Amersfoort is an inexhaustible source of inspiration. This city moved Withoos to pick up paint and brush, had Diggy Dex represent the numbers 033 and made Twan Vet the youngest city poet to ever be here. Come, join the poet!
Busy man, that Twan. The 23-year-old Amersfoort native has a weekly column in literary magazine 'Tirade' and is founder/editor of online magazine 'Landauer'. Seventeen of his poems recently appeared in the prestigious Belgian magazine 'Deus ex Machina'. He obtained his role as Keistads poet by winning the biennial election for that purpose in 2021. "In 2019, a friend had also entered me for it. Then I came in second. That was the best thing that could have happened to me: as a result, I threw myself fully into being a writer and now have the most enjoyable job."
Second home
Time for some inspi! Where should we be? "It's not the instigation, but I get most of my inspiration at home, behind my desk. I'm not the type who spontaneously grabs pen and paper outside the house when something comes to mind. In the center there is a place where I feel more at home than in my own home: Kafé Van Zanten. The meetings and conversations, both with acquaintances and strangers, certainly provide inspiration. I myself live in the city center and love to be there. As city poet you can also find me regularly in parts like Hoogland and Vathorst. I find it important that my work represents the entire city."
Coincidentally
Another house that Twan has some use for can be found on Eemplein. So it should come as no surprise that the slogan of this little house is "Be inspired. Twan: "I think the Eemhuis is an incredibly nice building. The architecture is very interesting. When you walk inside, it always has something imposing. The Eemplein may not be known as the most atmospheric place in town, but you can certainly write a good poem about it."
Priceless
So a good conversation in a nice café and a character-filled library produce beautiful prose. Yet it cannot possibly match the most powerful inspiration of all: love. To appeal to the most beautiful muse, Twan knows exactly where to go. "It's a bit cliché, but I love the Koppelpoort immensely. And especially the side overlooking the canal and Museum Flehite. When you stand on the highest point of the bridge, that view is priceless. It's a very special place for me: I had my first kiss there."
SPILL IT!
"The date was arranged as follows: first we went to the movies at De Lieve Vrouw. Then we drank a coke on the terrace. Of course we had to be home on time, so as a last stop we went to the bridge at the Koppelpoort. It was very romantic!"