Poetry Performance, New Metropolis at Opening of Exhibition of IJda Smits

On June 10, 2023 at 4 p.m., the exhibition of IJda Smits will open, Florilegium Amsterdam 1064 in
New Metropolis Nieuw-West.

For her project, IJda made a book in two versions, a printed and a handmade version for which she made many blueprints of plants in her area, also known as cyanotype, an old photographic technique, discovered by John Herschel in 1842. Although, it was Anna Atkins who applied it in photography and published it in book form. More about the Florilegium and cyanotypes can be found on the website of IJda.

In March 2019, IJda and I started a poetry exchange. For the opening of her Florilegium project she asked me if I would like to recite a few poems? Of course!

Would you like to be there? Sign up via the New Metropolis website.

Ingekleurde Cyanotype van daslook door IJda Smits.
Ingekleurde Cyanotype van een akelei bloem door IJda Smits.
Ingekleurde Cyanotype van Doorwaskervel door IJda Smits.
Ingekleurde Cyanotype van zuring door IJda Smits.

Haarlemse Dichtlijn, Open Stage October 11, 2022

YES, I’ll perform my poetry once more in Haarlem!

Almost every second Tuesday of the month, the Haarlemse Dichtlijn organizes an open stage for poetry. On October 11, this will be at the new location: Het Verhalenhuis at Van Egmondstraat 7, 2024 XL in Haarlem. The program starts at 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Entry starts at 7:30 pm.
Admission is free, but for the number of seats, it is necessary to make a reservation on the Verhalenhuis website.

If you want to be there, don’t wait but book immediately, and we’ll see each other on October 11th. What I’m going to present … come visit and you’ll find out ;)!

HOW DO YOU GET THERE BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT?

From Haarlem CS station, location can be reached in about 10 minutes with bus line 3 in the direction of IJmuiden, get off at bus stop Spaarnhovenstraat.

Performing Poetry, OBA, Open Stage

A year later than the original planning, it finally will happen.
On June 25, 2022 I will return to the Open Stage in the Central Public Library at the Oosterdok in Amsterdam (OBA). We will start at 2 pm. I’m really looking forward to it and would love to meet you!

Entrance is free, you can order the free tickets from the OBA via the link below: Please note: this event is in Dutch.

Portrait-Zatarra-Rafael-at-stairs-railing

Poetry Festival Ascension Day in Haarlem

After two years of festival silence, this year’s Poetry Festival will take place on Ascension Day, May 26, 2022.
At 12 pm we start a beautiful afternoon full of poetry. The auditorium of the beautiful monumental city palace House Hodshon in Haarlem forms the backdrop. The accompanying festival bundle will be presented and many poets, including myself, will recite their poems. Shall we meet at this beautiful location on the Spaarne in the city heart of Haarlem?

This year’s festival theme is taken from the motto of the city of Haarlem: Vicit Vim Virtus – ‘courage has conquered violence’. Those who go for it, achieve it! It turns out to be a timeless saying. In this way words connect present, past and future.

Have you become as curious as I am, whether the times of yesteryear and now will flow together on this special poetic afternoon? Come and listen to all the beautiful poems from the festival bundle, which you can also purchase as a souvenir, so that you can enjoy all the other days of the year. By purchasing the bundle you sponsor the festival, so that we can continue to enjoy all the beauty that poetry has to offer for a long time to come and many more editions of the Poetry Festival, organized by the Haarlemse Dichtlijn, can take place.

A week before the festival you can find the day program on the website of the Haarlemse Dichtlijn.
My performance will take place in the first round starting at noon.

You can find more (background) information about the Hodshon House on the foundation’s website Hendrick de Keyser.

Open Stage for Poetry, Amsterdam.

Portrait-Zatarra-Rafael-at-stairs-railing

Saturday November 27th, 2021 at the Central OBA(Library), Amsterdam.
I’ll perform my poetry at the Open Stage for Poetry, when Corona allows it to take place.
So mark the date in your agenda, I’ll love to meet you. More information will follow in November.

Due to Corona, my presentation for the Open Podium in the OBA
in Amsterdam on 27 November 2021 has been cancelled.
Hopefully we can meet again in the OBA in the spring of 2022.
More information will follow, on this news page and in the agenda.

Great Poetry News!

After some cancellations, finally I have good news to share!
Upcoming Friday June 18th, I’ll perform my poetry at ‘t Kleverhuis in Haarlem, starting at 4 pm. Language is Dutch.
Safe your space at the arena fast, as seats are very limited.
You can order your free ticket by Lieneke,

For more information:
https://www.facebook.com/HaarlemseDichtlijn/photos/a.683096691719394/4609943009034723/

Address:
Maerten van Heemskerckstraat 69a in Haarlem Noord

It’s a beautiful city-park-walk from approximate 10 minutes from Haarlem Central Station.

Performance Open Stage

Portrait-Zatarra-Rafael-at-stairs-railing

Saturday June 26th, 2021 at the Central OBA (Library),Amsterdam.
I’ll perform my poetry at the Open Stage for Poetry, when Corona allows it to take place.
So mark the date in your agenda, I’ll love to meet you. More information will follow in June.

Due to Corona, the Open Stage for Poetry of June 2021 at the OBA Library in Amsterdam, is canceled.
Hopefully we can meet each other this fall at the OBA.
I’ll keep your posted here.