Simon(e) van Saarloos
(1990) is a philosopher, writer, columnist and debate moderator. She writes literary reviews, interviews, essays, opinion pieces and fiction. In 2015, some of her columns written for the nrc.next newspaper were collected as Ik deug / deug niet (I am good / bad). In 2016, she performed on stage in Holy F with actors Sophie van Winden and Eva Marie de Waal. That same year her novel De vrouw die (The Woman Who) was published, followed in 2018 by ENZ. - De methode Wilders (The Wilders Method, ETC.) and in 2019 by Herdenken herdacht. Een essay om te vergeten (Rethinking Commemoration: An essay to forget). She writes her name as Simon(e) to point out the genderization of names.
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Archive available for: Simon(e) van Saarloos
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It's Up to Us & PEN Award
With: Arnon Grunberg, Eva Meijer, Jaap Tielbeke, Mirthe Frese, Raoul de Jong, Salena Godden, Samanta Schweblin, Simon(e) van Saarloos, Tsitsi Dangarembga
"It's up to us" is a statement made by philosopher, songwriter and author Eva Meijer in a radio program, as she was speaking about her novel De nieuwe rivier (The New River), which deals with the climate crisis. It's no longer up to you, the individual, to make the difference, but up to us. This statement became the theme of this online edition of the Winternachten Festival. But we also pose the question of which "us" we are talking about. Who is we?
We discussed this matter with writers Arnon Grunberg, Eva Meijer, Raoul de Jong, Tsitsi Dangarembga and Samanta Schweblin, moderated by Mirthe Frese.
0:00 - Intro.
1:52 - Arnon Grunberg (Netherlands), opening statement.
11:13 - Eva Meijer, Raoul de Jong (Netherlands), intro discussion
12:21 - Eva Meijer, recitation
14:01 - Raoul de Jong, discussion and recitation
17:16 - Eva Meijer, Raoul de Jong, discussion
32:11- Raoul de Jong, recitation
33:12 - Salena Godden (UK), spoken word
39:28 - Tsitsi Dangarembga (Zimbabwe), interview
52:57 - Simon(e) van Saarloos, performance
1:00:40 - Samanta Schweblin (Germany), interview.
1:11:52 - Jaap Tielbeke (Netherlands), performance.
1:16:58 - Arnon Grunberg, interview.
1:21:43 - Tsitsi Dangarembga, life and work video
1:30:08 - PEN Award for Tsitsi Dangarembga.Arnon Grunberg opened the discussion by a statement from New York. In his speech on Remembrance Day in The Netherlands, Grunberg made it clear that we must take a good long look at ourselves; racism is deeply rooted in our culture. Our "we" is still far from inclusive.
In connection with his new novel Jaguarman, Raoul de Jong told Dutch daily de Volkskrant that, currently, one is often expected to feel like the representative of a group. He prefers to stay true to his own rhythm and message.
The Zimbabwean writer and filmmaker Tsitsi Dangarembga, taking part from Harare, spoke about what "we" means to her in Zimbabwe's current postwar society. Dangarembga's novel This Mourning Body was shortlisted for the 2020 Booker Prize.
With the Argentinean author Samanta Schweblin, Mirthe Frese talked about the interconnectedness of mankind, and about humanity in an era of new technologies. These appear to form a new universal language between people. In her novel Little Eyes Schweblin investigates how technology creates togetherness and alienation.
To broaden the sense of "we", the Winternachten Festival asked three authors to write a dedicated contribution about the Winternachten festival theme. We saw and heard, from here or far away, Salena Godden, Simon(e) van Saarloos and Jaap Tielbeke. From whose idea of "we" do they want to make a difference? What is needed to feel a sense of "us"? And is it even really up to us? Arnon Grunberg concluded by reflecting on the conversations and sharing his thoughts.
Following this discussion, the PEN Award for Freedom of Expression was handed out to Tsitsi Dangarembga. With The PEN Award, in a co-production with PIP The Hague that supports the Award, writers organisation PEN International honours authors who seek and speak out the truth risking their freedom and lives.
Read here the contributions written for this programme on request of the Winternachten international literature festival The Hague:
- The Religion of Group Identity | Arnon Grunberg
- A different kind of we | Eva Meijer
- Letter to My Younger Self | Jaap Tielbeke
- Everything is Anana | Raoul de Jong
- We could be Heroes | Salena Godden
- I have little time and lots to say | Simon(e) van Saarloos
(Find the Dutch-language versions here/Lees hier de Nederlandstalige versies)Learn more here:
Tsitsi Dangarembga
"Life in an 'ever narrowing Zimbabwe'", interview with Tsitsi Dangarembga, Al-Jazeera, 2020
Video: "Being shorlisted for the Booker Prize changed my life", interview with Tsitsi Dangarembga, France24, 2020
Salena Godden
website
Video: Salena Godden recites her poem The Letter from the collection Pessimism is for Lightweights, ArtHouse Jersey, 2020
Video: Salena Godden, spoken-word performance I want to be your wife, lead track of her newly released The Lockdown EP, Nymphs & Thugs, 2020Arnon Grunberg
website
Video: conversation with Arnon Grunberg about what the covid19-pandemic means for our society and democracy, De Balie Live, 2020Raoul de Jong
website
Audio: interview with Raoul de Jong about his novel Jaguarman, Radio Rijnmond, 2020Eva Meijer
website
Interview with Eva Meijer about De nieuwe rivier (The New River), Het Parool, 2020
Video: Interview with Eva Meijer about her book De nieuwe rivier (The New River), Kunststof, NPO Radio 1Simon(e) van Saarloos
website
Instagram
Audio The Asterisk Conversation #1 podcast: Simon(e) van Saarloos, Nalo Hopkinson, Tirsa With, Writers Unlimited, 2020Samanta Schweblin
Instagram
Video: Samanta Schweblin talks about her book Duizend ogen (Little Eyes, 2020)Jaap Tielbeke
Essays and articles by Jaap Tielbeke in De Groene Amsterdammer - The Religion of Group Identity | Arnon Grunberg
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Opening Night: It's Up to Us & PEN Award
With: Arnon Grunberg, Eva Meijer, Jaap Tielbeke, Mirthe Frese, Raoul de Jong, Salena Godden, Samanta Schweblin, Simon(e) van Saarloos, Tsitsi Dangarembga
"It's Up to Us" is a statement made by philosopher, songwriter and author Eva Meijer in a radio program, as she was speaking about her novel De nieuwe rivier (The New River), which deals with the climate crisis. It's no longer up to you, the individual, to make the difference, but up to us. This statement was chosen as the theme of this online edition of the Winternachten Festival. However, we pose the question of which "us" we are talking about. Who is we?
We discussed this matter with writers Arnon Grunberg, Eva Meijer, Raoul de Jong, Tsitsi Dangarembga and Samanta Schweblin, moderated by Mirthe Frese.
Arnon Grunberg opened the discussion with a statement from New York. In his Dutch Remembrance Day speech, Grunberg made it clear that we must take a good long look at ourselves; racism is deeply rooted in our culture. Our "we" is still far from inclusive.
In connection with his new novel Jaguarman, Raoul de Jong told the Dutch daily De Volkskrant that, these days, one is often expected to represent a group. He prefers to stay true to his own rhythm and message.
The Zimbabwean writer and filmmaker Tsitsi Dangarembga, taking part from Harare, spoke about what "we" means to her in Zimbabwe's current postwar society. Dangarembga's novel This Mourning Body was shortlisted for the 2020 Booker Prize.
The Argentinean author Samanta Schweblin spoke about the interconnectedness of mankind, and about humanity in an era of new technologies. These appear to form a new universal language between people. In her novel Little Eyes, Schweblin investigates how technology creates togetherness and alienation.
To broaden the sense of "we", the Winternachten Festival commissioned three authors to write a short piece on the Winternachten festival theme. From their own perspectives, we heard from Salena Godden, Simon(e) van Saarloos and Jaap Tielbeke. From whose idea of "we" do they intend to make a difference? What is needed to feel a sense of "us"? And is it even really up to us? To conclude, Arnon Grunberg reflected on the conversations and shared his thoughts.
Following this discussion, the PEN Award for Freedom of Expression was presented to Tsitsi Dangarembga. In a coproduction with PIP The Hague, which supports this prize, the writers' organization PEN International honours authors who currently seek out and speak the truth at risk to their freedom and lives with the PEN Award.
Watch a film portrait of Tsitsi Dangarembga here.You can read the contributions commissioned for this program by the Winternachten International Literature Festival The Hague here:
- The Religion of Group Identity | Arnon Grunberg
- A Different Kind of We | Eva Meijer
- Letter to My Younger Self | Jaap Tielbeke
- Everything is Anana | Raoul de Jong
- We Could be Heroes | Salena Godden
- I Have Little Time and Lots to Say | Simon(e) van Saarloos
(Find the Dutch-language versions here/Lees hier de Nederlandstalige versies)More background:
Tsitsi Dangarembga
"Life in an 'ever narrowing Zimbabwe'", interview with Tsitsi Dangarembga, Al-Jazeera, 2020
Video: "Being shorlisted for the Booker Prize changed my life", interview with Tsitsi Dangarembga, France24, 2020
Salena Godden
website
Video: Salena Godden recites her poem The Letter from the collection Pessimism is for Lightweights, ArtHouse Jersey, 2020
Video: Salena Godden, spoken-word performance I want to be your wife, lead track of her newly released The Lockdown EP, Nymphs & Thugs, 2020Arnon Grunberg
website
Video: conversation with Arnon Grunberg about what the covid19 pandemic means for our society and democracy, De Balie Live, 2020Raoul de Jong
website
Audio: interview with Raoul de Jong about his novel Jaguarman, Radio Rijnmond, 2020Eva Meijer
website
Interview with Eva Meijer about De nieuwe rivier (The New River), Het Parool, 2020
Video: Interview with Eva Meijer about her book De nieuwe rivier (The New River), Kunststof, NPO Radio 1Simon(e) van Saarloos
website
Instagram
Audio The Asterisk Conversation #1 podcast: Simon(e) van Saarloos, Nalo Hopkinson, Tirsa With, Writers Unlimited, 2020Samanta Schweblin
Instagram
Video: Samanta Schweblin talks about her book Duizend ogen (Little Eyes, 2020)Jaap Tielbeke
Essays and articles by Jaap Tielbeke in De Groene Amsterdammer - The Religion of Group Identity | Arnon Grunberg
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Opening Night
With: Adriaan van Dis, Angelina Enny, Antjie Krog, Cynthia Mc Leod, Ellen Deckwitz, Goenawan Mohamad, Hassnae Bouazza, Jolyn Phillips, Karin Amatmoekrim, Nelleke Noordervliet, Petina Gappah, Reggie Baay, Rosabelle Illes, Shailesh Bahoran, Sigrid Kaag, Simon(e) van Saarloos, Ton van de Langkruis, Vamba Sherif
A fantastic line-up of fifteen Dutch and international authors provided a preview of the festival with their new poetry and prose, mixed with dance performances by Shailesh Bahoran. This festive evening celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Winternachten festival with the presentation of the (Dutch language) anniversary anthology De verovering van Jupiter (Over de dekolonisatie van de geest) (Conquering Jupiter: On decolonising the mind). The festival was opened by Sigrid Kaag, Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation.
At the behest of Writers Unlimited, all contributors wrote a short essay, story or poem for the anthology to reflect on the festival theme. It is a unique collection of 28 wonderful pieces of writing edited by Toef Jaeger and published by Jurgen Maas. It is available at regular bookstores and online.
In the same venue in which the first Indonesian Winternacht (forerunner of Winternachten Festival) took place in 1995 - the Theater aan het Spui - on this jubilee opening night we proudly presented (inter)national writers that have developed a special bond with our festival and its audience. These included: Goenawan Mohamad (Indonesia) and Nelleke Noordervliet - who both performed at the first Winternacht in 1995 -, Adriaan van Dis, Antjie Krog (South Africa), Reggie Baay, Manon Uphoff, Vamba Sherif and Cynthia McLeod (Suriname). Tip: be sure to look up these writers in our online video and sound archive!
Writers Unlimited will always continue to seek out talent, and in 25 years has presented many debuting local and foreign writers. How wonderful, then, to welcome on this evening - once again, or for the first time: Angelina Enny (Indonesia), Rosabelle Illes (Aruba), Jolyn Phillips (South Africa) and, from the Netherlands, Karin Amatmoekrim, Simon(e) van Saarloos and Ellen Deckwitz. We awaited their appearances and recitations with bated breath.
Theatre maker, choreographer and hiphop innovator Shailesh Bahoran performed parts of his dance solo Heritage that was inspired by his Hindostani background; a short video of The Theatre of Wrong Decisions was shown and the Hesce Mourits Quartet of the Royal Conservatory The Hague also performed.
The Opening Night was hosted by Hassnae Bouazza.
The performance of Manon Uphoff, announced for this programme, has been canceled due to illness.
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Free at Last: A Day of Decolonised Life
Exciting! Are these fairy tales or is this finally a decolonised world? Writers Unlimited asked a very international group of eight authors to sum up a day of colonisation-free existence in poetry or prose. Eight days of liberation, each in their own way.
In this event you will see and hear Akwasi, the Dutch rapper, actor and writer of Ghanaian background; Barbaros Altuğ, the Turkish writer, journalist and literary agent; Asmaa Azaizeh, Palestinian poet, journalist and cultural curator born in Lower Galilee in Israel's north; Petina Gappah, lawyer and writer from Zimbabwe; Cağla Meknuze, jounalist and poet from Turkey; Jolyn Phillips, writer, poet and composer from South Africa; Simon(e) van Saarloos, American-Dutch writer and philosopher; and Vamba Sherif, Liberian-Dutch writer and journalist.
The authors present their work in their preferred writing language or mother tongue; Dutch and English translations are projected simultaneously.
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Art Deco - liberating the Arts
How do musicians, (visual) artists and curators deal with decolonization? How does it influence, enrich or hinder their work?
During the Friday Night Unlimited program, several events will focus on the decolonization of the mind. How free is our mind, what does freedom mean, and are we truly free, or caught in the framework of our culture, society and history? This theme is party based on the essay collection Decolonizing the Mind by the Kenyan writer Ngugi wa Thiong'o, in which he discusses colonized language and how its influence is still notable. Since he believes that language plays a constructive role in culture, history and identity, he argues for "lingustic decolonization".
In this second event, Simon(e) van Saarloos discusses this subject with actor and writer Akwasi, with poet, visual artist and activist Quinsy Gario and with Susan Legène, Professor of Political History at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
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Books Unlimited: Leni Zumas & Jennifer Clement
Get to know literary stars and their recent books. Philosopher Simone van Saarloos talked to US writer Leni Zumas about her futuristic bestseller Red Clocks and to US-Mexican writer Jennifer Clement about her latest novel Gun Love. Expect to hear about their motivation to write, the creation of their characters and the worldwide success of their books.
In Red Clocks, Zumas sketches an intense portrait of four women. Their virtuostically told stories take place in an oppressive and all-too-imaginable future United States in which abortion, IVF and adoption is illegal for single women. The Guardian wrote about Gune Love: "Jennifer Clement's novel about a trailer park teen on a surreal journey across a gun-crazed land is superbly told." -
Thinking about Holland FFWD
"Thinking of Holland / I see broad rivers / winding slowly through endless lowlands" is perhaps the best-known Dutch opening verse. In Memory of Holland written in 1936, Hendrik Marsman describes the lanscape and the struggle against water. Seven young authors went fast forward to today, allowing the poem to inspire their future vision of the Netherlands. Poets Asha Karami and Derek Otte, singer-songwriters Lounar and Raj Mohan, performer and visual artist Roberta Petzoldt, and writers Simone van Saarloos and Vamba Sherif presented their new versions. Programmer and host Francis Broekhuijsen opened the programme by reading Marsmans classic poem.
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The Wilders Method
With: Abdelkader Benali, Karin Amatmoekrim, Simon(e) van Saarloos
Philosopher Simone van Saarloos attended the trial against politician Geert Wilders, and developed a strong interest in het nationwide fascination for her person, attitude and method. For a long time she closely observed Wilders, his lawyers and the constantly attacked judges. In the book 'ENZ. - het Wildersproces' (ETC. - The Wilders Trial), through analysis and philosophy Van Saarloos tries to get to the bottom of what makes his followers admire him. Abdelkader Benali hosts the programme with Simone van Saarloos, Karin Amatmoekrim and other guests. The programme is Dutch spoken.
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Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
"The world is a story we tell ourselves about the world," according to Indian writer Vikram Chandra. Hanna Bervoets used the quote as a motto for her novel Efter, in which she investigates the fairy tales we tell ourselves and others to come to grips with our surroundings. Because we do tell one another fairy tales: about how the world appears, but also about how we ourselves appear. On Facebook, Instagram and vlogs we show our best side: photos are Photoshopped or simply "not allowed on timeline." Thus the world is not only a story we tell ourselves about the world, but also a story we tell the world about ourselves. With Hanna Bervoets, Salena Godden and others.
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Writers Unlimited Brainwash: The Text of My Life
With: Andrew Solomon, Ignaas Devisch, Jan Drost, Simon(e) van Saarloos, Stephan Sanders, Tamar de Waal, Thijs Lijster, Tom Chatfield
Writers Unlimited nam deel aan de eerste Haagse editie van het Brainwash festival. In de Koning Willem foyer in de Koninklijke Schouwburg presenteerden we tussen 20.00 uur en 23.00 uur 'De tekst van mijn leven'. Stephan Sanders interviewde schrijvers en filosofen die te gast waren op het festival. Zij droegen hun favoriete teksten voor en lichtten toe waarom deze tekst, dit gedicht, romanfragment of deze songtekst hun leven en eigen werk heeft beïnvloed. Welke herinnering, welk gevoel riep die tekst nog bij hen op? Een doorlopend interviewprogramma, waarbij het publiek ook met de gasten in gesprek ging.
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SATURDAY NIGHT UNLIMITED
With: Martijn Knol, Simon(e) van Saarloos
The varied Saturday night programme on 17 January (together with the Friday night programme) forms the heart of the festival, with dozens of events on five stages.
Writers, poets and audience members come together for various programmes in a festive and informal atmosphere. The authors present work commissioned by the festival, read from their books, or discuss current issues.
There are programmes in English and in Dutch, making a "Language No Problem" enjoyment of the evening possible. You can see the schedule below, or download it here as a pdf.
Saturday guests include Karen Amstrong (UK), Reggie Baay, Wim Brands, Ian Buruma (US/NL), Jennifer Clement (US/Mexico), Leela Corman (US), Adriaan van Dis, Mira Feticu (NL/Romania), Louise O. Fresco, Dominique Goblet (Belgium), David Grossman (Israel), Stefan Hertmans, Bas Heijne, Cynthia McLeod (Suriname), Maaza Mengiste (US/Ethiopia), Nii Ayikwei Parkes (Ghana/UK), Gustaaf Peek, Nina Polak, David Van Reybrouck (Belgium), Vamba Sherif, Shantie Singh, Witold Szabłowski (Poland), and many more. One ticket allows access to all events.
Programme is subject to change.
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FRIDAY NIGHT UNLIMITED
With: Abdelkader Benali, Simon(e) van Saarloos
The varied Friday night programme on 16 January (together with the Saturday night programme) forms the heart of the festival, with dozens of events on five stages.
Writers, poets and audience members come together for various programmes in a festive and informal atmosphere. The authors present work commissioned by the festival, read from their books, or discuss current issues.
There are programmes in English and in Dutch, making a "Language No Problem" enjoyment of the evening possible. You can see the programma schedule below, or download the pdf of the 'Language no Problem' route here.
English writer Karen Armstrong, known for her many books about world religions, delivers the opening lecture. Other guests include Muhammad Aladdin (Egypt), Abdelkader Benali, Cristina Branco (singing Remco Campert poems), Leela Corman (US), Jennifer Clement (US/Mexico), Maxim Februari, David Grossman (Israel), Cynthia McLeod (Suriname), Maaza Mengiste (US/Ethiopia), Dinar Rahayu (Indonesia), David Van Reybrouck (Belgium),Paul Scheffer, Mustafa Stitou, Niña Weijers, Tao Yue (NL/China), and many others. One ticket allows access to all events.
Programme is subject to change.
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New Talent in the House!
Five powerful new female stars in the literary firmament talk about their ultimate sense of being at home in specially written commentaries. Much-discussed debutante Nina Polak and her up-and-coming colleagues Bregje Hofstede, Mira Feticu, Roos van Rijswijk, and Shantie Singh appear in a varied program. Presented by Simone van Saarloos. In Dutch.
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Tirade against a lightweight lover
Editors of the literary magazine Tirade and several writers climb on to the soapbox in the foyer and hold a Tirade, as appeared in the anniversary edition of Tirade 450. Simone van Saarloos's diatribe is aimed against a lightweight lover.
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The Text of my Life: Roos Pollmann
Which texts from world literature has Dutch writer and actress Roos Pollman cherished as long as she lives? This most beautiful or most inspiring text can be a poem, an excerpt from a novel or a song-text. She discusses the text with the audience. In Dutch.
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The Text of my Life: Linda Christanty
Which texts from world literature has Linda Christanty from Indonesia cherished as long as she lives? This most beautiful or most inspiring text can be a poem, an excerpt from a novel or a song-text. She discusses the text with the audience. In English.
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The Text of my Life: Andrés Neuman
Which texts from world literature has the Argentine writer Andrés Neuman cherished as long as he lives? This most beautiful or most inspiring text can be a poem, an excerpt from a novel or a song-text. He discusses the text with the audience. In English.
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The Text of my Life: Alfred Schaffer
Which texts from world literature has Dutch poet Alfred Schaffer cherished as long as he lives? This most beautiful or most inspiring text can be a poem, an excerpt from a novel or a song-text. He discusses the text with the audience. In Dutch.
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The Text of my Life: Elisabeth van Nimwegen
Which texts from world literature has Dutch writer Elisabeth van Nimwegen cherished as long as she lives? This most beautiful or most inspiring text can be a poem, an excerpt from a novel or a song-text. She discusses the text with the audience. In Dutch.
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The Text of my Life: Noreena Hertz
Which texts from world literature has econonomist and writer Noreena Hertz from Great Britain cherished as long as she lives? This most beautiful or most inspiring text can be a poem, an excerpt from a novel or a song-text. She discusses the text with the audience. In English.
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The Text of my Life: Arie Boomsma
Which texts from world literature has Dutch poetry anthologist and tv anchor Arie Boomsma cherished as long as he lives? This most beautiful or most inspiring text can be a poem, an excerpt from a novel or a song-text. He discusses the text with the audience. In Dutch.
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The Text of my Life: Nihad Sirees
Which texts from world literature has Syrian writer Nihad Sirees cherished as long as he lives? This most beautiful or most inspiring text can be a poem, an excerpt from a novel or a song-text. He discusses the text with the audience. In English.
