Inschrijven op de nieuwsbrief

You're here: Home / Writers Unlimited 2025
International Literature Festival The Hague

Writers Unlimited 2025

Thu 23 January - Sun 26 January 2025

Visit the Writers Unlimited International Literature Festival The Hague! You are welcome in theatres, libraries and schools throughout the city. Meet over 120 writers, poets, spoken-word artists and musicians from the Netherlands and abroad. See and hear readings, prose, poetry, storytelling, spoken word, author interviews, topical talks, films and music. Includes English spoken programmes!

PROGRAMME OVERVIEW AND TICKETS: see below.





PROGRAMME Writers Unlimited 2025

Thursday 23 January 2025  
10:00 - 11:00  
Bibliotheek Ypenburg

Annet Schaap reads from her book 'De Meisjes: zeven sprookjes'

With music by Fredrike de Winter. Closed morning performance for primary school pupils in Bibliotheek Ypenburg.
Besloten voorstelling voor schoolklassen.
11:30 - 14:45  
Laak - Bibliotheek Laakkwartier, Vadercentrum Adam, Laaktheater

Zinnige zinnen verzinnen: storytelling and music in Laak

Actor, puppeteer and children's book author Mark Haayema reads aloud and tells stories, with musical contributions by Leah Uijterlinde. Dutch spoken.
Gratis toegang.
15:30 - 16:30  
Curacaohuis (Kabinet van de Gevolmachtigde Minister van Curacao)

Book launch: Etienne Ys and Maghalie van der Bunt-George at the Curaçaohuis

Two Curaçao writers in conversation with Shantie Singh and the audience about their work, stories and storytelling culture of the island.

Tickets

 Gratis toegang, reserveren verplicht.
16:00 - 17:30  
Speakers' Corner Haagse Hogeschool

Writer Alvina Chamberland in The Hague University of Applied Sciences

Conversation about her novel 'Love the World or Get Killed Trying' in The Lighthouse Book Club i.c.w. Writers Unlimited. English spoken.

Tickets

 Gratis toegang - reserveren aanbevolen.
16:30 - 18:00  
Institute of Social Studies

Storytelling Afternoon

What Inspires You? (Even though the World is On Fire..), with a.o. authors Rešoketšwe Manenzhe (South-Africa) and Rosabelle Illes (Aruba). English spoken.

Tickets

 ISS studenten & staf gratis toegang.
Regulier: 5,- (Tickets niet aan de deur, boek online).
19:30 - 21:00  
Theater aan het Spui - Zaal 1

The Flame of Freedom - Opening Writers Unlimited Festival 2025

Andrei Kurkov (Ukraine), Viv Groskop (UK), Nelleke Noordervliet, Rešoketšwe Manenzhe (South Afrika), Onjuli Datta (UK/Germany). Moderator: Andrew Makkinga, music: Mamar. English spoken.

Tickets

 10,- (t/m 30 jaar)| 7,50 (Ooievaarspas)| 12,50 (DenHaagPas)| 15 (regulier).
21:30 - 23:30  
GR8 Theater

Mensen Zeggen Dingen x Writers Unlimited Festival

Poetry, prose and punchlines with George Abraham (USA), Rosabelle Illes (Aruba), Sabina Lukovic, Duimalot and Damaris. WIth spoken word walk from Theater aan het Spui to GR8 (Prinsengracht 8), with Hasan Gök. Host: Dean Bowen. Dutch and English spoken.

Tickets

 8,-
Friday 24 January 2025  
10:00 - 10:45  
Theater en Filmhuis Dakota

MUK, read aloud and music performance (2 - 7 years)

Adventures of dog pup Muk, read aloud by actor and puppeteer Mark Haayema and violinist Saskia Egtberts. Dutch spoken.

Tickets

 7,50
15:00 - 16:30  
Bibliotheek Schilderswijk

Writer Hassnae Bouazza about her book 'Een koffer vol citroenen'

Book reading and a conversation about mothers, daughters and the consolation of food scents and flavours. Dutch spoken.
UITVERKOCHT. Reserveren is niet meer mogelijk.
18:30 - 20:00  
Mauritshuis

Oude werken, jonge schrijvers | Het alternatief (Old works, young writers | The alternative)

Eighteen young Flemish and Dutch authors take inspiration from paintings in the Mauritshuis and recite their new texts there live. Duch spoken.

Tickets

 8,50
20:00 - 00:30  
Theater aan het Spui & Filmhuis Den Haag

Friday Night Unlimited

Forty writers, poets and artists on five stages! Grand, varied festival evening featuring readings, books, films, stories, poems and current issues. You choose your own route! - Dutch and English spoken, English route available.

Tickets

 Vroegboekprijs t/m 26 december 25,- | jongeren t/m 30 jr 15,- | regulier 35,- | Ooievaarspas 15,- | DenHaagPas 32,50.
20:15 - 21:30  
Bibliotheek Nieuw Waldeck

Author Christine Otten in Bibliotheek Nieuw Waldeck

About her new novel 'Als ik je eenmaal mijn verhaal heb verteld'. Musical contributions by master ud-player Mehmet Polat. Dutch spoken.

Tickets

 Gratis toegang, reserveren verplicht.
Saturday 25 January 2025  
12:00 - 13:00  
Theater aan het Spui - Zaal 1

Freedom: interview with Timothy Snyder

World famous historian and author of bestselling books about tyranny and the history of Eastern Europe ('Bloodlands', 'Black Earth') about his topical new book 'On Freedom'. English spoken.

Tickets

 10,- (t/m 30 jaar)| 7,50 (Ooievaarspas) | 12,50 (DenHaagPas)| 15 (regulier).
13:00 - 15:30  
Theater aan het Spui - foyer

VER - Virtual Poetry

VR installation by poet Dorien Dijkuis about distance, desire and communication. Free entrance. Dutch spoken.
Gratis toegang
13:00 - 14:00  
Theater aan het Spui - foyer

FFÛH x Writers Unlimited Festival: Open Mic

Recitation of poems. Support, listen or recite yourself! Everyone is welcome, free entry. Dutch spoken.
Gratis toegang.
13:30 - 15:00  
Theater aan het Spui - Zaal 1

De Situatie Leesclub & VPRO Club Lees x Writers Unlimited Festival - Waar brandt mijn haard?

With Adriaan van Dis, Firoza Mulahella and Sholeh Rezazadeh. Moderators: Dario Goldbach en het VPRO Club Lees-team. Dutch spoken.

Tickets

 10,- (t/m 30 jaar) | 7,50 (Ooievaarspas) | 12,50 (DenHaagPas)| 15,- (regulier).
14:00 - 15:00  
Theater aan het Spui - Zaal 2

De Boebalas (4+)

Nancy Bosmans reads from her picture book, then a short craft workshop and finally join in making music on kawina instruments. Dutch spoken.

Tickets

 5,- (t/m 30 jaar / Ooievaarspas)| 7,50 (DenHaagPas)| 10,- (regulier).
15:00 - 16:30  
Theater aan het Spui - foyer

FFÛH x Writers Unlimited Festival: presentation anthology by young The Hague poets

Festive presentation with reading from 'Zilt en Asfalt', the first FFÛH-collection. Free entrance. Dutch spoken.
Gratis toegang.
15:30 - 17:00  
Theater aan het Spui - Zaal 1

Uitreiking Haagse Literatuurprijzen

Festive programme with musical and spoken laudatio's by a.o. Gijs Scholten van Aschat, Manon Uphoff, Alfred Schaffer, cello players Sebastiaan van Eck and Judith Jamin and Flemish a capella formation Hella. Dutch spoken.

Tickets

 10,- (t/m 30 jaar / Ooievaarspas)| 12,50 (DenHaagPas)| 15,- (regulier).
15:45 - 17:15  
Theater aan het Spui - Zaal 2

You Are What You Eat - Table tales from cookbook authors about taste and culture

With Katinka Lansink Dodero (on Peruvian cuisine), Raghenie Bhawanie (on Surinamese cuisine) and host Hassnae Bouazza - Dutch spoken.

Tickets

 10,- (t/m 30 jaar / Ooievaarspas)| 12,50 (DenHaagPas)| 15,- (regulier).
19:30 - 21:30  
Theater De Vaillant

BRADA: theatre play on the fight for freedom in Suriname

Preceded by live performances by singer-songwriter XILLAN and poet Stefanie Parisius-Sewotaroeno. Dutch spoken.

Tickets

 Betaal wat je kunt: 0,-| 5,- | 10,- | 15,- | 20,-
20:00 - 00:30  
Theater aan het Spui & Filmhuis Den Haag

Saturday Night Unlimited

Forty writers, poets and artists on five stages! Grand, varied festival evening featuring readings, books, films, stories, poems and current issues. You choose your own route! - Dutch and English spoken, English route available.

Tickets

 Vroegboekprijs t/m 26 december 25,- | jongeren t/m 30 jr 15,- | regulier 35,- | Ooievaarspas 15,- | DenHaagPas 32,50.
Sunday 26 January 2025  
11:00 - 12:15  
Theater aan het Spui - foyer

Van Dis Ongefilterd (Van Dis Unfiltered)

Author Adriaan van Dis speaks freely about everything that catches his attention. With musical contributions by Saartje van Camp and Judith Rijsenbrij. Dutch spoken.
UITVERKOCHT. Reserveren is niet meer mogelijk.
15:30 - 17:00  
Amare Danstheater

Playing with Fire: jubilee show 30 years Writers Unlimited

Music, literature and dance by Spinvis, Shirma Rouse, Babs Gons, Joost Oomen, Koninklijk Conservatorium Dans, XILLAN, Abdelkader Benali, Rosabelle Illes, Zaïre Krieger a.o. Dutch spoken.

Tickets

 Jongeren tot met 29 jaar: 11,-
1e rang 35,- / met DenHaagPas 32,50,- / met Ooievaarspas 17,50,-
2e rang 32,- / met Ooievaarspas 16,-
3e rang 23,- / met Ooievaarspas 11,50,-
4e rang 16,- / met Ooievaarspas 8,-

with a.o.

Colofon