Meeting

Yesterday I was at a lecture of Dutch writer "Connie Palmen" to promote her newest novel about American poet and novelist "Sylvia Plath".

And I scored a signature of the writer!

Book week

This is Tommy Wieringa (1967), a dutch writer who had a lecture in Almere last week.

In the Netherlands the "Boekenweek) (book week) is an anual "week" of ten days dedicated to Dutch literature. It is held in March since 1932. Each Boekenweek has a theme. The beginning of the Boekenweek is marked by the Boekenbal (book ball), a gathering that is attented by writers and publishers. Events are held across the country during this week, such as book signing sessions, literary festivals and debates.

A well-known writer, usually Dutch or Flemish, is asked to write a book, usually a novella, called the "Book week gift". This Book gift is given by book shops upon the purchase of books in the Dutch language. 

This is the book gift of this year and you see the name of the writer in the first picture as well. The title is "A beautiful young woman" and is about a mariage of an eldery man with a young woman.

With this book it is possible to travel for free with the train on the last sunday of the book week. No ticket is needed, you only have to show your booklet. We have done that several times and it is a great succes.

I had my booklet signed by the author!

The week of books

Once a year we have a week to promote literature called "Boekenweek". There are all kinds of activities and and lectures in bookstores and libraries with writers. Last weekend the library of Almere had invited two wellknown authors, "Bart Chabot", see his sculpture here above.

And here in reality.

And "Joost Zwagerman". 

Sorry for the blurry quality of the photos, it was rather dark inside.

When you buy a dutch book in this week you get a present in the form of a little book specialy written for the theme of the year. In the library is an exhibition of these books, collected through the years, by the husband of fellowblogger 

Maria of "Leven in Almere, maar ook daar buiten.....".

At her blog you see a picture of this years present. We both had a nice afternoon with lectures and music.