In the 17th century, parts of Formosa (present-day Taiwan) were in Dutch hands for a considerable time, or more precisely, in the hands of the VOC. In 2024, it was 400 years since the VOC set foot on Taiwan, which...
The Battle of Macau was an attempt by the VOC between June 22 and 24, 1622, to capture the Chinese city of Macau from the Kingdom of Portugal during the Dutch-Portuguese War. This year, this naval battle is being commemorated by Macau. The expedition...
Have you ever heard of Composer's Day on June 18, 2022? It is being organized for the first time. What can you expect? More than 100 concerts throughout the Netherlands, music by over 100 composers, a world record (largest score),...
During a city walk across the Leiden market, I was approached by a young African man who was selling shirts there. “Sir,” he said, “do you know if slaves were traded on this bridge in the past? If so, I am going here...”
The VOC & Sail Amsterdam stamps (nvph 1453/54) focus on the present and the past. Two painting fragments, one on each stamp, of 'Peter and Paul on the IJ' by painter Abraham Storck (1644 – 1708) refer to foreign attention for the...
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