(1937-2012) is the penname of Hendrik Jan Marsman. Since his debut in 1960 he has published novels, volumes of poetry, novellas and essays on an almost annual basis. In the obituary he recently wrote for In Memoriam for the Flemish House De Buren (The Neighbours) he admits he has a lot of respect for other writers, writing profound, bulky novels. “I myself am a composer of chamber music. Four part pieces is the best I can do", said Bernlef. In his latest novel De een zijn dood (One man's death) he explores a new genre: the thriller. In 2008 he wrote the book week's gift De Pianoman, a story resembling Hersenschimmen, (Out of Mind) his breakthrough of 1984. Both novels were written in a characteristic style: without ‘fuss and bother and hoo-ha’, but in a ‘clear and lucid style’. Out of Mind was adapted for the screen and the stage. In 1984 Bernlef was recipient of the Constantijn Huygens Award for his entrire oeuvre and in 1987 won the AKO Literature Prize for Publiek geheim (Public Secret). As a translator Bernlef introduced numerous American and Swedish poets in the Netherlands, among others the Swedish poet and Nobel Prize winner 2011 Tomas Tranströmer, whose complete works he translated. He died in October 2012.

(The Netherlands, 1974) is a poet, writer, actor and director. He made his poetry debut in 2000 with 27 gedichten & Geen lied (27 Poems & No Song). Nasr acts in films and TV series and is a member of the International Theatre Amsterdam ensemble. His stage and screen roles have been awarded multiple times. He also writes theatre pieces, columns, essays and opinon pieces. From 2009 to 2013 he was the Dutch Poet Laureate. In his essay collection De fundamenten (The Fundamentals, 2021), he assesses a corona pandemic-struck nation; Nasr compacter (2021) gathers the best of his poems from a two-decade career. In 2023 he created a series for Dutch TV about objects from his own collections, Dr Nasrs Wunderkammer (Dr. Nasr's Chamber of Wonders).

(The Netherlands, 1990) was awarded the Constantijn Huygens Prize 2025 for her oeuvre. According to the jury, that oeuvre is ‘leading within contemporary Dutch literature. She dares to experiment with form and knows how to appeal to a large, often young audience’. Marsman made her debut in 2010 with the poetry collection Wat ik mijzelf graag voorhoud (What I like to tell myself), which won several awards. Her first novel, Het tegenovergestelde van een mens (The opposite of a human being), was published in 2017. In it, she interweaves prose with poetry and essays to highlight the theme of climate change. In De volgende scan duurt vijf minuten (The next scan will take five minutes, 2018), she explores how a sick body relates to a sick world. Mijn mand (My basket, 2021) tackles major themes: the value of life and the place of death in a human life. In 2025, Op een andere planeet kunnen ze me redden (On another planet they can save me) was published. Living with death changed Marsman's worldview. The book is a philosophical journey into the depths of the human mind, interspersed with diary excerpts describing how death is hot on her heels.

Instagram: @liekemarsman

A trio with Peer de Graaf (vocals), Henk Koekkoek (ukelele, saxophone) and Piet Maas (contrabas). Peer de Graaf began as early as 1978 as ‘Meneertje Peertje’ in the theatre. Meneertje Peertje is still active but in the meantime Peer de Graaf has grown into a mature actor, cabaret artist, musician, presenter and improvisor. De Graaf not only performs in the theatre, but is also active in education and health care. With Thijs Borsten he makes up the duo Trapperdetrap, which specializes in adult songs for children. On every cd a special guest can be heard, such as Mathilde Santing, Wende Snijders and Denis Jannah. The duo aims at making fine music which is also popular with non-parents. De Graaf is an allround performer who sings, makes jokes and tells stories with the greatest ease. He has been doing that for years in various acts and small bands; in theatres, during De Parade but also at block parties. Last year the same trio, by the name of Trio Lang en Gelukkig (Happily Everafter), was a great success at the festival.