Writer, poet, and filmmaker Nafiss Nia (58) brings poetry to the streets of Amsterdam with 'Poetry on the Sidewalk': 'Before you know it, you're enchanted'
Nafiss Nia, a poet and filmmaker, has founded the Poëzie op de stoep initiative to bring literature into the public spaces of Amsterdam. The project aims to foster community connection by displaying accessible, hopeful poetry on sidewalks and signs in residential neighborhoods throughout the city.
Writer, poet, and filmmaker Nafiss Nia has launched a public initiative called Poëzie op de stoep, which aims to bring poetry out of bookshelves and onto the streets of Amsterdam. The project started as a pilot in the Frederik Hendrikbuurt and has since expanded across the city, featuring verses on sidewalks, plant pots, and signs. Nia, who fled Iran for the Netherlands at age 23, seeks to use language to create connections among residents and provide moments of beauty and reflection in daily life.
The project prioritizes local involvement by commissioning poets who have personal ties to the neighborhoods where their work is displayed. Nia purposefully avoids the city center to focus on residential areas where locals can experience the art repeatedly during their daily routines. By pairing established writers with newcomers and integrating artistic calligraphy, the foundation hopes to foster community and demonstrate that poetry belongs to everyone, regardless of background or education.
Based on reporting by parool. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.
