literature
Gerard Reve 100

Francesca Birlogeanu: The Important Work
Francesca Birlogeanu wrote a short story in response to Hendrick Avercamp’s painting 'Winter Landscape with Ice Skaters'.
Eureka?

Esmé van den Boom: That’s How We Drink for Four Centuries
In her poem Esmé van den Boom gives a voice to an early 17th-century roemer, a wine glass engraved with the words 'Sic Soleo Amicos'.

Daniëlle Zawadi: Gasping
Daniëlle Zawadi wrote a text in response to 'The Meeting of Odysseus and Nausicaa', a painting by Jacob Jordaens.
The Translator’s Pick

Pieter Van de Walle: Boys Will Be Boys
In his short story, inspired by Pieter Lastman’s painting 'Orestes and Pylades Disputing at the Altar', Pieter Van de Walle introduces us to Orestes.

Brent Annable’s Choice: Annie M.G. Schmidt and Thea Beckman
Australian translator Brent Annable makes an ardent plea for the sparkling sentences of two grandes dames of Dutch children's and youth literature.
First Book

‘Avondmensen’ by Caroline van Keeken: Life on Pause
In her debut novel Caroline van Keeken subtly sketches a portrait of an unhappy, dysfunctional family.

Sara Mertens: Material Fatigue
Sara Mertens created a graphic story in response to an ivory statue of what is thought to be Diana, made by Jean Goujon.
Friday Verses

Flora Kenza Nacer: Whale Tears
The woollen caps worn by Dutch whalers in the period 1740 – 1760 inspired Flora Kenza Nacer to write a poetic dialogue.

Lady Liberty as Muse: An Inspired Dutch Writer and Her Love for the United States of America
The United States is a rich source of inspiration for Dutch writer Annejet van der Zijl. 'Americans are open to newcomers and interested in history, perhaps because they live in a young country.'

A Multi-Purpose Monster. ‘Mary’ by Anne Eekhout
The premise for Anne Eekhout's fourth novel is a good one: to write Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, the author of 'Frankenstein', out of the shadows of her illustrious context.

Benjamin De Roover: Hugo Grotius’ Escape
Benjamin De Roover was inspired by the chest of books in which Hugo de Groot escaped imprisonment in the early seventeenth century.

Maite Vanthournout: Attachment (No Need for Solid Wood)
Maite Vanthournout wrote a short story inspired by a cradle made by an anonymous craftsman.

Jozef van der Voort’s Choice: Geert Mak and Maartje Wortel
Every month, a translator of Dutch into 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?

Jordy Spyt: Recipe Antidotum
Jordy Spyt chose a passglass – a glass used for drinking games – and wrote an antidote to toxic masculinity.

Femke Zwiep: Brilliant
Femke Zwiep has written a poem in response to a balance standard with a counterweight from the workshop of Wenzel Jamnitzer.

David Weel: That Afternoon in the Forest
David Weel invites us to look at 'Dying Adonis' by the painter Hendrick Goltzius.

Eileen Stevens’ Choice: Gerard Reve and Machteld Siegmann
Every month, a translator of Dutch into 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?

Dewi de Nijs Bik Represents the Dutch Language at European Poetry Festival Transpoesie
During the poetry festival Transpoesie, poets from all over Europe display verses in public spaces in Brussels. The Dutch-language poem comes from the Dutch Dewi de Nijs Bik.

Fallen Because She Wanted To, and Could, Fly: 'Zij.' by Maaike Neuville
In Flemish actress Maaike Neuville's successful debut novel, her experience of theatre comes through in the precision of her sentences.