During the Nationale Voorleesdagen 2025 (22 January - 1 February, National Read Aloud Days), Writers Unlimited International Literature Festival The Hague and Theater Dakota presented the read-aloud and music performance Hartje for toddlers and pre-schoolers. The authors of the children's book Hartje, Rosabelle Illes and Levi Silvanie, were attending; Levi performed musical contributions. Gian van Eiker read aloud. The performance was suitable for children aged 2 - 7 years. Dutch spoken.

(Note: originally, this was to be the read-aloud performance MUK; unfortunately, that could not take place due to illness.)

Hartje is a heart with a lot of passion and energy. But one day Hartje decides to be something other than just a heart. Hartje takes a tour around the body to see what it is like to be an eye, smell what it is like to be a nose, feel what it is like to be a hand or a foot, taste what it is like to be a mouth and hear what it is like to be an ear. During this adventure, Hartje learns a lot, but the wisest lesson Hartje gets when Hartje notices how important it is to be a small heart in a big world.

Hartje is based on the multilingual children's book Hartje (Hearty) by Rosabelle Illes (Aruba), Levi Silvanie (Curaçao) and illustrator Jowy Maasdamme. It is written in Papiamento, Papiamentu, English, Spanish and Dutch. The book is inspired by the hit song ‘Djis mi mes’ (‘Simply me’) by Levi Silvanie.

Rosabelle Illes is an artist, writer, and performer from Aruba. 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 psychol ogy 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.

Levi Silvanie is a Curaçaoan artist and creative entrepreneur: music-maker, writer, brand & business developer, and coach. After having to remodel his life and career due to a car accident, Levi turned to songwriting and storytelling as sources of self-development and motivation. “My work is inspired by the passion for helping individuals and brands identify and enhance their potential; music and storytelling are my tools.” The message of his hit song “Djis mi mes” (“Simply me,” 2010) forms the backbone of this book.

Jowy Maasdamme (1982) is a self-taught illustrator. She spent her early life surrounded by boxes of crayons, pencils and sketchbooks. After completing her Master of Laws she decided to trust her gut and draw. “I believe that it’s very important to be intuitive in order to develop your own perception of life and not be owned by the perception of the masses.” Since launching herself as a freelance artist, Maasdamme’s work has been exhibited internationally at acclaimed institutions including SHOWstudio (London) and The Mass (Tokyo).

From 23 to 26 January 2025, Writers Unlimited International Literature Festival The Hague was to be found in theatres, libraries and schools throughout the city: from Theater aan het Spui, Filmhuis Den Haag, Amare and Paard to Theater Dakota, Theater De Vaillant, the Laakkwartier, Nieuw Waldeck, Schilderswijk and Ypenburg libraries,.the ISS and De Haagse Hogeschool. With over 120 writers, poets and spoken-word artists and musicians from the Netherlands and abroad. With readings, prose, poetry, storytelling, spoken word, author interviews, topical talks, films and music.