People: Netherlands
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17th-century Dutch shipwreck discovered
March 3, 1677: The Dutch ship Huis de Kreuningen sunk in the southern Caribbean,during the Battle of Scarborough Harbour. The Dutch, who controlled the island of Tobago at the time, were attacked by the French. The battle was significant, both in terms of the number of lives lost and the damage done to both fleets.…
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Dutch enlisting in the Waffen SS: Black soldiers
The Dutch SS had a relative large contribution to Germany’s armed forces: a total of 25,000 Dutchmen joined the Waffen SS and fought for Hitler, mainly on the Eastern Front. This documentary tells the story of six ‘Black soldiers’, as they tell their shocking story to the world. They are still struggling with their anti-Semitic…
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Does ‘Black Pete’ have racist roots?
The recurring discussion about the Dutch Sinterklaas-celebration has culminated this year, as even the United Nations investigates this age-old tradition. The main issue is the possible racist background of the celebration, where a white-bearded bishop gives presents to children, as he is assisted by his black-skinned helper called Zwarte Piet, or Black Pete. The UN…
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Mata Hari’s house of birth destroyed by fire
The birthplace of the legendary Frisian secret agent, dancer and courtesan Mata Hari (1867-1917) was destroyed Saturday as a huge fire destroyed many building in the historical center of Leeuwarden. Mata Hari – a renowned dancer for the rich Mata Hari was born in Leeuwarden under the name Margaret Gertrude Zelle on the 7th of…
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The high art of the Low Countries (3): Daydreams and Nightmares
From the 17th to the 19th-century art in the Low Countries was somewhat in a decline. The Low Countries were to comfortable to create something new; it was almost as if art was going into a 2 century hibernation. But in the 19th century daring artists turned art itself into some kind of religion, thus…
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The high art of Low Countries (2): Boom and Bust
The Low Countries – the Netherlands and Belgium became the most powerful nation of the world during their war of independence (1568-1648). The Golden Age that followed created an ideal atmosphere for artist to explore the boundaries of their profession. With an upcoming middle class there was growing market for art. The combination of art…
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The power of art (6): Van Gogh
Vincent van Gogh, born in Groot-Zundert in the Netherlands (1853) started painting at an older age, nearing his 30’s. Although he wasn’t famous during his lifetime, he would be one of the greatest artist of all time. Van Gogh is the typical mad genius, the tortured artist. At least, that’s his reputation. This documentary shows…