nuSep 24, 2026, 17:16

Gouden Griffel 2026 for late author Sjoerd Kuyper

Author Sjoerd Kuyper has been posthumously awarded the 2026 Gouden Griffel for his children's book Maantje verhuist de zee. Additionally, illustrator Karst-Janneke Rogaar received the 2026 Gouden Penseel for her work on Lucy en Donker.

The late author Sjoerd Kuyper was posthumously awarded the 2026 Gouden Griffel, a prestigious prize for Dutch children's literature, for his final book Maantje verhuist de zee. The touching story, illustrated by Sanne te Loo, centers on a nine-year-old girl and her grandmother. Before his passing, Kuyper was surprised by his grandchildren with celebrations on his sickbed to mark his professional achievements.

Kuyper was a prolific writer, having previously won the Gouden Griffel in 1996 for Robin en God and eight Zilveren Griffels throughout his career. His work reached a wide audience, notably through the book Het zakmes, which was adapted into an award-winning film and television series. During the same event, illustrator Karst-Janneke Rogaar was honored with the 2026 Gouden Penseel for her book Lucy en Donker. Rogaar, who authored and illustrated the story about a young girl and a mysterious creature, is scheduled to formally accept her award at the upcoming Kinderboekenbal.

Culture Netherlands

Read original ↗

Based on reporting by nu. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

Princess Amalia promoted to sergeant 9 months after appointment as corporal

Princess Amalia has been promoted to the rank of sergeant by the Royal Netherlands Navy after serving nine months as a corporal. The promotion took place on the Norwegian vessel Statsraad Lehmkuhl in Den Helder as part of her ongoing military internship.

Ricky Gervais to perform 'most personal show yet' at AFAS Live in July

Comedian Ricky Gervais will bring his latest stand-up show, titled Legend, to Amsterdam's AFAS Live this July. Tickets for the performance go on sale this Friday, with a portion of the proceeds being donated to charity.

Review: The eighth season of Gooische Vrouwen is bold, cheesy, dramatic, and occasionally touching again

The eighth season of the hit series Gooische Vrouwen returns with its signature blend of drama, comedy, and extravagant characters set in the affluent Gooi region. The new episodes explore mature themes such as marriage, independence, and social class while reuniting the core group of female friends.

Not selling out is not a death blow for festival: 'But be careful not to price yourself out of the market'

Festival organizations in the Netherlands faced a challenging summer marked by extreme weather, rising operational costs, and fluctuating ticket sales. Despite these significant hurdles, industry professionals remain optimistic due to the sector's inherent creativity and ability to adapt to difficult circumstances.

Zach Bryan has rediscovered his love for music since getting sober

Country singer Zach Bryan has shared that achieving sobriety has helped him rediscover his passion for songwriting and improved his mental health. After struggling with alcohol dependency and panic attacks, the musician now feels a renewed sense of energy and appreciation for daily life.