Photo Duncan de Fey Van der Kolk is a third-year Food Technology student. She was awarded the title of city poet following an impassioned performance in the Wageningen public library. She recited her poetry by heart. Eleven poets participated. Van der Kolk the fourth city poet and succeeds Ivanka de Ruijter
Van der Kolk has been writing poetry since primary school. ‘I published my first collection of poems when I was twelve. Short poems, about nothing much, I now think. But back then, it was nice to publish that first collection for my family and friends.’ In 2015 things became more serious when she won the national youth poetry championships Doe Maar Dicht Maar.
I like leaving room for the reader’s interpretation
Ellen van der Kolk
The new city poet particularly impressed the audience with her poem on the topic “my dream mayor”. Her poem centred on a real dream about a mayor who saves a herd of horses in the flood plains. What does her poem mean? ‘It is just a dream. I like leaving room for the reader’s interpretation.’
Aspect
In Wageningen, city poets are appointed for a period of three years, which means she will have to stay on in Wageningen for a year after completing her studies. ‘Yes, that is an aspect’, she says. ‘Now that I have been appointed city poet, I can’t leave. But what I get in return is so cool. And, there is no real need to leave Wageningen.’
It is yet unclear how exactly Van der Kolk intends to implement her role as city poet. ‘There is much freedom in how to interpret the role. I expect people will approach me asking me to write a poem bout certain things. But I am permitted to make my own choices.’ When asked, the new city poet says she will also put campus happenings into poetry.
The new city poet can be reached by email at stadsdichterwageningen@gmail.com
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