Quito Nicolaas
(Aruba, 1955) studied political science and law at the University of Amsterdam. In 1980 his poem E Dia di Mañan appeared, followed by many publications such as the poetry collection Politico (1990), Illucion Optico (1995) and the poem Ser Nihilo (1998). His collection of poems Destino appeared in 2000. In 2001 his first short story, Un Pasco Tristo, was published. Another poetry collection, Gerede Twijfels (Certain Doubts), appeared in 2002. In 2003 his novel Sentencia sin Proceso appeared. Nicolaas - who sees himself first and foremost as an Aruban writer - is chairman of the board of the Antillean and Aruban literary organisation Simia Literario. Since April 2001 he has been attached as a reviewer to the weekly publication Contrast. He mostly comments on novels and poetry collections written by mainly non-indigenous writers.
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Archive available for: Quito Nicolaas
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Great Dicatation in Papiamento/u of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Prolongated because of its success in 2006: the public dictation Papiamento/u. Since March 2007 it is the official language on the Dutch Antilles - so high time to test your knowledge. Participants may choose from Papiamentu, spoken on Curaçao and Bonaire, and Papiamento (Aruba). The FPI (Foundation for Language Planning) from Curaçao will provide the text, together with the writer Sonia Garmers, who will dictate it herself. The Papiamento will be dictated by Sidney Kock, press officer of the Aruba House in The Hague. It is just and fair that old-member of the Council of State Gilbert Wawoe and writer Olga Orman, who did the dictation in 2006, will be subjected to this spelling test. Winternachten provides pen and pencil. A professional jury with Quito Nicolaas and Igma van Putte, led by Ronald Severing of the FPI, will judge the dictations and award the winners with a suitable prize. The dicatation is programmed at the start of the evening. Be on time, full is full.
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The Papiamento dictation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
It does not come as a surprise that very few speakers of Papiamento and Papiamentu can also spell in their mother tongue. Although the spelling has been officially established, teaching spelling has only for some years been part of the official school system. In this first public dictation we will evaluate the state of affairs. Visitors to Winternachten were invited to join in: choose Papiamentu or Papiamento and test your knowledge. They needn't worry about the results, only the number of faults that the winner makes was revealed. The prize: a recent copy of the Papiamentu-Dutch complete dictionary (2005). The dictation was put together by the FPI (Foundation for language planning) from Curaçao. Chairman of the jury was the director of FPI, Ronald Severing. Gilbert Wawoe, member of the State Council, dictated the Papiamentu, and children's book writer Olga Orman the Papiamento. You can try your Papiamento and Papiamentu by listening to the dictation on this recording. The correct spelling can been seen in this document (PDF). Dutch and Papiamento spoken.
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The Shallows in the West
Beautiful holiday islands, pity of those drug-trafficers. Is that the image that the Dutch have of the Dutch Antilles? What should the Antillians think of the Netherlands, where the market is for these same drugs. Three poets give us their picture of The Netherlands and their own archipelago. Quito Nicolaas and Dax Hassel are from Aruba, and have lived in The Netherlands for some time. Poet and enthralling performer Gibi Bacilio is from Curaçao. They write their poetry in Papiamento, English and Dutch.
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Winternachten Tilburg
With: Ed van Eeden, Etienne van Heerden, Kader Abdolah, Quito Nicolaas
An evening with the South-African writer Etienne van Heerden, the Aruban poet Quito Nicolaas and the Dutch-Iranian writer Kader Abdolah. On their image of Holland. Moderated by Ed van Eeden. Dutch spoken.
Tickets 013 4561111
