Alfred Schaffer
(Leidschendam, 1973) is a poet, translator and lecturer at the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa. He made his debut in 2000 with the poetry collection Zijn opkomst in de voorstad (His Rise in the Suburb). Over the years, his poetry collections were often awarded or nominated for several important prizes, and translations appeared in English, Afrikaans, French, Chinese, Indonesian, Swedish and other languages. For the collection Kooi he received the Jan Campert Prize and the Ida Gerhardt Poetry Prize in 2008. His work is sometimes humorous, sometimes matter-of-fact and at the same time full of absurd inventions. In 2014, he published his, again critically acclaimed collection Mens Dier Ding. In 2021, he published the personal collection Wie was ik?, for which he received the Herman De Coninck Prize. That same year, Alfred Schaffer was awarded the P.C. Hooft Prize, the largest annual oeuvre prize in Dutch literature.
Past events
Ode to Remco's Coat
A programme celebrating Remco Campert. Fado singer Cristina Branco and pianist João Paulo have set the celebrated Dutch poet's Ode aan mijn jas (Ode to My Coat) to music. Mustafa Stitou, Hanneke van Eijken, and VSB Poetry Prize nominees Hester Knibbe, Alfred Schaffer, and Peter Verhelst each dedicate a poem to him. Concluding performance by the Blue Moon choir. A collaboration with Poetry International and the VSB Poetry Prize.
Talking to the poets: Rodaan Al Galidi and Alfred Schaffer
Host Francis Broekhuijsen welcomes the poets. Meet, greet and have your books signed! In Dutch.
The Text of my Life: Alfred Schaffer
Which texts from world literature has Dutch poet Alfred Schaffer cherished as long as he lives? He discusses the text with the audience. Moderated by Wim Brands and Simone van Saarloos. In Dutch.
Call me, call me!
'For those I love, I want to be called,' Neeltje Maria Min said in one of her most famnous poems. The poets Rodaan Al Galidi, Alfred Schaffer, Kira Wuck and nominees for the VSB Poetry prize Miriam Van hee and Antoine de Kom translate this profound longing. Rapper/poet Typhoon performs and Arie Boomsma presents. In Dutch.
Programme in cooperation with Poetry International and CPNB
I speak your language
A new generation of poets about their language and poetry. With Ronelda Kamfer, Alfred Schaffer and Hagar Peeters. Dutch/Afrikaans
Who's Afraid of Youth? Pupils have the floor
Alfred Schaffer presents pupils in The Hague and their poems about their greatest fear. The pupils then interview poet Saskia de Jong. In Dutch.
Who's Afraid of Youth? Pupils have the floor
Alfred Schaffer presents pupils in The Hague and their poems about their greatest fear. The pupils then interview poet Ester Naomi Perquin. In Dutch.
The last journey
It happens a number of times a year in our country: a funeral where no one turns up. Alfred Schaffer presents poets who now write poems for these lonely funerals. With Frank Starik, Neeltje Maria Min and Anneke Brassinga. Dutch spoken.
Pupil poets
Poet Alfred Schaffer presents school pupils from The Hague and their poems about their personal expedition. Dutch spoken.
Pupils in search of poetry
Poet Alfred Schaffer presents school pupils from The Hague and their poems about their personal expedition. Dutch spoken.
Berber poetry - the advance of the Tamazight
Poet Alfred Schaffer talked with Berber poet Fadma el Ouariachi, and the Dutch poets of Moroccan descent Abdelkader Benali and Khadija al Mourabit. Dutch translations.
Young poets - part 1
Poets from the young generation, presented by poet Tsead Bruinja, will read from their work: Alfred Schaffer, Rustum Kozain (South Africa), and Vrouwkje Tuinman. Conversation in English, Dutch poems are simultaneously projected in English.
