Rinkeldekinkel: An Anthology of Dutch Poetry

In the American imagination, Dutch art is often seen as austere, insular, and focused on nature, but in Rinkeldekinkel, readers will encounter a radically different body of poetics defined by international cultural exchange, linguistic invention, and contemporary life. The anthology celebrates the colorful world that blossomed in the wake of Margaret Thatcher, Ronald Reagan, and global Cold War conservatism, featuring twenty-three poets who adopted a "new view on reality" filled with bewilderment and excitement. The rise of multiculturalism, pop culture, and a cultural shift away from highly formal language led to the development of a public voice that mirrored the changes happening across an increasingly diverse Western Europe.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 25 November 2021
Publisher: Milkweed Editions

In the American imagination, Dutch art often takes on austere, insular, and fixated on nature characteristics, serving as a traditional source of consolation for writers. However, Rinkeldekinkel presents a radically different perspective on Dutch poetics, one defined by international cultural exchange, linguistic invention, and contemporary life. Spanning over three decades, this anthology features twenty-three poets who celebrate the vibrant world that emerged in the aftermath of Margaret Thatcher, Ronald Reagan, and global Cold War conservatism. According to anthology editor Rob Schouten, poets at this time embraced a "new view on reality," filled with bewilderment and excitement. The rise of multiculturalism in the Netherlands, the influence of pop culture, and a cultural shift away from highly formal language all contributed to the development of a public voice that mirrored the changes occurring across an increasingly diverse Western Europe.

Within the pages of Rinkeldekinkel, readers are treated to a diverse range of poetic voices. Mustafa Stitous offers surreal ruminations on death and faith, Elma van Harens verse is energetic and evocative, and Hester Knibbes offers ruminative feminist ekphrases. Each poet in this anthology brings something unique to the page, contributing to a celebration of artistic variety that English-speaking audiences will relish. Ingmar Heytze aptly sums up the spirit of the anthology with the phrase, "Nothings tied and all is loose," encouraging readers to dance and embrace their existence.

In conclusion, Rinkeldekinkel offers a fresh and dynamic perspective on Dutch poetics, showcasing the diversity and creativity that emerged in the post-Cold War era. Through its celebration of international cultural exchange, linguistic invention, and contemporary life, the anthology invites readers to explore a world filled with bewilderment, excitement, and artistic variety.

Weight: 356g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781571315335