Christine Otten
(Deventer, NL, 1961) is a writer, performer and theatre producer. Her 2004 breakthrough came with De laatste dichters (The Last Poets), nominated for the Libris Literature Prize. This novel about the lives of four black Americans who became famous as "The Last Poets" was adapted for theatre. We hadden liefde, we hadden wapens (We Had Love, We Had Weapons), Otten's swirling 2016 novel, is about the life of the black citizen's rights activist Robert F. Williams in America, and about taking a stand for the right to be who you are, regardless of the consequences. Een van ons (One of Us, 2020), her novel about lifelong prisoner Luc was performed as a theatre monologue. In her novel Als ik je eenmaal mijn verhaal heb verteld (Once I told you my story, 2024), Anir tries to build a new life ‘outside’ after 12 years of detention. The Blocknotes Foundation, co-founded by Otten in 2020, uses creative writing for empowerment and talent development of people in prison.
Past events
This Is Not America (part 1)
A late-night show about the United States of America that touches on many issues, from the shrinking middle class to the differences between whites and blacks, from hopeful new immigrants to the embittered white underclass. The America of the supporters of President Trump.
The Tale of Two Cities
Four writers, eight cities. In The tale of Two Cities, writers for whom "the city" has more than one face have their say.
VPRO De Avonden Live: Christine Otten and Manon Uphoff
Live radio interviews with writers. This part is in Dutch.
The Third Chamber of Parliament
Third Chamber chair Ruben Maes invites you to debate, interrupt, and introduce amendments. Bring true democracy closer. Even if it is just for one evening. Five guests will spark off the debate: philosopher Maxim Februari, cultural historian Thomas von der Dunk, journalist Paul van der Gaag and writers Christine Otten and David Van Reybrouck enter into a discussion with you. In Dutch.
What I would give my life for
Anousha Nzume talks to Christine Otten (NL), Roland Colastica (Curaçao), Bart van Loo (Belgium) and Manon Uphoff (NL). They were inspired by a confronting question: who or what would I be willing to give my life for? Four writers, four pleas for a cause which sets them on fire. As surprising as moving: the stories and songs of inspired writers and storytellers. In Dutch.
Big Brother visiting
Disorder beyond the doorstep. With Antjie Krog and Christine Otten. Host Wim Brands.
The remake of Uncle Tom's cabin
Writers Frank Martinus Arion, Vamba Sherif and Christine Otten rewrite parts of Uncle Tom's Cabin. Panel chairman is Pieter Steinz. Dutch spoken.
