Folia has FOMO | “Saving hundreds of Jewish kids from a nursery”
No plans yet for next weekend? Overwhelmed because of all the options in Amsterdam? In this last edition of Folia has FOMO for this academic year, we look ahead with cultural tips from 21 June to the end of summer. From a symposium on rescued Jewish children, to Amsterdam Pride activities and singing along to Dutch classics.
Symposium de Joodse crèche tegenover de Hollandsche Schouwburg in het Verzetsmuseum| € 15,-
Donderdag 22 juni | Inloop 14:30
Editor Jazz Stofberg spoke with writer Esther Shaya about the symposium: the Jewish nursery opposite to the Hollandsche Schouwburg. During the symposium, organised by the Resistance Museum and publishing house Amphora Books, several speakers, each with their own perspective, talk about the rescue of five- to eight hundred Jewish children from the nursery opposite to the Schouwburg.“The symposium is an extremely unique situation, with almost all the experts on the subject together, as well as three people telling the story from their own memories.”
“The story of the rescue of those Jewish children from the crèche is incredibly special,' says Shaya. “In the summer of 1942, the Hollandse Schouwburg became a gathering point where arrested Jews were taken before deportation. Not as many people could fit in there as needed, so the children were gathered in the nursery across the street.” Some of the children were then systematically smuggled out, through a plan by nursery director Henriëtte Pimentel, manager of the Schouwburg Walter Süskind and Schouwburg administrator Felix Halverstad. “The nursery was not guarded by soldiers, so they soon realised that they could move children around undetected.”
Shaya previously delved into the life of one of the nursery's employees, Sieny, for her book, Harry & Sieny, Surviving Resistance and Love. “She was part of the smuggling operation, but mainly responsible for getting permission from parents to smuggle the children away. Most parents refused, thinking at the time that they would go to labour camps where they could take care of their children themselves.”
During the symposium, Shaya herself is the first and also the only one to talk about the pre-war era. “In my talk, I will talk about the already interesting history of the nursery before the war started and also about the life of Henriette Pimentel.”
Tickets are on sale on the Resistance Museum website. Everyone who attends the symposium will also receive Shaya's book Harry & Sieny, Surviving Resistance and Love.
“The story of the rescue of those Jewish children from the crèche is incredibly special,' says Shaya. “In the summer of 1942, the Hollandse Schouwburg became a gathering point where arrested Jews were taken before deportation. Not as many people could fit in there as needed, so the children were gathered in the nursery across the street.” Some of the children were then systematically smuggled out, through a plan by nursery director Henriëtte Pimentel, manager of the Schouwburg Walter Süskind and Schouwburg administrator Felix Halverstad. “The nursery was not guarded by soldiers, so they soon realised that they could move children around undetected.”
Shaya previously delved into the life of one of the nursery's employees, Sieny, for her book, Harry & Sieny, Surviving Resistance and Love. “She was part of the smuggling operation, but mainly responsible for getting permission from parents to smuggle the children away. Most parents refused, thinking at the time that they would go to labour camps where they could take care of their children themselves.”
During the symposium, Shaya herself is the first and also the only one to talk about the pre-war era. “In my talk, I will talk about the already interesting history of the nursery before the war started and also about the life of Henriette Pimentel.”
Tickets are on sale on the Resistance Museum website. Everyone who attends the symposium will also receive Shaya's book Harry & Sieny, Surviving Resistance and Love.
Sing Dutch with me in the OBA theatre | free
Sunday 25 June | 11:00
A collaboration between Paradiso and the OBA, for people who want to learn Dutch or become better at it and their language buddies. During 'Zing Nederlands met me' you will learn the Dutch language while singing in the OBA Theatre. A perfect place to meet new people and sing your heart out to Dutch classics. Be sure to bring along that friend who has been trying to learn Dutch for years, but is stuck on 'good morning'. Sign up on the website.
Zer00's heroes in the Melkweg | € 15,50
Friday 30 June | From 23:30
Whether you used to sing along yourself in the car or listened to everything from the playpen, music from the zero's are extremely nostalgic. If you really want to go wild to real zeroes bangers, then zer00s heroes in the Melkweg is the place to be. Buy your tickets on the site.
Films with a view at Pllek | €9
Every Tuesday | usually after 22:00
Every Tuesday, until the end of summer, you can watch films on the beach at Pllek. The view is over the city and the water from the north side of Amsterdam. Several films have already been announced in the coming weeks, including Moonrise Kingdom, the Woman King, Spirited Away and Triangle of Sadness. You cannot book in advance, but from 21:00 you can pick up a headset for €9, which is also your entrance ticket. With bad weather, it will not take place, so keep an eye on Pllek's socials on the day itself.
Sunday Sounds in the Tolhuistuin | Free
May to August | From 12:00
The Tolhuistuin garden hosts live music every Sunday from May to August under the name Sunday Sounds. The artists are provided by Excelsior Recordings. The music starts at 15:00, but if you want to start your lazy Sunday afternoon earlier, you can! The terrace opens as early as 12:00 and from then on you can already freely order drinks and tacos. If you have had enough of sitting around and listening, you can also play mega-jenga, kubb or bocce in the garden. So there's plenty to do! The artists playing live will be announced on the Tolhuistuin website.
Nemo summer roof at NEMO | Free
From 13 July to 2 September | until 21:00 on Thursday, Friday and Saturday
Do you also have fond childhood memories where you first learned about the exact sciences? Maybe you can still imagine the glass ball, that would produce lightning whenever you touched it, making your hair stand on end? Then maybe it would be fun to go to NEMO's rooftop square during the summer months! On 13 July, they kick off with a festive salsa night. The rest of the evenings will mostly feature live music, with special editions around the Kwaku Summer Festival and Pride week. The programming will be announced soon. Find more information on the site.
Keti Koti on Museumplein | Free
Saturday 1 July | All day
On 1 July, the commemoration of the abolition of slavery is celebrated with a festival on Museumplein. Usually, this day is commemorated at the National Monument on the History of Slavery in the Oosterpark and a festival is also organised there, but due to the expected attendance and lack of space in the Oosterpark, this year the Museumplein was chosen. During the National Commemoration ceremony in the afternoon, the festival on Museumplein will be suspended and the ceremony in Oosterpark near the monument can be watched live on large screens. The celebration at Museumplein will include a concert with artists including Berget Lewis, Trijntje Oosterhuis, Alain Clarke, Akwasi and Jeangu Macrooy.
Vondelpark Open Air Theatre in the Vondelpark | Free
Between 23 June and 29 September every Friday, Saturday and Sunday | At different times
Do you also find the Vondelpark such a nice, green place to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city? And do you enjoy enjoying culture in the open air? Then maybe the Vondelpark Open Air Theatre is something for you! The concept has been around for almost half a century, and is now Amsterdam's cultural hotspot during the summer months. You can enjoy a wide range of performances and shows within music, youth theatre, dance and cabaret. More info on performances and artists can be found on the site.
ARTIS Summer Nights in Artis | from €5
Between 8 and 9 July and 2 September every Saturday | Times subject to change
Do you like wild animals, music and summer evenings? Then the ARTIS Summer Nights might be fun to attend! No two evenings are the same. Listen to upcoming musical talent in the music tent, have a picnic or join a walking tour of the park at dusk. This 20th edition is dedicated to planetary health: a healthy future for the earth and all its inhabitants. Buy your tickets on the Artis website.
Pride Amsterdam in Amsterdam | various prizes
Between 1 and 6 August | At different times
When you think of pride, do you think mainly of the Canal Parade, the busy boat parade where all the festive people dance on boats? Super fun, but during Pride week there is much more to do than just watch boats! The Pride Amsterdam Foundation has been organising this week since 2014, and this year's theme is #YouAreIncluded - you belong, and matter. There are events for young and old. For example, visit the musical about a mole and a bird of paradise, go to the Hortus or go to one of the many street parties.
