Winner of the Amarte Literature Prize 2026: 'Addertje' by Jolanda Kooijmans
During a celebratory ceremony in Amsterdam, the jury, comprising Fiep van Bodegom, Maxim Februari, Lars Meijer, Bibi Dumon Tak, and Wytske Versteeg (jury chair), unanimously selected a winner from the five nominated titles on the shortlist. Jolanda Kooijmans’ poetry collection Addertje has won the Amarte Literature Prize 2026.
The jury on Addertje: "We chose an author who, from the darkness, constructed a universe entirely her own, someone who wove together diverse registers and, in doing so, found a new language for one of the oldest figures in world literature. This literary work is a playful adventure brimming with imagination."
You can read the full jury report here (in Dutch).
With the Amarte Literature Prize 2026, Jolanda Kooijmans receives €15,000, intended to support her further literary development. The shortlist also included: Kijk es naar al dat licht by Alara Adilow, Korstmos by Rinske Bouwman, Ons gaan allemaal by Benzokarim, and Rouwdouwers by Falun Ellie Koos. Earlier this year, fifteen titles were nominated for the longlist. Books eligible for the Amarte Literature Prize are those realized with support from the Amarte Foundation.
As a tangible recognition of her achievement, Jolanda Kooijmans also receives a unique trophy, specially designed for this edition of the Amarte Literature Prize by visual artist Mickey Yang. The trophy was presented by Julien Ignacio, who won the first edition of the prize in 2024 for his novel Goudjakhals.
Additionally, editor and writer Steffie Van Neste wrote a special essayistic reflection on the winning book, Addertje, for the prize. Steffie Van Neste was selected for this commission in collaboration with de lage landen, the prestigious cultural magazine that provides context and interpretation for literature, art, language, and history from Flanders and the Netherlands. Steffie is part of a new generation of promising literature critics who participated in the writing residency at deBuren, the leading Flemish-Dutch house for culture and debate. During the writing process, Steffie received feedback from the editorial team of de lage landen, where the essay has been published online and will also appear in print.
Photo by Joke Schot.