Book markets Deventer and Tilburg
The book markets in Dordrecht, Deventer, and Tilburg are well-attended. However, it was a pity that rain spoiled the Dordrecht book market last Sunday, July 6. Rain and books don't mix, and the organizers had to notify the traders to close the book market at 14:00 PM. Pack up and get out before the heavy showers arrived. I did attend an interesting lecture by Godfried Bomans. Book lovers: Deventer (Sunday, August 3) and Tilburg (Sunday, August 31).
Godfrey Bomans
It was raining, and I decided to take shelter in the Dordrecht library in the city center. The organizer asked the lecture participants whether they were there because of the bad weather, for the biographer Gé Vaartjes, or for Godfried Bomans himself. Gé Vaartjes (1954) is a Dutch literature scholar. He worked in secondary education for 34 years, many of which were at the Gymnasium Haganum in The Hague. Under the auspices of Erasmus University, he taught Hovo courses on Dutch and European literature. His interest in biographies arose during his secondary school years, when he became fascinated by the biography of Ina Boudier-Bakker written by Hans Edinga. This led him to delve into her work for his doctoral thesis and later publish biographical articles about her.
In 1999, his biography of Herman de Man (Herman de Man. Een biologie) was published, and in 2010 he obtained his doctorate with the biography of Top Naeff (Rebel & dame). He was an editor of the Couperus Cahiers, writes reviews for de Volkskrant, and contributes to various literary magazines. In 2025, he published the biography Vleugelman, about the life of Godfried Bomans (1913–1971). In this work, he describes Bomans as a restless, sensitive man who hid his fears and insecurities behind humor and mild irony. In this biography, Vaartjes presents a layered and honest portrait of a complex writer.
His work is characterized by meticulous historical research, literary sensitivity, and a keen eye for the human side of his subjects. His biographies offer readers not only insight into the lives of literary greats but also into the cultural context of their time. In his lectures—a set of three identical 30-minute presentations—Gé Vaartjes will focus on his recent biography of one of the most famous Dutch figures, Godfried Bomans. Vaartjes will give the presentation together with graphic designer Pim Oxener, who will show photos and videos about Bomans.
A famous quote by Bomans:
One becomes a writer through the drive for form.
The content is point two.
Godfrey Bomans
I completely agree with Bomans. This is how I write my blogs too!
Alone on an Island – Diary of an Islander (2013)
In the summer of 2013, the legendary radio program “Alleen op een eiland – Dagboek van een eilandbewoner” (Alone on an Island – Diary of an Islander) was broadcast. From July 10 to 17, Godfried Bomans was on Rottumerplaat, with his only link to the outside world being daily contact with VARA radio producer Willem Ruis. From July 17 to 24, it was Jan Wolkers’ turn. These CDs contain the accounts of both writers, who experienced the week of solitude in entirely different ways. The radio program “Alleen op een eiland – Dagboek van een eilandbewoner,” produced by Gouwswaard in 1971, had a wonderful concept: a writer lives in total isolation on an uninhabited island. The only connection to the inhabited world is a radio link. The uninhabited island became the sandbank Rottumerplaat, and the writers were Godfried Bomans and Jan Wolkers. Radio presenter Willem Ruis sought daily contact with them from Warffum. Bomans found it terrible to be alone for seven days in a tent, surrounded only by the screeching of thousands of seagulls. Wolkers experienced the week of solitude as a thrilling adventure, cared for sick animals, and spoke unashamedly about his adventures. The series, a collaboration between AVRO and VARA, was a bombshell in an era when we had never even heard of programs like Big Brother or mobile phones. The technical connection alone was a minor miracle, and every self-respecting radio or television program established an extra live connection to Rottumerplaat. A unique glimpse into a media spectacle in 1971.
Deventer book market (August 3)
The largest book market in Europe. Get ready to quench your literary thirst at the largest book market in Europe! On Sunday, August 3, 2025, located in the atmospheric book and Hanseatic city of Deventer, the 35th edition of the Deventer Book Market kicks off. Thousands of books from renowned booksellers and antiquarians from all over the Netherlands will be present to provide the best literary selection.
Although the book market officially starts at 9:30 a.m., the first visitors are already eager to enter the market at 7:00 a.m. Every year, the Deventer Book Market attracts thousands of visitors who can indulge in a wide range of genres. From children's books to poetry, from literature to comics, and from art to topography, there is something for everyone.
Inspired by the Deventer Book Market, the third edition of the WoordWaarde Festival will also take place from July 31 to August 3, 2025. A festival entirely dedicated to books, language, and literature. Whether it concerns spoken, sung, or written language: everything is covered. Throughout the week, activities ranging from workshops, exhibitions, and lectures to hands-on activities at various cultural institutions in Deventer will take place at locations spread across the city. A city-wide program with a diverse offering, making it a festival for everyone.
During the Deventer Book Market, there is an extensive side program featuring music, performances, exhibitions, and cultural activities. The shops are also open due to Sunday shopping.
Tilburg Books around the Palace (August 31)
In 2023, the book market took place on Sunday, August 27. It was the twenty-fifth, special edition. Last August 25 was edition 26, and next year, on August 31, edition 27. We can hardly believe it ourselves, but last year (2024) was the 26th edition of the Tilburg Book Market! Of course, a few things have changed in the city of Tilburg over all those years, but the Book Market is still just as it was 26 years ago, and we are proud of that. We do not want to compete with Deventer or Dordrecht. We do not strive for the biggest market, but for the coziest, widest assortment, and most accessible market. We have succeeded in that for 26 years.
The book market will be held again in 2025 on Stadhuisplein, Willemsplein, and the immediate surroundings. The place where we started 27 years ago. This year again with a literary program featuring literature and music at the market itself and in the LocHal. So we have set to work again with the power terms “More – Better – Livelierto create something beautiful in 2025 as well. Generate more This means that we want to create even more offerings. Even more stalls from participants from all over the Netherlands. But we are also investing to expand “Boeken rond het paleis” with more Flemish participants. Better is an even better presentation of the offerings in attractive stalls that are a pleasure to browse past. So, diversity of the offerings. Targeting traders from the border region is a must for us. More lively He certainly was. In 2025, we also succeeded in putting together a fantastically varied literary program. By enthusing partners in the city, the entire city center of Tilburg is enveloped in a cozy book atmosphere under our motto #loveforthebook.
Tilburg. An experimental city that does things just a little differently than usual, that is innovating tremendously, where decisiveness is central, and where everyone should feel at home. A city that embraces you. A city that goes hand in hand with everyone's wishes. Activities in abundance, a cozy café or good restaurant on every street corner, sights to keep you entertained for days, and plenty of opportunities for children too. In short: you are going to enjoy yourself in Tilburg no matter what! Most of us are familiar with the standard chains like H&M and Hema by now. But Tilburg is more than that! The special places are a true experience just to walk around. And then there are also the typical Tilburg spots to visit.
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