Robin Block
(The Netherlands, 1980) is a poet and musician. His performances combine language, music and the bodily. Following his roots and family history, much of his work is related to the colonial past of the Netherlands and Indonesia, as well as the topics of belonging and displacement. His last poetry collection Handbook for the Displaced was awarded the Herman de Coninck prize and the J.C. Bloem poetry prize, and was translated into English and Indonesian. Several of his poems were screened in Manual for the Displaced, a poetry film project together with cinematographer Jeremy Flohr. Block also writes columns, teaches poetry and works as an editor for Dutch poetry magazine Awater.
Go to the website of Robin Block
Instagram: @robinblock
Past events
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.
Old Ties, New Connections: A trip via the Indonesian past to the present
With Robin Block, Ellen Deckwitz, Adriaan van Dis, Lara Nuberg and Maddy Stolk
Masculinity in Crisis
A panel discussion about masculinity, loneliness, emancipation and why men also benefit from feminism. With three experts, namely: men!
Whose House is This?
A literary relay with readings on the festival theme 'Whose House is This?'. The festival authors are blowing a strong wind through the homes of the family, society and literature!
Moving into Space
What if the Earth can no longer provide our home? A literary exploration of the future, here on our familiar planet and far beyond.
Ellen Deckwitz and Adriaan van Dis: Inheritance
A discussion about family, inheritance and whether or not it is possible to escape the transferral of history, and thereby your roots, and the good fortune or grief that goes along with them.
Letters from Overseas
Nine authors present a letter they wrote to someone in a (former) colony, as an ode to the enslaved Wilhelmina, who sent a never-delivered but recently opened letter to her former master in 1795.
Indonesia: History is an Always-Broken Promise
Writers from Indonesia and The Netherlands look at the history and the way former colonizers are viewed now - plus readings.
