Arts, Today

So, what can we do?

19 January 202219 January 2022By Eleanor Sumner
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So, what can we do?

With some recent changes in the rules, there are a few more options available to students who are looking to forgo the winter blues with some art and entertainment. Never forgetting the age-old Amsterdam classics such as flea markets and parks.

After Friday’s press conference, we saw some loosening of the restrictions when it comes to cultural practice and higher education. Luckily for us, this means we can return to some of the activities we have missed over the last couple of weeks as well as continue to turn to some classics like markets and walks in the admittedly limited, Amsterdam nature. So what can we do?

  1. CREA courses: CREA opens its doors again meaning that their wide expanse of courses will be taking place in person again and the performance halls are open for education-related activities. Registration is still possible for some February courses.
  2. Online CREA courses: There remains the opportunity to engage in online programs. Some of CREA’s courses offer online experiences such as the meditation class and the ‘reset your mind’ workshops.
  3. Amsterdam Light Festival: Enjoy the art installations that utilise lights to illuminate the waterways. It is a golden opportunity to get out of the house and safely enjoy some art.
  4. Kijkduinstraat in Amsterdam West: A stroll down this street will grant you some fun and whimsy thanks to rubber duck displays that adorn the doorsteps houses.
  5. Markets: Take on Albert Cuyp for an interesting combination of upmarket furniture, plants or household cleaning products. Have you tried the hummus at Ten Katemarkt in Amsterdam West? The best in the city if you ask me. Or maybe you fancy a very affordable wardrobe update at Waterlooplein?
  6. Check out the street art: There are several street art walks or cycles you can take to take in the artistic embellishments on the side of some Amsterdam buildings. Have you seen the impressive displays around NDSM? How about Dan Kitchner’s impressive “If Walls Could Speak” or Leon Keer’s “In case of lost childhood” both on Platanenweg!

Life is still not back to normal and we, unfortunately, will have to wait a little longer to see theatres, cafes, museums and cinemas reopen, but we can rejoice in the small victory of some sort of return to campus life and creative courses and continue to appreciate the Amsterdam city streets.