Author Archives: yopolwdfrl

Lân fan Taal – Land of Language

An interview with Siart Smit, the director of Lân fan Taal project, will give us an understanding in how this project will add a new quality to Leeuwarden by creating an ideal world of language, where all the languages come together. “Lân fan taal is like an open air museum with a lot of different things to do from high art to music festivals and everything in between.” More →

The Pride and Beauty of Friesland

“He is not proud. I was wrong, I was entirely wrong about him. You don’t know him, Papa. If I told you what he’s really like, what he’s done.” This quote from Pride and Prejudice should lead you through this article about the Friesian horse. Further, this quote shows you exactly what we see when looking at the Friesian horse.

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Burmania – the scouts of Leeuwarden

Burmania, part of the Scouts Netherlands, is one of the oldest and largest Christian scouting groups in the country, being located in Kalverdijkje, Leeuwarden. Having over 180 children, Burmania is the place where fun meets learning, as boys and girls between 5 years old to 18 years old get to do exciting activities every weekend. More →

Tranformation of the Blokhuispoort


LEEUWARDEN – Since the closure of the Blokhuispoort as a prison in 2007, the building is getting a new look and function. The Blokhuispoort is becoming the cultural heart of Leeuwarden. It is being transformed into an extraordinary cultural business centre, which offers for instance shops, art, concerts, the central library, work spaces for students, a hostel, and a restaurant in a great setting. Alibi hostel is finished already and visited to get an impression of the new look. More →

Loved by Pets – Connecting Pet Lovers

“Everything in life can be so straightforward, sometimes you just have to take some risks. Even if you are failing, you at least learn something”, says Janine Huizeling. The 20 years old Media and Entertainment Management Student from Stenden started her own business in December 2016 and has successfully grown it since then. More →

‘The way out’: a Dutch group in Sweden that offers a different way of living

In the north of Sweden, in the region of Lapland, lives a group of people from the Netherlands. They moved here to come closer to nature and to escape their ordinary lives. ,,We think that if you live in a rougher or wilder area, the real necessities for living become clear”, says Steven from Friesland. More →

Gerd Dijkstra: Sustainable Lifestyle is the Smart Lifestyle (2)

Gerd Dijkstra is a local entrepreneur, who runs Cafeteria Goudenregen, kite shop Vliegerzone, teaches Filipino and Indonesian martial arts delivers mail and practices sustainable lifestyle. His house is completely powered by green energy, and this part, he explained to me how sustainable living benefits his family and the community.

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The man behind Cafeteria Goudenregen (1)

LEEUWARDEN – Gerd Dijkstra (53) is a real Frisian with the energy of eighteen-year-old. He is Leeuwarden based entrepreneur and together with his family runs Cafeteria Goudenregen, kite store Vliegerzone, teaches Filipino and Indonesian martial arts at his own gym, sells and helps people to install solar panels, practices sustainable lifestyle and also delivers mail. More →

Yvonne Bleijinga: ,,Photography is my hobby, job and passion”

‘Do not fear failure but rather fear not trying’ (Roy T. Bennett). Yvonne Bleijinga is the owner of eYeCatch Photography and media. In her early age, she went to Cambridge University to study the English Language. To achieve her dream, after some years she went to the School of Photography (Fotovakschool). After graduating, she continued to specialize in photography. She also organizes workshops on how to use a smartphone to take professional pictures. More →

Vera Mulder – Connecting people through theatre

“Through theatre you can reach people in such a powerful way. You can touch them, let them discover their own hidden talents and make them happy. Sometimes, you can even change them as human beings or change their lives. It is a big gift to do that for people”, says 21 years old Vera Mulder, 2nd year theatre docent student at NHL in Leeuwarden. More →

The dried sausage of Weidenaar

The company Weidenaar is famous in Friesland for their Frisian dried sausage which they deliver to over 800 supermarkets in the Netherlands. In addition to dry sausage, Weidenaar also sells liver sausage, seaweed pitch, grill sausage, grilled rolling tray, fresh meat and meat products to supermarkets in wholesales. More →

Meet Takudzwa Matondi (Wolfgang Taku), an African artist in Leeuwarden

LEEUWARDEN – Takudzwa Matondi is an interesting person, he is 22 years old and he came from Zimbabwe to Leeuwarden for his study when he was 19. He now focusses on different forms of arts: he writes poetry and puts this poetry into music. He also founded the community Chosen Identity in Leeuwarden, were people with an interest for art, music and/or entertainment can come together and share their passion. More →

Stichting VerbindMij – Social Support Through Mentoring

“Everybody needs somebody as a role model. There are so many youngsters that are searching for their place in society but do not have the right tools to achieve it or a person showing them how to do it”, say Gysbert Bergsma and Guydolph Dijkstra, the founders of Stichting VerbindMij. The 26 and 27-year- old entrepreneurs, and Social Work and Services graduates from NHL in Leeuwarden focus on the empowerment of young people by connecting them with powerful activities and role models in society. More →

A Congolese with brilliant talent from Leeuwarden

LEEUWARDEN – A Congolese with brilliant talent from Leeuwarden Furious Pablo is a hip-hop artist from Leeuwarden, originally from Republic of Congo. His positive intension is to reach out to the people all over the world through his music. Be a musician by nature and passion. More →