(Paramaribo, 1950). De Noré works as a teacher in Surinam. Her first work was the novel De bruine zeemeermin (The Brown Mermaid, 2000). She was awarded a prize for the unpublished manuscript of this work in a contest held by the Dutch Embassy in Venezuela, for all of the Caribbean. The jury, presided by Frank Martinus Arion, was unanimous. In The Netherlands she was nominated for the Zami Award 2000, and her novel was being reprinted within a year..
Source: de Knipscheer 2001

(South Africa, 1952) is a poet, writer, academic and a cherished reciter. Her book Country of My Skull (2000, adapted for film in 2004) is a personal account of the proceedings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. She published her autobiographical memoirs as A Change of Tongue (2003). Krog has won many prizes, including the Hertzog prize in South Africa and the 2018 Gouden Ganzenveer in the Netherlands. An anthology of her poetry was published in Dutch in 2010, titled Hoe zeg je dat (How Do You Say That), and Begging to be Black, the sequel to Country of My Skull and A Change of Tongue.

(West Java, Indonesia, 1968) is a leading voice among the new generation of Indonesian artists and writers emerging after the fall of Suharto. Utami was born in Bogor and grew up in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta. She studied Russian language and literature. During her college years she had already begun publishing reports and essays in various newspapers. She has been a journalist for various Indonesian magazines, including Humor, Matra, Forum Keadilan, and D&R. Shortly after Suharto banned three magazines in 1994, Ayu joined Aliansi Jurnalis Independen (Independent Journalist Alliance) in protesting the ban. She continued her journalistic work underground, which included the anonymous publication of a black book on corruption in the Suharto regime. Utami's first novel, Saman, appeared in 1998, only a few weeks before the fall of Suharto, helping to signal the changing cultural and political landscape in Indonesia. The novel caused a sensation, and controversy, among Indonesian artists and intellectuals. It was acclaimed by many reviews and was considered as a new milestone in Indonesian literature. Saman has sold over 100,000 copies and been reprinted 34 times. The sequel to Saman, Larung was published in 2001. Her new play and book protesting anti-pornography legislation, Pengadilan Susila (Susila's Trial) appeared in 2008. Ayu Utami currently works for Radio 68H, an independent news radio station that is broadcast all over the country as well as a writer for the cultural journal Kalam and in Teater Utan Kayu/Teater Salihara in Jakarta.

(Paramaribo, 1961) moved to The Netherlands when he was 17. He studied at medical school and worked for several years at the AMC Hospital in Amsterdam . After that, he studied to be a beautician in Amsterdam and left to live in Vienna for six years. He built a successful career as a make-up artist in several countries and his creations can be seen in magazines such as Elle, Marie-Claire and Elegance. In 1999 he made his debut with the historical novel De koningin van Paramaribo (The queen of Paramaribo) and participated for the first time in the Winternachten festival. In 2001 a musical was made of this succesful book.Clark Accord writes columns for amongst others Man and News Magazine. His second novel Tussen Apoera & Oreala (Between Apoera & Oreala) was published in January 2005.
WN 2005

(Suriname, 1936) made her writer's debut with Hoe duur was de suiker? (How Costly Was the Sugar?, 1987), the novel that made her the most famous Surinamese writer overnight and was adapted for film in 2013. She was the first to describe the history, the slaving past and the colonization of her country from a Surinamese perspective. As an expert in the field, she lectures about the history of slavery at US and Canadian universities and organizes educational field and city trips. She has written historic novels, including De Vrije Negerin Elisabeth, gevangene van kleur (The Free Negress Elizabeth, Prisoner of Colour, 1992), as well as studies, children's books and children's musicals. Her No kwik in het bos (No Mercury in the Forest, 2017) is a YA novel about a ten-year-old girl and the dangers of mercury in the gold-mining process. McLeod is a daughter of Johan Ferrier, the first president of Suriname.

Has been known as a poet since the 'Ternu Penyair 10 Kota' (Meeting of Poets from 10 Cities) in Jakarta in 1982. In that year his first collection of poetry, Bulan Tertusuk Lalang, was also published. This collection inspired Garin Nugroho's film, a prominent lndonesian director. One of the poems from that collection also contributed to another of Garin Nugroho's films, Cinta dalam Sepotong Roti. In 1987 a collection of bis poetry, Nenek Moyangku Airmata was awarded a prize by Yayasan Buku Utama. In 1990 two of bis books of poetry - Celurit Emas and Nenek Moyangku Airmata were chosen as 'best books' by the Centre for Language Development. in 1994, his collection of poetry, Belayar di Pamor Badik was publisbed. He currently lives in Batang-batang in Madura.
Source: Teater Utan Kayu 2001

(Suriname, 1956), a Dutch jazz singer and voice teacher of Surinemese origin, has performed around the world for Nelson Mandela and Bill Clinton, among others. From 2013 to 2016 she toured the Netherlands with Ella!, a production that will be staged again in 2017, the centenary of Ella Fitzgerald's birth. Jannah won two Edisons and appeared seven times at the North Sea Jazz Festival. She was the first Dutch performer to land a record contract with the prestigious jazz label Blue Note. Jannah has performed with musicians such as Chick Corea, Frank Boeijen, the Rosenberg Trio and Willem Breuker. For this festival in 2002, she set poems to music from the Netherlands, Suriname, the Antilles, South Africa and Indonesia. She took the same program to literary festivals in Utrecht, Suriname, the Antilles, South Africa and Indonesia. In 2015 she toured Russia and appeared in Dutch theatres in a musical production about the battle for emancipation of two women in Suriname.

was dramaturg/artistic director of Toneelgroep Centrum. Translated many plays and wrote libretti for opera and ballet. For the Royal Concertgebouw Orquestra he translated and performed in Stravinsky/Ramuz' The Solder's Tale. Together with Paul Vermeulen Windsant he translated and adapted for the stage Lewis Carolls Alice in Wonderland. Als a violoncellist and announcer het performed with the Resistentie Orkest during fifteen years. Hij now works as theatre-maker in De Balie in Amsterdam, and as a mobile dramaturg in The Netherlands.

(Magelang, Central Java, 1963). Graduated from the Faculty of lndonesian Language and Literature of the Sanata Dharma university in Yogyakarta. She writes poetry, short stories, essays, notes on performances and art criticism. She has participated in the meeting of ASEAN literature in the Philippines (1990), the Festival Indië/Indonesië in The Hague, Holland(1995) and was a writer in residence in Australia (2000). She has publisbed a number of collections of poetry, including : Nyanyian Gaduh (1987), Matahari yang Mengalir (1990), Kepompong Sunyi (1993), Nikah Ilalang (1995), Blencong (1995), Karikatur dan Sepotong Cinta (1996), Mimpi Gugur Daun Zaitun (1999), Perempuan yang Menunggu (2000) Kill the Radio, Sebuah Radio Kumatikan (2001).

(Nijmegen, 1957). De vogelspin (The bird spider) is his first novel. In April 2000 the thriller Dossier Jeugdbende (File: Juvenile Gangs) was published, the first part of a series District Noord. Part two, Dossier Gifmoord (File: Poison Murder) was published a year later. He studied Dutch language and literature, Philosophy and Comparative Literature and works as a freelance literary journalist, writer and translator (Amin Maalouf, John Updike, among authors). He worked for Boekblad and writes for Ook dat nog (KRO Dutch television). Under the pseudonym Steven Klamm he writes horror stories for children.

(Morocco, 1958) in 2013 won  the Prix Goncourt de la Nouvelle for his collection of short stories The Curious Case of Dassoukine's Trousers. Since his debut in 1996 humor has been his weapon against intolerance, both in his novels and in his other work. In his fiction, such as the collection of short stories Poldermarokkanen (2010), the novels Une année chez les Français (2011) and La femme la plus riche de Yorkshire (2011), Laroui describes time and again the collision between North African culture and Western culture. Laroui grew up in Casablanca and studied econometry, mathematics, physics and architecture in Paris. He lectures French literature and Arab culture at the University of Amsterdam.

(Curaçao, 1936) studied Dutch Language and Literature at Leyden University. He lectured at Amsterdam University and from 1975 to 1981 taught at a teacher training college in Surinam. After that he returned to Curaçao to be appointed head of the Instituto Lingkwistiko Antiano. He founded a Papiamento secondary school based on humanistic principles: the Kolegio Erasmo. He writes stories, essays, poetry and novels. His successful debut novel Dubbelspel (Double Play, 1973) is presently being adapted for the screen. Following Dubbelspel the novels Nobele wilden (Noble savages, 1979) and De laatste vrijheid (The last freedom 1995) appeared, which won him the Cola Debrot Prize in 2001. In November 2001 the collection of stories De eeuwige hond (The eternal dog) appeared. His latest novel De deserteurs (The deserters) was published in 2006.

(Amsterdam, 1972) was already known as a poet-performer before a syllable letter of hers had been published. In 1997 she became well-known nationally through her performances at big literary festivals. Her debut Genoeg gedicht over de liefde vandaag (Done enough love poetry for today) followed only two years later and was nominated instantly for the NPS-Cultuurprijs. Her second collection of poems, Koffers Zeelucht (Trunks full of sea air; 2003) was awarded twice. By the end of 2008 Loper van Licht (Light walker) appeared. Peeters aspires to give poetry a bigger role in society. Early 2009 she participated in the election of Dutch Poet Laureate. Her new collection of poems Wasdom (Growth) was published in 2011. In 2016 her first novel was published, 'Malva'. It tells the story of the daughter of poet and Nobel Prize winner Pablo Neruda.

(1950) occupies the chair in Malaysian and Indonesian Language and Literature at Leiden University. He translated work of Pramoedya Ananta Toer: Jejak langkah (Footsteps, 1986) and Rumah kaca (The Glass House, 1988) and other Indonesian authors. He often writes about modern Indonesian literature.

(Sukabumi, West Java, 1962). After completing studies in Sanata Dharma, Yogyakarta, in 1987, he worked as a lecturer in the same college while working also for the cultural magazine Basis. Since 1999 he has been an editor for the manuscript bureau of the publishing house Gramedia. He is also a volunteer for several independent organizations that work for art and education (Yayasan Dinamika Edukasi Dasar, Senthong Seni Bangun Jiwa, Kedai Kebun). His recent book is Celana (1999). His manuscript of anthology, Di Bawah Kibaran Sarung won one of the prizes for best 1998-2000 poetry from the Jakarta Arts Council. In 1997 one of his essays won a prize from the litarary magazine Horison.
Source: Teater Utan Kayu 2001

(1963-2015) was the author of novels such as Gimmick!, Vals licht (*Fake Light), De Buitenvrouw (± The other woman) and Chaos en Rumoer (Chaos and Noise). With Marcel Möring, Connie Palmen, Ronald Giphart and Arnon Grunberg, he was among the best read authors of his generation. Joost Zwagerman wrote for Vrij Nederland’s ‘Republic of Letters’ and was a columnist for de Volkskrant.

(Belgium, 1955) writes widely on wide-ranging topics, from poetry about her late husband Herman de Coninck in Taal zonder mij (Language without Me, 1998) to the struggle of an anorexia patient in her book Ann (2008). The human condition is always central to her extensive oeuvre. Her work also pays a noticeable amount of attention to the female sexual experience. In her novel De waar gebeurde geschiedenis van Victor en Clara Rooze (The True History of Victor and Clara Rooze), Hemmerechts plays with fact and fiction: a writer with writer's block tackles a story of incest to give free reign to her thoughts about writing and literature. Haar Bloed (Her Blood) appeared in 2012, for which she spent time in a hematology ward. In 2014 she caused an uproar with De vrouw die de honden eten gaf (The Woman Who Fed the Dogs), a novel inspired by the Dutroux case. Her latest novel Alles verandert (Everything Changes) closely follows the plot of J.M. Coetzee's In Ongenade (Disgrace), but with a female protagonist. How much does the gender of literary characters determine our view of their actions?

(The Netherlands, 1962) is a Dutch writer, screenwriter and visual artist. She made her debut in 1995 with the collection of short stories Begeerte (Desire), which was nominated for the AKO Literature Prize, the Anton Wachter Prize and the ECI Prize. The title story was awarded the Rabobank Spring Prize for Literature. Her first novel Gemis (1997) was nominated for the Libris Literature Prize. Her most recent book, Vallen is als vliegen (Falling is Like Flying, 2019), was shortlisted for both the 2019 Bookspot Literature Prize and the 2020 Libris Literature Prize. The novel was named the best Dutch-language novel of 2019 by NRC Handelsblad and Humo. Uphoff was editor of the literary magazine De Revisor and board member and president of PEN Netherlands. As a screenwriter, she wrote the feature film screenplay Een Groot Geweld (Topkapi Films).

(Marken, 1958-2009) was a poet, a writer and a commentator, with a regular column on the Forum page and the book pages of the Volkskrant. Zeeman was the editor of the arts section of the Volkskrant and from 2006-2007 its Rome correspondent. In 2006 he and the writer Abdelkader Benali published an exchange of letters, exchanging ideas on politics, life, love and literature. In 2002 Zeeman received the Gouden Ganzenveer (Golden Goose Quill) for his merits for Dutch literature. Zeeman became well-known in the 1990s as the host of his monthly book programme 'Late at night after a short walk', later to be renamed 'Zeeman with books'. In 1991 he published his first volume of poetry, Beeldenstorm (Iconoclasm), winning him the C. Buddingh Prize. His second volume Verhoudingen (Relationships) appeared in 1995. In the same year he published short stories entitled De Verduistering (The Darkening). He died in 2009.

(Morocco, 1974) her motto is: ‘Taboos are there to be broken', and she managed just that with her latest novel Het Gelukssyndroom (The Happiness Syndrome; 2008). In this story the Moroccan Layla gives in to sombre feelings until she realizes that her dying friend, the blonde Marit, needs her. The novel is based on El Bezaz’s own experience. The writer suffered from a depression - often taboo in the Muslim community - after the death of a friend and threats as a result of her novel De Verstotene (The Outcast). This novel was dubbed by her publisher ‘the Lady Chatterley's Lover of the Muslim community', owing to the fierce social criticism and explicit sex. El Bezaz's books are highly popular at secondary schools. Her novel Minnares van de Duivel (The Devil's Lover) was a downright best-seller in 2002 after she had read an erotic passage in a satirical tv programme.

(Guyana 1959). Her father is from Guyana, her mother is English. She lived and worked in Jamaica and French Guyana for some time. She now lives in London. In 1997, she was awarded the prestigious Whitbread First Novel Award for The Ventriloquist’s tale. A year later she was nominated for the Orange Prize, the literary prize for the best women’s novel. She also wrote two collections of short stories: Shape-Shifter (1991) and Migration of Ghosts (1998).
WN 2001

South African guitarist Phola Mamba is the driving force behind a series of initiatives to play South African jazz with colleagues in The Netherlands. In his band Lebombo Basa he joins forces with guitarist Wiebe Wilbers, bass player Johnny Tevreden and percussionist Serigna Guye.
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(Dordrecht, NL 1965) is a novelist and columnist. His debut Ik ook van jou (Me You Too, 1992), was awarded the Gouden Ezelsoor and adapted for the screen. His second novel Giph (1993) was a big success too. In 2004 he was recipient of the Utrecht C.C.S. Crone Award for his entire oeuvre. Giphart studied Dutch and worked as a hospital nightporter before starting to write. His novels Phileine zegt sorry (Phileine Says Sorry, 1996) and Ik omhels je met duizend armen (I Embrace you with a Thousand Arms, 2000) were adapted for the screen as well. In 2003 he wrote the Dutch book week gift, the novella Gala. In November 2012 De wake (Vigil) appeared, three interwoven tales. Giphart toured the theatres with Dutch writers Bart Chabot and Martin Bril (2005-2006) and Nico Dijkshoorn (2012). He wrote for the Dutch Railways magazine Rails for years, a magazine whose editor-in-chief he was briefly. He writes columns for the Dutch newspaper Volkskrant and the children's science magazine KijK.

Everyone knows the Happy Hooker, the New York madam, after which Xaviera Hollander’s bestseller from 1971 is named. It is a groundbreaking work, not in the least because Hollander continued to break taboos and advocate freedom of press and speech. The Happy Hooker has, in her own words ‘grown up’ and her latest book Child no More is an autobiographical work. She is also active in the theatre, at the prestigious Edinburgh festival as well as in her home in Amsterdam.
WN 2001

performs new compositions written for the chromatic gamelan, combined with western instruments. The set of instruments was purchased through the initiative of ensemble leader Sinta Wullur. The Ensemble Multifoon consists of professional musicians with gamelan experience, and musicians/leaders from Dutch gamelan groups Widosari and Tirta. They performed on several stages in The Netherlands and abroad, in concerts with traditional Javan/Balinese gamelan and concerts with contemporary gamelan music.
WN 2001

(Curaçao, 1960) is a writer, poet, playwright, actor and teacher. He made his debut in the 90s, and published, among others, books with poems and stories entitled Rueda di fe and Djis kant’i bo. After that he wrote various children’s books and gave presentations at book and theatre festivals in many different countries. He has succesfully presented his monologue Ninga bon on numerous occasions. Another one-man show by Colastica is Fo’i bo kuenta, a tragicomic mixture of stories, poems, sketches, music and songs. He has also participated in international literature festivals, like Een zee van verlangen (2001), Winternachten and Krusa Laman at The Hague, Curaçao, Aruba and Bonaire. In 2006 he received the highest cultural award in Curaçao, namely the Premio Cola Debrot for his work in the field of dramaturgy and theatre. He wrote Vuurwerk in mijn hoofd (Fireworks in my Head), a youth novel in Dutch. He is currently — thanks to the support of the Dutch Foundation for Literature — a writer-in-residence in Amsterdam, where he is working on a novel for adults.

(Haarlem, NL, 1961) is a columnist, presenter, essayist and writer. In 2015 he came out of the closet for the second time: he publicly acknowledged that he believes in god, even if this is "not done" in intellectual circles. Since mid-2016 he has been a regular columnist with the Volkskrant newspaper. In his 2007 book Zon, zee en oorlog (Sun, Sea and War) he describes experiences in places like Capetown, where he discovered that his biological father was South African. Sanders, who was adopted by Dutch foster parents, studied philosophy and political science and has written for various dailies and weeklies since 1982. He has published story and essay collections, novels, journalistic pieces, and the 2013 book Iets meer dan een seizoen (A Little More than One Season).

(Helmond 1935) is a lawyer, as well as political scientist. He has worked in The Netherlands and Indonesia, as a planner. He was a member of parliament for the PvdA, the Dutch social democratic party, during the Den Uyl years. In 1987 he published the collection of stories Taboe op Bali (Taboo on Bali). He got his doctoral degree with the biography Beel. Van vazal tot onderkoning (Beel. From vassal to viceroy, 1985). In 1997, Speer. Hitler’s Faust was published, in which he describes he crucial period in the life of Albert Speer. He wrote the first biography of Sukarno, consisting of two parts: 1 Soekarno. Nederlands onderdaan. Een biografie 1901-1950 (Sukarno. Dutch Citizen. A biography 1901-1950 appeared in 1999 en 2 Soekarno. President. Een biografie 1950-1970 in 2001. The publication of the first part in Indonesia took place in Jakarta, August 2001. The second part is being translated.
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(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.

was founded in 1994, and contains 18 musicians of Surinam descent. They play Kaskawi, a mixture of Kawina (Surinam vocal music) and Kaseko (dance music with western instruments). Ondrofeni counts as an example of the youngest generation Surinam musicians in The Netherlands.
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is not a pianist who plays Latin or Cuban jazz, but a Cuban jazz pianist. His work is strictly contemporary, and although of course, he doesn’t hide his Cuban roots, they never form the basis of his pieces. Since 1998, Valle lives in Europe, where he is very enthusiastically received after several tours. ‘Valle is pure energy, an all encompassing whirlwind... Valle is risk, challenges the audiences with a boundless creativity, in short: Valle is jazz... Valle shows that he manages to form a niche for his own form.’ In his trio Roman Valle plays with Cubans Omar Rodriguez Calvo on bass, and the talented young drummer Liber Torrientes Mirabal.
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is a large, authentic Cuban barrel organ, which Cuban ‘players’ Eugenio and Coco took on a street tour through the Benelux. The musicians returned, but left the organ behind for the collection of Leon van Leeuwen, a member of the famous Perlee family of barrel organ makers. The instrument doesn’t play "Tulips from Amsterdam", but swinging mambos and rumbas – from the original Cuban punch cards. Cuba is the only non western country with a rich tradition of barrel organs. The instruments were exported by French colonists from Haiti to Cuba. After some time, the Cubans began producing their own instruments. Several dance halls own barrel organs. The barrel organ operator indicates tone and speed, amongst a group of percussionists who accompany the instrument. Players are: Jaap de Kwaasteniet - campana, bongos; Jos Oey - congas, Pieter Boode - timbalitos; Leon van Leeuwen - operator.

literally means burdock, or burr. Their cheerful blend of salsa, meringue, zouk, son-montuno, reggae (bubbling), tumba, soca and bachata is contagious. The band has been called ‘Caribbean band of the year’ more than once, and they won the audience award during Rotterdam’s Summer Carnival. Orquesta Pegasaya consists of thirteen musicians: three horns, three percussionists, four singers, two keyboard players and a bass player
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(The Netherlands, 1945) turned to writing after a stint as professional footballer. Together with Remco Campert he wrote CaMu, their virtuostic front-page column for the Volkskrant newspaper, every other day for ten years. Mulder became an influential TV personality, including on Dutch talk shows. He has written books, including in collaboration with Remco Campert, since the 1970s. A collection of his prose (stories and columns) appeared as De vrouw als karretje (Woman as Cart, 2001). His more recent books include the novels Iris (2003) and Liefde en aardbevingen (Love and Earthquakes, 2018); Chez Stans (2010), memoirs of his time in football; the Boekenweek gift book Labradoedel (Labradoodle, 2010); and Tot u spreekt Jan Mulder (Jan Mulder Speaks to You, 2014), reflections on football and himself.

(British Guyana, 1953) left for Surinam at an early age. In 1974 he moved to The Netherlands to study English and Comparative Literature at the Free University in Amsterdam. He works as a teacher, teaching Dutch as a second language. He writes his poems in Sarnami (Surinam-Hindustan language), but he writes his prose in Dutch. He has been published in various magazines and anthologies. In the spring of 2003 his bilingual poetry collection Kahán hai u (Where is she) appeared, published by Maya in Rotterdam.
WIN2004

(Nieuw-Nickerie, 1933) is a Dutch diplomat, literary critic and poet of Surinamese descent. Leefmans went to the Netherlands in 1948 and studied law in Leiden. He worked as a diplomat in Dutch service, posted in Madrid, Brussels, Abidjan, Santiago de Chile, Oslo, Quito and Port of Spain. Leefmans was cofounder and editor of the Surinamese magazine Mamjo (1962), published in Leiden, in which he wrote penetratingly on Surinamese literature. Under the penname Achilles he wrote for the Surinamese daily De Tijd and for the Ware Tijd he wrote literary essays under the penname Telemachus. He published two volumes of poetry under the pseudonym Jo Löffel: Intro (1981) and Terugblikken zonder blozen (1984) (Looking Back without Blushing). Using his own name he published Retro in 2001. Leefmans poetry is non-nationbound and playfully student-like, ironical and humoristic. Sporadically Leefmans published prose, e.g. the story Etsen (Etchings) in the anthology Mama Sranang (1999). Leefmans devotes himself for among other things the Surinamese Musical Collective which intends to publish classical music by Surinamese composers, and the Surinamese Forum, which aims at discussing Surinamese/Dutch relations.

(Oirschot, 1957) from 1983 to 1987 he worked in Surinam. Van Kempen is the compiler of two extensive anthologies: Spiegel van de Surinaamse poëzie (Mirror of the Surinamese Poetry) (1995) and Mama Sranan. 200 jaar Surinaamse verhaalkunst (Mama Sranan, 200 Years of Surinamese Storytelling) (1999). In 1997 his first novel, Plantage Lankmoedigheid (Plantation Patience) appeared. He also published: Het Nirwana is een lege trein (Nirvana is an Empty Train) (2000) and Pakistaanse nacht (Pakistani Night) (2002). In 2002 he obtained his doctorate with his thesis Een geschiedenis van de Surinaamse literatuur (A history of Surinamese literature). His anthology Noordoostpassanten (Northeast Transients), which he compiled together with Wim Rutgers, was presented at the Winternachten festival in 2005. In 2006 he published the novel Escape Routes.

(Amsterdam 1938) is a journalist who worked for the Dutch broadcasting corporation NOS from 1976 until 1995. He ended his career as the head of NOS Television. He was responsible for the contact with the Royal Family; he produced interviews with several of its members, and interviewed Willem Alexander after his graduation. Form 1964 until 1976 he worked at the KRO as an editor, and later editor in chief. With Aad van den Heuvel he interviewed President Sukarno in February 1967. They had sneaked into the presidential palace and interviewed Sukarno unofficially. This was the last interview with Sukarno as president. It was put on the air on 19 February 1967 in the show Brandpunt and entered television-history under the title ‘Ik heb je dóór!’ (I see what you’re after). Van Westerloo was chairman of the group Sports and Communication NOC*NSF and is currently the head of MediAffairs.

(Winterswijk, 1944) was the first Poet Laureate of the Netherlands. He is considered one of the best columnists in the country, a novelist, renowned translator, and an enhtusiastic reviewer of poetry. Komrij is a cat in a Strange Warehouse, as he called a book of collected essays that came out in 2001. The world is never a trusted or obvious place, but if you look good, there's always something surprising around. 'I don't think I'm a no-nonsense guy. There's too much noise inside of me'. Komrij, who has lived in Portugal since 1984, is one of the most productive Dutch writers. Since 1968 he has published several works annually. Recently Komrij's choice of the one-hundred best Dutch poems (2008) appeared, in addition to an anthology of Dutch children's poetry in over 1000 poems (2007) and Kakafonie (2006), an 'encyclopaedia of shit'. In 2005 he published Eendagsvliegen (Ephemera, literary diary entries) and a volume of poetry Fata Morgana.

(Delfzijl, NL, 1958) studied at the Akademie voor Expressie in Utrecht. With illustrator Geerten ten Bosch she created the children's book De dame en de neushoorn (The Lady and the Rhino, 1989), followed by her second children's book Verse Bekken! (Fresh Snouts) and poetic debut Het veerde (Something Bounced). She has also written prose, such as Ongekuiste versies (Unclear Versions) and Harrie's hoofdingang (Harrie's Main Entrance), and plays such as Struisvogels op de Coolsingel (Ostriches on the Coolsingel, 2005). She received the Anna Blaman Prize for her oeuvre. Vegter also published poetry: Aandelen en obligaties (Shares and Bonds, 2002) and Spamfighter (2007). From 2013 to 2017 she was the Dutch Poet Laureate; the work she created during that time is collected in Wat helpt is een wonder (What Helps is a Miracle, 2017). In spring of the same year, she published the joint poetry collection Ik hier jij daar (Me Here You There) with the Palestinian-Syrian poet Ghayath Almadhoun.

(Hulshorst, NL, 1951) received the Anne Vondeling Award for political journalism in 2008, owing to her sharp analyses of social problems. She is a journalist in the widest sense of the word. Besides being an editor and columnist with the NRC Handelsblad newspaper, she makes frequent appearances on radio and TV. In 2007 she debuted as a novelist with Maak jezelf maar klaar (Go Get Yourself Off), in which one of the characters from Harry Mulisch's The Discovery of Heaven figures as a main character. Etty obtained her Ph.D. with distinction from Utrecht University with a biography of Henriëtte Roland Holst, Liefde is heel het leven niet (Love Is Not All of Life, 1996). Her newspaper columns appeared in four different books. Her reviews were compiled in Dames gaan voor - Van Hella Haasse to Connie Palmen (Ladies First: From Hella Haasse to Connie Palmen, 1999). Etty is a special lecturer in Literary Criticism at the Free University in Amsterdam, and is now at work on a biography of the late Dutch poet and songwriter Willem Wilmink.

(Amsterdam, 1950) has long been affiliated with the NIW (New Israel Weekly), among other things as a correspondent in Israel. From 1986 on she worked for Momenta Publishing in London. After her return in 1989 she studied Semitic languages, but aborted these studies in order to work as editor in chief for NIW, which she was until 1999. She now writes for Trouw, Haarlems dagblad and Leidsch Dagblad. She was a commentator for the television show Middageditie. Her essays have been published by Contact under de titel Een schaap gevangen - over religie, liefde en creativiteit. (To catch a sheep. On religion, love and creativity).
WN 2001

(Paramabibo, 1942). After his school years in Paramaribo, he studied medicine at Utrecht University. His doctor’s exam was in Rotterdam, where he specialized as a surgeon. In 1974 he returned to Surinam and worked as a surgeon in Nickerie, later in Paramaribo. He studies Jewish genealogy as a hobby – his findings go back to the thirteenth an fourteenth century. In 2001 Ter dood veroordeeld, Liefde en Dood in de Surinaams-joodse Geschiedenis (Sentenced to death. Love and Death in Surinam-Jewish History). In the spring of 2002 Geloof, Hoop en Liefde, vestiging van de joden in de Surinaamse Jungle (Faith, Hope and Love. Jewish settlements in the Surinam jungle) is to appear. In the autumn of 2002 his third book will be published, the reference book Historische schetsen uit het Surinaamse jodendom (Historical sketches of the Surinam Jews).
WN 2001

(1947-2005) was a painter and writer. He lived in South Africa since he was nine and after his studies in the arts remigrated to Europe. In 2001 Henk van Woerden made an international breakthrough. In that year he received for his book Een mond vol glas (A mouthful of glass) (1998) the prestigious Sunday Times Fiction/ Alan Paton Award, the award for the best book in South Africa. Een mond vol glas, a chronicle about Tsafendas, the murderder of prime minister Verwoerd, is the last section of a triptych about South Africa. His prose debut Moenie kyk nie (Don't look) (1993), which was crowned with the Geertjan Lubberhuizen award, was the first section. The second section was the novel Tikoes (1996). By the end of 2002 Notities van een luchtfietser (Notes from an air cyclist) appeared, in which van Woerden writes about both his imaginary and his real travels. In February 2003 Henk van Woerden received the Frank Kellendonk award. In October 2005 his last novel was published, Ultramarijn. It was awarded the Flemish literary prize the Gouden Uil in 2006.

(The Netherlands, 1955) is always exploring the boundaries between fact and fiction. She shot to fame with her first novel De wetten (The Laws, 1991). Her two subsequent novels, De vriendschap (Friendship, 1995) and I.M. (1998), also became bestsellers. She went on to publish Geheel de uwe (Sincerely Yours, 2004), Lucifer (2007) and Logboek van een onbarmhartig jaar (Logbook of a Merciless Year, 2011). Palmen has written several collections of essays, such as Een kleine filosofie van de moord (A Brief Philosophy of Murder, 2004), Het geluk van de eenzaamheid (The Joy of Loneliness, 2009) and Het drama van de afhankelijkheid (The Drama of Dependence, 2017). Many of her novels are based on events in her own life; her essays are exceptionally narrative. In 2023, she published Voornamelijk vrouwen (Mainly Women), personal essays about eleven women and one man who shape their lives in idiosyncratic ways. Palmen engages with them, challenges them, and discovers differences and similarities with her own life. Her multi-award-winning work is also internationally successful and has been translated into twenty languages.

(Beverwijk, NL 1966) made his debut in 1997 with the collection of poems 's Zomers stinken alle steden (In the Summer all Cities Smell). The tone which this 'dandy of disillusion' set in his debut was worked out in his later work. Poems going back to historical heroes and literary giants, in contrast to everyday banalities like department stores and hamburger joints. In the poems the influence of music on the work of this former punk rocker becomes visible: metric structure, strong rhythm and ample rhyme. His debut was followed by Zwart als kaviaar: (Black like Caviar), recipient of the Jan Campert Award, and Dit is mijn dag (This is My Day) and De wereld bij avond, (The world at Night). In 2009 he published a selection of his poetry in De droefenis van copyrettes (The Sadness of Copy Marts). In 2010 his book of essays appeared: Red ons van de dichters (Deliver Us from the Poets). In January 2012, the month in which Wigman became Amsterdam's 'city poet' Mijn naam is Legioen, (My Name Is Legion) appeared, which was nominated for the prestigious VSB Poetry Award.

(Surinam, 1956) is a poet and prose writer. He also publishes under the name Mas Janor. He writes in Surinam-Javan, sometimes accompanied by a Dutch translation. Two poetry collections have been published (one of them Kreteg (A Bridge, 1990) and a collection of stories Wesisan (At once, 1995) published he published privately. He also writes for several magazines. Soegiman Kromopawiro lives in Hoogezand.
WN 2001

began his career as a singer songwriter, performing at folk clubs and university campuses across South Africa in the early 80's, singing satirical songs. In his stage performances he portrayed himself as a rural everyman who travelled the dusty roads of small town South Africa with an old bicycle and a cheap guitar. His first album, Bakgat! released in 1980, was banned in its entirety by the SABC as it was considered too political and vulgar for the South African ear. Despite this, he has released 17 albums and had been awarded 10 gold and one platinum record by the mid-80's. In 1986 he teamed up with Taliep Petersen to write their first musical called District Six, which was an enormous success and they followed this with another 5 musicals, the most recent being Kat and the Kings, which was performed on the West End and Broadway and won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical in 1999. The year 2000 has seen David returning to the stage, and writing his first Afrikaans musical, Die Ballade van Koos Sas.

(Vrede, 1935 - 2015) teached English at the University of Capetown. He spent some time in Paris as well. In his novels he experimented with themes as well as form matters. A Dry White Season (1979) was banned in South-Africa due to the similarities with the Steve Biko stories. International reactions were positive, and Brink was awarded the Martin Luther King Memorial Prize for his work. In South Africa he was awarded the important literary CNA Prize. He died in February 2015.

(1953, De Bilt). Studied history at the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam, graduated 1998 on a study of the history of Bali (Indonesia). Since 1985 he works at the Amsterdam University, from 1995 as a member of the department of Modern Asian History.

is one of a kind. Its name i the Maya word for celebrate, sing and shout Their music has the cultural mix of Latin-America: Indian, black and European. They play in authentic rhythms like the Lando, Tonada, Joropo, Guaracha and the son Montuno, musical styles that you hardly hear anymore. Styles from Peru, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico and Venezuela. Sapukai performs in different combinations. For Winternachten 2002 the ensemble consists of Lincoln Almada (Paraguayan harp, percussion), Rafael Güel (quena, charango, vocals, percussion), Federico Olivares (guitar, vihuela, percussion), Orlando Miño (guitar, tiple, percussion) en Arnoud van den Berg (base).

(1962) is a researcher at the Dutch Institute for War Documentation (NIOD) and teaches the history of ethnic relationships in Batavia and Colombo in the time of the VOC (Dutch East India Company). He has published on Indonesia and Southeast Asia in early modern and modern history. Among his books are De geschiedenis van Indische Nederlanders (The history of the East-Indian Dutch) (2006), Being "Dutch" in the Indies. A history of creolisation and empire, 1500-1920 (2007), The World of Jan Brandes (2004), De oude Indische wereld (The Old East Indies' World) (2003) and Beelden van de Japanse bezetting van Indonesië (Images of the Japanese Occupation of Indonesia (1999).

Novelist and poet Ernest Pépin is one of the key figures of the Creole movement. Born in Guadeloupe in 1950 and a former lecturer in literature, Pépin has published several works in French and in Creole. His work has been awarded the Caraïbes Prize (1994), the RFO Book Prize (1997) and the Arc-en-ciel Prize (1999). He received the Casa de los Americas Prize in 1990 for his novel Boucans de mots libres, and has drawn his inspiration from local musical traditions. In his book Salve et salive, he pays homage to Velo, a famous percussionist. He has also drawn his inspiration from magical-religious beliefs and relationships between men and women, as can be seen in Le Tango de la haine. A man of letters and a politician, he is presently Chargé des Affaires culturelles at the General Council Office in Guadeloupe, where he lives. Ernest Pépin’s style is marked by the uproar of the sea and tormented by the hurricanes of the islands. The French he uses in his writings sounds like a Creole rhythm and denounces the historical misunderstandings between Africa and the West Indies, with the intention to have them reconciled into an Afro-West Indian literature.