Waiting times in the Escape queue took an hour and a half. It really got a lot for some writers. So stated Antoinette Schuldermann, bestselling biographer with partner Michelle van Egmond, DirksenShe turned, “Look at her,” she tweeted indignantly.

Manon Above (Falling is like flying) surrendered; Her partner had just had knee surgery and could not stand in line for long. Writer Jamal Warishi, who finally arrived after two hours of waiting, quickly left when he noticed the chaotic bustle of the escape. Note the author of Dipping in the Bar, What a Proletarian Mess autumn thread – About the horrors woke up culture – bleak. We’ve also seen celebrity writer Connie Balmain, who usually turns off the light in Boekenbal, put on her coat just before midnight.

The performance of Dries Roelvink, who sang “A little love” by Andre Hazes, had already set the tone. The entry also seemed to detract from the “elitist” and mystical aura always revolving around this writer’s feast. Mystic was the least of it: just a crowded disco with long queues for toilets.

Nicolette Van Damme and Bas Smit also wrote a book and were allowed to go to Boekenbal.

AP

But for those with knee problems, they had better endurance. In any case, it was a striking contrast to the elegant and brave reception of Boekenweek author Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer with his mother (his beloved Stella stayed at home in Genoa), essayist Marek Lucas Reinfeldt (dual names were a feature this year), poet Bart Moyart and Secretary of State for Culture and Information Junay. Oslo. At the entrance to the disco, theater maker Nina de la Parra greeted everyone, compiling a podcast on the spot asking everyone about his “first love,” the theme of this book week.

Minister of State for Culture and Information, Jonai Oslo during a dinner before Boekenbal, the traditional opening of Boekenweek.

AP

Hannah Bervots, Raoul de Jong, Vemke van der Laan, Splinter Chabot, Briggy Hofstede, among others, have lent themselves to the fire of questions.

hug softly

Another Boekenbal dated March 6, 2020, exactly a week before Corona paralyzed the country. It remains to be seen if it will be another widespread event this year. Guests were given a time lock to enter in advance, but there was no longer any procedure inside. There was a nice hug.

MP Peter Omzigt – “I also wrote a book” – shook hands again forcefully. It was his first book ball. He said his children made fun of him for saying, “Dad went to the disco.” The politician admitted that he reads several pages every day, but always read parliamentary reports and never read novels. His D66 teammates Sigrid Kaag and Robbert Dijkgraaf from The Hague also toured the dance floor.

Splinter Chabot, like his father Bart Chabot, was also present.

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There was also the British writing duo Nessie Gerrard and Sean French, who write thrillers like Nicci French. “No, we’re not each other’s first love. We were already in our thirties when we fell in love. But it’s about being each other’s last love, right?”

Nikki Gerrard had borrowed a pink suit from her daughter specifically for the occasion, which looked great on her. However, the duo could not stay long. After a celebratory red carpet moment, the couple were once again taken from the side to the studio where Jinek’s talk show is being taped. “We’re there first. Maybe if we’re not too tired after the TV interview, we’ll throw ourselves at the party later.”

Bart Chabot said with a smile that he had recently won another award, having previously won the Jip Golsteijn award. “Now I have also been awarded by the Sociëteit de Witte in The Hague.” Meanwhile, several colleagues entered the room, from Nelleke Noordervliet to Toine Heijmans, to Yvonne Kroonenberg and Robert Vuijsje. “There are a lot of relatives in the literary world,” says Chabot, who prefers to be in the world of rock and roll.

Connie Balmain invited her to quit smoking after a short while.

AP

month delay

In fact, this Boekenweek was supposed to take place again in March, but the regulator CPNB chose a one-month delay to ensure that Corona measures were no longer required. Stadsschouwburg – nowadays called the International Theater Amsterdam or ITA – could not adapt their programming to this: Hans Kesting was already on stage with Judas. But the lack of an in-house program was actually a relief to the guests, who came to catch up, drink and dance. CPNB Director Evelyn Indekirk realized just that, as was evident from her opening speech, after Birgit Lewis and Water Hamel developed a special version of the pastoral interpret.

“For two years, we’ve been dreaming of new times, of getting back to the old normal,” Andekirk said full of emotion. These new times have come, but they are not normal: certainly not in Ukraine. Love is the ultimate solution to war and hate. Love is our sanctuary, and night is love. Kind words, which are reinforced by the announcement of a CPNB donation of €5 for the Giro 555 per Boekenbalgast. A definitive excuse to ditch the dance floor.