I’m verklempt. On 12 marrt Boekenweek 2008 began in Amsterdam and I’m not there. This annual book festival celebrates reading in all its glory. Readers are first-class citizens in this world class city.
This year the theme celebrates senior citizens. The kick off event was a piano concert in the Amsterdam City Theatre presented by Bernlef. Two trains are criss-crossing the country and donating free rides for the jazz concerts they are hosting for passengers. The trains will meet up, disgorge the improvisational jazzperts, and all will converge in the Bijlmer Station for a joint concert.
All the libraries and bookstores participate in the ten day celebration of books and reading, one of the most popular and respected festivals in The Netherlands. It attracts authors, musicians and artists from around the globe.
This must be the Dutch version of ‘March Madness.’
