literature

‘De Randen’ by Angelo Tijssens: A Desperate Search for Affection
In pared-back prose, Angelo Tijssens tells the story of a gay man’s laborious search for a speck of love and affection.

Sarah de Koning: lead makes the mind give way, mrs hamilton
Eighteen young writers from Flanders and the Netherlands have brought nineteenth-century artefacts from the Rijksmuseum to life. Sarah de Koning draws our attention to the white paint on 'Portrait of Alida Christina Assink' by Jan Adam Kruseman'.
The Translator’s Pick

13 Dutch Books to Get Cozy Warm This Winter (2023)
Our selection of Dutch-language books that have recently been translated into English.

Willem Thies: Snow Will Fall
This week's Friday Verses are written by Willem Thies. We translated his poem ‘Sneeuw zal vallen’.
First Book

Young Readers Need New Heroes
The heroes of recent Dutch-language books for children and young adults act in groups, differ from the norm and are no longer all white. That’s a win, according to Professor Yra van Dijk and Lecturer Marie-José Klaver.

Lemuël de Graav: Come and Dance, Girl
Eighteen young writers from Flanders and the Netherlands have brought nineteenth-century artefacts from the Rijksmuseum to life. Lemuël de Graav found inspiration in Wouter Johannes van Troostwijk’s painting 'The Raampoortje in Amsterdam'.
Friday Verses

Michael Koevoet: Mourning Position
Eighteen young writers have brought nineteenth-century artefacts from the Rijksmuseum to life. Together with Michael Koevoet we look at the painting ‘In the Month of July’ by Paul Joseph Constantin Gabriël.

Lize Spit: All We Hold
This week's Friday Verses are written by the acclaimed Flemish writer Lize Spit. We translated her poem ‘Heel ons houden’.
Young Voices on Slavery

Jonathan Reeder’s Choice: Willem Elsschot and Mathijs Deen
A translator from Dutch to English gives literary tips by answering two questions: which translated book by a Flemish or Dutch author should everyone read? And, which book absolutely deserves an English translation?

‘Nachtbloeiers’ by Ananda Serné: Searching for an Anchor
In her debut novel, Ananda Serné seizes upon a badly sleeping woman's search for footing to gently wake up the reader herself.

P.C. Hooft Award 2023 for Biologist Tijs Goldschmidt
Tijs Goldschmidt will receive the most important Dutch oeuvre prize for literature for his contemplative prose.

The Top 7 Literature Stories of the Year
Join us in bidding goodbye to 2022 with seven of the finest literature stories we published this year that are worth re-reading or listening to again.

'Weerlicht' by Jante Wortel: Wrestling With Obsessive Compulsions
In her debut novel, Jante Wortel paints a stark portrait of a teenager whose family is held in the grip of her OCD.

Maya Mertens: Part of a Cannon (Captured)
Eighteen young writers have brought nineteenth-century artefacts from the Rijksmuseum to life. We join Maya Mertens as she looks at a part of a cannon captured at the Battle of Shimonoseki.

Gus Møystad: Ex nihilo nihil fit
Eighteen young writers have brought nineteenth-century artefacts from the Rijksmuseum to life. Gus Møystad drew a graphic story inspired by Jozef Israëls’ painting 'The Sand Bargeman'.

‘Crackling Skulls’ by Roger Van de Velde: Frescos From an Asylum
The much-acclaimed collection of short stories by the legendary Flemish author has been published in English for the first time.
Calm Before the Storm

Kenneth Berth: The Table
Eighteen young writers have brought artefacts from the Rijksmuseum to life. Kenneth Berth invites us around a lavishly decorated table.

Maaike Rijntjes: I can serve you the country
Eighteen young writers have brought nineteenth-century artefacts from the Rijksmuseum to life. We join Maaike Rijntjes as they look at a plate of the Dutch province of Overijssel.

Antwerp Nottebohm Room Opens to the Public
Starting this autumn, you can discover the prestigious library for the first time on your own.