Flemish poets at 'Flachlandfest' in Berlin

From August 27 to August 29, the German poetry lover will welcome a number of young Flemish and Dutch poets at the arts party 'Flachlandfest'. There will also be Flemish musicians present, Mintzkov and The Bony King of Nowhere for instance.

Belgian poetry at ‘Poesie der Nachbarn'

‘Poesie der Nachbarn' has become very renowned in Germany over the past twenty years. Every year, German poet Hans Till invites a selection of poets from a specific country to stay at the writers' residence in Edenkoben. Together with some German-language colleagues, he then works on translations of their work during a two-day workshop. This year, the focus is on Belgian poetry .

International readership for Hadewijch

On 14 and 15 June, a translation workshop about thirteenth-century poet Hadewijch took place in Antwerp. Six translators of the Brabant mystic travelled in from Germany, France, Hungary and Spain to tackle her work during two days. Hadewijch is not unknown outside the Dutch-language territory. In academic circles in Belgium as well as internationally, she is considered an icon in the study of medieval, female spirituality. In the following years, a broader readership will be able to discover her poetic and spiritual talents. Translations of her collected works into French, German and Spanish have been announced.

Peter Theunynck in the picture on Poetry International Web

In its February issue, the international poetry website Poetry International Web will focus on Flemish poet Peter Theunynck. Willem Groenewegen translated a selection from a number of poetry collections into English, amongst others the poem ‘Nijlpaarden' ('Hippopotami') from the prize-winning collection ‘Man in Manhattan'. Poet, critic and editor Kurt De Boodt wrote a portrait of the writer.

Paul Bogaert wins Herman de Coninck Award

‘Slalom soft', the fourth volume by Paul Bogaert, is the winner of the Herman de Coninck Award for the best poetry collection of 2009. The prize is worth 6,000 euro. The other nominees were Eva Cox, Charles Ducal, Leonard Nolens and Roel Richelieu Van Londersele.

 

The prize for the best debut of the past year went to ‘Grote smerige vlinder' (Big filthy butterfly) by Andy Fierens. ‘Mats' by the former city poet of Ghent, Roel Richelieu Van Londersele, was chosen by the public as the best poem of 2009.

Nominations Herman de Coninck Award 2010

The shortlist of the Herman de Coninck Award 2010 has been announced. The expert jury has nominated the following poets: Paul Bogaert, Eva Cox, Charles Ducal, Leonard Nolens and Roel Richelieu van Londersele. The award ceremony will take place in the Antwerp Arenberg theatre on 28 January.

Van Istendael and Lasters on Poetry International Web

In November, Flemish poets Geert van Istendael and Ruth Lasters will be introduced to the international public on Poetry International Web (PIW).

10 years Lyrikline

This year, the international poetry website lyrikline.org celebrates its 10th anniversary.

Lyrikline.org is the platform on the internet on which poems are available to listen to, and to read both in their original languages and various translations: a concert of verse in the voices and languages of the authors. By now the website contains 580 poets and 5300 poems in 49 languages as well as 6400 translations in as many languages! From Flanders, you can find poems by classic masters such as Hugo Claus, Paul Snoek and Christine D'Haen as well as by contemporary poets, such as Leonard Nolens, Miriam Van hee and Dirk van Bastelaere.

‘New constellations' on PIW

The August issue of Poetry International Web (PIW) will introduce Peter Verhelst to the foreign poetry lover. Astrid van Baalen translated a selection of his latest poetry collection, ‘Nieuwe sterrenbeelden' (New constellations), into English. The collection was awarded the Dutch Jan Campert Prize as well as the Flemish Herman de Coninck Award. Poetry critic Cathérine de Kock wrote a portrait of the author.

Belgian poetry evening in Paris

On 29 September, the Parisian Maison de la Poésie organizes a Belgian evening titled ‘Moi, j'aime la Belgique'. Renowned French poet Jacques Darras, acclaimed for his translation of Walt Whitman's 'Leaves of Grass', will be the host of the event.