Arthur Japin
(Haarlem, 1956) won the NS Publieksprijs in 2008 with his novel Overgave (Surrender, 2007), about the struggle between pioneers and Comanche Indians in 18th century Texas. His novel Vaslav (2010) is also inspired by a true story: the dramatic decision by the legendary ballet dancer Vaslav Nijinski to quit dancing. In 2008 Japins diaries 2000-2007 appeared in book form entitled Zoals dat gaat met wonderen (As it goes with miracles) and his short stories were reprinted as Singel Pocket. In 1997 Japin made his international breakthrough with The Two Hearts of Kwasi Boachi, a novel about two 19th century Ghanaian princes who were brought up as Dutchmen. It has been translated in over ten languages and adapted for opera, dance and the theatre. For Een schitterend gebrek (translated as In Lucia's Eyes, 2003) he recieved the Libris literature award. Japin studied at the Kleinkunstacademie and was an actor and singer before he started writing. Various of Japin's short stories have been adapted for the screen. Since April 2011 he is one of the makers of a satirical tv programme.
Past events
Treasure hunters
History is an inexhaustible source of inspiration. Whether it concerns a Russian dancer, the royal family or pre-Islamic Mecca. Paul van der Gaag talks to Arthur Japin, Annejet van der Zijl and Said el Haji about the boundary between fact and imagination. In Dutch.
Wintercafé 1: Arthur Japin
A brand new story by born storyteller Arthur Japin, on dream and reality. In cooperation with DeBuren from Brussels. The Wintercafé is hosted on Saturday night by Neske Beks and Wim Brands. In Dutch.
