FLIRT FLAMAND

What is being written and read on the other side of the language border? Come discover the vibrant landscape of contemporary Flemish literature and meet five of its finest writers, brought together for one unique French-language evening at KVS.

They come from Ghent, Neerpelt, Tielt, Lier and Brussels. Their work has recently been translated and published by major French publishing houses such as Gallimard and Actes Sud, yet they are not always well known in French-speaking Belgium. Lize Spit ( Autobiographie de mon corps ), Peter Terrin ( Vous êtes ici ), Stefan Hertmans ( Dius, forthcoming), Anton Jäger ( Hyperpolitique ) and Lieve Joris ( De chrysanthèmes en chrysanthèmes ) are the authors of five of the finest Flemish books recently translated into French. On 26 November, they will meet their French-speaking readers on stage at KVS for an evening full of discoveries.

Stefan Hertmans will read an excerpt from the as-yet-unpublished French translation of Dius. This novel, due to be published by Gallimard in 2027, tells the story of an unconditional friendship between an art student and his teacher, inspired by the spirit of the Flemish Masters. A passionate traveller, Lieve Joris talks about returning to her birthplace for a major autobiographical project: the books Terug naar Neerpelt and Hildeke, which can be read as two parts of a diptych. Lize Spit talks to journalist and writer Myriam Leroy ( Het mysterie van de vrouw zonder hoofd ) about Autobiografie van mijn lichaam, Spit’s most intimate book to date. Peter Terrin, meanwhile, sheds light on the writing process behind De gebeurtenis, a disturbing novel in which AI interferes with our memories. And young essayist Anton Jäger enters into conversation with philosopher Laurent de Sutter on the occasion of the French publication of Hyperpolitique, a thought-provoking and provocative essay about our powerless yet deeply politicised times. Finally, there is Caroline De Mulder, author of the novel Heim, who has extensively explored the relationship between Belgium’s linguistic communities as an academic. At KVS, she seeks an answer to the challenging question: “Does a Belgian literature exist?”

Several independent French-language bookshops, including Tulitu, Les Yeux Gourmands and Tropismes, will share reading recommendations in the section “Mon livre flamand préféré”.

There will also be a pop-up bookshop, where you can buy your favourite books and have them signed by the authors.

Discover all the information HERE