UG Poet-in-residence

In 2000, the University of Groningen became the first university in the Netherlands to appoint a poet-in-residence. No other higher education institution in the Netherlands at that time had a comparable honorary position. In the two decades since then, many universities have followed Groningen’s example.

Activities of the Poet-in-residence

Every student at the University of Groningen can apply for the position of poet-in-residence by submitting five poems and a letter of motivation. A professional jury selects the poet-in-residence each year. The poet-in-residence then starts off their year by reading the winning poem aloud during the opening of the academic year. During the academic year, the poet-in-residence writes a poem a month that is published on the University website. Students of the Academy of Arts, Minerva make an animation with each poem. The poet-in-residence also performs on numerous occasions. At the end of the year, the poet-in-residence says farewell with a final project and naturally a collection of the poetic results of the year.

Poet-in-residence 2024-2025: Femke de Heer

The new poet-in-residence of the University of Groningen also began her master's degree in Quantum Universe in September 2024. Femke de Heer (2002) completed the bachelor's degree in Astronomy in Groningen and took some courses at the art academy. As a poet, she was already a regular guest on Groningen stages.

This year marked the twenty-fifth anniversary of the poetry residency fellowship at the Usva. Since 2000, the university has appointed a student poet who writes poems during the academic year. Previous poets-in-residence have included Daniël Dee, Joost Oomen, Lilian Zielsta and, Groningen's current city poet, Esmé van den Boom. The house poet's first performance is during the opening of the academic year.

“My recitation went well last during the Opening of the Academic Year. Of course I had practiced, but such a large audience in the Martinikerk is new. There are a few repetitions in the poem and as a result I did drop a silence for a moment, but the poem can have that.”

“During the vacations I was able to prepare mentally. In June I got an email that I was the new poet-in-residence and then I did jump in my little dorm room. I did a lot of reading and writing. I also performed at the Arts Festival and I wrote a poem for that. For other upcoming performances, I didn't have to create any new work.”

At the opening of the academic year, Femke recited her poem Mollusk/City Man. “The starting point is the relationship between city and countryside, as I am from Drenthe, and the distance between being a student and your parents at home. How a poem turns out is not predictable with me, I write something and slowly steer it to the theme. A poem also has a will of its own.”

Maarten Praamstra's full interview with Femke can be read on the Noordwoord website.

List of previous poets-in-residence and collections

2023-2024: Ruth Ruijgers, poems
2022-2023: Yfke Bethlehem, poems
2021-2022: Laura van Meijeren, poems
2020-2021: Olivier van Eijk, poems
2019-2020: Willem Wierbos, poems
2018-2019: Sofia Manouki, poems
2017-2018: Rachel Raezter, Boven in de boom: poems
2016-2017: Esmé van den Boom, poems
2015-2016: Philip Rozema, Te Ruime Ruimte
2014-2015: Jeptha de Visser, Verschijnselen
2013-2014: Lilian Zielstra, Specimen
2012-2013: Pauline Sparreboom, Oceaankorrels
2011-2012: Jet Langerak, Roes
2010-2011: Joost Oomen, Vliegenierswonden
2009-2010: Sacha Landkroon, IKS
2008-2009: Machteld Brands, Drift
2007-2008: Menno de Block, Zoetwaterwoorden
2006-2007: Ruth Koops van ’t Jagt, Juttersgeluk
2005-2006: Jurre van den Berg, Avondkikkers
2004-2005: Veerle Vroon, Kortsluiting
2003-2004: Annelieke van Mens, S1005049
2002-2003: Guido van der Wolk, Klinkende Klanken
2001-2002: Gertjan Laan, Badans
2000-2001: Daniel Dee en Petra Else Jekel, Dubbelblind