City Poet of Leeuwarden
Leeuwarden lives and breathes culture. We form a society where the streets are theatres, where waterways set the direction, and whose language has international allure. That includes having your own City Poet! Marrit Jellema is City Poet of the City of Leeuwarden until January 2026.
What does the role of City Poet entail?
Leeuwarden was not only European Capital of Culture in 2018, but has also been a UNESCO City of Literature since the end of 2019. Leeuwarden, with all its towns and villages, is more than worthy of a City Poet.
The City Poet writes about Leeuwarden, reflects on its everyday life. A City Poet connects with all that happens throughout the province and keeps a finger on the pulse of its cultural and social developments. The City Poet has an independent and connecting role for the whole of Leeuwarden. The City Poet is critical and involved and encourages a love for verbal art.
Who is Marrit Jellema?
Marrit Jellema (1993) won a Spoken Award in the ‘lyrics’ category in 2019. In June 2021, her spoken word debut album super personalwas released and in September 2021 she was in the final of the NK poetry slam. Her second album Voor Altijd was released at the beginning of 2023. Marrit followed the Urban Arts Talent program of the fund for cultural participation from April 2021 to February 2023 to further develop herself as an artist. She regularly gives poetry and spoken word workshops, organizes the spoken word event ‘High Words’ together with Explore The North and City of Literature Leeuwarden and performs on stages throughout the country. On January 30, 2024, Marrit Jellema was unanimously named City Poet by a five-member jury. She is the first City Poet after Derwent Christmas, who was succeeded in 2009 by City Artist Marten Winters.
Poetry
Here you will find the poetry published by Marrit Jellema as City Poet of Leeuwarden.
- On 10 September 2024, Marrit Jellema read the poem ‘Ik weet nog hoe het voelde’ (I remember how it felt) during Walk into the Light in Grou, a walk at the start of World Suicide Prevention Week.
- On 4 May 2024, Marrit Jellema read the poem ‘Pas als iedereen’ (Only when everyone) during the Remembrance Day ceremony in the Prinsentuin in Leeuwarden.
- On 14 February 2024, Marrit Jellema wrote the poem ‘Iedereen mag zichzelf zijn’ (Everyone can be Themselves) on the discussion around the province’s rainbow coalition.
Watch the video
City poet Marrit Jellema has recorded a video in which she recites the poem No ode without pain and introduces herself to the residents of the City of Leeuwarden.
Go to the video ‘Marrit Jellema – No ode without pain‘.
The jury
The jury consists of the following members:
- Mrs R. Klandermans – Van der Velde bookseller and writer.
- Mrs C. Geurtsen – Dutch teacher Piter Jelles.
- Mrs T. van der Steege – project coordinator UNESCO Leeuwarden City of Literature.
- Mr B. Temme – Teacher trainer NHL Stenden, Dutch-Frysk team.
- Mrs G. de Graaf – ‘voice from the city’, with a passion for literature and poetry.
Previous City Poets and City Artists
- Arjan Hut
- Derwent Christmas
- Marten Winters
- The duo Daan Levy and Jacco de Boer
- Jamila Faber
- Cote Create
Payment
As City Poet, you receive a payment of €4,000 for completing the project plan. And an honorarium of € 4,000 per year for the verbal arts to be delivered and associated presentation moments. The City Poet is free to set their own fee for other commissions.
Do you have any questions?
Please contact the City of Leeuwarden or send an e-mail to: stadsdichter@leeuwarden.nl
What does the role of City Poet entail?
Leeuwarden was not only European Capital of Culture in 2018, but has also been a UNESCO City of Literature since the end of 2019. Leeuwarden, with all its towns and villages, is more than worthy of a City Poet.
The City Poet writes about Leeuwarden, reflects on its everyday life. A City Poet connects with all that happens throughout the province and keeps a finger on the pulse of its cultural and social developments. The City Poet has an independent and connecting role for the whole of Leeuwarden. The City Poet is critical and involved and encourages a love for verbal art.
Who is Marrit Jellema?
Marrit Jellema (1993) won a Spoken Award in the ‘lyrics’ category in 2019. In June 2021, her spoken word debut album super personalwas released and in September 2021 she was in the final of the NK poetry slam. Her second album Voor Altijd was released at the beginning of 2023. Marrit followed the Urban Arts Talent program of the fund for cultural participation from April 2021 to February 2023 to further develop herself as an artist. She regularly gives poetry and spoken word workshops, organizes the spoken word event ‘High Words’ together with Explore The North and City of Literature Leeuwarden and performs on stages throughout the country. On January 30, 2024, Marrit Jellema was unanimously named City Poet by a five-member jury. She is the first City Poet after Derwent Christmas, who was succeeded in 2009 by City Artist Marten Winters.
Poetry
Here you will find the poetry published by Marrit Jellema as City Poet of Leeuwarden.
- On 10 September 2024, Marrit Jellema read the poem ‘Ik weet nog hoe het voelde’ (I remember how it felt) during Walk into the Light in Grou, a walk at the start of World Suicide Prevention Week.
- On 4 May 2024, Marrit Jellema read the poem ‘Pas als iedereen’ (Only when everyone) during the Remembrance Day ceremony in the Prinsentuin in Leeuwarden.
- On 14 February 2024, Marrit Jellema wrote the poem ‘Iedereen mag zichzelf zijn’ (Everyone can be Themselves) on the discussion around the province’s rainbow coalition.
Watch the video
City poet Marrit Jellema has recorded a video in which she recites the poem No ode without pain and introduces herself to the residents of the City of Leeuwarden.
Go to the video ‘Marrit Jellema – No ode without pain‘.
The jury
The jury consists of the following members:
- Mrs R. Klandermans – Van der Velde bookseller and writer.
- Mrs C. Geurtsen – Dutch teacher Piter Jelles.
- Mrs T. van der Steege – project coordinator UNESCO Leeuwarden City of Literature.
- Mr B. Temme – Teacher trainer NHL Stenden, Dutch-Frysk team.
- Mrs G. de Graaf – ‘voice from the city’, with a passion for literature and poetry.
Previous City Poets and City Artists
- Arjan Hut
- Derwent Christmas
- Marten Winters
- The duo Daan Levy and Jacco de Boer
- Jamila Faber
- Cote Create
Payment
As City Poet, you receive a payment of €4,000 for completing the project plan. And an honorarium of € 4,000 per year for the verbal arts to be delivered and associated presentation moments. The City Poet is free to set their own fee for other commissions.
Do you have any questions?
Please contact the City of Leeuwarden or send an e-mail to: stadsdichter@leeuwarden.nl