photo: Courtesy of Kleine Revolutie Producties
Friday, April 13, 2012
Columbia University – New York, NY
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Poets House – New York, NY
Tuesday, April 17 and Wednesday, April 18, 2012
City of Asylum – Pittsburgh, PA
Thursday, April 19, 2012
The Netherland Club – New York, NY
Friday, April 20 and Saturday, April 21, 2012
Ledig House – Omni, NY
In April 2012, six Dutch poets will be showcasing poetry in Dutch and English at a number of venues across New York and Pittsburgh. The American audience will have the opportunity to experience the variety and richness of contemporary Dutch poetry. Pieter Boskma, Hélène Gelèns, Erik Jan Harmens, Lucas Hirsch, John Schoorl and Joost Zwagerman who will present their pieces, have all been hugely influenced by American poets and novelists. Whilst in the USA they will be exploring why and the ways in which they have been influenced by American literature in their own writing to discuss whether contemporary American poetry can also be influenced by Dutch poetry.
Biographies Dutch Poets
Pieter Boskma (1956) made his debut with the book of poetry Quest (1987). Since then he published twelve volumes of poetry, of which Het violette uur (‘The violet hour’, 2008), Doodsbloei (2010) and Mensenhand (2012) are the most recent ones. He also published the novel Een foto van God (‘A picture of God’, 1993) and a book of short stories, Westerlingen (‘Westerners’, 2006).
Hélène Gelèns is a writer of poetry, essays and short prose. At the universities of Leiden and Amsterdam, Gelèns undertook an exploration of various academic disciplines, ranging from astronomy, Dutch literature to history, eventually majoring in philosophy. She has been performing her poetry since 2000. Her debut niet beginnen bij het hoofd (2006) was shortlisted for the C. Buddingh’ Prize for New Dutch Poetry and her second collection of poetry zet af en zweef (2010) was awarded the prestigious Jan Campert Prize. A third collection will be published this fall. Gelèns’s poetry has been translated in five languages. English translations appeared in literary magazines in the USA (Interim) and the UK (Ambit; The North; Poetry London).
Erik Jan Harmens (1970) is a Dutch novelist, poet and performer. He made his first appearance on the Dutch literary scene in a different way than most. In 2002 he was crowned the first Dutch National Poetry Slam champion. The following year he published his first collection of poetry In menigten (‘In crowds’) about the chaotic love-life of a poet. The English language played an important role in his 2005 collection Underperformer which was awarded numerous Dutch poetry honours, followed by Gospels en Psalmen in 2008. His first novel was published in 2007. Kleine doorschijnende man (‘Little Transparent Man’ is a dark psychological tale of modern life which critics praised for its language, humor and keen observations of everyday absurdities. In April 2012 his second novel will be published, titled The man who organized the Olympic Games all by himself. Around the year-end, his fourth collection of poems will follow, titled Extreem rustige huurder (‘Extremely quiet tenant’).
Lucas Hirsch (1975) is the author of two collections of poems, familie gebiedt (De Arbeiderspers, 2006) and tastzin (De Arbeiderspers, 2009). Hirsch published his poems in (several) Dutch, Belgian and American magazines and performed on stages in The Netherlands, Belgium and the USA. In 2009 Lucas Hirsch was special guest at the world famous The Green Mill Jazz & Poetry Club in Chicago. Lucas is also a literary agent for the Flemish magazine DWB. In 2007, Lucas founded a small literary production company called ‘Kleine Revolutie Producties’ with which he organizes literary events around Haarlem. He likes to have his writers and poets to perform at odd places and in combination with soundscapes, singer songwriters and jazz musicians. Next to the fact that he is living in Haarlem, The Netherlands, he loves to ride his skateboard and sometimes serves is a guest judge for poetry contests for young people. In May 2011 Lucas Hirsch was a guest at the Ledig House, international writers residency at Art Omi, New York. In September/October 2012 his new book of poetry will be published.
John Schoorl (1961) is a awards-winning reporter and investigating journalist from the Dutch daily newspaper de Volkskrant. As a poet he made his debut in 2007 with A Capella and two years later he came with Uitloopgroef (‘Run-out-groove’): poetry as a hidden track of his favourite songs. He also made an anthology with Dutch poetry about Elvis. He lives with his wife and three kids in a small village, just across a statue of Hansje Brinker, the boy who puts his vinger in the dike.
Joost Zwagerman (1963) is considered tot be one of the leading writers of his generation. He published several collection of essays, four collections of poetry and six novels, one of which a film was made, directed by Theo van Gogh. Zwagerman was also for several years a tv host. He presented the talkshow in which Ayaan Hirsi Ali showed her controversial short pamflet-movie ‘Submission’. Zwagermans novels have been translated into several languages in Europe. In 2008 he received the prestigious ‘Gouden Ganzenveer’ (Golden Quill), a lifetime achievement award.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND PRESS INQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT:
Stichting Kleine Revolutie Producties – Literary Productions – Haarlem, The Netherlands
Lucas Hirsch or Jessica Kroskinski: info@kleinerevolutieproducties.nl
Website: www.KleineRevolutieProducties.nl
Sponsors
The New York to Pittsburgh and Back Dutch Poetry Tour is supported by Lira, The Dutch Consulate General in New York, Altamont and The Dutch Foundation for Literature.
Pittsburgh loved the reading by the Dutch poets. Individuals poets read in 5 different houses and the Carnegie Library with solo musicians from Pittsburgh’s Living Room Chamber Project. Then all gathered in a nearby church for a grand finale, with the musicians playing ensemble and each of the poets reading a poem. The evening was magical.
http://www.sampsoniaway.org/blog/2012/05/02/the-writer%E2%80%99s-block-an-interview-with-helene-gelens/
Interview and video of Helene Gelens in Pittsburgh on the tour.