The Junior Poetry Summit (7+): Poems with a golden touch

If you're good at writing poetry, you might win a prize. If you're really good, you might win a prize twice. And if you're exceptionally good at it? Then you'll win every prize there is. This is exactly what happened to poet Bette Westera. For her poetry collections, she won not only the Gouden Griffel, but also the Woutertje Pieterse Prize and the Gouden Poëziemedaille. And not just once, no, she won all of these prizes twice (!) Bette is truly among the absolute best in children's poetry. And she’s coming to Rotterdam! 

Come on Sunday, June 15, to listen to her stunning award-winning poems, with the most beautiful ones set to music by the musical duo Luc & Marcelle. They will perform with heartfelt songs full of humor in this interactive show for children aged 7 and up. 

The Junior Poetry Summit is a collaboration between Poetry International and Kleine Lettertjes.

Bette Westera

With her playful language, subtle humor, and profound themes, Bette Westera captivates both children and adults alike. As an award-winning poet and author, she has built an impressive body of work, earning accolades such as the Woutertje Pieterse Prize and multiple Gouden Griffels. Her poetry is musical, disarming, and explores life’s big questions in an accessible way. Her groundbreaking collection Doodgewoon, which tackles the theme of death with sensitivity and depth, became an instant classic and won numerous awards.

Luc & Marcelle

Few duos blend poetry and music as seamlessly as Luc & Marcelle. With their atmospheric compositions and intuitive interplay, they add an extra dimension to words—sometimes playful and light, at other times deeply moving and layered. Their music is more than an accompaniment; it tells its own stories, bringing poetry to life. Luc & Marcelle have performed on stages and festivals both in the Netherlands and abroad, and frequently collaborate with renowned poets and storytellers.