Amsterdam

AMSTERDAM - Crossing the street to get to the Internationaal Theater Amsterdam (ITA), I saw three students trying to take a selfie with the image of Giannis Angelakas from the poster of "Nekyia" in the background. "Are you Greek?" I asked the young women. No answer. I repeated the question in English. "My boyfriend is Greek," one called Eline explained.

Amsterdam's city council has decided to close a major cruise ship terminal in its centre, officials confirmed to AFP, the latest measure to limit mass tourism in the Dutch capital.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived at Amsterdam's airport late Wednesday for an unannounced visit to the Netherlands, with a trip to the International Criminal Court on his agenda, local media reported.

Amsterdam launched a campaign on March 28 to discourage tourists planning drug- and alcohol-fueled parties, starting with young British men.

The Dutch capital has long been trying to curb rowdy behaviour such as stag parties, especially near the famed red light area where sex workers operate.

A sketch that has lain hidden for centuries under the thick layers of paint Rembrandt applied to create "The Night Watch" offers new insight into the Dutch master's creative process, museum officials said on Dec. 8.

It's one of the great acts of art vandalism. In 1715 large chunks of Rembrandt's masterpiece "The Night Watch" were cut off in order to fit the colossal canvas into a new home.

Now for the first time in more than 300 years, visitors to Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum can see the painting in its original form thanks to a stunning reconstruction of the lost pieces.

Netherlands saw street riots for 3 days ending with over 500 people detained.

In several cities, including the capital Amsterdam, some businesses closed early and emergency ordinances were in place to give law enforcement greater powers to respond to the rioting, which was prompted by a nighttime curfew to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

If not for the pandemic, Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum would have missed out on a classic Dutch 16th-century painting it so badly craved.

Instead, the work now graces a central hall of one of the world's most famous cultural institutions -- all because of a wealthy dealer in old masters elected to pay a very unusual tribute to COVID-19 victims.

Changing the name costs EUR 200,000 to the country's budget.

On 1 January 2020 the name Holland officially ceases to exist as a designation of the Netherlands State. This was reported by local authorities, cited by BGNES.

Authorities believe the country's image needs to be renewed, as the Netherlands associates tourists mainly with drugs and Amsterdam's "Red Light District".

The rebranding process has started and the promotion of the Netherlands name will be enforced at upcoming international events and will be recognized by the national football team.