(1952) is one of the Netherlands' best known composers. In his work Wagemans aims at developing and renewing the European tradition. In the last ten years Wagemans’ work has been performed by virtually every Dutch orchestra and musical group. In February 2007 his opera Legende (Legend) had its premiere, and was reviewed favourably. The libretto of this opera is based on the 19th century fairy-tale of Meester Prikkebeen (Master Pricklylegs). In 2005 his work Gravity Music was performed, written for the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. In addition Hagemans has composed work for the Schönberg Ensemble as well as a piano cycle for pianist Tomoko Mukaijama. In 1999 he was recipient of the ANV-Visser-Neerlandiaprijs and in 1990 won the Matthijs Vermeulenprijs. Wagemans lectures Composition and Theory of Music at the conservatory of Rotterdam and from 2000-2006 he worked as a musical programmer with the Holland Symfonia Orchestra.

(1969) is a pastor and a spiritual worker in the Amsterdam Sint Lucas Andreas Hospital. Hoogenkamp is a member of the Dutch Labour Party (PvdA) and distinguishes herself with her committed performances in various articles and debates on social themes. She studied theology at the University of Amsterdam and followed the postdoctoral pastor training of the Dutch Reformed Church in Leiden. In addition to her work in the hospital she delivers sermons in 'ordinary' churches. In May 2006 she won the public award in the ‘Sermon of the Year’ competition, organised by NCRV (a protestant radio and tv channel) and Trouw (a protestant daily paper).

(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.

(The Netherlands, 1946) grew up in a family with a past in the Dutch East Indies. He draws on these experiences in several of his works such as My Father's War (1995), Repatriated (2002) and in Naar zachtheid en een warm omhelzen (2023). Van Dis became well known via his literary television programme Here is... Adriaan van Dis (1983-1992). In addition to novels he has written novellas, travelogues, essays and plays. He presented TV documentary series and his podcast Van Dis Ongefilterd. He has received the Constantijn Huygens Award for his entire body of work. Recent publications are the collection Vijf vrolijke verhalen (2021), the novel KliFi, woede in de republiek Nederland (2022) and the essay De kolonie mept terug: over witte arrogantie en voortschrijdend inzicht: een denkoefening en leesreis (2024). During the Writers Unlimited Festival 2026, Van Dis will be the main interview guest on Saturday afternoon, 24 January, following the publication of his new book Alles voor de reis (Everything for the Journey), and on Sunday morning, 25 January, he and interviewer Simon Dikker Hupkes will record a new episode of his podcast series Van Dis Ongefilterd (Van Dis Unfiltered) live with an audience.

Go to website of Adriaan van Dis