The book club where people come together to read in silence. In Amsterdam, the Silent Book Club has been meeting once a month for nearly two years and has steadily grown in popularity over time. The Silent Book Club (SBC) began in 2012 with a couple of friends in San Francisco, California. Fast-forward a decade and the volunteer-led club now has chapters in approximately 300 … Continue reading “Welcome to introvert happy hour”
It’s election day in Amsterdam. People are going to the polls to cast their votes for the provincial elections and the waterboard. But how do you decide who you’re going to vote for? What are people’s motivations to vote in general? VOXPOP: election day in Noord By Alexandra Phou Click on the link to hear what and why people voted in Amsterdam-Noord. What to … Continue reading How to decide on your vote?
By Julia Benedictus Citizens living in the picturesque neighborhood of Oud-West, in Amsterdam, are traveling to their local polling stations today (March 15th) to cast their votes for the Provincial elections here in the Netherlands. The people living in Oud West are voting today to elect leaders that will bring change to their community and country as a whole. Rita (72), an elderly woman living … Continue reading People in Oud West head out to cast their votes
For centuries, women have been persuaded that there is something wrong with their appearance. Although many are aware that the beauty industry intentionally creates blemishes, the products continue to be consumed. A background story to answer the question of why. Story by Katja Pelic The cosmetic and beauty sector has substantially changed since the beginning of the 20th century. What has remained the same, however, … Continue reading Inventing Insecurities
Trends on Tik Tok are mostly harmless. A little dance here, a little make-up there. But sometimes they overlap with foreign cultures and are appropriated. Let’s dive into the phenomenon of cultural appropriation and find out why it’s not acceptable. Story by Anahita Ahmadi and Katja Pelic Many celebrities have been under fire for years because of their affiliations with cultural appropriation. An example is … Continue reading My ethnicity is not your aesthetic
For people who are at the start of their careers, succeeding in first impressions is an important factor. But is a good first impression mostly dependent on your looks, or is there more behind this process? An interview with expert Zabeth van Veen. Story by Willemijn Besaris Zabeth van Veen (56) is an image expert and coaches people on visibility and prejudice. She knows all … Continue reading The psychology behind first impressions
In the modelling industry there are unspoken rules around the people that end up being used to advertise our clothing brands. Whether it’s high end or high street, it is an industry obsessed with perfection. So, what about people who have skin conditions or disabilities? Story by Chloe McDermott Juliette van der Erve (23) Creative Business student at HvA, was a commercial model for seven … Continue reading “I have never seen anybody with a skin condition, a disability or even acne”
Story by Evy Tjin A Ton #LoveYourBody, #CurvyGirl, #SelfLove. All these hashtags are trending on Instagram. Body positivity is something you can hardly avoid. But is the body positivity movement a healthy one? Body positivity becomes more and more of an issue in this modern time. It refers to a social movement that strives to strengthen the self-image of overweight people and at the same … Continue reading Body positivity in 2022: good or bad?
a news story by Franziska Kircher Pawnshops in Amsterdam are noticing twice as many people in need of short-term cash. As a reason for this, they name the increasing inflation in the Netherlands. The Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek(CBS) has reported twelve percent inflation in August. Twice as many customers as usual head to the pawn shops in Amsterdam. Barry Heuperman is a pawnbroker at … Continue reading Pawnshops in Amsterdam register twice as many customers due to inflation
A news story by Katja Pelic Theater has always been a means of addressing social problems. Nevertheless, a large part of this same society is still excluded today. The theater scene in Amsterdam has often been reserved for typically Dutch middle class in the past. According to a report produced by the LA group, Leisure and Arts Consulting between 1997 and 2009 only three percent of Amsterdam’s funding budget has been … Continue reading Diversity in theaters – there is still a long way to go
