MENSEN ZEGGEN DINGEN

Dean Bowen is a poet, writer, performer, programmer, and critic. His work explores the dynamics of layered identity and how it relates to the political and social positioning of the individual.

His debut poetry collection, Bokman (2018), was praised for being lyrical, passionate, and fierce—a deeply personal journey that uncovers universal patterns while giving voice to a wide range of perspectives. In 2021, Bokman was published in an Italian translation. In 2020, he released the chapbook Ik vond geen spoken in Achtmaal (I Found No Ghosts in Achtmaal), an intimate exploration of what remains of a person after they die. Created in collaboration with the literary festival Tilt and the Prins Bernhard Culture Fund (North Brabant), the publication follows Bowen’s search for a connection with activist and poet Henriette Roland Holst. As part of the project, he stayed at Roland Holst’s former country estate, Oude Buisse Heide, in her former residence. Bowen also served as the Poet Laureate of Rotterdam from 2019 to 2020.

Bowen has published work on online literary platforms such as Samplekanon and Hard//Hoofd, as well as in literary magazines including nY, Tirade, Revisor, and De Gids. Known for his compelling stage presence, he is a sought-after performer at spoken word and literary events both in the Netherlands and internationally, with performances in South Africa, the United States, Slovakia, Italy, and Austria.

In 2015, he won the Van Dale SPOKEN Award in the poetry category. His debut collection Bokman was nominated for the C. Buddingh’ Prize, and in 2025 he received the Johnny van Doorn Trophy.

Dean Bowen is currently a lecturer in performance literature and poetry at ArtEZ University of the Arts in Arnhem. His second poetry collection, Masc:r, was published in February 2026.

Jesse Laport (1991) is Poet Laureate of Gelderland and City Poet of Arnhem. He is the winner of several awards, including the Johnny Trofee, Amai Award, and Doe Maar Dicht Maar. He was also a finalist at the Dutch National City Poet Gala, SpokenFM Award, and Poetry Slam.

Alongside being an alumnus of Creative Writing (BA) and a former theatre student, Laport works as a writer, teacher, voice actor, and experienced performance poet—having appeared on major stages such as Lowlands, Geen Daden Maar Woorden Festival, Het Klokhuis, Paradiso, and even performed twice for the Dutch Royal Family.

Laport distinguishes between Instagram poetry, printed poetry, and performance poetry, while still searching for terminology for the rest of his creative range. His work appears across digital platforms, paper, walls, and even bodies. It often moves between childlike wonder, adult existential questions, and the frustration that sometimes comes with navigating that space.

Yentl van Stokkum (1991) is a poet, playwright, and performer.

She made her debut in 2021 with Ik zeg Emily, after which she received the C.C.S. Crone Stipendium. Her second poetry collection, Winterbloeiers (2023), was nominated for the J.C. Bloem Poetry Prize. Her third collection, Zwarte gaten, is scheduled for publication in September 2026.

Van Stokkum is also editor-in-chief of De Revisor. As part of the poetry collective Poëzie is een daad, she curates a daily selection of poems for poetry-loving audiences on Instagram.

Anissa (2003) is constantly busy, with her main focus on her studies in econometrics, poetry, and anything else that makes her laugh.

Writing in different styles (sometimes getting lost in metaphors, sometimes being straightforward) poetry gives her a way to process and contain the images in her mind, helping her make sense of what happens around her instead of simply letting it pass by.

As a set of solo parts moving together through life, her traits form a whole: they shape who she is and what she puts on paper.