Closer to the Sea breaks with tradition. On Saturday, May 18, for the first time, not only island poets, but also poets from the shore will take the stage for the latest edition of Closer to the Sea. It promises to be a special evening full of poems that focus on love for Terschelling. Before the break, Marianne Hart, Frans Schot, Meindert Schaap, Ina Schroders, Pieter Spits, Henk Tameling and twelve-year-old (!) Emma Siemeling will take the stage; After the break it is the turn of guest poet Kees Spiering. The performances are musically accompanied by violinist Dick de Graaff. Special place For Spiering, born on Terschelling, participation in Dichter bij Zee in the Meslânzer church is something special: 'Since my debut in 1985 I have been able to perform on many beautiful stages, but of all those performances, the one on May 18, 2024 is already one of the most special. Because it takes place on my deeply beloved birthplace and in particular because I can read and tell stories in the church where I was baptized, attended Sunday school, sang Silent Night as a six-year-old with a candle in my hand and where I attended numerous funeral ceremonies, including which one is in honor of my parents. Like my Terschelling grandparents and other relatives, my father and mother rest in the earth around the Meslânzer church. The fact that I can now return to this place as a poet is a rare blessing for me.' Coming home When asked about his contemporary bond with the island, Kees answers: 'Do you have a moment? I was born there. I have such a strong bond with no place in the world and nowhere is it more familiar to me than on Terschelling. I went to school in Midsland until I was sixteen. Everything I experienced for the first time as a child and teenager, I experienced on Terschelling; good and bad memories that have helped shape me and that I will cherish until my last breath. After I settled on shore at the age of twenty-four, I continued to visit the island frequently. Nowadays we come to Terschelling about three times a year and I come home every time.' Kees Spiering writes poetry for youth and adults. He made his debut in 1992 with the collection Jachtveld. Before You Begin (2018) he was awarded a Flag and Pennant. Recently, Nog Lang Geen Later (2023) was published, which has been nominated for a Boon literature prize. Starts at 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM.