2014 - Bob Friedländer

Bob Friedländer became an independent photographer in 1964. That year, he made his first photo reportage, about a woman behind the Iron Curtain who sees her mother again after 20 years. These photos then appear in the German press and also in the Netherlands, at the Telegraaf. This is the beginning of his photographic career.

In 1980, he moved from Amsterdam to settle in Almere Haven, on the Achterwerf. At first he has to get used to his new place of residence, and later he is completely converted. Although Friedländer works for national magazines in the capital, he asks Frits Huis, who is then editor-in-chief for the Almere newspaper De Almare, whether they already have a photographer. He is allowed to work for this local daily newspaper two days a week and captures many important Almere events, residents and local politicians, in and around the city.

When the Almare/News of the Day newspaper comes out, he works for it daily. Besides serious matters, comic incidents also come before his camera. On 2 September 1984 is one such hilarious moment: when Mayor De Cloe wants to jump over a ditch, and gets a wet suit. Now fifty years later, Bob and his wife Michelle Friedländer are familiar faces in Almere. Wherever the news is, the photographer-couple appear.

Another important event in 2014 is the opening of the interactive safety exhibition PIT during Safety Day. On Saturday 12 April this year, Mayor Annemarie Jorritsma welcomed emergency services and the public to the Esplanade in Almere city centre. Minister Ivo Opstelten of Security and Justice will officially open the expo. From that moment, PIT, the interactive security expo at Schipperplein, is officially open to the public. Under the motto 'Discover the hero in yourself', police, fire brigade, defence and the emergency medical services will show what their work entails. This Safety Day attracts a large audience.