From 14th - 19th January 2013, from Liverpool to London
Six top writers from the Low Countries toured to six cities for six nights of readings & debates, to showcase high impact literature from Flanders & the Netherlands in English translation.
The writers on the tour are the low countries literati: they are all prize-winners and best-sellers back home, all writing in Dutch but from two different countries – Belgium and the Netherlands. Now, in a unique collaboration, six of the best Dutch-language storytellers are coming together for a rock star-style tour of six English cities – to perform for us and to discover what they may (or may not!) have in common.
Sponsored by Flanders House and the Netherlands Embassy in London and curated by Rosie Goldsmith, known in the UK as a champion of international fiction, High Impact is a unique idea with a unique group of writers. You’ll see the Dutch Poet Laureate side by side with Flanders’ leading graphic novelist; two global best-sellers, a thriller writer, a celebrated historian and a travel writer – together on stage every night.
Selected by Rosie from across Flanders and the Netherlands not only for their brilliant books but also for their wit, wisdom, fluent English and performance skills, these authors will wow you with their readings and ideas. Each night a different city, a different theme, a different type of venue (a church, theatre, an arts centre). And if by the time they reach London for their final gig you’re still unconvinced of the high impact of Low Countries, the impact level will be boosted even further when they perform alongside English writers such as Tracy Chevalier, Deborah Moggach and David Mitchell, themselves famous for writing on Dutch themes.
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Photo’s
Writers
Lieve Joris
Her journalism & non-fiction books on Africa, China, the Middle East & Europe have earned her the reputation as the VS Naipaul or Ryszard Kapuscinski of the Low Countries. Author of the acclaimed The Rebel’s Hour (Atlantic, 2008)
‘Powerful and timely, intensely imagined’ (Paul Theroux)
Herman Koch
Former actor & comedy star; best-selling novelist – in the Netherlands & round the world – of the thrilling, chilling mega-hit The Dinner (Atlantic, 2012)
‘Proves how powerful fiction can be in illuminating the modern world’ (The Economist)
Ramsey Nasr
The Dutch Poet Laureate & all-round Renaissance Man (actor, director, poet, journalist & librettist), famed for his beautiful prose, provocative politics & exciting public appearances. Heavenly Life was published by Banipal in 2010.
‘With this collection Anglophone readers are introduced to a poet of global scope’ (Marilyn Hacker)
Peter Terrin
This year’s winner of the prestigious AKO Literature Prize & author of the magnificent psychological thriller The Guard (Maclehose Press, 2012) ‘A rich and gripping mix of all the ingredients that make for a truly haunting atmosphere’ (Writers’ Hub)
Chika Unigwe
Born in Nigeria, at home in Belgium; poet, short story writer & award-winning novelist of On Black Sisters’ Street (Vintage, 2009).
‘Exquisitely observed and heartbreaking’ (The Guardian)
Judith Vanistendael
The Posy Simmonds of Belgium; the bold & brilliant graphic novelist of When David Lost His Voice (Self Made Hero, 2012)
‘Big, bleak, brilliant and stark’ (The Economist)
Plus special guest appearances by Geert Mak, historian and essayist; author of In Europe (Harvill Secker, 2007) & The Bridge (Vintage, 2009); described as ‘Peter Ackroyd meets W.G Sebald.’
Cities & Venues
Monday 14 January: Oxford
Blackwell’s Bookshop (51 Broad Street Oxford, OX1 3BQ; bookshop.blackwell.co.uk/jsp/welcome.jsp
Tuesday 15 January: Birmingham
The Anglican Cathedral, with Writing West Midlands (Colmore Row, Birmingham B3 2QB; www.writingwestmidlands.org
Wednesday 16 January: Liverpool
The Epstein Theatre (Hanover House, 85 Hanover Street, Liverpool, L1 3DZ; www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk
Thursday 17 January: Sheffield
St George’s Church Lecture Theatre, with the University of Sheffield (17 Mappin Street Sheffield S1 4DT; www.shef.ac.uk/pastforward/stgeorges
Friday 18 January: Norwich
Norwich Arts Centre (St. Benedict’s Street, Norwich, NR2 4PG; norwichartscentre.co.uk
Saturday 19 January: London
The Tabernacle (35 Powis Square London W11 2AY; www.tabernaclew11.com) for an evening of music, beer, cheese and literature, when our Low Countries Literati will be joined by UK writers with Dutch links, including Tracy Chevalier & Deborah Moggach.
Bloggers
Michele Hutchison will act as dedicated blogger and Dutch literature specialist on the tour. Here’s an overview of her entries:
- High Impact arrives in London: Day 6: The End
- The High Impact tour in Norwich: Anglo-Dutch links
- The High Impact Tour from Liverpool to Sheffield: Success and failure
- An interview with Flemish author Lieve Joris: A Mystery Solved
- ‘Where are you really from?’
- High Impact in Oxford: An Episode of Inspector Morse
- High Impact: Literature from the Low Countries
- Preparing for Impact
- Translators in the Spotlight: Sam Garrett
- Translators in the Spotlight: David Colmer
- Translators in the Spotlight: Liz Waters
Writer’s blogs:
- UK Safari (Lieve Joris)
- Thank You High Impact! (Chika Unigwe)
- Don’t mention the cold! (Herman Koch)
- On High Impact from the Low Countries (Peter Terrin)
Partners
High Impact is a joint commission of the Netherlands Embassy & Flanders House, London.
Flanders House, London
Flanders House is part of the Belgian Embassy, with the role of promoting Flanders in the UK. From the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium, the Flemish have their own culture and traditions which they proudly share with the UK.
www.flanders.be/london
The Kingdom of the Netherlands Embassy, London
Thousands of Dutch people from the Netherlands have established themselves in the UK. Like the Flemish, the Dutch community is well integrated in British society & works closely with the UK. More information
Literature Consultants:
- Dutch Foundation for Literature, Amsterdam: www.letterenfonds.nl/en/
- Flemish Literature Foundation, Antwerp: buitenland.vfl.be/en
Organization
Rosie Goldsmith
Rosie Goldsmith is a journalist specialising in arts and current affairs, in the UK & abroad. Over 20 years’ working for the BBC, she has presented flagship BBC shows like Front Row, Open Book, Profile, A World In Your Ear & Crossing Continents. She has been the chair of European Literature Night in the UK since its launch in 2009, runs the independent European Literature Network, chairs, curates & promotes arts & literature events in the UK & round the world.
Nick Chapman
Nick Chapman is a literary events producer, with experience working with both international & UK writers for the British Council and International PEN. In 2012 he co-produced the Poetry Parnassus UK Tour and events for the European Commission with Speaking Volumes Live Literature Productions.
Video
Students at Sheffield University discussing ‘The Dinner’ by Herman Koch.
Student blogs
