International Literature Festival The Hague

Winternachten 2016

Thu 14 January - Sun 17 January 2016

Dozens of international authors, great Dutch writers and promising newcomers joined together at Winternachten, the Netherlands' finest international literature festival. The public could bask in the cosmopolitan atmosphere, have conversations with authors about favourite books or films, and find inspiration in readings, debates and discussions. Bearing the slogan "Hello Darkness," the 21st edition of the festival went in search of the face of evil: light and dark, serious and silly, big themes or the human dimension. From Connie Palmen to Jung Chang (China), from P.F. Thomése to Neel Mukherjee (India), from Adriaan van Dis to Adonis (France/Syria)), and from Maud Vanhauwaert to Karl Ove Knausgård (Norway): the writers had the floor.

Retrospect

Thursday 14 January 2016

20:00 - 22:00

Theater aan het Spui - Zaal 1

Opening Night: Free the Word!

On opening night, the spotlight is on freedom of speech.The Sino-British writer Jung Chang knows what it means to be unable to speak freely in one's country. Years after she left Communist China, her …

Friday 15 January 2016

20:00 - 01:00

Theater aan het Spui & Filmhuis Den Haag

Friday Night Unlimited

The varied Friday night programme (together with Saturday night) forms the heart of the festival. Dozens of events on five stages bring together writers, poets and festival-goers in an informal, …

Saturday 16 January 2016

11:00 - 12:45

Theater aan het Spui - foyer

Help, It's My Debut! Literary Brunch with CLEEFT

An informal literary brunch in the cozy foyer of Theatre aan het Spui, at the heart of the festival. This event is a collaboration with CLEEFT, a community of fans of film, books, exhibitions, …

14:00 - 16:00

Theater De Vaillant

An Afternoon with Adonis - Contemporary Arabic Poetry at Theatre De Vaillant

The most important poet working in Arabic is coming to The Hague's Schilderswijk neighbourhood. Adonis has had an enormous influence on contemporary Arabic culture, and is admired for his classic …

14:00 - 16:00

Institute of Social Studies

World Storytelling at the Institute of Social Studies

Listen to stories from near and far on the theme of "With the Best of Intentions". They will be told by African, Latin American and Asian students, as well as festival guest Petina Gappah. Do you …

14:00 - 16:00

Theater en Filmhuis Dakota

Tales of the World in Theater Dakota

There's nothing more beautiful than telling one another stories. On the theme of "With the Best of Intentions," this afternoon event features tales by poets Runa Svetlikova and Rodaan al Galidi, …

14:30 - 15:45

Theater aan het Spui - Zaal 1

In Conversation with Karl Ove Knausgård

Karl Ove Knausgård (Norway, 1968) is a writer, translator and literary "rock star". His autobiographical novel cycle M y Struggle (2009-2011) is a worldwide hit. In six hefty parts, Knausgård tells …

14:30 - 15:45

Theater aan het Spui - Zaal 2

NRC Book Club Live: Connie Palmen's Lucifer

A festival tradition: the NRC Book Club Live. A panel headed by NRC books editor Michel Krielaars, including staffers Margot Dijkgraaf, Arjen Fortuin and Toef Jaeger, discusses Connie Palmen's …

16:15 - 17:30

Theater aan het Spui - Zaal 2

Anna Luyten in Conversation with Connie Palmen

"All great literature is about the fight against evil." Connie Palmen places these words in the mouth of the poet Ted Hughes in her most recent novel, Jij zegt het ( Whatever You Say ), a fictional …

16:15 - 17:30

Theater aan het Spui - Zaal 1

Book Club: 'Woman' (My Struggle, Book 6) by Karl Ove Knausgård

Maria Vlaar (who takes the place of Wim Brands, who had to cancel for health reasons) engages in a conversation with the public about Woman , the final part of Norwegian writer Karl Ove Knausgård's …

20:00 - 01:00

Theater aan het Spui & Filmhuis Den Haag

Saturday Night Unlimited

The varied Saturday night programme (together with Friday night) forms the heart of the festival. Dozens of events on five stages bring together writers, poets and festival-goers in an informal, …

Sunday 17 January 2016

10:00 - 12:00

Theater aan het Spui - foyer

VPRO's O.V.T. Live

One of Radio 1's most popular programmes is VPRO's O.V.T. Every Sunday morning, the focus is on the contemporary significance of historic events. It's become a tradition for the producers to move …

14:00 - 16:00

Theater aan het Spui - Zaal 1

Writers' Fest

A festive event built around the presentation of the Jan Campert Prizes, the literary awards of the City of The Hague. In collaboration with the Jan Campert Foundation and the Dutch Foundation for …