2018 - Camp Seedorf wall-streetart
Camp Seedorf wall-streetart
"As an attic room project" is how a secret group of some 10 Almere street artists began in 2010, managing to remain anonymous over the years. Under the name 'Camp Seedorf', referring to former Almere resident Clarence Seedorf, they create temporary, hand-painted artworks on paper of celebrities, footballers and rappers.
"Like Clarence, Almere has not yet received that recognition he and our city deserve," says 'Eus', one of the artists. "While here in Almere very fat things happen!" Meanwhile, Camp Seedorf is a "well-oiled organisation" and increasingly well-known internationally. "We have just returned from the United States, where we have gained new connections again."
The (almost entirely) Almere collective works "basically illegally". "Our group only agrees with each other where we stick up our semi-permanent art," he says. Municipalities can spray paint the artworks off the walls, as recently at Muiderpoort station. "It's part of it. We paint our work on paper. And the most fun is to stick it in places where it is not allowed; on the street. It's nice when passers-by recognise it and tag us via social media. We also take permanent, digital photos of it ourselves, which we share on our Instagram account."
In 2018, Kamp Seedorf will create three large artworks in Almere Centrum. One artwork they dedicate to Almere rapper and producer Esko on the Stationsplein, where a painting of the (brown) harrier will also be pasted, symbolising the Netherlands' youngest province Flevoland. In addition, a work of art by Seedorf adorns the City Hall and the steps of the Forum will be transformed into ALLY stairs. According to the municipality, all these "Almere icons have contributed to the positive image of Almere among Almere youth".
20 years of Endzjin Student Association
In the year 1998, a number of Information Engineering students founded the first Student Association 'Endzjin' S.V.E.I.A., when they attended the first HBO course in Almere.
Endzjin is open to all students regardless of course and/or year of study and stands for 'the engine behind the students'. In their own society - S.P.A. De Dromedaris - at Rentmeesterstraat 2B, they organise many parties. Members can also study there and develop further within the association: networking, holding positions within committees and/or the board, being socially involved in various events.
The association has now been working for 20 years to grow Almere as a student city.
Upcycle centre Almere Haven
The Upcycle Centre will be opened in early 2018, partly to raise awareness of the need to 'upcycle' and reuse raw materials. After all, certain raw materials are running out, so products will soon no longer be able to be made (new). This can be prevented by reusing stuff and using it sustainably.
The building itself is made of and furnished with recycled materials from Almere. Much of the concrete, steel, tiles, sanitary facilities and large doors come from the former swimming pool and recycling platform. In addition, it generates its own energy through solar panels. Rainwater is collected and used to flush the toilet, among other things.
10 years of beach festival ZAND
photo: SETVEXY
Summer 2008 will see the first ever musical beach day Strandfestival ZAND. According to the organisation, "ZAND is a day of walking on Almere's beach and enjoying surprising acts and music everywhere: live performances by the best Dutch artists at the main stage and jumping to dance music by well-known DJs at ZAND Danst". 2018 marks the event's 10th anniversary, helping to put Almere on the map.