly.com www.sindicatosonico.be Email: [email protected] Mobile: 06 18 43 79 89

Harp and Music lessons with Sarah Nichols, a graduate from the Royal Conservatory of The Hague in harp and pedagogy. All ages and levels are welcome. Lessons can be in Eng-lish, French or Spanish. Free trial lesson!! www.sarahnicholsharp.weebly.comEmail: [email protected]: 06 41 48 32 19

Cello and piano lessons with Ania Katynska a graduate from the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague. All ages and levels are welcome. Lessons can be in English, German or Polish and take place at student’s home, in The Hague and surrounding areas. Edu-cation: MA, Koninklijk Conservatorium Den Haag, KA, Universität der Künste Berlin, MA Academy of Music in Kato-wice. E: [email protected], Mobile: 06 816 551 54www.aniakatynska.webs.com

Sing Speak Listen Learn LaughVoice Lessons with Nancy MayerAges 12 and up Breathing, posture, voice projection, vocal technique All styles of music welcomewww.nancymayer.commob. 06 14 851 832

Recorder LessonsTeacher with over 10 years of experi-ence offers recorder lessons for allages and levels. Groups are also welcome! (Bachelor’s, Master’s and teaching degrees from the RoyalConservatory in The Hague, Doctor-ate in course at the Leiden University) Lessons in English or Portuguese, but a little Dutch, Italian and Spanish is also spoken. References available and complimentary 20 minutes trial lesson is offered upon request.Inês d’Avena [email protected]

ServicesSuurmond Tax Consultants Experts for Expats.J.C. Suurmond & zn. Tax consultants is a Dutch tax consult-ing agency with an international perspective. No matter what tax situ-ation you encounter as an expat, we know how to handle it in your best interest. Consult our independent professional team by phoning +31 (0)174 244725 or e-mail [email protected]. www.jcsuurmond.nl.

TranslatorsReggie Curiel: Translation, editing and Interpreting services of documents, websites, promotional material and much more. Also Tel-ephone and Face-to-face interpret-ing for customer services, medical appointments, Business meetings and more. Translations from English, to Dutch, to Spanish and back in any combination for all these languages. Email: [email protected]

Volunteers wantedThe Underground is currently looking for: News reporters willing to attend events and report to The Under-ground. Photographers to add to our photographer’s pool. Sales/promo-tion volunteers: so that The Under-ground can remain a FREE paper for our community.If you are a writer, editor, journalist, event manager, graphic designer, reporter, photogra-pher, or a web specialist and would like to be part of our dynamic pool of volunteers gt in touch!

Our topics: Music/Fashion/Culture/History/Food/Health/Events/Lifestyle/People & Pas-sions/Studentlife and more!

Contact Simone: [email protected]

TU Advertising

Your Ad here?

ONLY€55,-AdvertismentAdvertisment rates start from €55,-. If you submit your advertis-ment for a year, you receive 10% discount, this does not apply to classifieds.

Contact us for more information on different advertisment possi-bilities. [email protected]

Alexanderplein 2, 2585AZ, The Hague.Tel: 070 345 0215 or 0651137656

11:00 till 19:00 Tuesday to Sunday.

www.aspadirect.com

Acupuncture Supplements Gift Vouchers Pamper Parties Exclusive Products

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EVERYONE CAN LEARN FIRST AID & C.P.R., YOU TOO!

All our courses are available in English, Dutch and French at affordable prices.

Mail us at: [email protected]

MAKE YOUR WORLD A SAFER PLACE

w w w . v i t a l e f u n c t i e s o p l e i d i n g e n . c o m

VITALE FUNCTIES OPLEIDINGENE.H.B.O + extra modulesReanimatie met A.E.D.

Visit the Hammam Hague, an Oriental bathhouse and multicultural

meeting place.

Bathing in the dome, relaxing in the steam room, scrub your skin, muscle massage to loosen or relaxing in the

quiet room.

Choose one of our arrangements with traditional natural products.

Come enjoy and experience the art of Oriental baths!

Hammam Den Haag Rubensstraat 39

2526 PD Den Haag 070 - 3841414

www.hammam.nl

The UndergroundThe Hague

Today is the best day of your life!( Tip de B

ruin )*1920 - † 2008

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RRA GA

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Fried eggs with ham

/ cheese 7,50

6,50Fried eggs w

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7,50O

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7,50 6,50

Hom

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eatball 6,50

5,502 Van D

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8,50 7,50

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7,00 6,00

Tunasalad 7,50

6,50C

heese (old/young) 5,50

4,50W

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6,50 5,50

Spare-ribs meat w

ith pickled cucumber

6,50 5,50

Grilled bratw

urst with sauerkraut, bacon and m

ustard 6,95 5,95

Healthy

6,50 5,50

2 eggs with chive m

ayonaise 4,95

3,95A

méricain let special

7,50 6,50

Warm

meat (onions, m

ushrooms, saté-sauce)

7,50 6,50

Sprinkles (milk)

3,50 2,50

WR

APS

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6,95Sm

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ith wasabi m

ayonnaise and capers

7,95Tender loin of beef w

ith truffl e mayonnaise and Parm

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Tuna with onion and capers

7,95

PAN

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4,95Tom

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4,50C

heese and ham

4,50

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9,95

Ham

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9,95

Greek Salad (olives, red onions, feta and tom

ato)

9,50G

rilled goat cheese with a balsam

ic glaze

9,95Tuna w

ith honey-mustard dressing

9,95

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4,50M

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4,50Burgundian m

eatballs (6)

4,50Yakitori saté (4)

4,95

Mixed snacks (12)

9,00

Mixed olives

3,95

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2,50H

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0,50

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0,30Irish coff ee

6,50French coff ee

6,50Italian coff ee

6,50Spanish coff ee

6,50

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2,20C

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Fanta 2,20

Cassis

2,20Sprite

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haudfontaine 2,20

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5,00

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2,75Fresh orange juice Large

4,00M

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2,30Ice Tea

2,30Tom

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Drinks

Burgundian Flavor’s bread, with aioli, tapanade and garlic butter

4,95Tender loin of beef w

ith truffl e mayonnaise, Parm

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ith au gratin Goat cheese

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4,50

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16,95

± 400 gram

22,95

Flank Steak (Tender beef): ± 200 gram

16,95

± 400 gram

22,95

Fillet of beef: ± 200 gram

18,95

± 400 gram

26,95

Prime rib (R

oast of beef): ± 250 gram

19,95

Steak with m

ushrooms

14,95

Mixed-grill (4 pieces of m

eat)

18,95Fillet of beef saté à la R

obèrt Soigné

18,95C

hicken saté à la Ho Soigné

12,95

Haas chop:

± 300 gram

13,95W

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12,50

Pork tenderloin: single

13,95

double 17,95

Chicken breast:

± 200 gram

9,95

± 400 gram

14,95

SIDE O

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Fresh vegatables of the day 2,50

Peppersauce

2,50M

ushroomsauce

2,50

Di Paulinho

2,50

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Big shrimps w

ith piri piri 16,95

Dover sole (naturel/herb butter) 16,95

Salmon llet with wasabi m

ayonnaise 16,95

All dishes served w

ith a coleslaw and Tw

ister fries or from

17.00 a potatoe in a jacket.

VEG

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Day special

9,95

DESSERTS

Dam

e Blanche

5,00D

essert of the day

5,00Flavor’s raspberries cheesecake

3,50

Chocolate pie

3,50

Apple pie w

ith whipped cream

3,50Trio Bonbon

4,95

Main C

ourses

Every...

MO

ND

AY llet of beef

or dover sole

13, 95

TUESD

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llet of salmon

13, 95

WED

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ited spare-ribsor

a rib-eye

13, 50

THU

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llet of beef satéor

ank steak (Tender beef)

13, 95

FRID

AYbig shrim

ps with piri piri

or pork tenderloin

(choice of 3 warm

sauces)

13, 95

SATU

RD

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with fried m

ushrooms

13, 50

SUN

DAY

wiener schnitzel

or chicken saté

9, 95

Open every day

from 10.00 - 22.00

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Spare-ribs and Chicken saté

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English Breakfast 9,95Including fresh juice, coff ee or tea.Every Sunday from

10.00 - 14.00

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Old Burgundian eating

with the hands

UN

LIMITED

SPAR

E-RIBS !!

Reservations recomm

ended!

Willem

de Zwijgerlaan 44a 2582 ER

The Hague Tel: 070-4049607

ww

w.avors.nu

Choice of Twister fries and

frikandel / croquette / chicken or spare-rib and applesauce

*Only free if the parents take a m

ain course

At a lunch dish: the

child menu is 3,50 a child.

*CHILD

MEN

U FO

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SPECIA

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LA SA

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..

Ask for the

weekspecials