Welcome to Amsterdive 2.0

Where lived experience intersects with the arts of writing, storytelling and all around creativity

Dear reader,

We are so pleased to welcome you to Amsterdive, a good ol’ bloggy blog for all Amsterdam dwellers and exes. If you’re a foreigner turned local, or a local who feels foreign, chances are high you will feel at home here.

From a personal and lifestyle blog launched in 2016 by Ana V. Martins, Amsterdive took different iterations until it landed on its 2025 collective form. While its identity always revolved around creative living, its individuality ethos evolved to a community oriented one. We focus primarily on the arts of writing and storytelling as a means of connection to the self and the collective.

On this writing hub, you will find different types of stories shaped by different voices. We are partial to personal essay, poetry and fiction that centers the Amsterdam experience as a cornerstone of our personal development. Amsterdam is many, and so are our Amsterdives.

We will provide a space for aspiring writers to publish their pieces and get mentorship. We will feature practices, places and initiatives that help us develop our craft. And, since all arts are interconnected — and we are in a permanent pursuit of creative nourishment — we will occasionally feature artists from other disciplines too.

We are also bringing our stories and tellers to stages near you. Come celebrate our blog launch on March 28, 19:00, at Bar Blij, Amsterdam. At 20:00 we will be listening to stories, from 21:00 on we will be dancing to the tunes of our guest DJs. RSVP here! We’d LOVE to have our old and new readers with us! ✨

*Photo credits: Andra Stefan

Ideas? Questions? Love letters?

Get in touch 📩 amsterdivemail@gmail.com. We’d love to hear from you!

---

Ana V. Martins founded Amsterdive in 2016 out of a love of personal tales and Amsterdam culture. 13+ years an Amsterdammer, she’s a writer, community weaver and host of writing circles. Her most personal avenue of writing is Ana Creates Meaning.

If you love what we’re doing, consider treating us! These funds enable us to keep writing, providing mentorship and a publishing space for the community.

Follow us on Instagram @amsterdive ✴︎ And let us know your thoughts - the comment section down below is all yours.