Over Writers Unlimited

(English below)

Writers Unlimited brengt schrijvers en journalisten, denkers en dichters én hun publiek samen in een jaarlijks internationaal literatuurfestival in Den Haag ('Winternachten'), in programma's op locatie in Den Haag ('Writers Series), in podcasts en in tournees over de hele wereld ('Writers Unlimited Network'). Tijdens die ontmoetingen wisselen ze hun literaire werk, hun ervaringen, dromen en ideeën uit. Over grenzen van culturen en talen heen en in een informele sfeer.

Geschiedenis

Sinds 1995 organiseert Writers Unlimited het internationale literatuurfestival Winternachten in Den Haag. Enige duizenden bezoekers zijn jaarlijks in januari getuige van gesprekken en voordrachten van schrijvers en dichters over actuele maatschappelijke thema's. In een rijk programma met meer dan honderd deelnemers, verdeeld over ruim dertig programmaonderdelen, laat het publiek zich inspireren door de verschillende visies van auteurs uit vele - met name niet-westerse - landen. Het festival vindt sinds zijn eerste editie plaats in Theater aan het Spui en Filmhuis Den Haag, en tegenwoordig ook op andere Haagse podia zoals Paard, Zuiderstrandtheater, Theater Dakota. wijkfilialen van de Bibliotheek Den Haag. het International Institute of Social Studies en Hogeschool Den Haag. Begonnen als een ontmoeting van schrijvers uit Nederland en Indonesië, later aangevuld met Suriname, de Antillen en Zuid-Afrika, is het uitgegroeid tot een van de belangrijkste literaire evenementen van Nederland.

Schrijvers en bezoekers over het festival

'Dit festival laat zien hoe taal, geschiedenis en cultuur elkaar wederzijds beïnvloedden. Niet door versjes te lezen voor een gezapige elite, maar door debat, conflict en intensieve contacten. Ik ben er getuige van geweest hoe Indonesische, Surinaamse en Marokkaans-Nederlandse schrijvers plotseling hun gemeenschappelijke achtergrond ontdekten, en ook hoe een publiek dat eigenlijk bevestiging van de eigen achtergrond zocht zich vermengde: oud-indischgasten in gesprek met jonge Marokkaanse en Surinaamse bezoekers. En dat alles dankzij de wonderlijke Winternachten. Wat wil Nederland nog meer! Investeren in de toekomst door anders naar het verleden te kijken. Internationaal een van de beste literaire festivals in Europa, en dat zeg ik niet zomaar, ik spreek uit ervaring.' Adriaan van Dis

'The word here is held sacred. Books are read, treasured, held in the highest regard. The Netherlands is a country that loves its books, and its writers more. I see why this festival is held in such high regard. It was an honest festival, with all the respect for writers and audiences. People were provoked, titillated and thrilled. Writers mingled with audiences alike, the organizing team shared their time with us, and we danced, ate, and drank together. Alliances were formed, encounters emerged. Energy was exchanged as our networks continue to spread across the continents.' Bernice Chauly (Malaysia)

'Ik trof gemeende en diepgaande belangstelling aan. Voor een deelnemer is dat ongelooflijk motiverend.' Jan Brokken

'I've been to a lot of literary festivals, but prior to Friday, I hadn't been to one in The Netherlands. And then here was this thing: Writers Unlimited. Not stodgy, not stuck-up, not held in a musty room filled only by equally-musty people all speaking with six-inch NPR voices. It was sound booths and DJs pumping international tunes, twenty-foot live trees and tabletops covered in chalkboard, so that while you gulped beer, you could instantly self-publish. Fiction. Non-fiction. Short speeches dubbed Tirades delivered from a soap box in the middle of the crowded floor. For me, it was love. I will be back again next year.' Christine Stocke (bezoeker)

'Wat een pracht #WU14, dat wordt nog lang nagloeien. Mooie mensen, treffende teksten, breekbare muziek, skitterend!' (een bezoeker op Twitter)

'Long amazing day in Den Haag #WU15, the coolest literary festival I've ever attended. Now about to dance!'(een deelnemer op Twitter)

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Connecting writers with each other, with scientists, artists, thinkers and with their audiences, across borders of cultures and countries. That is the mission of Writers Unlimited. We do this in an annual international literature festival (Winternachten festival), monthly events on location in The Hague (Writers Series), in podcasts and in tours across the world (Writers Unlimited Network). During those encounters, they exchange - before an audience and amongst each other - their work, their experiences, dreams and ideas. In all languages and in all its cultural diversity. These encounters are celebrations of the word, feasts of discovery and recognition, with an open eye for everything that globalisation means for society.

'The word here is held sacred. Books are read, treasured, held in the highest regard. The Netherlands is a country that loves its books, and its writers more. This was apparent in the Writers Unlimited Festival in The Hague. After having toured with them and having brought the festival to Kuala Lumpur, I see why this festival is held in such high regard. It was an honest festival, with all the respect for writers and audiences. People were provoked, titillated and thrilled. Writers mingled with audiences alike, the organizing team shared their time with us, and we danced, ate, and drank together. Alliances were formed, encounters emerged. Energy was exchanged as our networks continue to spread across the continents.'
Bernice Chauly (Malaysia)

'For someone who goes to quite a few specialist comic book conventions it was interesting to see a broader scope of people and artistic endeavour. What I liked? Most of all the people. Really friendly and helpful. A great atmosphere. And communication was excellent. I enjoyed the on-stage interview and welcomed the chance to talk to people who might not have been out and out comic book fans. I thought the interview was handled pretty well and there was good technical backup. As I said, the most striking thing was the helpfulness and friendliness of the many interesting people that I met.'
Peter Milligan (GB)

'I had such a great time at the festival, I met very interesting people, at a point I didn't want it to end.'
Helon Habila (VS/Nigeria);

'I've been to a lot of literary festivals, but prior to Friday, I hadn't been to one in The Netherlands. And then here was this thing: Writers Unlimited. Not stodgy, not stuck-up, not held in a musty room filled only by equally-musty people all speaking with six-inch NPR voices. It was sound booths and DJs pumping international tunes, twenty-foot live trees and tabletops covered in chalkboard, so that while you gulped beer, you could instantly self-publish. Fiction. Non-fiction. Short speeches dubbed Tirades delivered from a soap box in the middle of the crowded floor. For me, it was love. I will be back again next year.' Christine Stocke (visitor)