International Literature Festival The Hague

Winternachten 2016

Thu 14 - Sunday 17 January 2016

Programme

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

Opening Night: Free the Word!
Thursday 14 January 2016
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 …

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Friday Night Unlimited
Friday 15 January 2016
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, …

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Help, It's My Debut! Literary Brunch with CLEEFT
Saturday 16 January 2016
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, …

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An Afternoon with Adonis - Contemporary Arabic Poetry at Theatre De Vaillant
Saturday 16 January 2016
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 …

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World Storytelling at the Institute of Social Studies
Saturday 16 January 2016
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 …

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Tales of the World in Theater Dakota
Saturday 16 January 2016
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, …

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In Conversation with Karl Ove Knausgård
Saturday 16 January 2016
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 …

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NRC Book Club Live: Connie Palmen's Lucifer
Saturday 16 January 2016
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 …

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Anna Luyten in Conversation with Connie Palmen
Saturday 16 January 2016
"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 …

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Book Club: 'Woman' (My Struggle, Book 6) by Karl Ove Knausgård
Saturday 16 January 2016
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 …

Read more about Leesclub: 'Vrouw' van Karl Ove Knausgård
Saturday Night Unlimited
Saturday 16 January 2016
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, …

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VPRO's O.V.T. Live
Sunday 17 January 2016
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 …

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Writers' Fest
Sunday 17 January 2016
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 …

Read more about Schrijversfeest