Poet Lin An Phoa (31) opens the Night of Poetry: 'We need girls who take the sugar out of their voices'
Poet Lin An Phoa will open the Nacht van de Poëzie, presenting work that explores themes of activism, womanhood, and identity. Her debut poetry collection is scheduled to be released on November 26 through publisher Wintertuin.
Poet and spoken-word performer Lin An Phoa, 31, is set to open the upcoming Nacht van de Poëzie festival. In a recent interview, Phoa discussed her creative process, highlighting how her background in dance informs the physical, rhythmic, and melodic nature of her poetry. Her work often addresses themes of activism, the female experience, and the cultural expectations placed upon women, frequently challenging the pressure to remain soft-spoken or purely gentle.
Reflecting on her identity and the influence of her Chinese-Indonesian ancestry, Phoa described the unique challenge of utilizing the Dutch language to express nuance and emotion. She also spoke about the balance between her career as an artist and the traditional values of her family, who initially prioritized financial stability over artistic pursuits. Phoa hopes her poetry allows readers to slow down and experience a sense of intimacy that standard conversation cannot replicate. Her debut collection is scheduled for release on November 26 via publisher Wintertuin.
Based on reporting by parool. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.
