Wim Brands
(Brummen, NL, 1959 - Amsterdam, 2016) was a poet, journalist, and media presenter. At a young age he debuted as a poet in the Dutch literary magazine Hollands Maandblad. Since then he has published books of poetry quite regularly, such as Neem me mee zei de hond (Take Me With You Said the Dog, 2010). After the publication of his first collection Inslag (Impact, 1985), he began working as an interviewer for the VPRO broadcasting company. Later he became head producer of the Radio 6 programme "De Avonden." Since 2005 he talked to writers on VPRO's book programme "Boeken" on both TV and radio. He put together Briefgeheimen (Postcard Secrets, 2007), a colourful compilation of postcards linked to a website where people can divulge their deepest secrets. Overkomst dringend gewenst (Return Voyage Urgently Requested), his anthology of the work of poet Jan Emmens, was published in 2012, and his most recent poetry collection, 's Middags zwem ik in de Noordzee (In the Afternoons I Swim in the North Sea) in 2014. Brands was one of the "Lonely Departure" poets who compose and present a final poetic tribute to people who pass away without friends or family.
Past events
The Text of my Life: Nina Polak
Writers present their favourite literary texts and explain why a particular poem, novel excerpt, or song lyric influenced their life and work. Now it's Nina Polak's turn.
The Text of my Life: Roos Pollmann
Which texts from world literature has this Dutch writer and actress cherished as long as she lives? In Dutch.
The Text of my Life: Alfred Schaffer
Which texts from world literature has Dutch poet Alfred Schaffer cherished as long as he lives? He discusses the text with the audience. Moderated by Wim Brands and Simone van Saarloos. In Dutch.
The Text of my Life: Linda Christanty
The Indonesian writer discusses her choice from World Literature with the audience. In English.
The Text of my Life: Andrés Neuman
Which texts from world literature has the Argentine writer cherished as long as he lives? In English.
The Text of my Life: Elisabeth van Nimwegen
The writer discusses the text of her choice with the audience, moderated by Wim Brands and Simone van Saarloos. In Dutch.
The Text of my Life: Noreena Hertz
The economist discusses her choice with the audience. In English.
The Text of my Life: Arie Boomsma
Discuss his choice of a text from world literature. Presented by Wim Brands and Simone van Saarloos. In Dutch.
The Text of my Life: Nihad Sirees
Which texts from world literature has Syrian writer Nihad Sirees cherished as long as he lives? This can be a poem, an excerpt from a novel or a song-text. He discusses the text with the audience. Moderated by Wim Brands and Simone van Saarloos. In English.
Wim Brands: The text of my life
For one night Manon Uphoff and Aleid Truijens ask their guests which literary text has been most important in their lives. First guest: Television presenter Wim Brands and an Ezra Pound poem. In Dutch.
Lying the Truth
In his books the world famous Ryszard Kapuscinski (1932-2007) reported historical events, with a great deal of attention to human detail. One of his pupils, Artur Domosławski, wrote his biography. Wim Brands hosts a conversation with Artur Domoslawski, Joris van Casteren and Frank Westerman. Are writers allowed to lie the truth? In English.
Lust and Colour
What about sexual relationships between white persons and persons of color in post-apartheid South Africa? Do women in Brazil, which swelters with eroticism, move as freely as it seems? Dutch men, fantasizing about women of color - and the other way round. Kopano Matlwa, Edney Silvestre and Robert Vuijsje talk about the clichés surrounding sex in multicultural societies. Host: Wim Brands. In English.
Decisive rules
Literature which comforts, confuses, points the way or disorders: lines which for ever changed the lives of Jonathan Safran Foer, Tash Aw, Ramsey Nasr, Joke van Leeuwen and Petina Gappah. In English
Big Brother visiting
Disorder beyond the doorstep. With Antjie Krog and Christine Otten. Host Wim Brands.
Rules or Confusion?
Wim Brands talks to bestselling writer Jonathan Safran Foer on chaos and rules. In English
Wintercafé 3 Tip Marugg
A ‘pre-read’ at Winternachten round writer Tip Marugg (1923-2006). With Aart Broek, Petra Possel and Carel de Haseth. In Dutch.
Wintercafé 1: Arthur Japin
A brand new story by born storyteller Arthur Japin, on dream and reality. In cooperation with DeBuren from Brussels. The Wintercafé is hosted on Saturday night by Neske Beks and Wim Brands. In Dutch.
Wintercafé 4 The folds of language
Selim Temo (Kurdish), Kamran Nazirli (Azerbaijani) and Gündüz Vassaf (Turkey) read and talk about their daily struggle not to have their language kidnapped by politics or taboo. Turkish/Dutch/English.
Wintercafé 2: Pupils & Hélène Gelèns on revelations
Hélène Gelèns and pupils of local secondary schools read their own work on ‘revelations’. In Dutch.
