Hans Vervoort
(1939) belongs to the last generation of writers that grew up in the Dutch-Indies during and after the war. A childhood in troubled times, however one can conclude from his stories that it does not necessarily mean an unhappy childhood. In 1953 together with his parents he was forced to leave for the Netherlands. A fourteen year old exile, a victim of the colonial circumstances. Homesickness set in. He finished school and began work as an opinion-poll researcher. Later becoming a publisher of magazines such as Vrij Nederland and Opzij. At the same time he wrote collections of stories (such as Geluk is voor de dommen - Happiness is for the idiots) and novels (such as Zwarte rijst - Black rice). In 1974 together with his Indonesian wife he returned for the first time to their country of birth, and wrote the travel story Vanonder de Koperen Ploert - Under the burning sun), which ensured him a place in Rob Nieuwenhuys' Oost-Indische Spiegel (Mirror of the East Indies). His most recent publication is entitled Kind van de Oost (Child of the East) a collection autobiographical childhood stories (sold out and will be reprinted in May 2005)
HV 2005
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Archive available for: Hans Vervoort
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Hella's lessons
At this time in the programma, writer Hella Haasse would have spoken on her latest book 'Bij de les' ( At the lesson ) on school-posters on the Netherlands-Indies, used in schools in the colonial era. Last Friday Mrs. Haasse informed us that she was ill and unable to perform at the festival. In all haste we have put together an alternative programme around her new book. Eight writers, all experts on the Dutch Indies and friends and admirers of Hella Haasse, have been asked to choose one of the school posters, give his or her commentary on this and also react to the accompanying text. They will compare Mrs. Haasse's memories with their own image evoked by the posters and comment on Mrs. Haasse's observatons. Up to now the following people have promised to take part: Adriaan van Dis, Helga Ruebsamen, Sitor Sitomorang - Indonesian poet and contemporary of Mrs. Haasse - writer Hans Vervoort, journalist and writer John Jansen van Galen and Peter van Zonneveld, who with Mrs. Haasse went over the rough version of her book. Paul van der Gaag, presentor of VPRO's radio programme O.V.T. will chair the discussion. In the course of this week more names of participants will be published. We are convinced that in this way the book 'Bij de les' (At the lesson) and Hella Haasse will receive the attention that they so justly deserve.
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Indische Winternacht 1997
With: Adriaan van Dis, Aya Zikken, Carel Alphenaar, De Nazaten van Prins Hendrik, Gamelan Ensemble Widosari, Hans Vervoort, Hella Haasse, Jill Stolk, Marion Bloem, Michaël Zeeman, Mischa de Vreede, Radhar Panca Dahana, Rayuan Samud'ra, Rendra, Sitok Srengenge, Sitor Situmorang, The Galaxy Band, Wieteke van Dort
In 1997 the second edition of the Indische Winternacht took place: a Dutch and Indonesian evening of literature, music, film and storytelling. Among the participants were: Adriaan van Dis, Wieteke van Dort, Mischa de Vreede, Jill Stolk, Hella Haasse, Aya Zikken, Marion Bloem, and from Indonesia Rendra, Sitor Situmorang, Panca Dahana and Sitok Srengenge. The writers were introduced by Carel Alphenaar and interviewed by Michaël Zeeman. With music by The Galaxy Band, Gamelan Ensemble Widosari and De Nazaten van Prins Hendrik.
