Den Haag

Nederlands Letteren Fonds

Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds

Lira Fonds

Fonds21

De Groene Amsterdammer

Mercure Hotels

Huis van Gedichten

Poetry Circle Nowhere

Studio Nip

Meet Miles

Koninklijke Academie van Beeldende Kunsten (KABK) | KABK

Bookstor

Korzo

Het Nationale Theater

White Rabbit

Uitgeverij Pluim

Das Mag

Uitgeverij Podium 

Meulenhoff Boekerij

Orion Publishing

uitgeverij atlas contact

Meridiaan Uitgevers

De Bezige Bij

Uitgeverij Nieuw Amsterdam

De Geus

Querido

Prometheus

Institut Francais

Page Not Found

International literature and music festival

 last month, we are thrilled to be following up with news of 

our first dedicated programme for children and teenagers and more

.

Find out more in this festival newsletter about...

1 - 4 November in beautiful venues across the centre of The Hague

 of children’s literature that showcase 

 in books for pre-readers (0-4), early readers (4-8), and middle-grade (8-12), as well as events for teenagers. 

interviews on the creative and artistic process

In our selection of authors and illustrators we have tried to bring a 

diversity of voices, languages, and life-experiences

. So far, confirmed artists and authors include 

, who has won multiple awards for her quirky and colourful books; French graphic novelist 

 gives a child's perspective on the complex issue of migration. 



: Dutch, English, French and others! Please check the programme page for details.

 focuses on Dutch-speaking talent from contemporary literature. Join us for an intimate evening in Zaal 3 and NEST, where they will share their literary, poetic, and musical tales. 


Prepare for thought-provoking discussions with soon-to-be-published novelists 

. Additionally, we'll explore the world of multidisciplinary spoken word with performers 

. The evening will also feature captivating musical performances by, among others, the new hiphop duo 

 is Crossing Border’s unique annual residency project for talented authors and translators. Each day of the festival, an up-and-coming writer works on a blog of that day’s events, capturing their insights and experiences of the artists performing on the Crossing Border stage.


At the same time, translators get to work and offer the audience a near-simultaneous translation. The translators are at the start of their literary careers, and the aim is to showcase the skill and talent of both the writer and translator and show how the process works.


So far, four authors have been confirmed: 

) explores the French working-class experience via the kitchens of a fast food restaurant; hotly-tipped Dutch author 

The Man Who Had it All (De man die alles had) 

 who examines the paradoxical existence of the migrant; and C. Buddingh Prize-winning poet, 

The translators will be announced in September

We are already delighted to have confirmed a host of top authors and musicians who will be joining us for Crossing Border 2023. Authors include 

, while musicians taking to the stage include 

Stay tuned for more exciting announcements coming in September!

Tickets for the evening programme on 2, 3 and 4 November and day programme and kids' programme on 4 November are now on sale.


The evening programme will be held once again in the Korzo Theater, while a new venue (to be announced) will be added for the literary evening programme.


The exact locations of the day programme will all be in the centre of The Hague, and will be announced in September. Venues include: The Royal Theater, KABK, Theater aan het Spui, Zaal 3, Het Mauritshuis and BorderKitchen.

Crossing Border launches new kids' programme for 2023

the first artists in the line-up for our 2023 festival

, with an exciting mix of award-winning authors, up-and-coming musicians, and unique collaborations blurring the boundaries between genres.



. Venues include: Korzo Theater, The Royal Theater, KABK, Theater aan het Spui, Zaal 3, Het Mauritshuis, and BorderKitchen. We are excited to add 

an additional venue for the literary programme

 this year, following high demand last year for the literary events. 


stay tuned for more announcements in the coming weeks

, who makes her first foray into historical fiction with 

, the intertwined stories of a Scottish housekeeper in 1873 and a Jamaican former slave.


Also appearing is Nigerian-American author 

 weaves a mosaic of literature, music, race, and history to explore what constitutes a meaningful life.


 accompanied by Belgian composer and musician 

, whose improvised beats will create a fitting backdrop for Porter's multi-voice tale of a depressed teenager escaping into the night.


 is a New Delhi-set novel exploring wealth disparities that is equal parts thriller and family saga. And 

, one of the greatest Colombian authors of her generation, will discuss her new novel 

, a story of family dysfunction told through the eyes of an eight-year-old.



Musicians taking the stage include Britain’s singer-songwriter 

 explores ancestry, the legacy of slavery, and what it means to exist in an unjust society.

Dutch rapper and pop artist 

 will be performing music from his new album accompanied by a 10-piece orchestra, while 

 will enchant audiences with mesmerising music combining her Kurdish roots with western influences.

And 

, the alias of US singer-songwriter Trevor Powers, will be performing songs from his new album 

, exploring an America of love, drugs, storytelling, and miracles.

Also joining us are: 

Tickets for the evening programmes on 3 and 4 November and day programme tickets for 4 November are now on sale.

The evening programme will be held once again in the Korzo Theater, while a new venue (to be announced) will be added for the literary evening programme.

The exact locations of the day programme will all be in the centre of The Hague, and will be announced in September. Venues include: The Royal Theater, KABK, Theater aan het Spui, Zaal 3, Het Mauritshuis and BorderKitchen.

First Artists Announced for Crossing Border 2023

Optreden Nikos Xanthoulis bij boeklancering

 Koninklijke Schouwburg, Korte Voorhout 3, Den Haag


 – die door de auteur wordt gelanceerd tijdens een speciaal Border Kitchen-evenement op 23 mei – is een zorgvuldig onderzochte reis terug naar het oude Griekenland. Om de toon te zetten voor de lancering van deze buitengewone historische roman, zal oud Griekse lierspeler 

Nikos Xanthoulis is een componist uit Athene en wordt wereldwijd beschouwd als de muzikant die de oud Griekse zevensnarige lier nieuw leven inblies.

Naast zijn expertise op de lier was Nikos Xanthoulis vijfentwintig jaar lang de eerste trompettist van het Greek National Opera Orchestra. Hij heeft zijn muziek in meer dan 30 landen gepresenteerd.

De lier is de passende begeleiding van de avond, waarin Pfeijffer 

 introduceert, het waargebeurde verhaal van de worstelingen en mislukkingen van Alkibiades, de extravagante, androgyne, biseksuele en controversiële politicus en strateeg van Athene tijdens de grote oorlog tegen Sparta.

, een freelance literair journalist. Zij schrijft voor 

, treedt vaak op als interviewer en gastvrouw en zetelde in verschillende literaire jury’s. Zij is het hoofd en het hart van Rietepetite, een vzw die verleidelijke projecten op touw zet met kwaliteitsrijke (jeugd)literatuur en poëzie als potgrond.

Crossing Border naar Londen voor het Book Fair event

Voor het tweede jaar op rij organiseerde Crossing Border samen met White Rabbit Books en het Nederlands Letterenfonds het openingsfeest van de London Book Fair in de net geopende venue Neon194.

Het evenement was drukbezocht met lezingen van de Britse auteur Gwendoline Riley en opkomende Nederlandse auteurs Anne Eekhout en Gijs Wilbrink. Ook was er muziek van de 

Optreden Nikos Xanthoulis bij boeklancering Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer

Book launch for Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer's new novel 

Koninklijke Schouwburg (Royal Theatre), Korte Voorhout 3, Den Haag


Crossing Border is hugely excited to announce that BorderKitchen will be hosting the first interview and book launch for legendary Dutch author 

 as he presents his most ambitious novel yet: 

 examining the life and times of the most beautiful man in classical Greece.

This monumental, richly documented historical novel – published May 23 – tells the true story of the struggles and failures of Alkibiades, the extravagant, dazzling, androgynous, bisexual, and controversial politician and strategist of Athens during the great war against Sparta. His story is a journey through time plunging us back nearly two and a half millennia to the decline of democracy in Athens, in a story with unmistakable modern parallels.

What role did Alkibiades play in this decline? Was he a populist who dismantled democracy, or could he have been the saviour of Athens? 

 is both a learned historical study and a great novel for our time and every time, telling a story as unique as it is universal about the pursuit of ambition in an imperfect world. Find out more at: 



At this special BorderKitchen book launch event, 

 will conduct the first interview with Pfeijffer about 

 followed by a book signing by Pfeijffer.



Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer is a poet, classicist and the author of modern classics such as La Superba, Letters from Genoa and Grand Hotel Europa.

Book launch for Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer's new novel Alkibiades

Mohamed Mbougar Sarr in conversation with interviewer Omar Ba. Photo credit: Parcifal Werkman

Lonnie Holley. Photo credit: Jassir Jonas

It was great to see so many people together at the sold out 30th anniversary edition of Crossing Border. Thanks to everyone who was there and who supports the festival!

Mark next years dates in your diary: Crossing Border will take place in 2023 from 1 to 4 November.



Check out a selection of the festival photos here!

During Crossing Border, The Chronicles were at work every day. The young, promising writers Sheena Patel, Anne Louïse van den Dool, Mauk Westerman Holstijn, Frida Isberg and Hanan Faour wrote short festival stories, which were instantly translated into various languages ​​by the talented translators Hannalore Daudeij, Laura Molenaar, Sofiane Boussahel, Bo-Elise Brummelkamp and Irene de la Torre.

Last remaining tickets for Paolo Giordano

 will be joining us at BorderKitchen to discuss his new novel 

, an exploration of hope, doubt and longing in uncertain times. In 

, we meet a man who grapples with the fact that he may never become a father, and is confronted with doubts and temptations as he searches for balance in his marriage. The novel raises vital questions about how you deal with the fear and vulnerability that can overwhelm you when you lose control of the world around you.



 is a lively and sensitive novel from an author with an empathetic approach to life today in all its facets – faith, science, climate, parenting, love. Giordano describes how we are all looking for a place -- our own Tasmania -- where a future is still possible.



 (2009), which has been published in more than forty countries. Other novels include 

See you next year: dates 2023 announced

Poster exhibit 30 years of Crossing Border artwork at GEM.

It's just a few days now until Crossing Border begins, and we are looking forward to a full house at our events! The opening night with 

 at the Koninklijke Schouwburg is sold out, as are 

 on both November 4 and November 5. Dutch and Flemish talent night 

 on November 3rd is also completely sold out. There are still some tickets left for individual events, so please 

 for more information.

On November 4 and 5 you need a wristband to enter. For other events you can enter directly with your ticket



Poster exhibition celebrates 30 years of Crossing Border artwork at GEM.



This year we are celebrating the 30th anniversary of Crossing Border, and to mark this milestone a selection of our festival posters will be exhibited at GEM next to the Kunstmuseum Den Haag. Each year since the start of the festival in 1993, Crossing Border has commissioned a well-known artist for its poster design, so stop by to see a slice of Crossing Border history. The exhibition will run for several months from November. 

Crossing Border evenings Sold Out!

Andrej Koerkov, one of Ukraine's foremost writers, comes to Crossing Border with his new book 

Check out the new Spotify list of Crossing Border online.

Andrej Koerkov, one of Ukraine's foremost writers, comes to Crossing Border with his new book


We are delighted to confirm the appearance at Crossing Border of Andrej Koerkov (1961), one of Ukraine’s greatest writers, who will be discussing his penetrating new book, 

.
While born in Russia and writing in the Russian language, Koerkov has spent his life in Ukraine and was making plans for a new novel and follow up to his best-selling 2020 novel 

 when the air raids started sounding over Kiev. With millions of others, Koerkov fled into western Ukraine, all the time keeping a diary about the bizarre new reality in his beloved country. 

Koerkov will be interviewed by Michel Krielaars.



This event is free for Ukrainian nationals.

Presentation of the European Literature Prize 2022


On Saturday 5 November at 4:30 pm in Theater aan het Spui, the European Literature Prize 2022 will be awarded to the Spanish writer Augustin Fernández Mallo for his Nocilla Trilogy in the Dutch translation by Adri Boon. The European Literature Prize awards the best contemporary European novel published in Dutch translation the previous year, with both the author and translator recognised.

The event is free to attend, order your tickets


Agustín Fernández Mallo (1967) is one of the most radical and intriguing writers in Spain today, with his Nocilla Trilogy (2006-2009) causing a landslide in contemporary Spanish literature. It is an experimental work following disparate characters, and was so influential that a whole new generation of avant-garde Spanish authors now refer to themselves as the “Nocilla Generation”


Adri Boon (1961) has translated more than sixty works from Latin American Spanish, Catalan, Galician and Portuguese, including Isabel Allende, Paulo Coelho, Eduardo Mendoza, Mercè Rodoreda and Fernando Pessoa. He studied Spanish at the University of Amsterdam and spent the last two years of his studies at the University of Madrid.

Now online: the Crossing Border Spotify Playlist!

The Crossing Border 2022 Spotify playlist is live!

to 31 tracks from the artists coming to Crossing Border this year here. From Oracle Sisters, Lonnie Holley, Kara Jackson, Susobrino and The Delines, to Marissa Nadler, IKRAAAN, Pitou and many more artists. 31 songs, almost two hours long!

Koerkov at Crossing Border and the European Literature Prize 2022


Two literary stars at BorderKitchen!

On September 14, former winner of the Nobel Prize for literature 

 will present her long-awaited debut collection, 

Two literary stars at BorderKitchen!

On September 14, former winner of the Nobel Prize for literature 


Turkish writer Orhan Pamuk (1952) won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2006. His new novel is called 

 and will be published in September. The story of his new book takes place on the island of Minger, during a plague epidemic in 1901. Sultan Abdülhamit seals the island off to prevent further spreading of the plague. But is the sudden death of a health inspector a random murder or part of a bigger plan? The sultan asks his niece and her husband, a promising doctor, to go to the island and get to the bottom of it. Pamuk acquired renown in Turkey and the rest of the world with 

 were published. His work has been translated into more than fifty languages. 

Date: September 14
Location: Theater a/h Spui, zaal 2
Start time: 20:00 (doors open at 19:15)



The poem 'Home' by the young Somali-British poet Warsan Shire touched a nerve in the middle of the refugee crisis. It was shared worldwide as a call for a more humane policy and instantly made Shire famous. In her long-awaited debut collection, 

 she writes about her own experiences as a migrant, in beautiful poems that bring the lives of refugees and migrants, mothers and daughters, black women and teenage girls to life. Shire (1988) was born in Kenya to Somali parents and emigrated to England at the age of one. Her poems that she published online made a big impression: she soon had tens of thousands of followers on social media. She became London's first-ever Young People's Poet Laureate, received the African Poetry Prize and became the youngest person ever to be named a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. In 2016, Shire co-wrote Beyoncé's album 

 and reached millions of new fans. 

Date: September 27
Location: Theater a/h Spui, zaal 2
Start time: 20:00 (doors open at 19:15)


Orhan Pamuk and Warsan Shire at BorderKitchen!

The first confirmations for the Crossing Border day programme on November 5 at nine beautiful locations in The Hague / The return of You'll have to scream LOUDER as an evening programme at Crossing Border / festival poster of anniversary edition made by famous Flemish artist.

A number of special authors and poets have been added to the evening programme: Johny Pitts, Hernan Diaz, Nisrine Mbarki, Alara Adilow, Lee Bains and Olga Ravn. Michelle Gurevich and Gino Cochise complete the music programme. As a black European, photographer and writer Johnny Pitts traveled across Europe to capture what it means to be a Black European in unique images and narration in his new book 

, with different storylines, a Wall Street Tycoon and an aristocrat in the New York of the roaring twenties. Dutch-Moroccan poet Nisrine Mbarki presents her new collection 

, about a quest for primal forces, captured in beautiful sentences.
Somali poet Alara Adilow presents her debut collection 

, with raw and visual poems about desire, gender, queerness and wanting to escape from the body. Alabama-born singer-songwriter, musician and poet Lee Bains recites excerpts from his 

 before taking the stage to perform with artist and musician Lonnie Holley.
Danish author Olga Ravn introduces her latest book 

, a brilliant existential nightmare, in which we learn that sometimes we have to forget the answers because it's the questions that count. Michelle Gurevich brings her slowcore rock and lo-fi songs full of vulnerability, romantic friendships and endless desires. And when Gino Cochise plays his set, he does so with the firm conviction that music is a healing medicine.
More artists will be added to the line-up in the near future. The line up will be complete at the beginning of September.
Buy your tickets 

This year, the Crossing Border day programme will be expanded to 9 locations: Kunstmuseum Den Haag, Zaal 3, BorderKitchen, 3345 records, The Bookstor Cafe, Royal Academy of Art (KABK), Huis van het Boek, Theater aan het Spui and Theater PePijn.

The daytime programme includes interviews with writers, showcases and special events. Top authors Leïla Slimani, Raynor Winn and Nino Haratischwili will introduce their new titles. Leila Slïmani presents 

, in which we follow her mother who grew up on a poor farm but became Morocco's first gynecologist. Raynor Winn introduces her new book 

, in which she recounts the toughest journey she and her husband have yet made. Nino Haratischwili will present her new book 

 in the Netherlands around November 1, a moving story about the friendship of four women and a beautiful ode to Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia.
Bryan Washington is interviewed about his new book 

 which prompted a development programme for 13 translation talents. Every chapter of his book was translated by one of them, and some will also engage in a live conversation with Washington. To what extent does it help if the translator has an affinity with cultural diversity or the queer community? And what does the translation process teach the writer about his own work? Last year the day programme was completely sold out, so buy your tickets quickly. Individual tickets are available for purchase for the day programme. Book sales and signing sessions are held during the events.
Buy your tickets 

Get ready for the return of You'll have to scream LOUDER as a festival night at Crossing Border. The first edition last year was completely sold out, but could not take place due to the corona measures. On November 3, You'll have to scream LOUDER will be held: a dazzling evening with talent from the Netherlands and Flanders: music, poetry and spoken word. Location is the Korzo Theater: starting time is 20.00 hours. The line-up includes: Babeth Fonchie Fotchind, Jasper Albinus, De Witte Kunst and Esohe Weyden. Poet Babeth Fonchie Fotchind talks about the hidden vulnerabilities of apparently successful, urban millennials and effortlessly switches between different language registers.
With his poetry and performances spoken word artist and poet Jasper Albinus makes issues surrounding identity, history and politics tangible. De Witte Kunst brings synthpop that has an insidious frivolity and is wrapped in crazy costumes, but with deep seated fears in the background. Spoken Word artist and poet Esohe Weyden presents her collection of poems 

, with which she made her debut this year and which was nominated for the C. Buddingh Prize. Check out the full programme for this evening 

. More artists will be added to the programme in the near future.
Buy your tickets 

This year's festival poster was made by the renowned artist Rinus van de Velde. He comes from Antwerp, where coincidentally also a Crossing Border festival is taking place this year;) Rinus Van de Velde (1983) lives and works in Antwerp. His practice mainly consists of drawings that hark back to a personal archive of photographs from popular science magazines such as National Geographic and from biographies of artists and scientists. Lately, he's re-executing found footage or photographing non-existent scenes, which he then uses as source material. His work is exhibited internationally in galleries and museums. Next February, Museum Voorlinden will invite him for a special exhibition.

And now what!? ...,
2022
oil pastel on paper 110,1 x 73 cm
Courtesy Tim Van Laere Gallery, Antwerp

Lettering by Spacebar

The first day programme confirmations, You'll have to scream LOUDER returns and more...


Crossing Border will be held from November 2-5 this year. Extra special, because it is the anniversary edition! Crossing Border is celebrating its 30th anniversary. In this newsletter, the first artists for the evening programming are announced, who will perform in the Korzo Theater on November 4 and 5 and on the opening night in the Koninklijke Schouwburg on November 2.
But there's more to come: the daytime program on November 5th and the special You'll have to scream LOUDER evening on November 3. The first artists for those days will be announced at the beginning of July.

After the edition in The Hague, we will board the bus to Antwerp, where we will continue with a Flemish edition in De Studio on 6 November in the afternoon.

Photo: Steve Gullick

November the 2nd is the spectacular opening night with 

. Already known as one of the most talented songwriters of her generation, this evening highlights her literary talent. A unique event, where she reads poetry from her new book 

, the result of six years of intense writing. In addition to her lecture, she will be interviewed by the British author 


Choices will be difficult on November 4 and 5 with one-off performances by writers from many countries. The German-Georgian 

 presents her latest book to be published the week of the festival, we have the first ever African prize winner of the Prix de Goncourt: 

 (Senegal), whose new novel will be translated this year, from Germany comes 

, the writer whose star skyrockets with each new title of his, as well as Man Booker Prize winner 

 from South Africa or German-American illustrator 

 from the heart of The Bronx. If you want to know how to protect your rights and democracy, don't miss her. And what about 

 from Venezuela, in whose second novel a family is on the run from a mysterious disease. An almost mythical tale that nevertheless skims on the edge of reality and actuality. Or listen to Argentine writer 

, one of the most important writers of her generation, with her new magical-realistic masterpiece in which we travel to a Buenos Aires where missing children rise from the dead and unearthed bones harbor a terrible curse. Or visit 

 who wrote one of the most impressive and refreshing debuts by listening to his own queer voice. It is one big magical-realistic tale in which we commute between the mundane and the supernatural. From the Netherlands Crossing Boders is happy to announce the icons 

, who sees language as a playground and will introduce his new collection of poetry, wonder, religion and science fiction navigate around each other, and the great talent 



Publisher White Rabbit presents a hallucinatory program with the music memoirs of 

, who grew out from forgotten artist to current folk icon, Mogwai frontman 

 says enough. Then there are the long-awaited memoires of 

, who made history in 1990s Madchester with Happy Mondays. And Lias Saoudi, frontman of England's most infamous band, Fat White Family, wrote down his experiences in an over the top insane band biography along with 

, who sums it up aptly: a drug band with a rock problem. DBC Pierre, one of the most uncompromising voices in contemporary literature presents his new book, but together on stage with 

? That will be a supernova of epic proportions.



The first performers for the music program are 

, the man who never plays a song twice the same way and now performs with a great band at Crossing Border.……… The Dutch 

 will release a new album in October that is a spectacular new chapter in her musical career. 

 with Willy Vlautin turned Crossing Border upside down in the past. They're back, and this time with their best album in the pocket. Also performances by 

, the American Youth Poet Laureate who is about to release her first music album, and 

, with their flaming mix of jazz and spoken word. 

 presents the dark dream pop of her new album 

 and Jaws of Love, the solo project of Local Natives founder Kelcey Ayer presents the new EP 

News

Crossing Border launches new kids' programme for 2023

First Artists Announced for Crossing Border 2023

Optreden Nikos Xanthoulis bij boeklancering Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer

Book launch for Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer's new novel Alkibiades

See you next year: dates 2023 announced

Crossing Border evenings Sold Out!

Koerkov at Crossing Border and the European Literature Prize 2022

Orhan Pamuk and Warsan Shire at BorderKitchen!

The first day programme confirmations, You'll have to scream LOUDER returns and more...

First artist announcement and start ticketsales

Crossing Border returns to Antwerp!

BorderKitchen in June!

Upcoming events and Crossing Border London!

Crossing Border 2021: it happened

Timetable online and programme complete

Warren Ellis at Crossing Border 2021 and more

New Names for Crossing Border 2021

First names Crossing Border 2021