18 Dutch Authors at Turin International Book Fair

The authors represent different Literary genres, from poetry to thrillers, from non-fiction to children's books. The delegation consists of: Simone Atangana Bekono, Olivier van Beemen, Marieke ten Berge, Hanna Bervoets, Jan Brokken, Ellen Deckwitz, Mathijs Deen, Nikki Dekker, Yorick Goldewijk, Tom Hofland, Marc ter Horst, Auke Hulst, Aimée de Jongh, Dido Michielsen, Anya Niewierra, Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer, Floor Rieder and Gideon Samson.

Together they will give more than 50 public performances at the fair and various locations throughout the city. Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer will talk with Christian Greco, the director of the Egyptian Museum in Turin. There will be an art lab for children with illustrator Floor Rieder. And Children's Books writers Marc ter Horst, Yorick Goldewijk and Gideon Samson will engage in conversation with schoolchildren. Click here for the full programme (in Italian).

Special attention at the fair will be given to Dutch author Cees Nooteboom. Dutch artist Zenk One (Robin Nas) is creating a mural at the Palavela arena inspired by Nooteboom's novel In the Dutch Mountains, which is highly successful in Italy. Reading groups from Turin neighborhoods will read and discuss Nooteboom's work. And he will be honored with a tribute by author Jan Brokken at the stand.

The number of translations from Dutch has grown significantly over the past decade, making Italy one of the most important markets for Dutch literature. Kader Abdolah, Cees Nooteboom and Herman Koch are popular authors in Italy, but Children's Books are also highly regarded. Apart from that, several (young) authors have recently been awarded Italian literature prizes. Among others, Gerda Blees, Tom Hofland, Ellen Deckwitz and Annet Schaap have been awarded Italian prizes in recent years. The translation of The Discovery of Holland by Jan Brokken is on the shortlist of the Premio Strega Europeo. The Award Ceremony will take place on May 18 at the Turin Book Fair.