As the Stedelijk Museum undergoes a renovation and expansion, a temporary set of exhibitions will be held in the Stedelijk’s historic building. Rosie Khdir finds out more.

The Temporary Stedelijk, the brainchild of museum director Ann Goldstein, was seen an opportunity to utilise the unfinished historic building while the museum gets a revamp.

The building will offer visitors a preview of its renovation while its galleries serve as a platform for a variety of exhibitions including Taking Place and Monumentalism—History and National Identity in Contemporary Art Proposal for Municipal Art Acquisitions 2010.

Taking Place

This exhibition “reintroduces the Stedelijk Museum by addressing its history, the spatial and temporal conditions of the unfinished building and how artists use, occupy and animate museum spaces,” according to a recent press release.

Some of the renovated gallery areas on the upper floors of the building will be designated spaces for works from of the museum’s collection. This will include 19th to 21st century painting, sculpture, photography, works on paper and applied industrial and graphic design.

Monumentalism

This exhibition will take place on the ground floor galleries of the Temporary Stedelijk and will show works by artists who live and or work in the Netherlands. It will focus on the concepts of history and national identity.

The exhibition is curated by Jelle Bouwhuis, head of Stedelijk Museum Bureau Amsterdam, and features the work of 19 artists selected by this year’s Municipal Art Acquisitions jury.

The Temporary Stedelijk at the Stedelijk Museum is open from 28th August 2010 – 9th January 2011.

If you would like to go and take a look around P&O Ferries can help on your way with its Hull to Rotterdam overnight ferry service, starting from £149 each way.

It all comes down to one day, just 90 minutes on a warm Sunday evening and everyone in the world of football will be on the edge of their seats awaiting the final score. Rosie Khdir tunes in to the World Cup Final 2010.

Two of P&O Ferries beloved destinations are competing for the FIFA World Cup trophy this weekend in South Africa and we have decided to take a look at the chances of both teams.

Spain

Spain has been a strong team throughout the competition, thanks to the one touch technique, or “ticka tacka” as it is more locally known.

They not strangers to winning after the nabbing the trophy in the UEFA European Championship in 2008 and winning the World Cup this year would be another ruby in their crown.

But despite being two-time UEFA champions, winning the European Nations’ Cup in 1964 and qualifying for the World Cup thirteen times, they have never won the much revered title of World Champions.

In terms of individual player, speculators say the Spain have the better team, and obvious have a lot of experience under their boots. Will this be enough to knock out Holland and claim the price they have lusted after for years?

Holland

Holland has surprised everyone this year, thrashing their way through the stages and ending up in the final.

The Netherlands rarely get singled out as one of the top teams of the world, despite winning The UEFA European Championship in 1988 and reaching the World Cup Final twice before (1974 and 1978).

For over 20 years Holland has stayed out of the football headlines, but this year the Oranje (Orange – a tribute to the Dutch Royal Family) are making a come back.

The World Cup Final will take place on Sunday 11th July 2010 at 6.30pm GMT. Who will you be supporting?

If you long for a holiday destination undisturbed by the hectic culture that a metropolis brings then why not head to the beautiful beaches of the Wadden Islands. Rosie Khdir takes a look.

The untouched Wadden Islands of the Netherlands attract thousands of visitors every year, thanks to the nature reserves, wildlife, quaint villages and gorgeous beaches.

In June 2009 UNESCO added the Wadden Sea to the World Heritage List due to its unique variety of plants and animal habitats; all you budding David Attenborough’s out there are in for a treat!

Texel is that the largest of the Wadden Islands and is just 30 mins by ferry from Den Helder. There are seven villages on the 20-mile-long island, as well as a beachcomber museum and the EcoMare Seal rehabilitation centre.

Getting around is easy by car, and there is also a great transport system as well as extensive cycle paths.

Vlieland is a little harder to get to, it’s a two hour crossing from Harlingen and cars aren’t allowed on the mainland, but the scenic views and tranquillity you experience are definitely worth the trek.

The island of Ameland has four villages and the fabulous nature reserve Het Oerd which shelters rare flower species. You can also explore high sand dunes and lakes as well as the tidal marshes and sand flats.

There is a beautiful old lighthouse on the Oranjelaan in Hollum was built in 1880 and stands almost 200 feet tall. The island is also home an enchanting 17th century gothic church and a recreational park called De Vleijen.

Ameland also has a thriving bird community and the seagull colony in Het Oerd can be visited on excursions during the breeding season.

Last but not least we have Schiermonnikoog which is a 45 minute boat ride from Lauwersoog. This island has been classified as a National Park by the Dutch Government due to its picturesque woodlands and sand dunes.

Again cars are not permitted on the island but everything is within walking distance and there are cycle paths galore!

If you want to see these beautiful islands for yourself then P&O Ferries can help with its overnight ferry service from Hull to Rotterdam, from £149 each way.

Image credit: vindoe40

It’s that time again, so get on your bike and cycle to Rotterdam in the Netherlands, where the Tour de France 2010 will commence. Rosie Khdir finds out what is in store for the brave participants.

One of the world’s most prestigious “Grand Tours” will begin this Saturday 3rd July in Rotterdam. Hundreds of cyclists who have gone through gruelling training to battle through 3,600 kilometres of French terrain will be making there way to the Netherlands to begin the first stage of the tour.

This first stage will take the riders to Brussels to celebrate the 65th birthday of professional cyclist and legend, Eddy Merckx. From here, the troupe in Lycra will battle the rolling valleys of the Walloon region and arrive in the Belgian town of Spa.

This race will see them circle the whole of France, stopping in town and cities such as Reims, Chambéry, Revel and Bordeaux before finishing in Paris.

Cyclists will have to endure nine flat stages, six mountain stages and three summit finishes, four medium mountain stages, and one individual time-trial stage of 52 km.

This world renowned race began back in July 1903 when six pioneers set out on their bicycles to complete a 2,500km race across the country. The reception of their six stage journey was one of amazement.

This race had highlighted many towns, cities and mountains that had been previously overlooked and so it became an annual event. It survived the wars and economic downturn and has since evolved, encouraging other nations to participate and even to host the prologue stage.

For more details about the Tour de France 2010 stages visit letour.fr.

If you want to cheer on these courageous cyclists, then there are a number of different P&O Ferries services that will get you to any one of the stages. You can take the Hull to Rotterdam service, from £149 each way for the first stage, or the Hull to Zeebrugge service to Belgium. There is the Dover to Calais service from as little as £30 for a car and up to nine people.

Image credit: myahya

Rotterdam is one of the world’s busiest ports, and the busiest port in Europe. Despite this it’s also one of Europe’s greenest cities. Tomas Mowlam checks out Rotterdam’s eco credentials.

For a start they have two new electric buses rolling silently through the streets. Rotterdam authorities today announced the introduction of two e-Traction 384 volt buses, with over 14 hours road time from a charge.

Icecap saving buses aren’t the only green thing about Rotterdam however, for a start it has a brilliant public transport system (like most Dutch cities), with 28 bus lines, nine tram lines, and two subway lines ensuring you can get almost anywhere in the city without starting your car. And if you really need to drive, there are green car rental companies like Greenwheels.

Two wheels are better than four however, and it’s easy to rent a bike from countless stands around the city. Rotterdam is busy but cyclists have plenty of bike paths to keep them safe from motorists.

Rotterdam has several great markets where you can buy good value, local food and should you feel like eco friendly rave then there’s the Sustainable Dance Club, and eco hotels such as Hotel Bazar to sleep it off in.

It’s all part of the Rotterdam Carbon Initiative which aims to slash carbon emissions by 2025, to half of 1990’s levels. Even the Netherland’s favourite sport – football – has been co-opted into this, with demands that Kuip Rotterdam, a new stadium for the Holland Belgium 2018/2022 world cup bid must be eco friendly.

It has earned the city the accolade of World Capital for Carbon Capture Storage, which may all sound a little esoteric, but it’s cheering to see how a huge industrial city like Rotterdam can be such a clean and green place to live or visit.

P&O Ferries sails a daily, overnight ferry service from Hull to Rotterdam, from £149 each way.

Image Credit: Trebaxus on Wiki Commons

Oranje! Tomas Mowlam checks out the chances of the Flying Dutchmen in their World Cup 2010 campaign in South Africa, the best place to watch the games in Amsterdam and the Netherlands’ key players.

The Dutch are in Group E, drawn against Denmark, Japan and Cameroon. The first game is against the Danes on 14 June at the Johannesburg Soccer City stadium. Then they face Japan in the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, on 19 June. The final match of the group stages is on 24 June when they face down Cameroon.

UK residents will recognise Robin van Persie, the 26 year old Arsenal vice captain and Dirk Kuyt, the 29 year old Liverpool striker in the Dutch side.

The Netherlands are looking on form they won all eight qualification games, and should be confident in the group. Coach Bert van Marwijk was typically modest saying “we have know that if we have our strongest team and everyone is in form, we can beat everyone. We must have the right form and the right mentality. You have to have confidence in yourself, but you must not be arrogant.”

The real danger is Cameroon, the Indomitable Lions, have played more games and notched up more points than any other African side at a FIFA World Cup finals and it should be an interesting tussle between the two sides.

If you want watch a game and have a beer then you can’t really go far wrong heading down to the Lediesplein and choosing from the bars around there. If you’re wondering what to drink then remember the Netherland’s is the home of Grolsch, Amstel and Heineken as well as hundreds of independent breweries. Enjoy.

P&O Ferries run the Hull to Rotterdam service, or the Hull to Zeebrugge, in which case it’s only a short hop across the Belgian border into Holland.

Image Credit Wiki Commons

Building sand castles at the beach is a classic summer pastime for most people, but in The Hague, the Dutch go a step further. Rosie Khdir discovers the sand sculptures of Scheveningen Beach.

From 29th April until 28th June Scheveningen Beach is awash with towering sand sculptures as part of the 19th International Sand Sculpture Festival.

As The Hague was recently named the Top Sport City 2009, by Sport2B consultancy, the theme for this year’s artwork is sport. Sand carvers from all over the world will come together to create 14 sculptures on the beach pavilion terraces and two much larger sculptures on the boulevard near the Kurhaus and the Pier.

The technique behind such artistry consists of layering the sand, which comes from the river Maas, in a wooden mold and compacting it with water and petrol hammers.

The secret to a strong and long-standing sculpture is the type of sand used. It is for this reason that the beach sand is not used; it is rounded due to tidal wash and wind, making it harder to model with. Sculpturing sand is less eroded and has a rougher structure in order to stack it up to a higher level.

The sand is then carved with special tools to create beautiful masterpieces that stand several metres tall. Past subjects have included Greek Mythology and Disney scenes!

To witness these beautiful pieces for yourself, why not hop on a ferry! P&O Ferries runs a great value service from Hull – Rotterdam.

Image credit: Jeroen Kransen

This post is not for those with a lack of willpower; well, when it comes to shoes. Rosie Khdir struggles against her own shoe-buying addiction as she reveals Holland footwear gem, Shoebaloo.

When you think of Holland and shoes, a heavy wooden clog probably springs to mind. But no more. From now on when you think of the Netherland, you shall think of Shoebaloo!

Shoebaloo is shoe haven for anyone who appreciated exclusive brands like D&G, Prada, Dior and Jimmy Choo. Items almost hover in the windows of this futuristic shop and you feel more like you’ve entered a museum of luxury shoes, than a store.

It started out in the 70s as a small 30m² shop, situated in Jordaan the “hippy quarter” of Amsterdam and sold Spanish boots called Botas Camperos – very popular at the time I assure you.

A men’s shoe store at the Koningsplein followed, and then later a store at PC Hooftraat selling both men’s and women’s luxury footwear and a women’s store in Leidsestraat.

In 2005 a Shoebaloo store opened on the Cornelis Schuystraat which specialises in men’s and women’s bags and accessories. The most recent shop to open is the Flagship store on the Kruiskade in Rotterdam.

So if you are looking for a high end shopping experience with all your favourite big names, Shoebaloo is the place to go. To get there with ease, and to save more of your money for Shoebaloo purchases, P&O Ferries provides a great value service from Hull – Zeebrugge.

Image credit: tomcole