The Netherlands
Through my words
ACCESS Magazine Winter Edition 2022
“Dutch Manhattan” by Sandra Silva
Almere is like an open-air museum of contemporary architecture, where visitors are spoiled with stunning visual lines and geometric forms at every corner.
Enjoy the reading!
ACCESS Magazine Winter Edition 2021
“An Orange Tree” by Sandra Silva
An article about the Dutch Royal House, its ruling kings and queens and their contemporary times. From the formation and independence of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1815 until nowadays.
Enjoy the reading!
Welcome to Almere city walking tour for International Almere July 23rd 2022
A city walking tour for internationals from Indonesia, Korea and Spain in Almere city center.
Topics
The youngest city of the Netherlands
Almere as an international open air architecture museum
Highlight
A visit to the exhibition “Maak Stad Almere”/“Making Almere” organized by Polderblik Foundation.
If you are a newcomer in Almere and you wish a private city walking tour (solo, couples, family or friends visiting) or if you are just simply visiting the city and the region…
My email is sandra@sandrastours.nl
Welcome to Almere & Photo Tour for International Almere
October 16th 2021
After 21 months with no tours for International Almere due to the Covid 19 pandemic, we were thrilled to be back with a new city walking tour in Almere for a nice group of internationals coming from Bulgaria, Chile, India, Ukraine and the United Kingdom. From the Esplanade and its stunning architecture, we went to Lumièrepark and for a walk in the recent Weerwater lake bridge. Returning to the city center we also visited its oldest part (Olstgracht), and enjoyed public art works, one of them inspired by the Mayan culture.
“I just came back from a walking tour of Almere. Obviously Almere does not have the rich history of a city like Amsterdam so it presents much more of a challenge to tell its story in an inspirational way, but in this Sandra really delivered. Through her extensive knowledge and passion, she really opened my eyes and taught me to look deeper into a city for which I now have a keen interest.”
Duncan Chard, Photographer (United Kingdom)
Photo by Anelia Koleva
1st National Sketch Day Almere
July 10th 2021
The participants came from all over the country. Almere amazed them with its stunning national and international architecture and the all around greenery. Full of wide and clear spaces, the participants could sketch here and there in safe and agreable conditions. The first stop of my group was at the Esplanade with the Weerwater lake in front. The KAF (Kunstlinie Almere Flevoland), The City, the Lakeside, the Side by Side, the Silverline, the Urban Entertainment Centre, the Olstgrachtbrug and the Schipperplein were part of my tour, and The Wave residential complex by René van Zuuk.
This event was organized by Urban Sketchers Nederland and Urban Sketchers Almere.
Photo on the right by Hetty Cramm
Video below by Annet van den Oord (Urban Sketchers Nederland).
“Welcome to Almere” 1st Online Event/City Hall Almere
March 31st 2021
A historical moment: the first “Welcome to Almere” online event organized by Almere City Hall for the international community and my first virtual city tour as well. The stunning city’s architecture and Almere garden city concept were the main topics of my presentation. Historical photos were also shown, such as the first photo of the city and the one of the first residents receiving their house keys.
For more information about this event: https://www.thisisalmere.com/welcome-event
The event was an initiative of Monique Vredenburg (Program Manager Economic Affairs, City of Almere), also the event’s moderator.
Featured Photos
25/06/2021
16/07/2021
14/09/2021
20/10/2021
In the Media
Interview given to the local TV “Kijk Almere”, November 24th 2020
Interview given to the local newspaper “Almere Deze Week”, about the artwork “Twee Vrouwen” (2009), in Tussen de Vaarten Zuid, Almere, February 26th 2020
This artwork represents the dialogue between two women from different cultures. They are portrayed looking at each other, having an intimate conversation. One represents a western white woman and the other a black woman, most probably inspired by the regular travels of the artist, Roy Villevoye (Maastricht, 1960), to Papua New Guinea (a former Dutch colony) and its contacts with the Asmat people. The artwork is located next to a lake surrounded by greenery. Looking at the artwork, from the opposite side of the lake, it looks like we are at the cinema, watching a movie clip. The artist is also known by his short films and photography works.
Omroep Flevoland, October 14th, 2018
TEAM FRANC is an exhibition organized by Corrosia Theater, Expo & Film, in Almere Haven. Residents of Almere visit several Art Academies Graduation Shows and chose the artworks that will be part of the annual exhibition in Corrosia.
I participated in Team Franc 2018, visiting the Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam and choosing the glass artwork of Judith Roux.
Interview given to Iamsterdam blog about my experience as an international in the Amsterdam area. August 10th, 2018.
International Almere is an organization that aims to help internationals to integrate and feel at home in Almere. In 2018, I was part of the board as a Secretary and I was hosting twice per month the Dutch Language Café.
Sandra's Tours 