Op de Beeck calls it ‘a crazy honor’ that she can present ‘a program with such an impressive record. “I believe it was never more important than now: taking time, going into depth, seeking the nuance, unraveling complexities, allowing the surprise, the social conversation – even more than the debate – increasing our world, and creating the proximity,” she says.
The 51-year-old Op de Beeck is one of the best-selling Dutch-language writers with more than a million books sold. Her work has been translated into thirteen languages. On the Beecks debut novel Many heavenly above the seventh From 2013, the bronze Owl Public Prize and a nomination for the AKO literature prize immediately won. Her next novel Come here that I kiss you (2014) was nominated for the NS Public Prize. Both books have been filmed. Then more novels followed, a bundle of short stories and last year she gave the non-fiction book it gets better, how you can live free and in full.
Last year Summer Casters made every episode by a former presenter. Originally Adriaan van Dis would present the series, but he had to cancel because of his health. Op de Beeck is the eighteenth presenter of Zomergasten.