Marjolijn van Heemstra
(Amsterdam, 1981) - writer, poet, and journalist – gained attention in 2009 with her first poetry collection Als Mozes had doorgevraagd. In 2012, her debut novel De laatste Aedema was published. In her work, she explores how we can think differently about ourselves and the world. Since 2019, she has written about how space can help us see the Earth from a new perspective, in a.o. her essay Wat is ruimte waard. The theatre play based on this book, Maankoorts, premiered in June 2024. Since 2019, Van Heemstra has been a space correspondent at De Correspondent. She creates podcasts (including Sør, Stadsastronaut en Als geschiedenis in je opstaat) and recently conducted research on the value of the night. In 2025 she performs her stage play Observaties van een theaterrat.
Past events
<strong>Humans and animals in literature: With Bibi Dumon Tak, Nikki Dekker and Marjolijn van Heemst
Money to Burn
On greed and capitalism, with writers Marjolijn van Heemstra, Dario Goldbach and, from Denmark, Asta Olivia Nordenhof. Moderator: Roos van Rijswijk.
The Tale of Two Continents (world premiere)
Concert and tribute to Sitor Situmorang with new Indonesian compositions based on his poetry featuring Orkest De Ereprijs, Bernadeta Astari, Georgi Sztojanov, Robin Block and Alfian Emir Adytia.
The Netherlands on the Sofa: Marjolijn van Heemstra
A country goes to see the psychiatrist! The writer, theatre maker and actress plays the role of The Netherlands, between happiness and anxiety.
The Rage of Europe - about the innermost outsiders of Europe
Warsaw, Berlin, Brussel, Bucharest: points of view and interpretations about rage in Europe. With poems and music as counterpoints.
My farther-farthest child
Two South African poets, mother Antjie Krog and son Andries Samuel recite poems about parents and (grand)children straight from the heart. Dutch singer Wende sings their poems and other songs. In English.
Who's Afraid of Youth
Pupils of schools in The Hague read their poems. Poet Marjolijn van Heemstra read poetry with them in class and performs with them. The host is Nicole Terborg, supported musically by Trio Koenijn. Made with Huis van Gedichten. In Dutch.
Happy Poetry
Poetry makes you happy! Allow yourself to be inspired tonight and get carried along by poets and performers Kees van Kooten, Rodaan Al Galidi (Iraq) and Marjolijn Heemstra, who get happy from poetry and want to share that happiness with others. Presented by Trio Lang & Gelukkig. In Dutch.
