Posted on: January 29, 2026 Posted by: Margarita Pujol Comments: 0

Nijntje or Miffy? From Dutch childhood icon to consumerist symbol of ‘cuteness’ culture

Nijntje or Miffy? From Dutch childhood icon to consumerist symbol of ‘cuteness’ culture By Margarita Pujol | News / Culture | January 29, 2026 Cover Illustration: Miffy plushie with Johannes Vermeer’s The Milkmaid, 08/11/2025. Margarita Pujol / The Amsterdammer Author Margarita Pujol dives into the history of the Dutch cartoon rabbit, Nintje (a.k.a. Miffy) and her international success as a ‘kawaii’ symbol.  In awe of the cuteness of a little white…

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Posted on: January 29, 2026 Posted by: Sara Ansari Comments: 0

Refugees as “Rotten Apples”: How Language in Political Debate Can Fuel a Process of Dehumanization of Marginalized Groups

Refugees as “Rotten Apples”:? How Language in Political Debate Can Fuel a Process of Dehumanization of Marginalized Groups By Sara Ansari | News | January 29, 2026 Cover Illustration: Palestine Gaza Childhood War. Hosnysalah/Pixabay “Rotten apples” is what D66 party leader Rob Jetten calls ‘unwanted’ refugees during the first RTL debate of the 2025 Dutch elections. The head of the ultimately winning social-liberal party seems to have adopted a  harsh tone regarding immigration questions,…

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Posted on: January 26, 2026 Posted by: Zora Filali Comments: 0

The “Performative Male” Trend in Amsterdam: A Costume of Progressive Values?

The “Performative Male” Trend in Amsterdam: A Costume of Progressive Values? By Zora Filali | Culture | January 26, 2026 Cover Illustration: A man sitting at a table reading a book, 2024. Priscilla du Preez / Unsplash Soft news reporter Zora Filali reflects on Amsterdam’s simultaneous flirtation with and rejection of the “performative male”, and how this phenomenon ties into the very heart of the city’s culture.   You have…

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Posted on: January 22, 2026 Posted by: Laia Fernandez-Areste and Maria Clara Santana Comments: 0

By the Girlies for the Girlies: An Interview with former UvA student and Influencer Nathalie Fengler

By the Girlies for the Girlies: An Interview with former UvA student and Influencer Nathalie Fengler By Laia Fernandez-Areste and Maria Clara Santana | Soft News / Culture | January 22, 2026 Cover Illustration: Nathalie Fengler, 2025 With over 57,000 followers on Instagram and a growing presence across TikTok and YouTube, Nathalie Fengler, a former University of Amsterdam student, turned her own experience in the city into a platform that…

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Posted on: January 18, 2026 Posted by: Maria Clara Santana Comments: 0

The Culture Cut: Good Acting, Complete Unknowns and the Politics of the Stage

The Culture Cut: Good Acting, Complete Unknowns and the Politics of the Stage By Maria Clara Santana | Culture | January 18, 2026 Cover Illustration: On set, January 11 2018. Avel Chuklanov / Unsplash” for stock photos. When receiving his 2025 SAG award for best actor in recognition of his work in “A Complete Unknown”, Timothee Chalamet declared himself “in pursuit of greatness”. With his latest feature, “Marty Supreme,” Chalamet…

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Posted on: January 14, 2026 Posted by: Christian Merola Comments: 0

“Snow White Amsterdam”: Fairytale or Nightmare?

“Snow White Amsterdam”: Fairytale or Nightmare? By Christian Merola | News | January 14, 2026 Cover Illustration: Flight departures board, 06/01/2026. Elisa Veletta Christian Merola reports on the snow that struck the Netherlands, leaving the country unprepared to face its consequences. What happens when it snows in Amsterdam? The houses get covered by a blanket of snow, the canals freeze, and… the airport (partially) shuts down, leaving many international students…

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