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Pictures from the Haft Kouwenaar reading

October 31, 2013

We would like to thank Lloyd Haft for the wonderful reading about Gerrit Kouwenaar’s amazing poetry which never fails to surprise.

Lloyd haft in full flow
Lloyd Haft in full flow

Lloyd treated us to readings of poems, some in Dutch as well as English, from many of the collections Kouwenaar has published during his long career. He also gave us interesting background information to the poems, and an exciting insight in the process of translating poetry.

poets in discussion
Poets in discussion

During the interval the poets and translators in the audience grabbed the opportunity to discuss the finer points with Lloyd.

I just want to share one of the fine translations we enjoyed on 24 October.

Let’s make the room white one more time
one more time the totally white room, you, me

it won’t save time, but one more time
make the room white, now, never again later

discussion afterwards
Not wanting to go home

There was a lot to talk about and some of the guests enjoyed themselves so much, they didn’t want to go home.

A big thank you to the lovely Dutch Centre for hosting the evening in an atmospheric and historical location right in the middle of the City.

Dutch Centre
Dutch Centre