Adriaan van Dis
(The Netherlands, 1946) grew up in a family with a past in the Dutch East Indies. He draws on these experiences in several of his works such as My Father's War (1995), Repatriated (2002) and in Naar zachtheid en een warm omhelzen (2023). Van Dis became well known via his literary television programme Here is... Adriaan van Dis (1983-1992). In addition to novels he has written novellas, travelogues, essays and plays. He presented TV documentary series and his podcast Van Dis Ongefilterd. He has received the Constantijn Huygens Award for his entire body of work. Recent publications are the collection Vijf vrolijke verhalen (2021), the novel KliFi, woede in de republiek Nederland (2022) and the essay De kolonie mept terug: over witte arrogantie en voortschrijdend inzicht: een denkoefening en leesreis (2024). During the Writers Unlimited Festival 2026, Van Dis will be the main interview guest on Saturday afternoon, 24 January, following the publication of his new book Alles voor de reis (Everything for the Journey), and on Sunday morning, 25 January, he and interviewer Simon Dikker Hupkes will record a new episode of his podcast series Van Dis Ongefilterd (Van Dis Unfiltered) live with an audience.
Go to website of Adriaan van Dis
Past events
Book of My Life: Adriaan van Dis in conversation with Mahat Arab
About Karakter by F. Bordewijk.
Old Ties, New Connections: A trip via the Indonesian past to the present
With Robin Block, Ellen Deckwitz, Adriaan van Dis, Lara Nuberg and Maddy Stolk
Ellen Deckwitz and Adriaan van Dis: Inheritance
A discussion about family, inheritance and whether or not it is possible to escape the transferral of history, and thereby your roots, and the good fortune or grief that goes along with them.
Welcome in Holland
Rodaan Al Galidi roamed the world without a passport until he ended up in a Dutch refugee centre. Without the benefits of refugee status or an integration diploma, he built a career as a writer. His latest book, Hoe ik talent voor het leven kreeg (How I Found a Talent for Life), is presented to the public and to special guest Adriaan van Dis tonight.
The Film Choices of Adriaan van Dis
Film journalist Bert Jansma interviews writer Van Dis about his favourite films. With clips from A Prophet, 2009, about the prison system in France; The Attack (2012), about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964); and much more.
Fit In or Buzz Off
Live polemic: Has multiculturalism failed or not? Referee Abdelkader Benali will decide.
VPRO De Avonden Live: Ece Temelkuran and Adriaan van Dis
Interviews with these writers from Turkey and The Netherlands. In English and Dutch.
Amos Oz and Adriaan van Dis on Ideals
Amos Oz and Adriaan van Dis talk about the collective ideals their generation cherished. How do they look back on the 1960s and 1970st and what is left of those ideals? A conversation between two inspired writers, hosted by writer and essayist Bas Heijne. In English
Forgive or Forget
Did the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission bring just that or did it yield anger and division? Do Indonesia and the Netherlands suffer from amnesia concerning the black pages in their history? Anil Ramdas chairs a debate between Leila Chudori, Adriaan van Dis and Kopano Matlwa on the most effective strategy. In English.
Old Ideals
Adriaan Van Dis, Maaza Mengiste and Abeer Soliman wrote books about ideals. About old anti-apartheid activists and about old revolutionaries from Egypt and Ethiopia. Joris Luyendijk talks to them on the loss, rebirth and clash of old and new ideals. In English.
Between Fear and Hope Part 3: art and religion
Abeltje Hoogenkamp, Peter-Jan Wagemans, Adriaan van Dis and Michaël Zeeman (interview) on tradition and hope. In Dutch.
The world goose board
Adriaan van Dis, Cynthia McLeod, Reggie Baay and Thomas Rosenboom play the World Goose Board, led by Paul van der Gaag. A risky journey round the world, full of stories. Dutch spoken.
