A New Sound

On June 14, Poetry International will present a special program in celebration of the launch of Een nieuw geluid (A New Sound) by Wiljan van den Akker and Gillis Dorleijn. This extensive work traces the rise of modern Dutch poetry between 1900 and 1940, with a particular focus on influential poets such as Kloos, Gorter, Nijhoff, and Vasalis. The authors explore how societal themes such as war, gender, and identity shaped poetry, and how poets responded to the dynamic changes in the world around them. 

Toef Jaeger will moderate a panel discussion with Gillis Dorleijn and the poets Anneke Brassinga and Alara Adilow. During this discussion, they will reflect on the parallels between the period described in the book and contemporary themes in poetry. In between, Brassinga and Adilow will perform readings of their own work. This program offers a unique opportunity to connect the history of poetry with the present and explore how poems continue to resonate with the spirit of the times. 

Toef Jaeger

Toef Jaeger (1951) is a Dutch journalist and biographer. She writes for NRC Handelsblad and specializes in literary non-fiction. Jager has published, among other works, a biography of writer and artist Henk van Woerden, which has been translated into Afrikaans, as well as De jongens van Barbarber, a book about the magazine Barbarber. Her work often focuses on social and literary themes. She is known for her clear, well-reasoned writing style and her contributions to public discourse on culture and literature. She is currently working on a book about the history of corrugated iron. 

Alara Adilow

Alara Adilow (b. 1997) is a Dutch poet of Somali descent. She debuted in 2022 with the collection Mythen en stoplichten, which won the Herman de Coninck Prize and the C. Buddingh’ Prize. Adilow’s poetry addresses themes such as identity, migration, gender, and religion, known for its direct and musical style. She is regarded as a promising new voice in Dutch poetry and is praised for her powerful and personal approach to societal issues.

Anneke Brassinga

Anneke Brassinga (b. 1956) is a Dutch poet, translator, and essayist. She debuted in 1987 and has since published several poetry collections and translations. Brassinga is notably known for her translations of the works of Sylvia Plath and Rainer Maria Rilke. In 2015, she received the P.C. Hooft Prize for her lifetime achievement in literature. Her poetry is characterized by a philosophical approach and a rich, vivid style. Brassinga is considered an influential figure in Dutch literature. 

Gillis Dorleijn

Gillis Dorleijn (b. 1967) is a Dutch literary scholar and professor of modern Dutch literature at Utrecht University. His research focuses on the history of Dutch literature and the role of literary institutions. Dorleijn has contributed to the Geschiedenis van de Nederlandse literatuur (History of Dutch Literature) and is active as an editor and author within the field of literary studies. He plays an important role in the academic discussion about the place of Dutch literature in the broader European context.