Main Reading: Joost Baars & Pia Tafdrup

Take a seat at the main reading of  poets Pia Tafdrup and Joost Baars. This is the moment to get to know both the poetry and the person behind it.|

Since Joost Baars (1975, NLD) won the VSB Poetry Prize in 2018 with his debut Binnenplaats, things seemed quiet. Until now. During the 56th edition of Poetry International, you’ll hear new work from his forthcoming poetry collection. Poetry that can feel mystical, intense, and slightly hallucinatory.

Pia Tafdrup (1952, DNK) is one of Scandinavia’s most prominent poets. With nuance and precision, she writes about major themes such as war, death, hatred, and love. At the same time, her poetry remains light-footed, leaving room for sweeping romanticism.

Host Hassnae Bouazza opens the main reading with a short introductory conversation. After that, both poets will read from their own work, sharing a personal selection of brand-new poems, their response to the festival theme, or a surprising gem from their oeuvre.