The FotoFestival Naarden (FFN) celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2019. In 1989 the Festival started under the inspiring leadership of Pim Westerweel who, inspired by the photo festival in Arles, judged the fortress of Naarden to be an excellent setting for the exhibition of contemporary Dutch photography.
The Festival is organised biennially and has become the photo festival of the Netherlands. After the success of the first leading editions of the FotoFestival Naarden, more initiatives were started in The Netherlands in which photography is central for a short period.
The FotoFestival wants to play a role in strengthening a free society with a sense of criticism. The FotoFestival has the capacity for critical and reflective openness about photography, about art in general, about society and, as a derivative thereof, about human beings. It is essential to the Photo Festival that everyone can be who they are, show and say what they want.
The Photo Festival brings about a positive surprise, primarily through the surprising art of photography, but also through the choice of locations, the (interactive) activities - the whole thing gives a positively stimulating impulse. To the visitors, to the staff and to everyone involved.
The Photo Festival connects and creates interaction: it brings art to the public, it brings the public together, it brings the young talents to the established photographers. The festival creates a sense of community where everyone can enjoy and discuss photography but also the issues of our time.
The festival offers a tailor-made educational programme for primary and secondary schools as well as an extensive programme of audience participation activities. The festival believes in audience engagement that brings mutual impact: for all those involved in the festival, from young to old.
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