poetry picnic:

on the road through the countryside, reading the landscape where old field names, streets and things are the starting point of a short story or poem

halfway through the tour we take a break, slow mood, and there will be coffee and tea

6 maart 2026
friday night poetry picnic
New texts, spoken word, bird watching at the Waal river in Nijmegen!
Start: 17.00, send an e-mail to hear the place we'll meet: info@ilonaverhoeven.nl


Past events:

November 30. 2025:
Poetry Picnic & Ilona Verhoeven @ DRUK
indie book fair - Paradiso, Amsterdam
12.00 - 16.00, entry fee € 3,50 Weteringschans 6-8
Launch of a new zine 'De vrouw met de kraaienogen'

May 16. & June 13. 2025:
Friday Night Poetry Picnic
Dutch/English/German
Start 17.00, we'll meet at Opoe Sientjes / Waal bridge Nijmegen
New texts / spoken word + happy bird watching

June 21 2024:
Friday Night Poetry Picnic
Where? Wo! start at Verwalterhaus Berlin, Prenzlauer Allee 1 Berlin
18.30-20.30 uur 
International edition, DE/NL/EN

February 2 2024:
poetry picnic @ Groundhog Day 2024

Pre Pentecost event! May 17 2024:
friday afternoon poetry picnic, with the theme 'found'
Ooijpolder Nijmegen, by bike!
14.30 - 16.30h

April 23 2023:
poetry picnic @ Ooijpolder Nijmegen


boekenweek 2023 [dutch book week]
sunday March 12:
poetry picnic @ Ooijpolder Nijmegen


saturday March 18:
poetry picnic @ Boerderij Boterhuys, Warmond

poetry picnic 'special editions' - spoken word

*I am currently working on ‘Het land wordt gemeten in morgens’, poems. I have started with this in Nijmegen and its surroundings. Part of this is the so called poetry picnic: I also go out with other people, colleagues and those interested. Initially in the Ooijpolder, where I am inspired by the old structure of the landscape. Old field names form the starting point of a short story or poem, halfway through the tour we pause for coffee and tea.

In my work process, boundaries between art and life sometimes blur; I am open to contemplative and creative dimensions. For example by means of a small ‘journey’ or an artistic intervention.

Ilona Verhoeven

 ➞ blog  www.mixedmediasoup.com

If you want to join, or stay informed, send a message: ilona@poetrypicnic.com

de haas op de oprijlaan
woont in de buurt, niemand weet waar
hij verdwijnt in de morgens
waar het land geploegd is,
stopt niet met vertellen,
hoeveel gras er groeit
dat er elke ochtend nog gronden zijn

bloemkamp,
elf hond, bottenkamp,
stenen kamer, kostverloren,
vierdehalve morgen ellendige,
wacht –

donkerswart is geen kleur, 

witte steen niet wit

de lange geest geen geest