On Wednesday 16 April, new literary benches were unveiled at five different locations in the province. A festive moment took place in Dokkum, Sint Jacobiparochie, Leeuwarden, Oranjewoud and Workum, respectively. The benches were designed by visual artist Machiel Braaksma, fitting each location. Each bench features a poem, each by a different local poet.
The artist, poets and aldermen involved were present at each unveiling, as were other participants. Provincial Executive Eke Folkerts kicked off the event in Dokkum. She represented the province of Friesland, which in 2024 commissioned Leeuwarden UNESCO City of Literature to coordinate the realisation. There was close cooperation with the five municipalities. A location was sought everywhere where a bench would be a welcome addition. The poets commissioned by Leeuwarden City of Literature wrote a striking text in consultation with the visual artist.
In Dokkum, a large skateboard has been placed near the Dokkumer Ee. This symbolises relaxation. Willem Schoorstra’s poem is an invitation to muse, observe and reflect at this location. The 12-km bench at Sint Jacobiparochie overlooks the longest ‘street’ in the Netherlands. Sannemaj Betten has included a step for every kilometre in her poem. Gerard de Jong translated it into Bildts. The Atlas bench has been placed at Wijkcentrum Bilgaard in Leeuwarden. Braaksma used root wood as a symbol for the ‘roots’ of the 58 nationalities in the neighbourhood. He has converted the poem by Marrit Jellema, city poet, into a “typographical party”. In Oranjewoud, there is the Elfenbank, which reflects the magic of the forest. Poet Edwin de Groot calls on walkers to pause for a moment. In Workum, a bench for children was made at the request of the municipality, between schools and sports park. The bench is shaped like the word ‘Oooh’. Thys Wadman wrote three short poems for it, including one with the title ‘Oooh’.
An earlier literary bench that Leeuwarden City of Literature created is the meeting bench that is part of the Sprekende Stenen route in Leeuwarden. The benches fit in with one of the goals of the organization: making literature easily accessible.
Pictures: Hoge Noorden | Jacob van Essen
