Be warmed by the fire of writers, dancers and musical artists! Writers Unlimited presents Playing with Fire in Amare Den Haag, a show full of literature, music and dance in which words, rhythm, melody and movement meet. The show will be Dutch spoken. Tickets – all up tot 29 years 11€; regular from 16€ - are available via amare.nl.
For thirty years, Writers Unlimited has offered a stage to passionate and groundbreaking writers, poets, thinkers, musicians and other performers from the Netherlands and abroad during the International Literature Festival The Hague in January.
In honour of this anniversary, enjoy a unique line-up of artists and writers this wintery Sunday afternoon in the beautiful Amare Danstheater (a five-minute walk from The Hague Central Station).
Writers Unlimited asked well-known artists and authors to perform work in which fire in all its (concrete and abstract) guises - as the germ of artistry and source of inspiration, as a terrifying phenomenon or scorching love, as a symbol of revolution and struggle - takes centre stage.
And so, during Playing with Fire you will hear, see and experience existing and new material by a host of artists: Spinvis (Erik de Jong) and cellist and singer Saartje van Camp sing songs from their show Neveldieren (Misty Animals); forty-five young dancers from the Royal Conservatoire Dance perform Festina Lente by choreographer Tessa Cooke.
Writer and theatre-maker Joost Oomen will recite an essay on the committed poet Federico García Lorca, how to relate as an artist to the turbulent times we live in and the concept of ‘duende’ - a term from flamenco, one of the most passionate, fiery dance forms there is, of which you will see a beautiful sample this afternoon by the Claudia Karapanou Flamenco Trio (i.c.w. Flamenco Biënnale Nederland). The trio is formed by Claudia Karapanou (dance), Lucas Arango (guitar) and Erminia Fernández Córdoba (vocals).
Dutch Queen of Soul Shirma Rouse performs warming songs from her repertoire and alternative R&B singer-songwriter XILLAN, singing and playing the piano, tells something about the fire under his yet-to-be-published novel. Poet Laureate of The Netherlands Babs Gons, spoken word artist Zaïre Krieger and Aruban artist, poet and performer Rosabelle Illes recite texts written especially for this show about what ‘playing with fire’ means to them.
The programme will be closed by Pulse conducted by Eli Wing, an occasional percussion formation that will not leave anyone sitting still. Pulse members are Mees Siderius (surdos and other percussion instruments), Remco Menting (cowbell and other percussion instruments), Ruben de Ruiter (conga's) and Mark Ooman (shakers). Writer Abdelkader Benali will guide you through the show and introduce the artists.
Festival motto: On Fire
The 30th festival edition's motto is On Fire. ‘Fire represents love, desire and passion, but also burning issues such as war, migration and climate,’ says Judith Uyterlinde, director of Writers Unlimited. ‘Fire is the source of inspiration for talks and readings on issues including freedom of expression, war and remembrance, gender and eroticism, and a host of other issues that ignite writers, poets and audiences.’
30th Writers Unlimited International Literature Festival The Hague (23-25 January 2025)
Over a hundred authors, poets, spoken word artists and musicians will perform in the 30th Writers Unlimited International Literature Festival The Hague. From 23 to 26 January 2025, festival events will take place throughout The Hague in theatres, libraries and schools. For festival information and tickets, see writersunlimited.nl.
The festival will focus on live readings of poetry, stories and spoken word. Authors will also discuss current topics in response to recent books. The festival opens 23 January dedicated to freedom of expression. It also includes two varied festival evenings in Theater aan het Spui and Filmhuis Den Haag, the presentation of the Hague Literature Prizes and free events in local libraries and cultural anchors. On Sunday afternoon, 26 January, the festival closes with the festive musical-literary show Playing with Fire in Amare.
Playing with Fire is realised in cooperation with Amare, with contributions from the City of The Hague and the Dutch Foundation for Literature.
All up to 29 years: 11€
1st rang 35€ / with DenHaagPas 32,50€ / with Ooievaarspas 17,50€
2nd rang 32€ / with Ooievaarspas 16€
3rd rang 23€ / with Ooievaarspas 11,50€
4th rang 16€ / with Ooievaarspas 8€
