International Women's Day: 'Wêr bliuwe de froulju yn de Fryske literatuer?'

Poets Aggie van der Meer, Albertina Soepboer, Margryt Poortstra, Tine Bethlehem, Elske Kampen, Sigrid Kingma, Grytsje Schaaf, Lida Dykstra, Janna van der Meer
and Ytje Hoekstra feature prominently in Spoelstra's book. She has three collections of poetry to her name: Goeie is it wachtwurd (2004), Langst fan ‘e dagen (2011) and Wij yn ’e draaimûne (2019). She also writes prose. 

How did you learn to write in Frisian?

“In my interview collection, I asked poets how they learned to write in Frisian and how they became involved in Frisian literature. As for myself, I learned to read and write in Frisian because the school in Hijum was a bilingual school. The first two years, everything was in Frisian, and in the third year, Dutch was added. After publications in the choir magazine De Goocheme Goaijer, in the Skriuwerskalinder and in the magazine Frysk en Frij, after Afûk courses and writing courses at the Frysk Letterkundich Museum en Dokumintaasjesintrum (FLMD) and performances with the group Los Sân, I became an editorial member of the Frisian literary magazine Hjir in 2002.”

How do you feel about the fact that the Gysbert Japix Prize has been awarded to men much more often than to women?

"I find it striking, it intrigues me. In the interviews in the book, you see that people's reactions vary greatly, from “logical” to “scandalous”. Personally, I find it particularly unfortunate, because it means that women writers and poets and their work have received less attention and appreciation. As a result, women's stories are not well represented in Frisian literature. That's a shame for everyone. It also has an impact on younger women, who are less likely to identify with Frisian literature as a result." 
 

Should there be a prize for literary work by women (such as the former Anna Bijns Prize and now the Opzij Prize for the Dutch-speaking region)?

"A better option, in my opinion, would be to split the Gysbert Japix Prize and make it an annual prize again, one year for work by women, the next year for work by men, and possibly one day a separate edition for non-binary or broader LGBT+ work. I thought of this when the book was already at the printer's. It's always the case that you get the best ideas when it's too late. But I would say, try it for ten years. Then you will get a better reflection of Frisian literature, of the Frisian world. Then you will get a different dynamic."
 

Is there any new poetry on the way?

‘Yes, definitely. In 2026, I want to start compiling my fourth collection of poetry.’

For sale 

Janneke Spoelstra's Wêr bliuwe de froulju? - Ynterviewbondel oer de Fryske literatuer (1988-2023) is available for €22.50 or can be ordered from all bookshops.

Ut de Smidte
Ut de Smidte

Ut de Smidte 

Ut de Smidte is the Frisian-language magazine for donors and members of the Fryske Akademy. The magazine is published twice a year and provides information about our institute's research, publications and public activities. You can be a Fryske Akademy donor for €25,- a year.