This summer, the Netherlands' first Verhalenmachine (Storytelling Machine) will again tour Utrecht hotspots. From the ILFU Verhalenmachine you don't pull out a croquette or a can of soda, but one of hundreds of free short stories. In the coming weeks, the Verhalenmachine will tour busy Utrecht locations, such as the Neude Library, the Uitalage on Steenweg and TivoliVredenburg. This tour is a prelude to the International Literature Festival Utrecht (ILFU), which erupts in Utrecht at the end of September.
Unlimited redress
De Verhalenmachine contains hundreds of stories, some of which were written especially for ILFU. The Dutch-language stories have been written by authors such as Maarten Biesheuvel, Manon Uphoff, Herman Koch, Remco Campert, Sanneke van Hassel, Lévi Weemoedt, Murat Isik, A.L. Snijders, Anna Woltz, Thomas Verbogt, Annelies Verbeke, Esther Gerritsen and Maartje Wortel. But English-language stories are not missing from the Storytelling Machine either. You can 'pull' unlimited stories by holding your hand over a button of your choice (Dutch, English or surprise). Totally coronaproof, in other words. The stories are printed inklessly on biodegradable paper, which minimises the environmental burden.
On tour through Utrecht and Amersfoort
In August and September, the Storytelling Machine will travel to the following locations: VVV Utrecht on Domplein (16-22 August), Library Neude (23-29 August), De Uitalage on Steenweg (1-3 September), De Stadskamer in Hoog Catharijne (13-17 September), Library Het Eemhuis in Amersfoort (18-22 September) and TivoliVredenburg (23 September-3 October). The latter venue also hosts the bulk of the ILFU programme.
Previews of ILFU
The Storytelling Machine travels the city as a 'taster' of the International Literature Festival Utrecht, which takes place from 23 September to 2 October. Authors and artists such as Édouard Louis, Max Porter, Roxane Gay, Jonathan Franzen, Angie Thomas, Tahar Ben Jelloun, Lieke Marsman, Joost Prinsen, Lisette Ma Neza, Gary Northfield and Claudia de Breij will make an appearance. The NK Poetry Slam and The Night of Poetry are also back on the programme. Saturday 25 September sees Exploring Stories, a new festival day focusing on the interaction between literature and society. Visitors will get to know writers, poets and musicians from all over the world who use their stories to address the major themes of our time. With the Storytelling Machine, Utrechters and visitors can get a foretaste and get (a) story.
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