News in English - RTV Maastricht

News in English - RTV Maastricht News in English for not-yet-Dutch speakers in Maastricht since 2016.

Students who go home for the weekend and park their bikes in the underground fietsenstalling (parking facility) will no ...
13/06/2025

Students who go home for the weekend and park their bikes in the underground fietsenstalling (parking facility) will no longer have to pay for it starting January 1st. This was announced by burgemeester (Mayor) Wim Hillenaar.

Currently, the first 24 hours of parking are free, after which a fee is charged for leaving your bicycle. As a result, students who are away for the entire weekend inevitably have to pay.

The gemeente (municipality) has made a deal with NS (Dutch Railways) that this will no longer be necessary starting in 2026. The burgemeester hopes this measure will help reduce bicycle nuisance. Many students currently opt to park their bikes on the street during the weekend to avoid paying.

It is still unclear whether groups other than students will be able to benefit from the new arrangement. The gemeente says it is still in discussions with NS regarding the exact details and conditions.

The joint railway unions FNV Spoor, CNV, and VVMC have adjusted their action calendar and will move the strike, which wa...
12/06/2025

The joint railway unions FNV Spoor, CNV, and VVMC have adjusted their action calendar and will move the strike, which was previously scheduled for Thursday in the Northwest and East regions. Instead, a strike will now take place on Friday in the Northern and Southern regions, which includes Limburg. The strike starts at 04:00 AM and lasts until Saturday 03:59 AM.

The decision to reschedule the strike is strategic, according to the unions. “We received signals that NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen - Dutch Railways) had prepared an alternative timetable to neutralize the effects of the strike,” explains Janssen. “We want to keep the pressure high. NS management is showing no willingness to reach a solution, despite our ultimatum and the first two impactful strike days.”

The unions strongly criticize NS’s actions. “Instead of investing money in negotiations and solutions, NS is using it to undermine the strikes. That is unacceptable,” says Janssen, referring to the funds NS is using to compensate travelers.

Despite escalating their actions, the unions emphasize that they remain open to talks. “So far, NS is simply not responding,” says Janssen. “And it’s the travelers who suffer as a result. We want to resolve this. But that’s only possible if NS shows willingness to move. Trains aren’t running because NS refuses to properly take care of its own staff.”

21/05/2025

The city of Maastricht has been drawn and painted many times and in various ways over the past centuries by both professional and amateur artists. Under the title 'Was getekend Maastricht', we are broadcasting a series of 15 episodes about these drawings and paintings. In this episode: historical maps.

Natuurmonumenten has opened the Groevepaviljoen (quarry pavilion) Sint-Pietersberg at the ENCI groeve. The pavilion, whi...
21/05/2025

Natuurmonumenten has opened the Groevepaviljoen (quarry pavilion) Sint-Pietersberg at the ENCI groeve. The pavilion, which will be open to visitors through October, is also looking for volunteers.

The new Groevepaviljoen is intentionally not a traditional visitor center. “We want to literally bring people closer to nature,” says Liesbet Berghof, manager of Bezoekerscentrum Zuid-Limburg (South Limburg Visitor Center). “No exhibitions behind glass, but a place where you can step straight into the landscape.”

Visitors can take part in nature excursions, children's activities by OERRR, walks and find information about the flora, fauna, and cultural history of Sint-Pietersberg. In addition, the pavilion can be reserved as a meeting venue on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.

The pavilion is entirely run by volunteers. They welcome visitors, provide information about hiking routes and activities, share knowledge about nature and heritage, sell coffee and tea, and create a hospitable atmosphere. They are also present when the venue is used for meetings. To be able to keep the location open throughout the season, Natuurmonumenten is looking for additional support.

On Wednesday, May 21, from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM, Natuurmonumenten is organizing a non-committal information evening about volunteering with the organization and specifically about the role of host or hostess at the Groevepaviljoen. You can register by sending an email to Natuurmonumenten at: [email protected]

Art Adrift explores the difficult history of almost twenty artworks that belong to the NK collection (Nederlands Kunstbe...
20/05/2025

Art Adrift explores the difficult history of almost twenty artworks that belong to the NK collection (Nederlands Kunstbezit-collectie), consisting of works that were returned after the Second World War to the Netherlands. The exhibition tells the story about previous owners and art collectors before the Second World War up until the complex restitution process after the war. It’s divided into three parts: 1900-1945, 1945-1997 and 1997-present. The exhibition is currently on display at the Bonnefanten Museum until June 1st.

‘’We started this exhibition because an artwork lives an entire life, longer than human lives” says Jip van Reijen, curator of Art Adrift. From a private prayer piece, the dining room of the famous art collector Otto Lanz, a bunker, Hitler’s collection to the Art Adrift exhibition at the Bonnefanten museum, this is the journey of St. Elizabeth of Hungary by Pietro Nelli. “I think we take it for granted that it is just hanging on a wall. You rarely think about the history of the piece itself” reflects the curator.
To read the full article, head over to our website.

A total of 669 residents made use of the Volwassenenfonds (Adult Fund) last year. This fund covers tuition fees or membe...
17/05/2025

A total of 669 residents made use of the Volwassenenfonds (Adult Fund) last year. This fund covers tuition fees or membership contributions for people living in poverty who still wish to participate in cultural activities or join a sports club.

2024 was the first year that adult residents of Maastricht were able to apply to the fund. Of the applicants, 583 Maastricht residents requested support to cover their sports club membership fees. The remaining 86 applications were aimed at cultural activities.

In Maastricht, nine percent of the target group made use of the Volwassenenfonds . Nationally, this figure stands at five percent. Wethouder (alderman) Jeroen Hoenderkamp stated that, since last month, it has also become possible to receive financial support for exercising at Basic Fit.

The Volwassenenfonds is financially secured by the municipality for 2025 and 2026. The alderman hopes to make it a permanent part of the city's poverty policy.

The gemeente (municipality) and Arriva are taking steps to tackle the increasing congestion on city buses.This was revea...
16/05/2025

The gemeente (municipality) and Arriva are taking steps to tackle the increasing congestion on city buses.

This was revealed in written responses by wethouder (alderman) John Aarts to questions posed by the D66 party. Line 10 is overcrowded during peak times. To address this, Arriva will deploy buses with 40 percent more capacity during these busy periods starting August 24.

More buses will also be added on the busy route between Maastricht station and Randwyck. Since January, extra trips have already been running on lines 615 and 57. In August, the frequency of line 5 will be increased to four trips per hour. Combined with other lines, there will then be twelve buses per hour running between the two stations during peak times.

These adjustments are part of the concept Vervoerplan 2026 (draft Transport Plan 2026), which still requires approval from the provincie Limburg (Province of Limburg).

With the tolling of Grameer (church bells), Maastricht commemorated Pope Francis at 9:00 PM on Monday evening, who passe...
22/04/2025

With the tolling of Grameer (church bells), Maastricht commemorated Pope Francis at 9:00 PM on Monday evening, who passed away on Easter Monday. Members of the klokkenluidersgilde (Bellringers Guild) Monulphus and Gondulphus came to the Sint Servaasbasiliek (Basilica of Saint Servatius) at the request of deken (Dean) John Dautzenberg. At nine o’clock, the sound of Grameer echoed over the city and surrounding countryside as a tribute.

At the entrance on Keizer Karelplein, a statue of Sint Servaas stands in the cloister. Prominently visible in his left hand is the key, which, according to the legend of Sint Servaas, was given to him by Saint Peter.

Even many non-Catholics know that Peter symbolizes the guardian of the gates of heaven. At the feet of Sint Servaas lies a photo of Pope Francis. As was said yesterday in the Vatican: he is on his way home. The key is within reach.

Deken Dautzenberg decided in the early evening not to delay a tribute to the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church. “It was an emotional day. During the Mass in the Onze Lieve Vrouwebasiliek (Basilica of Our Lady), a young altar server whispered the sad news into my ear. It wasn’t until later in the afternoon that it really sank in—that Paus Franciscus (Pope Francis) had passed away.”

It was in the afternoon that the bellringers of Monulphus and Gondulphus were already alert for possible calls. The ringing of Grameer occurs during major annual church events in Maastricht; but also in times of disaster and mourning, it is an age-old tradition to let the sonorous tones of Grameer II be heard. Around 6:30 PM, John Dautzenberg no longer hesitated. “My heart said, we must pay our respects to Paus Franciscus (Pope Francis) this evening.” A phone call to the secretary of the bellringers was all it took to make it happen.

Text and photos: Laurens Bouvrie

As of this week, everyone can once again make use of the public water taps in Limburg. Waterleiding Maatschappij Limburg...
13/04/2025

As of this week, everyone can once again make use of the public water taps in Limburg. Waterleiding Maatschappij Limburg (WML) has reconnected all of them.

The water taps are available from spring through early autumn. “It’s a small effort, but an easy way to enjoy the outdoors while also contributing to a more sustainable world by choosing tap water as an eco-friendly thirst-quencher. Limburg’s water is always close by – a touch of hospitality that you can experience everywhere in Limburg,” says WML.

There are 140 public water taps throughout Limburg. Within the gemeente (municipality) Maastricht, there are 21.

The burger restaurant Burgerlijk, located on Platielstraat in Maastricht, has been ordered to close this week. In a prel...
12/04/2025

The burger restaurant Burgerlijk, located on Platielstraat in Maastricht, has been ordered to close this week. In a preliminary injunction, the court ruled in favor of verhuurder (landlord) Heineken, after the tenant failed to pay rent for six months.

The restaurant had already shut its doors prior to the court’s decision. A sign on the door now directs customers to the second Burgerlijk location on Rechtstraat, which operates under a different legal entity and will remain open.

Heineken sought the court’s approval for eviction after months of unpaid rent. At the time of the ruling, the outstanding amount had exceeded €43,000.

The gemeente (municipality) and local shop owners are taking the threat from Extinction Rebellion more seriously after a...
11/04/2025

The gemeente (municipality) and local shop owners are taking the threat from Extinction Rebellion more seriously after all. The environmental activists recently announced plans to demonstrate tomorrow, April 12, in 29 cities across the Netherlands against the fast fashion industry. The action was later suggested to be an April Fools’ joke.

Protesters reportedly planned to use butyric acid to reinforce their message. Despite the possibility that it’s a hoax, Maastricht remains on alert: the use of butyric acid has been explicitly banned by burgemeester (Mayor) Wim Hillenaar, and both police and the Public Prosecution Service are taking precautionary measures. Business owners have been asked to properly instruct their staff.

Although the announcement appears to be an April Fools’ prank, it remains unclear where—if anywhere—actual protests may take place. The local XR chapter in Maastricht denies any involvement or plans.

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