VELDWERK

'Veldwerk' is a book about the loss of biodiversity in the Frisian landscape, by Jan Kleefstra (text, essays) and Christiaan Kuitwaard (drawings).

Actually it is simple. The Netherlands is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. It is also very small, and yet the Netherlands is the second largest agricultural exporter in the world! Imagine that, bigger than Germany, France, the UK or whatever country, apart from the USA. But the Frisians, their landscape and nature pay the price. Of all countries in Europe, the biodiversity is the lowest in the Netherlands.

Something has to happen. We cannot and do not want to live in an environment where there is no place for other earthlings next to ourselves and our farm animals. In 'Veldwerk' you can read stories of committed people who view this problem from their own expertise. From representatives of the dairy industry and the Dutch organisation for agriculture LTO to scientists and a bio-dynamic organic farmer. In addition the book contains the works of poet Jan Kleefstra and artist Christiaan Kuitwaard, which were made on the spot in the open air at various locations in Fryslân for a year. Hopefully this book will contribute to a broad social discussion about the future of the province of Friesland.

'Veldwerk' is available from April 23 in Dutch bookstores and via the webshop of publisher Wijdemeer. Book specifications; 88 pages, hardcover, full color, 29 x 21.5 cm. Price: € 14.99

GODWITS

Godwits is a Portuguese-Frisian collection of poems by Raquel Lima, Nuno Piteira, Elmar Kuiper and Jan Kleefstra. The first seed for this special collection was sown during Jan Kleefstra's first visit to Lisbon with the 'King of the Meadows project'. The initial idea of that project was to travel down European locations, where black-tailed godwits from the Netherlands stage during migration to Africa, with musicians, poets, film artists, you name it. All under the guise of Leeuwarden as Cultural Capital in 2018, but it never happened.

Still, Jan managed to get this international co-operation of poets going. The Portuguese poets came to the Netherlands and did some gigs with Tsjinlûd, featuring Joana Guerra on cello, that became a permanent member of The Alvaret Ensemble after that. Meanwhile Jan Kleefstra and Elmar Kuiper performed at the Potuguese Poetry Slam. Now Godwits is published, designed by Rutger Zuydervelt (Machinefabriek, Piiptsjilling), edited by Teake Oppewal. Godwits is available through all four poets involved and on out Kleefstra Bros Bandcamp page.