Michiel van Kempen
(Oirschot, 1957) from 1983 to 1987 he worked in Surinam. Van Kempen is the compiler of two extensive anthologies: Spiegel van de Surinaamse poëzie (Mirror of the Surinamese Poetry) (1995) and Mama Sranan. 200 jaar Surinaamse verhaalkunst (Mama Sranan, 200 Years of Surinamese Storytelling) (1999). In 1997 his first novel, Plantage Lankmoedigheid (Plantation Patience) appeared. He also published: Het Nirwana is een lege trein (Nirvana is an Empty Train) (2000) and Pakistaanse nacht (Pakistani Night) (2002). In 2002 he obtained his doctorate with his thesis Een geschiedenis van de Surinaamse literatuur (A history of Surinamese literature). His anthology Noordoostpassanten (Northeast Transients), which he compiled together with Wim Rutgers, was presented at the Winternachten festival in 2005. In 2006 he published the novel Escape Routes.
Past events
Downright performers: Surinam and St Maarten
Committed, activist poetry by Changa Hickinson of St.-Maarten and the Surinamese poet Sombra. Presented by Michiel van Kempen. English spoken.
Two Houses
Margot Dijkgraaf talks to Egyptian Alaa Al Aswany, presents the Dutch translation of the much talked-about novel Omaret Yacoubian. Michiel van Kempen wrote Vluchtwegen (Ways of Fleeing), set in an apartment building in the Bijlmermeer. English spoken.
