Leeuwarden City of Literature teamed up with the RIXT Frisian Poets Pack to produce a set of uplifting poetry cards for the more than 5,000 care home residents in Fryslân.
Six of the nine poems written by RIXT poets Jan Kleefstra, Syts Wiersma, Gerrit de Vries, Froukje Reitsema, Kate Schlingemann, Martsje de Jong, Marije Roorda, Tsjisse Hettema and Baukje Wytsma are in Frisian. Two are in Dutch and the other one is in Stellingwarfs. This joint initiative by the RIXT poets and Leeuwarden City of Literature is meant to offer solace and hope in times that are challenging for all of us, and especially for the elderly. Douwkje Douma of Afûk, a foundation that promotes the use of the Frisian language in healthcare, contacted care homes for the elderly in Fryslân to gauge their interest. On 24 April 2020, the cards, designed by BWH Ontwerpers in Leeuwarden and printed by Van der Eems in Easterein, were delivered to 88 small and large care homes in the province. These facilities are run by the Kwadrantgroep, Hof en Hiem, Meriant, Patyna, Mienskipssintrum Leppehiem and Noorderbreedte residential care groups.
Tip – The friesindezorg.frl website provides a lot of interesting information about how thoughtful use of language contributes to the wellbeing of care recipients.
