Urban art

  

Amsterdam turns out to be a striking city with great visual impact.

Near Dam Square is a colorful street that seems more as an art gallery than a public street

(Spuistraat Graffiti)

(Spuistraat Graffiti)

In this street you can find all kinds of street art, from graffiti 

to huge murals covering entire buildings. In every corner, 

you can enjoy a wonderful artistic view that may have a 

message.

Amsterdam Nowadays

About the museums

Last year, both, Rijsmuseum and Van Gogh Museum were refurbished. The second one celebrated its 40th anniversary and 160th Van Gogh's birthday. 

About the Ring Canal

It is World Heritage since 2010 and last year, it celebrated its 400th anniversary. Concerts, festivals and exhibitions took place.

About Cultural, Theatre, Film and Music Festivals.  

Some of the festivals that will be organized this year in Amsterdam are: 

• Holland festival.(Theatre)
• Julidans.(Cultural)
• Amsterdam Gay Pride.(Cultural)
• Grachtenfestival.(Music)
• Uitmark.(Cultural)
• Magneet Festival.(Music and Theatre) 
• Amsterdam Dance Event.(Music)
• International Documentary Film Festival. (Film)

World Rowing Championships will be organized in Amsterdam this year.

Trend

Amsterdam Fashion Week 

The famous Amsterdam Fashion Week is celebrated twice a year, in January and July. This event is specially made for young and talented designers. There is also hosted art exhibitions and lectures open to the public.

Red Light Fashion 

Since 2008, windows of De Wallen district are transformed into exhibition spaces and studios for clothes and shoes designers. The idea is to give designers a public space to show their talents.

Fashion museums 

One museum is the Museum of Bags and Purses, which has over 4000 bags, from the Middle Age to current trends.And also, there is the Hermitage Amsterdam for antique ball gowns, uniforms and jewelry.

Places

Amsterdam Canal Ring

The city old center is formed from canal rings, which give you the feeling of space, freedom and peace. You can walk through the canal streets, take a trip on a boat or to take a ride in bicycle. 


Rijksmuseum

The Dutch National Museum, or Rijksmuseum, is a grand four floor museum which leads visitors on an exciting chronological journey through the art and history of The Netherlands.The museum’s collection has over one million objects.

Van Gogh Museum

It is one of the most popular art museums in the world. The largest collection of artwork by Vincent Van Gogh in the world is housed here. You can find 200 paintings and 550 sketches showing Van Gogh in all his moods.

Anne Frank House

Anne Frank House in the center of Amsterdam is the hiding place where Anne Frank wrote her famous diary during the World War II. The original of the diary is on display, as a part of the Anne Frank House's permanent exhibition.

Vondelpark

Vondelpark is Amsterdam’s biggest city park and The Netherlands most famous park. It has an open-air theatre where performances take place every summer.

Zaanse Schans

Zaanse Schans is an attraction that serves as both, a museum and an outdoors conservative area. The windmills in the town of the same name have been there since the 1700s and 1800s. The windmills on the grounds of Zaanse Schans, as well as the craftsmans workshops are open to visitors and provides an interesting experience. 

Stedelijk Museum

The Stedelijk Museum, or just Stedelijk, is the premiere contemporary and modern art museum in Amsterdam. This place provides a distinctive experience that will open the mind and heart to new styles. The exhibits are unique. The Stedelijk offers much more than just the traditional framed painting.

Leidseplein

Known as an entertainment square, visitors will often find street performers located in east Leidseplein. During the winter the square’s outdoor terrace is covered and an ice skating rink can be found in the square. The main streets of Leidseplein Square are home to a variety of Argentinian, Chinese and Italian restaurants.

Artis Royal Zoo

It was created in 1838. In total, 750 different animal species call the Artis Royal Zoo their home. With 300 tree species as well, a trip to the Artis Royal Zoo can be both, fun and educational. It has an aquarium, a bird house, a forest house, a butterflies pavilion and a historical park. 

Music

Amsterdam is characterized by a great musical tradition, the newest styles today are influenced by the 50's and the songs are played in both, English and Dutch.

(Many of the traditional music from Holland comes from the Amsterdam Jordaan quarter) 

The Folk music, is present in Holland during XX century, Folk singers resided in rural areas and then, they moved to the city to play their music. Until one day a group of intellectuals decided to go where these singers and record live music there. In the last decade there have been some bands of  Neofolk com H.E.R.R and Omnia.

In the 90's, changes in the music world occurred: Groups like 2 Unlimited, 2 Brothers On The 4th Floor, and Vengaboys emerged. Also this was the time of dance and house music, names like Dj Tiesto or Armin Van Buuren, were born during this time. Drum and Bass The band is also quite popular in The Netherlands, including artists such as Noisia and Black Sun Empire.

A notable event in the world of music is the Amsterdam Dance Event which is frequented by many artists, managers, journalists, editors and agents who show the new musical trends, new technologies, and take the opportunity to find new talents and  to do business. 

Moreover, a large number of tourists traveling to the place to enjoy the event could discover the benefits of The Netherlands and Amsterdam in particular.





(Amsterdam dance Event)

Problems and Issues

For a few, one of the Amsterdam city problems is the presence of red-light districts. These districts are a network of alleys containing three hundred rooms rented by prostitutes who offer their sexual services behind a window, usually illuminated by red lights. 

De Wallen is the largest red district in Amsterdam.

The total area is approximately 6.500 square meters, and the prostitution takes place at the next streets:  Barndesteeg, Bethlehemsteeg, Bloedstraat, Boomsteeg (now closed), Dollebegijnensteeg, Enge Kerksteeg, Goldbergersteeg, Gordijnensteeg, Molensteeg, Monnikenstraat, Oudekerksplein, Oudekennissteeg, Oudezijds Achterburgwal, Oudezijds Voorburgwal, Sint Annendwarsstraat, Sint Annenstraat, Stoofsteeg and Trompettersteeg.

Sex Work

Prostitution is legal in The Netherlands, with the exception of street prostitution. Also, since January 2013 the legal working age of prostitution was raised from 18 to 21 years old. Sex workers need to go regularly to health checks at the government's expense. Frequently, brothel owners and room operators require health certificates, such as Servsafe, before employing rooms.

In a district, there is a bronze statue named "Belle", which says: "Respect sex workers all over the world"

Human Traffic

Amsterdam is a main destination for human traffic, 75% of the prostitutes are form Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia. This fact let us a question about if the legalization of prostitution increases human traffic. 

Cannabis cofeeshop

Cannabis cofeeshops are licensed to sell cannabis. Tobacco and alcohol are not permitted. The first coffeeshop opened in 1970. In 1976 the government of The Netherlands began decriminalizing use and possession of cannabis through laws, in this way the possession of up to 5 grams is legal. 

There are over 200 cannabis coffeeshops in Amsterdam, and you can always find one next to you, although it is restricted to use any advertisement.  These coffee shops have a green and white license sticker in the window. 

Amsterdam drug laws

• Possession of drugs is legal with a maximum of 5 grams, including weed, marihuana or hash and the police seizes the drugs.
• If you have more than 5 grams for personal use, there are several laws to punish you.
• The tolerance police only allows people over eighteen years old to have drugs.
• Growing weed at home is illegal, however this in not a strict law.
• Hard drugs are illegal.
• Importing and exporting drugs is illegal.
• You can't smoke in public, except in cannabis coffee shops.

LGTB Adoption and parenting

Also, for the most conservative people, the recognized LGTB rights could be a problem and for others an important issue. In Amsterdam, 85% of the Dutch population supported same-sex marriage and adoption. Same-sex adoption was legalized with same-sex marriage in 2001, and in 2005, the Dutch parliament allowed same-sex adoption overseas. Lesbian couples can get access to IVF treatment. 

Population

Amsterdam, a multicultural city 

Amsterdam is the capital and most populous city of the kingdom of The Netherlands:

Total population: 813.562
Density: 477 people per square kilometer

Diversity of faiths

The Netherlands is one of the most secular countries in Western Europe, this means that the state of this country is separated from any religion and it doesn't support or dissaprove religions.

 In Amsterdam:

51.3% Non-religeous

24.6% Roman Catholicism

14.8% Protestantism.

  5.8% Islam
  1.4% Hinduism
  1.2% Buddhism
  0.9% Other religions
  

Languages
There are many spoken languages, which are traditional in the country:

Dutch: Is the official language of the Netherlands

 The provincial and regional dialects:

• Frisian Dialect: This dialect is official in the province of Friesland
• Limburgish: This dialect is spoken in the province of Limburg 
• Papiamento: This language is official in the province of Bonaire

In terms of foreign languages, the most common are:

• English : Is spoken for about 89 % of the population 
• German: About 70 %
• French:  About 29 % 
• Spanish: About 5 %

Life Expentancy 

The Netherlands have an average of 81.01 years of life expentancy. 

• Male: 78.93 Years 
• Female: 83.21 Years