Pieter Steinz, currently editor-in-chief of the weekly books section of NRC Handelsblad, has been appointed director of the Dutch Foundation for Literature as of 1 March 2012. He succeeds Henk Pröpper, who recently left to become director/publisher at De Bezige Bij.
Jan Hoekema: "As chairman of the board of the Dutch Foundation for Literature I am enormously pleased by the arrival of Pieter Steinz. Like his predecessor Henk Pröpper, he is a man of letters who gives both a face and a voice to Dutch literature. He is also a capable manager, which is something we will sorely need in these financially difficult times. Our healthy, new Foundation for Literature now has a powerful director and is ready to face the future."
Pieter Steinz (b. 1963) studied History as well as English Language and Literature at the University of Amsterdam and at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, USA. After working for several years at the History faculty of the UvA, he joined NRC Handelsblad in late 1989, where he worked as an editor in the field of art and books, and as manager of a number of editorial teams. His posts included editor at the Cultural Supplement, deputy chief editor of the Art section, Literature editor and editor-in-chief of the Books Supplement. He has also published ten books on literature, some encyclopaedic, others contemplative. They include, this year, Macbeth heeft echt geleefd. Een reis door Europa in de voetsporen van 16 literaire helden (Macbeth was a Real Person. A journey through Europe in the footsteps of 16 literary heroes) and in 2003 a guide to world literature called Lezen &cetera, which is also the title of a monthly literary talk show he has hosted since 2004 in Theater Donner in Rotterdam.
Tiziano Perez, head of Promotion and Information, will serve as interim director until 1 March 2012.
Both the board and the staff are extremely pleased by the appointment of Pieter Steinz.
Further information:
- Jan Hoekema, chairman of the board of the Dutch Foundation for Literature, +31 6 22 40 31 06.
- Hanneke Marttin, press and publicity, h.marttin@letterenfonds.nl, +31 20 520 73 00 or +31 6 404 26 189.
