Netherlands literary scene – March

Here’s our rundown of upcoming international literary events in Amsterdam, The Hague, Leiden and Utrecht for March 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.

Note: We will note any cancellations or changes as we become aware of them, but always check the host’s listing for the most up-to-date information.

• Dostoyevsky Cities: Amsterdam – an evening of local Anglophone poetry and launch of an anthology featuring the selected poets, (former student Helena Grande will be reading!) on Sunday 1 March, 20:00 at Splendor, Amsterdam
• Walk and Talk, Wright Morris – guided tour of the current exhibit of photos by the writer/photographer who was one of the first creators of the visual novel as a blend of photos and text, on Thursday, 5 March, 18:30-19:30 at FOAM, Amsterdam
• ABC Open Mic – your chance to go public with your book, song or poem on Friday, 6 March, 18:00 at the American Book Center, Amsterdam
• You didn’t hear this from me –  the launch of Perdu’s English podcast including readings and discussion with poets Rachel Levitsky and Nadia de Vries on Friday, 6 March, 20:00 at Perdu, Amsterdam
• Boekenweek –  a celebration of books from 7 – 15 March at various locations and times. Note: almost all events are in Dutch.
• Etgar Keret – an evening with the world-renowned Israeli short-story author, including a discussion of his latest book Fly Already on Sunday, 8 March, 15:00 at Boekhandel van Rossum, Amsterdam CANCELLED
• Feminist Open Mic Night – a stage for the most promising artists, poets, singers and performance artists to celebrate International Women’s Day on Sunday, 8 March, 15:00 at the Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam
• Etgar Keret – an evening with the world-renowned Israeli short-story author, including a discussion of his latest book Fly Already and screening of the documentary “Etgar Keret: Based on a True Story” on Monday, 9 March, 20:00 at Kerkstraat 11, The Hague CANCELLED
• OpenMicMonday – poetry, music and stories in Dutch, English and French (new performers welcome),  March 9, 20:30 at Labyrinth, Amsterdam
• Promises to Keep, the Poetry of Robert Frost – an evening of readings and commentary exploring the life and work of the much-loved poet on Tuesday, 10 March, 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 Fire on Tuesday 10 March, 20:30 at ACU, Utrecht.
• An Evening with James Joyce – an accessible introduction to Joyce’s notoriously difficult masterpieces Ulysses and Finnegans Wake with live Irish music (and of course Irish beer) afterwards on Wednesday, 11 March, 20:30 at the Paradiso, Amsterdam. Note: this event will be in Dutch.
• Book Presentation: Two Forget More Than One – launch of the English translation of contemporary Dutch writer Cees van Hoore Friday, 13 March, 17:30, Burgsteeg 9, Leiden CANCELLED
• OpenMicMonday – poetry, music and stories in Dutch, English and French (new performers welcome) on Mondays,  16 March, 20:30 at Labyrinth, Amsterdam CANCELLED
• Benjamin Black/John Banville – the Booker Prize-winning author will be discussing his latest book The Secret Guests on Wednesday, 18 March, 20:00 at Kerkstraat 11, The Hague CANCELLED
• The World and Work of Kim Stanley Robinson – an evening dedicated to the science fiction author on Friday, 20 March, 20:00 at Perdu, Amsterdam. Note: some of this event will be in Dutch.
• Memoir writing course – a 1-day crash course on the fundamentals of memoir and personal essay on Sunday, 22 March, 10:00 at Boekhandel van Rossum, Amsterdam POSTPONED
• OpenMicMonday – poetry, music and stories in Dutch, English and French (new performers welcome), 23 March, 20:30 at Labyrinth, Amsterdam CANCELLED
• Int’l Open Stage – an open mic night with poetry, stories, songs and more in whatever language you want on the theme of Grieving and Loss, Tuesday, 24 March, 20:30 at ACU, Utrecht. CANCELLED
• Kode of Conduct Poetry and Open Mic Night – an exciting line-up of poets, storytellers and spoken word artists and an open mic segment on 27 March, 18:30 at Poetry Circle Nowhere, Amsterdam
• Ah me! I don’t perform: The vital poetics of Baroness Elsa von Freytag-Loringhoven – readings and performances exploring the work of the Dadaist poet in Dutch and English on Friday, 27 March, 20:00 at Perdu, Amsterdam
• VERSO live journal – an evening of poetry, performance and surprise with Amsterdam’s live literary & art journal on Sunday, 29 March, 19:30 at Mezrab, Amsterdam
• Nir Baram – the Israeli author will be discussing his new novel At Night’s End on Sunday, 29 March, 20:00 at Kerkstraat 11, The Hague CANCELLED
• The Int’l Open Stage – an open mic night with poetry, stories, songs and more in whatever language you want on the theme of  Greed on Tuesday, 31 March, 20:30 at the ACU, Utrecht CANCELLED

APRIL

• Fools for Fiction – a night of readings by local writers, including former students of the Collective on Wednesday, 1 April,19:00 at the Cinema of the Dam’d
• Word Up Edition TBA – spoken word poetry in English for social inclusion and diversity promotion on Thursday, 2 April, 19:00 at Checkpoint Charlie, Amsterdam
• We the People…Poetry Night – readings by local poets plus an open mic segment on Friday, 3 April, 19:30 at Heesterveld Creative Community,  Amsterdam
• Creative Writing Course, Tuesday evenings in The Hague – 8 weeks of inspiration and learning starting 7 April, 18:45-20:45 at the Koorenhuis, The Hague
• Creative Writing Course, Tuesday mornings in Amsterdam – 8 weeks of inspiration and learning starting 14 April, 10:00-12:00 at Boekhandel van Rossum, Amsterdam
• Creative Writing Course, Tuesday evenings in Amsterdam – 8 weeks of inspiration and learning starting 14 April, 18:30-20:30 at Boekhandel van Rossum, Amsterdam
• Creative Writing Course, Wednesday evenings in Amsterdam – 8 weeks of inspiration and learning starting 22 April, 18:30-20:30 at Boekhandel van Rossum, Amsterdam