Rosabelle Illes
(Aruba, 1987) is an artist, writer, and performer. She has authored three collections of poetry and short stories and co-authored the multilingual children’s book Hearty. Her work has been published in international journals, and she has performed at literary festivals worldwide, including Colombia, Taiwan, The Netherlands, and New York City. Rosabelle’s art often explores personal enigmas, with meditation revealing insights that manifest as poetry. She holds a PhD in Psychology from Leiden University and is an assistant professor at the University of Aruba. Her upcoming book, Penmanship (2025), blends her passions for psychology and poetry, celebrating the written word in its purest form. Featuring handwritten pieces, the book sparks a conversation about the scientifically proven benefits of handwriting and showcases how poetry can transcend traditional confines of the page to be heard, seen, and worn.
Past events
Het Zwarte Schaap: What Fuels Your Fire?
Featuring spoken word artists Lev Avitan, Rosabelle Illes and Kylie Lyandra, musically accompanied by Djuwa Mroivili. Host: Sophia Blyden.
Language sparks - inspiring duos with poetry, music, dance and images
Featuring: poet Benzokarim and singer-song poet Mirte Hartland, poet Rosabelle Illes and cellist Saartje Van Camp, poet ZaÏre Krieger and dancer Shaquille George.
Rosabelle Illes: On Visibly Invisible stories
A conversation with the Aruban poet about her cinematic inspiration, based on clips chosen by her and her video performances
Spot on Young Poets
High-school students from Edith Stein College and de Vrije School Den Haag recite their own poetry, the result of workshops and poetry lessons given at the schools by poet and guest teacher Diann van Faassen. Appearing with them is poet Obe Alkema, a nominee for the 2019 C. Buddingh' Prize, as well as young student-poet Mirle Wittekoek, winner of the 2019 Young Campert Award.
Poetry Unlimited: Surinam and Aruba
Conversations with two poets about their work and how roots influence it - plus readings.
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.
