Leeuwarden alderperson for education Abel Reitsma awarded the 72nd Rely Jorritsma Prizes on Saturday afternoon, October 3, 2026, at theater venue It Mammemahûs in Jellum.
This year, 34 stories and 57 poems were submitted for the Rely Jorritsma prize competition. The jury, consisting of Gerbrich van der Meer (chair), Reitze Jonkman and Yvonne Dijkstra, who received the submissions anonymously for assessment, awarded 1 story and 4 poems.
The winning poem by Geart Tigchelaar (Jorwert) has no title. The other winning poems are De seepappegaai seit: ‘Uhh…’ (The Sea Parrot Says: ‘Uhh…’) by Janneke Spoelstra (Alde Leie), Reidseame by Marije Roorda (Broek), and Skilderles (Painting Lesson) by Pim Rodenboog (Oudebildtzijl). The winning story is In Portugeesk ythûs (A Portuguese Eatery) by Sytse Jansma (Harlingen).
The jury report and the winning poems and stories are published in the special Rely issue of the Frisian literary journal Ensafh (volume 18, number 5, 2026).
Rely Jorritsma (Jellum, February 11, 1905 – Ressen, October 1, 1952) was a Dutch/Frisian poet/writer who stipulated in his will that this literary prize be awarded annually.
Picture: © Piet Douma | Rely Jorritsma Fûns
From left to right: Abel Reitsma (Alderman, Municipality of Leeuwarden, award ceremony), Sytse Jansma, Geart Tigchelaar, Marije Roorda, Janneke Spoelstra, (jury members) Gerbrich van der Meer (far right), Reitze Jonkman and Yvonne Dijkstra.
