Writers Unlimited International Literature Festival The Hague 2026
Let's get physical
For four days, we will explore how writers and poets give the body a place in their work – as a source of desire, vulnerability, identity and resistance.
At a time when autonomy over our bodies and freedom of expression are increasingly under pressure, we will discuss current themes such as gender, violence, health, well-being, freedom and sexuality. We also want to celebrate the body, with a focus on food, the representation of the body in visual arts, and dance and music.
Let yourself be carried away by conversations with writers from home and abroad, prose and poetry readings, music, films and spoken word. And, just as importantly, readers and writers can meet each other in person during this festival full of dialogue, depth and inspiration.
Programme
Agenda
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My Voice, My Body
Opening Program on Freedom of ExpressionWriters Unlimited International Literature FestivalThu 22 Jan 19:30 - 21:00With performances by writers Virginie Despentes, Leïla Slimani, Pankaj Mishra, Zoya Miari, Robin Block and Lin An Phoa. Host: Simone ZeefuikTheater aan het Spui, Den HaagHall 1vrije plaatskeuze Regular € 15 Youths up to and including the age of 30 € 10 TicketsThu 22 Jan 202619:30 - 21:00 -
Friday Night Unlimited
Grote festivalavond met voordracht, gesprekken, poëzie, spoken word, film, muziek en boeken op vijf podiaWriters Unlimited Internationaal Literatuurfestival Den HaagFri 23 Jan 20:00 - 00:30Theater aan het Spui, Den HaagAll hallsvrije plaatskeuze Youths up to and including the age of 30 € 15 Earlybird € 25 TicketsFri 23 Jan 202620:00 - 00:30 -
The World After Gaza
Interview with Pankaj MishraWriters Unlimited International Literature FestivalSat 24 Jan 12:00 - 13:00World famous author about his new bookTheater aan het Spui, Den HaagHall 1vrije plaatskeuze Regular € 15 Youths up to and including the age of 30 € 10 TicketsSat 24 Jan 202612:00 - 13:00 -
Adriaan van Dis
Over zijn nieuwe roman ‘Alles voor de reis’Writers Unlimited Internationaal LiteratuurfestivalSat 24 Jan 13:30 - 14:30Een aangrijpende roman over een grote liefde – interview door Ellen DeckwitzTheater aan het Spui, Den HaagHall 1vrije plaatskeuze Regular € 15 Youths up to and including the age of 30 € 10 TicketsSat 24 Jan 202613:30 - 14:30 -
Liefde, lezen & lust - YOUNG!
Writers Unlimited x FFÛH x VPRO Club LeesWriters Unlimited Internationaal LiteratuurfestivalSat 24 Jan 15:00 - 16:00Theater aan het Spui, Den HaagHall 2vrije plaatskeuze Regular € 10 Youths up to and including the age of 30 € 5 TicketsSat 24 Jan 202615:00 - 16:00 -
Uitreiking Haagse Literatuurprijzen
Writers Unlimited | LiteratuurmuseumWriters Unlimited Internationaal LiteratuurfestivalSat 24 Jan 15:30 - 17:00Feestelijk programma met muzikale en gesproken lofredes voor de vier winnaarsTheater aan het Spui, Den HaagHall 1vrije plaatskeuze Regular € 20 Youths up to and including the age of 30 € 10 TicketsSat 24 Jan 202615:30 - 17:00 -
Lange Lijnen
Shantie Singh over haar vrouwelijke inspiratiebronnenWriters Unlimited Internationaal LiteratuurfestivalSat 24 Jan 17:00 - 18:00Live podcast van schrijverscollectief Fixdit over literaire werken geschreven door inspirerende vrouwenTheater aan het Spui, Den HaagHall 2vrije plaatskeuze Regular € 5 Youths up to and including the age of 30 € 2,50 TicketsSat 24 Jan 202617:00 - 18:00 -
Saturday Night Unlimited
Grote festivalavond met voordracht, gesprekken, poëzie, spoken word, film, muziek en boeken op vijf podiaWriters Unlimited Internationaal Literatuurfestival Den HaagSat 24 Jan 20:00 - 00:30Theater aan het Spui, Den HaagAll hallsvrije plaatskeuze Youths up to and including the age of 30 € 15 Earlybird € 25 TicketsSat 24 Jan 202620:00 - 00:30
About the festival
Since 1995 Writers Unlimited organises the Writers Unlimited International Literature Festival The Hague. Many tens of thousands of visitors have witnessed conversations and readings by writers and poets on topical themes. The festival has grown out to become one of the most important international literary events in the Netherlands.
Under the motto 'Give the floor to the authors', the festival has involved literature in the national and international societal debate.
About Writers Unlimited
Connecting writers with each other, with poets, spoken word-artists, musicians and with their audiences, across borders of cultures and countries. That is the mission of Writers Unlimited. They organize the annual Writers Unimited International Literature Festival in January, monthly events on location in The Hague (Writers Series), in podcasts and in tours across the world.
Read more about their activities on the website: