Netherlands literary scene – January

Here’s our rundown of upcoming international literary events in Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam and Utrecht for January 2020 and beyond. Events are in English unless otherwise noted. Most ask that you register; some require tickets. If you’d like to receive our listing of local literary events by email, sign up for our Monthly Update.

• OpenMicMonday – poetry, music and stories in Dutch, English and French (new performers welcome) on Monday, 6 January, 20:30 at Labyrinth, Amsterdam
• Creative Writing Course, Thursdays – 8 weeks of inspiration and learning starting 14 January, 18:45-20:45 at Koorenhuis, The Hague
• Word Up – spoken word poetry for social inclusion and diversity promotion on Thursday, 9 January, 19:00 at Checkpoint Charlie, Amsterdam
• ABC Open Mic – your chance to go public with your book, song or poem on Friday, 10 January, 18:00 at the American Book Center, Amsterdam
• Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie – the award-winning Nigerian writer will be giving the Belle van Zuylen lecture and receiving a prize on Saturday, 11 January, 20:30 TivoliVredenburg, Utrecht
• OpenMicMonday – poetry, music and stories in Dutch, English and French (new performers welcome) on Monday, 13 January, 20:30 at Labyrinth, Amsterdam
• Creative Writing Course, Tuesday mornings – 8 weeks of inspiration and learning starting 14 January, 10:00-12:00 at Boekhandel van Rossum, Amsterdam
• Creative Writing Course, Tuesday evenings – 8 weeks of inspiration and learning starting 14 January, 18:30-20:30 at Boekhandel van Rossum, Amsterdam
• W.H. Auden: Tell me the truth about love – an evening of readings and commentary celebrating the life and work of this major twentieth-century poet Tuesday, 14 January, 19:00 at Waterstones, Amsterdam
• Int’l Open Stage – an open mic night with poetry, stories, songs and more in whatever language you want on the theme of Vision(s) 2020, visions of the future and perceptions of the past, on Tuesday, 14 January, 20:30 at ACU, Utrecht
• Winternachten Literature Festival – readings, prose, poetry, storytelling, spoken word, author interviews, topical discussions, films and music, featuring over 100 writers, poets and spoken word artists from around the world, 15 – 19 January at various locations in The Hague. Note: Some of this programme will be in Dutch.
• Winter Student & Faculty Reading – an inspiring evening of poetry and prose selected by Jake Schneider of Berlin-based journal SAND on Friday, 17 January, 20:00 at Boekhandel van Rossum, Amsterdam
• Jean Weso – the local author will be launching his new detective novel The Lure of Amsterdam on Sunday, 19 January, 16:00 American Book Center, Amsterdam
• Jazz & Poetry with Vignette! – featuring spoken word artist Alexander Cromer, jazz guitarist Euan Richard, and funky bassist Baest on Sunday, 19 January, 19:00 at Labyrinth, Amsterdam
• Creative Writing Course, Monday evenings – 8 weeks of inspiration and learning starting 20 January, 18:30-20:30 at Boekhandel van Rossum, Amsterdam
• OpenMicMonday – poetry, music and stories in Dutch, English and French (new performers welcome) on Monday, 20 January, 20:30 at Labyrinth, Amsterdam
• Meg Waite Clayton – the best-selling American author will be discussing her novel The Last Train to London, based on the true story of the Vienna Kindertransports during World War II on Tuesday, 21 January, 20:00 at the Uilenburgersjoel, Amsterdam
• Creative Writing Course, Thursdays – 8 weeks of inspiration and learning starting 23 January, 10:00-12:00 at Boekhandel van Rossum, Amsterdam
• OpenMicMonday – poetry, music and stories in Dutch, English and French (new performers welcome) on Monday, 27 January, 20:30 at Labyrinth, Amsterdam
• Rebel Poetry: REBOOT – a “debaucherous” poetry reading to celebrate the 3-year anniversary of Rough House Press events at the Dokhuis Galerie on Thursday, 30 January, 19:00 at Dokhuis Galerie, Amsterdam

FEBRUARY

• Master Class with poet Megin Jiménez – Sunday, 9 February, 17:30 – 19:00 at Boekhandel van Rossum, Amsterdam
• VERSO live journal – an evening of poetry, performance and surprise with Amsterdam’s live literary & art journal on Sunday, 9 February, 19:00 at Mezrab, Amsterdam, 19:00 at Mezrab, Amsterdam
• Int’l Open Stage – an open mic night with poetry, stories, songs and more in whatever language you want on the theme of Crashing (think computers rather than sleeping on your friend’s couch), on Tuesday, 11 February, 20:30 at ACU, Utrecht
• KNOCK KNOCK – an evening of spoken word, poetry, music and soul food on Friday, 28 February, 19:15 at Volta, Amsterdam