Jan Hanlo Essay Prizes 2007

The Jan Hanlo Essay Prize Large goes to Roel Bentz van den Berg for his collection Zapdansen (Zap Dancing), consisting of 48 essay type pieces which Bentz van den Berg wrote for the Cultural Supplement of NRC Handelsblad. From the jury report: ‘With the greatest possible finesse, Zapdansen gives voice to the essences which are familiar to all: flashes, impressions of beauty, endearment, concentration, sadness, defence. The author makes those fleeting, ungraspable things tangible with words. This the jury considers the greatest achievement an essayist can make.’

Bentz van den Berg (b.1949) studied philosophy and, besides being a writer, is a programme maker for the VPRO broadcasting corporation and works for NRC Handelsblad. He has published three collections of narrative essays – De luchtgitaar (The Air Gitar), De overdaad (Excess) and Zapdansen (Zap Dancing) – and the novel Dagen van vertrek (Days of Departure).

The other nominees were Nicole Montagne for De neef van Delvaux (Delvaux’ Cousin) and Dirk van Weelden for Straatsofa (Street Sofa). Jan-Hendrik Bakker received the Essay Prize Small for his unpublished essay ‘Een coyote in de volkstuin’ (‘A Coyote in the Allotment’). The Jan Hanlo Prizes are awarded biannually. Previous recipients of the essay prize are Tijs Goldschmidt, Douwe Draaisma and Rudy Kousbroek.

Published: September 19, 2007 news | non-fiction