Fiep van Bodegom
(India, 1984) is a writer, critic and translator. She is editor of Extra Extra Magazine and teaches in the Creative Writing department at Artez University of the Arts. She writes regularly on literature (including for De Groene Amsterdammer, NRC and De Nederlandse Boekengids) and has published translations, essays and fiction.
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Archive available for: Fiep van Bodegom
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Verhalen die verbinden (Connecting Stories)
With: Angel ArunA, Arturo den Hartog, Astrid H. Roemer, Babs Gons, Britney Lindo, Daphne Huisden, Fiep van Bodegom, Holland Baroque, Lucretia Starke, Maria Vlaar, Mariëlle Vavier, Nazrina Rodjan, Rabin Baldewsingh, Sarita Bajnath, Shantie Singh, Tessa Leuwsha
Dark, forgotten and forbidden pages: it is taking a long time for the colonial history of the Netherlands to penetrate our collective memory. But history has many forms of transmitting lore, of which stories are the most powerful. They are passed from one continent to another, from generation to generation. And then, with great imagination and creativity, they are recorded in literature, music and language. In this way, the stories come to belong to everyone. This event was in Dutch.
The Winternachten festival afternoon programme Verhalen die verbinden (Connecting Stories) explored Dutch colonial history in our literature, language and music. Prominent Surinamese authors Astrid H. Roemer and Tessa Leuwsha talked in conversations with respectively Maria Vlaar and Fiep van Bodegom about the significance of 150 years of abolition of slavery for them, their country, their relatives and their books. Both published new books in 2023: Astrid H. Roemer wrote the novel DealersDochter (Dealers' Daughter) and Tessa Leuwsha published her De wilde vaart: op zoek naar de veerkracht van Suriname (Tramp trade: the search for the resilience of Surinam).
Author Babs Gons performed spoken word. Authors Tessa Leuwsha and Daphne Huisden read from their contributions to Dat wij zongen (What we sang), the essay collection in which twenty leading writers of today make a case for a Caribbean author of the past who inspired them personally. Mariëlle Vavier, deputy Mayor and alderman of the City of The Hague for Poverty, Inclusion and Public Health, gave a speech.
Singer Angel ArunA performed her own work and poems by poet and singer-songwriter Raj Mohan in Sarnámi, the language of people with a Hindustan background in Suriname and The Netherlands. Furthermore soprano Lucretia Starke and countertenor Arturo den Hartog performed, accompanied by six musicians from ensemble Holland Baroque, with their version of Surinamese song Lolo mi boto, among others.
The talks and performances in Zaal 1 were followed in the theatre foyer by a short post-programme hosted by Sarita Bajnath with contributions and readings by Britney Lindo, writer and spoken word artist, and by Rabin Baldewsingh, writer and, since 2021, National Coordinator against Discrimination, among others.
Also the (English spoken ) evening programme All the World's Excuses on this Winternachten festival day 16 April, focused on the significance of 150 years abolition of slavery. All the World's Excuses took a wider perspective by inviting authors from various backgrounds to speak about the traces left by slavery, apartheid and colonialism in society, storytelling, language and literature: guests were Caleb Azumah Nelson (UK), David Diop (France), Chika Unigwe (USA), Astrid H. Roemer (Surinam), Neske Beks (Belgium) and Radna Fabias (Netherlands).
Bookstore De Vries van Stockum was present in the lobby with a stand offering books by participating authors of this programme, among others — including signing opportunities!
This programme was curated by Shantie Singh, author of a.o. the novels Vervoering (2014) and De kier (2020).
With day ticket also to evening programme All the World's Excuses
Verhalen die verbinden was followed on Sunday 16 April as of 19:30h in Theater aan het Spui by the, English spoken, Winternachten festival evening programme All the World's Excuses.
A reduced price day ticket for both festival programmes on 16 April was available. -
Writing Climate (In)justice - #StillWeRise
With: Alexis Wright, Benjamin Fro, Chihiro Geuzebroek, Fiep van Bodegom, Leena Norms, Sanam Sheriff
More and more authors are giving the climate and the climate crisis a prominent role in their work. Think of the recent novels of Eva Meijer, Margaret Atwood and Richard Powers, for example. Few, however, dare to address the subject of climate inequality or climate racism.
1:50 - Alexis Wright (Australia), interview.
32:55 - Chihiro Geuzebroek (Netherlands), spoken word.
38:09 - Benjamin Fro (Netherlands), spoken word.
41:47 - Sanam Sheriff (US), video reading.
47:28 - Leena Norms (UK), spoken word.
50:18 - Chihiro Geuzebroek / Benjamin Fro (Netherlands), interview.
1:03:11 - Sanam Sheriff (US), interview.
1:10:38 - Leena Norms (UK), interview.
1:20:34 - Benjamin Fro (Netherlands), song performance.All too often, you hear the expression, "we're all in the same boat". We are indeed all caught up in the same rough seas of the climate crisis. But social-economic status, skin colour and geographic location determine whether one weathers the storm aboard a luxury cruise liner or a leaky raft. It is the opinion of programme maker Joëlle Koorneef that it's up to us to use all our literary capabilities to put this on the agenda.
The novel The Swan Book (2013) by Aboriginal author Alexis Wright takes place in a future world destroyed by extreme climate change. Due to drought, forest fires and dying coral reefs, Australia is a forerunner in experiencing the effects of the climate crisis. In Wright's work, the continent is an almost dystopian literary setting in which injustices continue to multiply.
Fiep van Bodegom, a writer, translator and editor with literary magazine De Gids, talked with Wright about the value of literature in the context of the climate crisis and the position of the writer to spur (climate) activism.
We provided fragments of Wright's work - distinguished by its raw, living language - to spoken-word artists and poets to use the power of their words to make this subject comprehensible in every way. Live from the Theater aan het Spui, these included the rebellious and deeply engaged word, rap and music artist Benjamin Fro and the filmmaker, performer and activist Chihiro Geuzebroek. There were also impressive video contributions by British poet, YouTube star and literary video essayist Leena Norms and the Indian poet and word artist Sanam Sheriff.
With Van Bodegom, they discussed how they shape their artistry as well as a desire for a more just world. Is it a balancing act, or is it the only way they can profess their artistry?
The Winternachten International Literature Festival signaled that a new generation is now rising up that doesn't view art and activism as opposing poles but operates fluidly between them. During the festival we encouraged giving this movement a voice and sharing sources of inspiration in a dedicated Facebook group.
Read here the contributions written for this programme on request of the Winternachten international literature festival The Hague:
- The Farmer's Great-Granddaughter | Leena Norms | video poem
- Sanam Sheriff
- Benjamin Fro
- Chihiro Geuzebroek | Dammed People
(Find the Dutch-language versions here/Lees hier de Nederlandstalige versies)Learn more here:
Fiep van Bodegom
Onpeilbaar - Over natuur, land en eigendom, essay, 2020, Mister MotleyBenjamin Fro
website
YouTube MusicChihiro Geuzebroek
website
InstagramJoëlle Koorneef
InstagramAlexis Wright
Publisher Giramondo's webpage on Wright's bokks and videos -
#StillWeRise: Writing Climate (In)Justice
With: Alexis Wright, Benjamin Fro, Chihiro Geuzebroek, Fiep van Bodegom, Leena Norms, Sanam Sheriff
More and more authors are giving the climate and the climate crisis a prominent role in their work. Consider, for example, the recent novels of Eva Meijer, Margaret Atwood and Richard Powers. Few, however, dare to tackle the subject of climate inequality or climate racism.
All too often, you hear the expression, "we're all in the same boat". We are indeed all caught in the same rough seas of the climate crisis. However, social-economic status, skin colour and geographic location determine whether one weathers the storm aboard a luxury cruise ship or a leaky raft. Program producer Joëlle Koorneef believes that it's up to us to use all of our literary capabilities to put this issue on the agenda.
Aboriginal author Alexis Wright's novel The Swan Book (2013) takes place in a future world destroyed by extreme climate change. Due to drought, forest fires and dying coral reefs, Australia is a forerunner in terms of experiencing the effects of the climate crisis. In Wright's work, the continent is an almost dystopian literary setting in which injustices keep multiplying.
Fiep van Bodegom, a writer, translator and editor with the literary magazine De Gids, talked with Wright about the value of literature in the context of the climate crisis and the position of the writer to spur (climate) activism.
We provided fragments of Wright's work - distinguished by its raw and vital language - to spoken-word artists and poets to use the power of their words to make this subject tangible. Performing live at Theater aan het Spui, these included the rebellious and deeply engaged word, rap and music artist Benjamin Fro and the filmmaker, performer and activist Chihiro Geuzebroek. Impressive video contributions by British poet, YouTube star and literary video essayist Leena Norms and the India-born poet and word artist Sanam Sheriff rounded out the evening.
With Van Bodegom, they discussed how they shape their artistry as well as a desire for a more just world. Is it a balancing act, or is it the only way they can practise their art?
The Winternachten International Literature Festival signaled a new generation on the rise, which doesn't view art and activism as opposites, but operates fluidly between them. During the festival we helped give this movement a voice by launching a dedicated Facebook group on 7 January to encourage discussion and share sources of inspiration.
You can read the pieces commissioned for this program by the Winternachten International Literature Festival The Hague here:
- The Farmer's Great-Granddaughter | Leena Norms | video poem
- Sanam Sheriff
- Benjamin Fro
- Dammed People | Chihiro Geuzebroek
(Find the Dutch-language versions here/Lees hier de Nederlandstalige versies)More background:
Fiep van Bodegom
Onpeilbaar - Over natuur, land en eigendom, essay, 2020, Mister MotleyBenjamin Fro
website
YouTube MusicChihiro Geuzebroek
website
InstagramJoëlle Koorneef
InstagramAlexis Wright
Giramondo Publishing webpage with Wright's books and videos -
Rodaan al Galidi, Annelies Verbeke en Pierre Jarawan
With: Annelies Verbeke, Fiep van Bodegom, Pierre Jarawan, Rodaan Al Galidi
Three countries, three authors, three novels about immigrants finding their way in a new country. Rodaan Al Galidi is a poet and writer. Born in Iraq and trained as a civil engineer, he has lived in the Netherlands since 1998. His new book Two Blankets, Three Sheets is an inspiring tale of survival, a close-up view of the hidden world of refugees and human smugglers, and a sobering reflection of our times. Annelies Verbeke is a Belgian writer of award winning novels, short stories and plays. Her novel Thirty Days about Alphonse, a Senegales immigrant, is a deeply moving story about love, outsiders and the human need to connect. Pierre Jarawan moved to Germany with his family at the age of three. Inspired by his father's imaginative bedtime stories, he started writing at the age of thirteen. His first novel about Samir's quest for his missing father, The Storyteller, became an international bestseller. Host: Fiep van Bodegom.
Program in cooperation with World Editions.
Books for sale courtesy of De Vries Van Stockum Books -
Ellen Deckwitz and Adriaan van Dis: Inheritance
A discussion about family, inheritance and whether or not it is possible to escape the transferral of history, and thereby your roots, and the good fortune or grief that goes along with them. Led by Fiep van Bodegom, with music and poetry by Robin Block.
In her new collection Hogere natuurkunde (Advanced Physics), Ellen Deckwitz writes about the war, the Dutch Indies, and consequences thereof in today's Netherlands. The grandmother in the text is her Indonesian oma, who will only tell her story to her granddaughter.
A major portion of Adrian van Dis' oeuvre addresses Indonesian influences on his family. His first novel, Nathan Sid (1983) and the novels Indische duinen (Indonesian Dunes, 1994), Familieziek (Family Illness, 2002) and Ik kom terug (I'm Coming Back, 2014) are about his mother and his family, and about how family history persists, generation after generation.
Poet, musician and theatre maker Robin Block follows the path of his grandparents, who had to flee Indonesia in 1949, in the other direction. This is the theme of his solo performance Samudra ("ocean") and the 2019 book he wrote together with Angelina Enny (from Indonesia) In Between, Di Antara.
Tip: Ellen Deckwitz and Robin Block also appear in the Winternachten program at the Nieuw Waldeck Library on 17 January 2020, as of 20:15h. On Saturday afternoon, 18 January, Deckwitz, together with fellow NRC columnist Clarice Gargard and the audience, discusses the novella Oeroeg (1948) by Hella Haasse. Both events are in Dutch.
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Books Unlimited: Petina Gappah & Asmaa Azaizeh
Get to know international literary stars and their recent books. Journalist and De Gids editor Fiep van Bodegom talks to Zimbabwean writer Petina Gappah about her latest novel, Out of Darkness, Shining Light, and Palestinian poet Asmaa Azaizeh about her new poetry collection, Do Not Believe Me When I Talk to You About War.
"This is how we carried out of Africa the poor broken body of Bwana Daudi, the Doctor, David Livingstone, so that he could be borne across the sea and buried in his own land." So begins Petina Gappah's powerful novel - the captivating story of the men and women who carried explorer and missionary David Livingstone's body, his papers and his maps 1500 miles across 19th-century Africa. The story is narrated by Halima, Livingstone's sharp-tongued cook, and Jacob Wainwright, a rigidly pious freed slave.
Asmaa Azaizeh is a Palestinian poet, journalist and cultural curator who currently lives and works in Haifa. Since 2011, she has published two poetry collections and a poetry anthology.
Tip: Petina Gappah will also appear at Opening Night - A Free Mind on Wednesday, 15 January at Theater aan het Spui; Azmaa Azaizeh also appears at the Free the Word - Oxfam Novib PEN Awards Night on Thursday, 16 January at Theater aan het Spui, and during the Writers Unlimited New Year's Concert on Sunday, 19 January at the Zuiderstrand Theatre.
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How Dark Is the Future?
Writer and journalist Fiep van Bodegom talked to authors Leni Zumas (US), Mohammad Rabie (Egypt) and Aafke Romeijn (Netherlands) about their expectations and speculations about the near future. All three recently published futuristic novels. In Red Clocks, Zumas portrays women in a future US where abortion and IVF are banned and and adoption is illegal for single mothers. In Rabie's Otared, a police sniper joins the underground resistance movement when half of Cairo is occupied by mercenaries. And in Concept M, Romeijn presents a surprising sketch of radicalization in the Netherlands in the year 2020.
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Man-Machine: And Technology Created the New Human
Hanna Bervoets and, from Ireland, Mark O'Connell discussed our "trans-human" future, in part spurred by O'Connell's bestselling To Be a Machine and Bervoets' novel Ivanov. O'Connell gave his book the riveting subtitle Adventures Among Cyborgs, Utopians, Hackers and the Futurists Solving the Modest Problem of Death. He explores the roots, ethics and future of trans-humanism. This movement wishes to expand the natural borders of human existence with the help of technology; according to others, it is an objectionable philosophy. Bervoets combines tension and ethics in Ivanov, in which the main character gets tangled up in the dubious research of a young scientist. Fiep van Bodegom lead the conversation, with sidekick engineer and innovation philosopher Martijntje Smits.
Bervoets and O'Connell also appeared in Filmhuis Zaal 1 from 22:30-23:40 in "Forever clips clips clips", a series of excerpts, short films and games addressing the festival theme Who Wants to Live Forever?
