Paul van der Gaag
(Netherlands, 1958) has produced and presented the VPRO radio programme OVT since 2002, a two-hour show about the historical roots of current events as well as newly released historical books, films, commemorations, and anything else related to history. The show features live interviews, reportage, columns and a weekly documentary during the last half hour. He was already linked to OVT since 1992 as a programmer and previously freelanced for other national Dutch broadcasters such as VARA and IKON.
Past events
Poems from the Berber Library
Poets recited works of the four greatest Rif poets on the occasion of the completion of the Berber Library.
Turning Van Dis into a Graphic Novel
Peter van Dongen turned Adriaan van Dis' Familieziek into a graphic novel; about an Indonesian family trying to land on their feet in the Netherlands of the 1950s.
Welcome in Holland
Rodaan Al Galidi roamed the world without a passport until he ended up in a Dutch refugee centre. Without the benefits of refugee status or an integration diploma, he built a career as a writer. His latest book, Hoe ik talent voor het leven kreeg (How I Found a Talent for Life), is presented to the public and to special guest Adriaan van Dis tonight.
Forgotten Slavery in the Dutch East Indies
When slavery comes up, the Dutch think of Suriname and the Antilles, and not about the more than 260 years of slave trade in the Dutch East Indies. Reggie Baay wrote about this in Daar werd wat gruwelijks verricht (Something Terrible Happened There).
Writers and film: Ian Buruma
Writer Ian Buruma discusses his selection of extracts from war films with Paul van der Gaag (VPRO's OVT). With among others extracts from Apocalypse Now and Throne of Blood. 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.
Burger King and Citizenship
The debate on the role of the citizen in democracy is in the spotlights. But is the ordinary citizen waiting for such a king's role? Why not have an election every so often? David Van Reybrouck, Bas Heijne and Willem Schinkel in search of the answer, talking to Paul van der Gaag. Nelleke Noordervliet opens with a column, diving into the history of Dutch democracy. In Dutch.
Extaze - debutants from The Hague
Cor Gout of the The Hague literary magazine Extaze selected six debutants, who read from their own work: Ronnie Krepel, Gertrude Kunze, Nina Roos, Murat Tuncel, Theo van der Wacht and Hugo Wapperom. Host: Paul van der Gaag. In Dutch.
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.
How Literature Changes the World
Paul van der Gaag talks to Lily Yulianti Farid (Indonesia) and Abeer Soliman (Egypt) on the question whether literature and art can change society and how high our hopes may be. In English.
Indonesia, country of outsiders
Who are the outsiders in present-day Indonesia? With Tash Aw and Andreas Harsono. Host: Paul van der Gaag. ENG
Jan Baeke's Fake film choice
How feature films and documentaries are used for political manipulation. The film choice of Jan Baeke, poet and programme maker with the Film Museum in Amsterdam. Interviewer: Paul van der Gaag. In Dutch.
Young + Urban + Writer
Young writers whose books are set in a multi-ethnic surroundings. Main characters with the same radical anti-attitude. With Ahmad al-Aidi, Hassan Bahara, Jonas Hassen Khemiri, Paul van der Gaag (host). In English.
Financial perkaras
Host Paul van der Gaag talks to historians Hans Meijer and Peter Keppy about their research into administrative decisions on arrears in civil servants' salaries, material war damage and rehabilitation. On the struggle of the Dutch government and the Indian Dutch with the financial heritage of the war in the Dutch East-Indies. Is the Dutch government in default?
Women on expedition
Karin Anema ventured into the Surinamese interior, Ineke Holtwijk made her acquaintance with a recently discovered indian tribe in the heart of Brazil. Bert Paasman, emeritus professor of Colonial Letters, looked for the driving force of earlier explorers. Presented by Paul van der Gaag. Dutch spoken.
The world goose board
Adriaan van Dis, Cynthia McLeod, Reggie Baay and Thomas Rosenboom play the World Goose Board, led by Paul van der Gaag. A risky journey round the world, full of stories. Dutch spoken.
Indonesia: from censorship to unprecedented freedom
Journalist/writer Goenawan Mohamad on his fight for the freedom of speech in Indonesia, and Dirk Vlasblom talks about his experiences as a newspaper correspondent with the Indonesian censor. Paul van der Gaag chairs the discussion. English spoken.
