Arjan Hut will remain Poet of Friesland in 2026. The Provincial Council of Friesland approved this earlier this year. Consequently, Arjan Hut, who was officially appointed Poet of Friesland in 2023, can continue his work and projects as a poetic ambassador for another year. For example, in November, he will open a walking exhibition he curated at the Meet Me at the Lighthouse literature festival, featuring unique Frisian poetry collection covers.
Arjan Hut: “The past two years have flown by so quickly, it feels like I’m only halfway through. This extra time gives me the necessary space. Especially for the Poet of Friesland projects I’m currently working on, such as the exhibition and the anthology I’m compiling with the previous Poet of Friesland.”
Starting at the end of next year, a selection committee appointed by the Province of Friesland will appoint a new Poet of Friesland every three years. The Poet of Friesland will act as a poetic ambassador and ensure the poetic presentation of Friesland in a modern and inviting way, both within and outside the province.
The “Poet of Friesland” project is an initiative of the Province of Friesland and is implemented by Boeken fan Fryslân. By appointing the Poet of Friesland, the province aims to raise awareness of poetry as an art form among a wider audience.
On October 23, the latest poem by the Poet of Friesland appeared in the LC, the FD, and on the Omrop Fryslân website. Arjan Hut: “In some regions, bombs fall from the sky like ripe fruit. A strange thought for someone strolling through a paradise garden, apple in hand.”
The Dutch translation by Jantsje Post and the English translation by David Colmer can be found on the Poet of Friesland project website.
Photo: Reyer Boxem
