On Ascension Day, May 14, 2026, I will present new work at the Haarlemse Dichtlijn poetry festival starting at De Koepel in Haarlem. The program features a parallel line up spread across three rounds and six stages.
The poetry festival starts with a plenary session at 12:00 p.m. at De Koepel, formerly known as the prison yet now a vibrant venue where art, knowledge, and culture come together in dialogue about the meaning of freedom. In a nutshell, an inspiring place to reflect on what freedom truly means
The festival will be officially opened by poet, actress, and visual artist Roberta Petzoldt.
And the hosts for this edition are:
- Jacqueline van de Sande, Chairman of the CultuurKoepel Foundation
- Jan Hoekema, former director, coach, consultant, and moderator at De Pletterij.
- Mireille Buldeo Rai (Jazz & Poetry & Art), runs her own poetry venue in Amsterdam and organizes poetry walks in Bos en Lommer.
- Bart Top, former journalist who now among others organizes poetry walks in Amsterdam and the Haarlem Dunes.
- Francien van den Berg, visual artist who creates tactile art and is a passionate reader.
- Ingrid Elsing, initially a major advocate for poetry in education; now she promotes and presents for the Haarlemse Dichtlijn (Haarlem Poetry Line).
Schedule of the opening & performances on 6 stages:
– 12:00 PM: Plenary opening in the Koepel
– 1:15 PM: First round of presentations
– 2:25 PM: Second round
– 3:35 PM: Third round
– 4:45 PM: After-party at Grand Café The Governor (Hotel Ambassador)
I’ll recite during the 2nd round at 2:25 p.m. at Jansstraat 33 & the 3rd round at 3:35 p.m. at Hof20 (Begijnhof 20).
Visiting the festival is free.
Poetry Collection & Theme
Once again this year, a beautiful festival anthology will be published especially for this occasion, featuring a new poem by each participating poet.
You can purchase the anthology during the festival for just €12. By doing so, you support the festival, ensuring that another poetry festival can be organized next year. In doing so, you give poets a platform and take home a lovely memento. (Also makes a great gift) ;).
This year’s cover illustration was created by artist Eric Coolen.
This year’s theme is metamorphosis.
For the collection, I wrote a new poem around this theme, which I will recite during the festival. Together with other new poems, I’m bringing you another poetic Zatarra-wave.
Come and listen, and allow yourself to experience the various forms this flow may take you through.
Will we meet on May 14?
Warm poetic regards,
Zatarra Raël
