Vesteplein in Delft has become a Verhalenplein, or Story Square: a place where visitors can sit on a bench, scan a QR code and listen to short stories and poems in Dutch.

For English speakers living in Delft, the project offers more than a cultural experience. It is also a relaxed way to practise Dutch listening skills while enjoying stories, poems and well-known voices from the Dutch theatre world.

The special Story Benches invite visitors to put in their earphones and listen to stories in the middle of the city. The recordings include children’s stories, short stories and poems for adults, with a mix of imagination, humour and emotion.

The stories and poems have been recorded by a wide range of well-known actors and comedians who regularly appear at Theater de Veste. These include Jeangu Macrooy, Jenny Arean, Plien and Bianca, Thomas Acda, Simone Kleinsma, Malou Gorter, Isabelle Kafando, Paul Groot, Roué Verveer, Yentl & De Boer, Donny Ronny (Stefano Keizers) and many others.

The project features work by well-known authors, from classics such as Miffy by Dick Bruna to the poem Het Huwelijk by Willem Elsschot and an extract from Lampje by Annet Schaap.

A large group of writers contributed to the Story Benches, including Ramsey Nasr, Lucas Rijneveld, Toon Tellegen, Joost Oomen, Annet Schaap and Delft-based writer Kader Abdolah.

The Story Benches were officially opened on Wednesday 17 June by Jeangu Macrooy, known from the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 and his acclaimed leading roles in Jesus Christ Superstar and Hadestown. For the project, he recorded a poem by Lucas Rijneveld. To officially open the project, he read this poem.

The benches are a collaboration between Theater de Veste and OPEN, which houses DOK library and arts centre De VAK. Both organisations are located on Vesteplein and share a focus on stories, imagination and connection.

For international residents, the Story Benches are a simple way to experience Dutch language and culture in public space. You do not need to understand every word. Just sitting, listening and recognising familiar sounds, expressions or names can be a useful step in becoming more comfortable with everyday Dutch.

The Delft Story Benches are free to use and can be found on Vesteplein.

https://www.theaterdeveste.nl

Pictured: Theater director Marijtje Pronk and actor Jeangu Macrooy.

What is Delft Online?

Delft Online is an English-language community platform sharing news, events, stories and practical information for internationals and internationally minded locals in Delft and the surrounding area. We are a social enterprise with a focus on community and inclusion.

This site was established in 2022 by Renée Tentori as a sister site to The Hague Online, which has been sharing English-language news, events and information for the international community for 21 years. 

Delft has its own strong identity, international community, cultural life and innovation ecosystem, and deserves its own dedicated English-language platform. Delft Online is still growing, with the aim of highlighting more local stories, events and initiatives in English for people who live, work, study in or regularly visit Delft. 

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