Michaël Zeeman
(Marken, 1958-2009) was a poet, a writer and a commentator, with a regular column on the Forum page and the book pages of the Volkskrant. Zeeman was the editor of the arts section of the Volkskrant and from 2006-2007 its Rome correspondent. In 2006 he and the writer Abdelkader Benali published an exchange of letters, exchanging ideas on politics, life, love and literature. In 2002 Zeeman received the Gouden Ganzenveer (Golden Goose Quill) for his merits for Dutch literature. Zeeman became well-known in the 1990s as the host of his monthly book programme 'Late at night after a short walk', later to be renamed 'Zeeman with books'. In 1991 he published his first volume of poetry, Beeldenstorm (Iconoclasm), winning him the C. Buddingh Prize. His second volume Verhoudingen (Relationships) appeared in 1995. In the same year he published short stories entitled De Verduistering (The Darkening). He died in 2009.
Past events
The Real Thing 3: Art
Documentary maker Heddy Honigmann and writer Bernlef talk about the question what ‘genuine’ or ‘authentic’ means in their work. Host: Michaël Zeeman. In Dutch.
The Real Thing 2: Religion
Somali writer Nuruddin Farah saw the growth of Islam in his country. He talks to writer and globetrotter Ilija Trojanow who converted to Islam. Host: Michaël Zeeman. In English.
The Real Thing 1: Morality
Ethicists, writers and artists about their quest for truth and genuineness. A full evening's, three-part programme hosted by Michaël Zeeman. Part 1: morality. If people lose their moral bearings, can the law keep them on the straight and narrow path?Writer/ethicist Marjolijn Februari reads her column, and will talk about morality and writing with the German writer Juli Zeh and the South African writer/criminal lawyer Chris Marnewick. 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.
Between Fear and Hope Part 2: literature & architecture
Does art offer hope? Writer A.F.Th. van der Heijden and architect Sjoerd Soeters discuss this with Michaël Zeeman. In Dutch.
Between fear and hope. Part 1: science
Louise O. Fresco and Ronald Plasterk talk to Michaël Zeeman about science as a possible source of optimism. In Dutch.
In search of the soul. Part 3: Art
Writer Allard Schröder, visual artist Theo Jansen and composer Klaas de Vries go in search of the enchantment or disenchantment of art. Presented by Michaël Zeeman. Dutch spoken.
In search of the soul. Part 2: Religion
Is the soul purely religious? A conversation with the Indian writer Pankaj Mishra and the British writer Karen Armstrong. Presented by Michaël Zeeman. English spoken.
In search of the soul. Part 1: Science
Midas Dekkers opens with a story about body and soul, written for Winternachten, and talks with Douwe Draaisma, professor of the history of psychology and writer Désanne van Brederode. Michaël Zeeman presents the evening. This first part is Dutch spoken.
In memoriam Henk van Woerden
Painter, writer and non-conformist thinker Henk van Woerden suddenly died in November. He was an advisor and a boardmember of Winternachten. Rudy Kousbroek, Michaël Zeeman, Asli Erdogan, Joost Nijsen and Nicole van Woerden-Müller will read from his work. Breyten Breytenbach will talk about Van Woerden as a painter. Greek music by To Trigono. Dutch/English spoken.
In search of the independent mind - part 3
The evening closes with a discussion between all the participants of the search for the independent mind. Michaël Zeeman chairs the discussion. Dutch spoken.
In search of the independent mind - part 2
Visual artist Marlene Dumas, biologist Tijs Goldschmidt and composer Theo Loevendie discuss the (im)possibility of autonomous creation. Michaël Zeeman chairs the discussion. Dutch spoken.
In search of the independent mind - part 1
Breyten Breytenbach presents us his Manual for the Independent Mind, and discusses this opening essay with Herman Franke and Marja Brouwers. Michaël Zeeman chairs the discussion. Dutch spoken.
