November is perhaps the favorite month of Dutch bookworms. The whole month is all about The whole of the Netherlands Readsa gigantic reading party for young and old! Zoetermeer is also being transformed into a mega book club and you are invited to read along.
Every year, Heel Nederland Leest puts a new book in the spotlight, which is distributed for free as a contribution to your bookcase. This year is that book Under the paramari tree by Johan Fretz. From Saturday, November 1, you can pick up this impressive book for free at any location Zoetermeer Librarywhile supplies last.
Under the paramari tree
From an early age, Johannes Fretz has been asked where he really comes from. When he travels with his mother to her native country for a performance in Paramaribo, this question also arises in himself. Suriname feels much more recognizable than Johan had thought. This is a moving story about a mother, a son and a motherland.
Under the paramari tree It is not without reason that it has been selected as the book that will be in the spotlight during Heel Nederland Leest 2025. On Tuesday, November 25, it will be exactly fifty years since Suriname became independent. This is the perfect opportunity to reflect on this important history.
Add depth to your reading experience
To delve deeper into this subject, writer Karin Amatmoekrim visits Library Forum. She is, among other things, the winner of the Dutch biography prize and you may know her from her popular book The Gym.
During her lecture, Karin talks about the book she is currently writing: The history of Suriname. She also, of course, provides further insight into Johan Fretz’s book. It will be an evening about stories, fairy tales, children’s songs and the fringes of society. You will attend the lecture in the Forum on Wednesday, November 12 from 8:00 PM to 9:45 PM.
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One big reading party
Sarah Alsalhawi is a program maker at Zoetermeer Library. She has been looking forward to Heel Nederland Leest for weeks: “I really enjoy organizing this. Many people with a Surinamese background live in Zoetermeer, which is precisely why we pay extra attention to this as a library. I am very happy that we are doing this with Heel Nederland Leest.”
“We got the book last year Joe Speedboat by Tommy Wieringa. Arthur Japin then came to give a lecture, which was a huge success. We of course hope to achieve that again this year, but I especially hope that people will continue Under the paramari tree discuss Suriname with each other. I hope that the book and Karin’s lecture touch and connect people.” What can you expect from the lecture according to Sarah? “An evening full of stories and recognition.”
Come join the book club
So: put on your shoes and head towards your library in Zoetermeer to pick up Johan Fretz’s book for free. Be quick, because it’s gone! You do not have to be a member of the library to participate in this reading party.
Read along with your fellow city residents and start a conversation about this important history and impressive literature! Also make sure you have the lecture by Karin Amatmoekrim Mark it in your diary so you don’t miss this fascinating evening.