Saturday - Amsterdam Light Festival

Another festival to cheer us up during this dark time of the year: Amsterdam Light Festival.

It started yesterday and will last till January, so plenty of time to admire light spectacles in more than 50 locations.

www.amsterdamlightfestival.com

Friday - Stroom Exformation

Culture vulture Marketa sent me this and I republish with pleasure.

Stroom is a The Hague based cultural centre organising a series of events that explore contemporary art, media and society.

http://stroom.nl/activiteiten/tentoonstelling.php?t_id=5430856

Thursday - Christmas markets and Sinterklaas

The Netherlands are not famed for their Christmas markets, however this is true especially "north of the big rivers", where the protestant ethics is stronger and people looks down at people trying to have too much fun, while they should be working or at least stay indoor and be sorry.

South of the rivers, where those carefree, sinning, easy going, Carnival loving catholics live, it's a whole different story.

That's why a very fine Christmas market can be found in Maastricht. (Although if you rather go for the real thing, just go over the border to Aachen).

This could also be because the main Dutch seasonal celebration is Sinterklaas and not so much Christmas. Families will be gathering tonight to celebrate the arrival of Saint Nicholas and exchange gifts, sweets and poems.

So...enjoy the mulled wine and have a wonderful Pakjesavond!

http://www.vvv-maastricht.eu/winter/ice_skating.html

Wednesday - Rotterdam's tropics and the amazing butterflies

It's not really something for me, as insects on the loose tend to creep me out, but for those who do like it, here's a place to warm up after you have visited the zoo's "great outdoors".

Amazonica offers a taste of tropics, with foliage, flowers, humidity and temperature straight from the jungle. And of course, with butterflies.

https://www.diergaardeblijdorp.nl/nl/blijdorp%20actueel/amazonica/

Not butterflies.

Tuesday - It's beginning to look a lot like ... A Christmas Carol

It's not strictly happening today, however you should better book on time because it tends to become sold out very quickly.

A Christmas Carol, narrated by skilled British storyteller Ashley Ramsden, is the most Christmassy thing you could possibly do this year.

Definitely a must see and I should know, since I have seen it at least 5 times and brought to the shows everyone I know.

Shows are on the 12, 17 and 21, with or without convivial dinner afterwards, hosted by Mr Scrooge in person.

Three cheers to STET for bringing it back once again!

http://www.theenglishtheatre.nl/stet-productions/2013/a-christmas-carol-and-other-stories-to-lighten-the-darkness.html

Monday - The King's walk

In these times of royal celebrations, if the weather stays dry and in case one has plenty of time in their hands, you could chose to follow the Royal Route and visit all the relevant sights related to the Royal Family.

Palaces mainly, but also churches, gardens, statues and all things royals, are connected by a path that crosses cities,  villages and very picturesque areas.

Actually, when I come to think about it,  it's quite rare that these ruling families chose to live near a dump, a factory or a container terminal...

http://www.koninklijkeweg.nl/

Follow the sign.

Sunday - Holy tome!

Appropriate post for the first Advent Sunday...

We went to the Olivier  yesterday, the secret church remade into a Belgian pub.

Another interesting - and aptly name - ... conversion took place in Zwolle: the Brothers' Church, which is nowadays an astounding library, restaurant and exhibition space.

http://waandersindebroeren.nl

Copyright Homedsg