The BNG Literature Award is a lifetime achievement award presented annually to Dutch-language writers at the beginning of their literary career. The award is specifically aimed at authors who have published their second, third, or fourth literary prose work.
The winner receives a cash prize of €15.000 and a unique sculpture, designed by artist Theo van Eldik. With this award, the BNG Culture Fund aims to encourage literary talent and recognise authors with a promising future in Dutch-language literature.
The book must meet the following conditions:
Leonieke Baerwaldt won the twentieth BNG Literature Award in 2024 with her book ‘Dagen als vreemde symptomen’. This was announced on 13 February by jury chair Pieter Jeroense at De Duif in Amsterdam. The jury praised Baerwaldt for her choice of a relentless, fragmented form. The author shows courage and originality with her bold style. The other nominees were Roelof ten Napel with ‘Over het zwijgen’ (Hollands Diep) and Joost Oomen with ‘Het paradijs van slapen’ (Querido).
The readers’ jury, made up of BNG employees, also chose Baerwaldt as the winner from the three nominees. As a result, she may spend a month of her choice at the Roland Holst House in Bergen.
“With great compassion, Baerwaldt shows what daily care for a multiply disabled child means: it is extremely tough, repetitive, and hopeless. Form and content go hand in hand in this novel: the short, rhythmic sentences, the repetitions, and the blank lines underline Sisyphus’ reality.
‘Dagen als vreemde symptomen’ is a layered novel full of references to philosophy and Greek mythology. Baerwaldt’s choice of a relentless, fragmented form and a not always pleasing style shows courage and originality. The reader who dares to surrender to the story of this initially inaccessible mother will be deeply moved by this exceptional novel.”
Read the full jury report (in Dutch)
The jury consists of:
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The BNG Culture Fund supports the arts and culture sector in the Netherlands. Read more about what the fund does.
For questions about the BNG Culture Fund, please contact:
Ana Buzón
Secretary of the BNG Culture Fund