The best tips for autumn from alderman Charif El Idrissi

Alderman of Haarlemmermeer Charif El Idrissi lives in Hoofddorp with his wife and two children (1 and 3 years old). Visit Haarlemmermeer spoke to him about his best tips from the municipality, including for the fall. Are you reading along?
Alderman Charif El Idrissi

“I was born in Haarlem and grew up in the Overbos district in Hoofddorp. A very nice neighborhood with a great sense of community. Many different cultures lived together. We didn't have much, but together as a family we formed a close team. After my pre-university education at the Haarlemmermeer Lyceum, I started studying Business Economics at the VU University in Amsterdam. Subsequently, I obtained my first-degree teaching qualification as a teacher. I enjoyed teaching at various schools in and outside Haarlemmermeer, even until I became an alderman.”

“I entered politics because I want to contribute to our society. I had a lot of contact with welfare organizations regarding the care of my parents and helped others where I could. I then wanted to dedicate myself to the most vulnerable in society and that is why I became a council member. After being a council member, I became party chairman and now alderman with portfolios Work & Income, Labor Market Policy, Civic Integration and Digitization. This is how Poverty Policy belongs in my portfolio.”

Theater and museums

“We didn't often go to museums or theater performances from home. So when I went to the theater for the first time in 4 VWO, I thought it was fantastic! I also saw one of Najib Amali's first performances, in an almost empty hall at the time. Now we regularly go to the theater or to a cabaret performance. So nice that we have a number of beautiful theaters so close by.”

Museum de Cruquius
Theater The Old Town Hall

Enjoy a trip with the kids

“When the weather is nice, we enjoy cycling. Go to the Haarlemmermeerse Bos and then stop at Papa's Beach House. Or take a walk around the corner at the Toolenburgerplas, where the children can play on one of the playground equipment. We recently visited the Dutch Transport Museum, which the children thought was fantastic, and secretly so did I! What is definitely still on my list is picking apples at De Olmenhorst, we will definitely do that during the autumn holidays. It is a wonderful place to stroll around, eat an apple pie and take home a few home-picked apples or pears. What is always nice for an indoor activity is the Play Castle. The children always enjoy the ball pit, where they have hours of fun. If we have a family day out, we prefer to end this day with sushi, my wife's favorite food. That makes a day out complete for us.”

What is definitely still on my list is picking apples at De Olmenhorst, we will definitely do that during the autumn holidays. It is a wonderful place to stroll around, eat an apple pie and take home a few home-picked apples or pears.

Why visithaarlemmermeer.nl

“It is extremely useful to have all the fun activities that can be done in our municipality collected on a website. I use the calendar tool for weekend family outings and great lunch tips with kid-friendly restaurants. But of course there is much more to it. Discover it for yourself at visithaarlemmermeer.nl.”

Endless rows of apple and pear trees on the Olmenhorst
Walking path in Haarlemmermeerse Bos