Language and culture
On this page, you can read more about Dutch language and culture: from expressions and puns to public holidays and famous people from Dutch history. You can also read more about Dutch artists and Dutch manners.
Information
Discover the Canon of the Netherlands: the 50 most significant events and figures
The ‘Canon of the Netherlands’ comprises 50 key events, figures and developments. Schools use the canon to teach history and pass on cultural heritage. Read more about the canon in this article.
William of Orange: the Father of the Nation
William of Orange is regarded as the 'Vader des Vaderlands' (Father of the Nation) and played a key role in the founding of the Netherlands. His struggle against Spain marked the beginning of an independent and sovereign Netherlands. Read here to find out who he was.
Willem Drees: the prime minister who built the Netherlands after the war
Willem Drees is seen as the person who rebuilt the Netherlands after World War II. He was prime minister for 10 years and was known as a calm and reliable leader. Many people called him Father Drees. In this article you can read more about Willem Drees and why he was so important.
Aletta Jacobs: the Netherlands' first female doctor who fought for women's rights
Aletta Jacobs changed the history of the Netherlands. She became a doctor at a time when women had almost no opportunity to study. Then she campaigned for equal rights for women. In this article you will discover who she was and what she accomplished.
Marga Klompé: the first female minister in the Netherlands
Marga Klompé (1912–1986) was the Netherlands’ first female minister. She was once tipped as a potential first female prime minister. However, she felt that the Netherlands was not yet ready for that. In this article, you can read about who she was and what she achieved.
Rembrandt van Rijn: painter of light, shadow and emotion
Rembrandt van Rijn (1606–1669) was a Dutch artist. He produced many paintings, drawings and etchings. His works of art are now very famous. Some of Rembrandt’s paintings are also worth a great deal of money. In this article, you can read more about Rembrandt van Rijn and his work.
Vincent van Gogh: his story, style and most famous works
Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890) was a Dutch painter. Today, he is world-famous. His paintings hang in major museums and are viewed by millions of people. Yet during his lifetime, he was neither rich nor famous. It was only after his death that he received widespread recognition. In this article, you can read more about his life and his art.
Discover the Dutch language: expressions, proverbs and humour
The Dutch language is rich in expressions, proverbs and jokes involving a double meaning. Imagery, directness and irony play an important role. In this article you will read what all of these mean.
Different ways to describe one situation in Dutch
Sometimes you can express what you mean in a single sentence in different ways. That is why it is helpful to learn multiple ways to say it. In this article, you will learn how to convey the same message in different ways in Dutch.
Short phrases in Dutch for making arrangements
In everyday life, you often have to make plans and arrange meetings. In Dutch, people often use short phrases for this. In this article, you will learn some useful phrases you can use when you need to organise or plan something.