Twelfth launch BOIDR

"We thought: we'll do things a little differently this year. We are not choosing hospitality, we are having our party at the very exclusive Italian design brand Lema. With very exclusive furniture. On which chef Marcel van der Kleijn's drinks and snacks are ab-so-lutely not to be spilt." So announced editor-in-chief Annerieke Simeone last night the party of the already twelfth high-end annual magazine Bij Ons In De Residentie (BOIDR).

Under the watchful eye of more than 150 guests, the editor-in-chief thanked the owners of Lema Flagshipstore: Arie Alderliesten and Saskia Vrolijk.

Specially from Italy, two delegates from designer furniture brand Lema were also guests at Kneuterdijk, who welcomed Simeone in their own language.

Media Fresca

In addition to presenting Bij Ons In De Residentie had more news for Simeone: "The Hague will get a notable publishing company next year: Media Fresca. This new publisher, which from 1 January will also include BOIDR, will focus particularly on custom publishing: publishing high-quality magazines, books, specials and newspapers for third parties."

"Think of a magazine for a jubilee company or a book about all the start-ups and scale-ups in the Binckhorst. For us, this is a logical step, as we have long worked with the best journalists, photographers, illustrators and designers in the city and beyond."

Incidentally, Media Fresca is not limited to The Hague. "If Massimo Maestroni of Lema were to ask us to make a luxury edition for him, of course we would do it," Simeone laughingly told the party in the presence of this global export manager. "Media Fresca is an international name for a reason." 

James Bond

The new magazine of Bij Ons In De Residentie, which highlights the good life in The Hague, again features several tastemakers, such as Hague director Oscar Verpoort, who has been travelling past locations from James Bond films since he was 17. From Paris to Jamaica, from Karlsbad to Japan. His favourite mode of transport is his Aston Martin, his dream a Dutch Bond film of his own.

New businesses also get attention in the magazine, such as coffee roaster Brute Beans on Zodiakplein
(Binckhorst), the Calabrese jewellery shop G.B. Spadafora on Denneweg and Marius' wine bar on Piet Heinstraat.

Jean-Pierre Geelen, also editor of the Volkskrant, who got the laughs before Annerieke Simeone's speech by introducing her as 'the majesty of the glossy', made a beautiful report on the P. Oosterleeschool in Moerwijk, also the charity of Bij Ons In De Residentie. Among others, he interviewed headmistress Mariska Wubben.

First copies At Our Residence 

Wubben and photographer Flore Zoé were presented with the first copies this time.

Simeone: "Mariska Wubben is the headmistress of the P. Oosterleeschool in Moerwijk. This primary school is the daily home for 360 children of 51 nationalities. BOIDR wholeheartedly endorses the importance of good (language) education as the key to success and supports the school financially by raising money through our networking dinners."

"Because these children also deserve a place in our society! With her background in food technology, Mariska worked for a long time at Heineken. As a process engineer, she travelled half the world for that company. Until she started to dislike travelling and then a more social role as a manager became her calling. She is the shining centre of this school. And that is why I am honoured that she is receiving the first copy."

Talking about Flore Zoé, Simeone said, "If it is good, you have already seen her work, because her photos are also hanging here in this space. Flore discovered the camera when she was eight years old and used it to create a safe and beautiful world for herself. She always sets the bar very high. 'If it's not ten, it's not high enough,' she told me. And her team turns out to be just as demanding as she is. This produces artworks that have been thought through to the last detail. She has many international exhibitions. Her work hung opposite a Picasso, mind you! But she loves being back in this city working on a new project. Truly a professional woman. Therefore, a first copy for you too, Flore."

After the party, guests were given a well-filled goodie bag to take home which included the 168-page magazine on the good life in The Hague.

Would you also like to get your hands on a copy? Then check out here Where to buy the magazine.