Mark Haayema invents a lot. Children's books, stories, songs ... hidden between two covers, hidden behind theatre curtains, drowned in your TV screen or only audible through the plugs in your ears.

On the occasion of the Writers Unlimited Festival, Mark brings his stories to Laak, accompanied by musician Leah Uijterlinde. Together, they will give short, unique performances in Laakkwartier library, Vadercentrum Adam and the Laaktheater. For children and other lovers of stoytelling.

Admission is free. Join us on Thursday 23 January 2025:

11.30-12.00: Laakkwartier Library, Linnaeusstraat 2
13.15-13.45: Vadercentrum ADAM, Jonckbloetplein 24
14.00-14.45: Laaktheater, Ferrandweg 4T

Mark Haayema is a writer, actor and theatre maker. He prefers to tell stories that amaze, frustrate or move him; he wants to make children and their (grand)parents think further and does not shy away from difficult subjects. His picture book Johannes de Parkiet, a book about getting used to strange birds, was awarded a Vlag en Wimpel by the Griffeljury in 2019. He received the Gouden Poëziester for his poem Twee rozijntjes from Jij + Ik (with drawings by Fiep Westendorp). Together with Rutger van den Broek, he made several children's baking books. His book series Muk for toddlers was in the Nationale Voorleesdagen's picture book top 10. Mark writes song lyrics for Kinderen voor Kinderen (Worden wat je wil) and Herman van Veen, among others, and regularly performs on theatre stages and in TV programmes.

Leah Uijterlinde is a versatile multi-instrumentalist whose journey began in jazz, graduating as a jazz vocalist from Codarts University in Rotterdam. Later, drawn to the grounding beauty of Eastern music, Leah pursued a master's degree in Turkish clarinet, immersing herself in the world of makam. She tours Europe with The Magic Mumble Jumble and leads several own groups: Madhara, where she shares original compositions inspired by Indian, Turkish, and Brazilian traditions in ecstatic dance celebrations; Mamar, a crossover project blending jazz with modal music; and Jabuticaba, her ensemble that brings the rich rhythms and melodies of Brazil to life.