Boekpresentatie Etienne Ys De Barmhartige Staat

Etienne Ys presents his debut novel The Merciful State, in which a king implements reforms in a world dominated by a centuries-old empire. A battle for the future of an island arises as traditional power and progress collide.

Etienne Ys, former Prime Minister of the then Netherlands Antilles, will release his debut novel De Barmhartige Staat in the Netherlands in November. Through an in-depth interview, a conversation about both the book and the general colonial ties between the Netherlands and the islands, and a beautiful presentation by spoken word artist Mara Letí, Etienne will bring the book to the fore.

The Merciful State tells of a world that has been under the control of the mighty Asante Empire, an empire larger than ancient Rome, for over three hundred years. The story takes place on the island of Botan Po, which gained some independence fifteen years ago.

The old King Yaw wants to implement reforms. He is inspired by his son, Crown Prince Juma, who wants more freedom. The king wants citizens to have more say, more freedom of religion and more rights for enslaved white Europeans.

But not everyone agrees, and a fierce battle erupts in the palace over the future of the island. How do you stay strong in a changing world, and what place does compassion still have in our society?

Etienne Ys, born in Curaçao, was Prime Minister of the former Netherlands Antilles and played a key role in the political reforms within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. His motto "formashon, formashon i mas formashon" (education, education and more education) remains a driving force in his work. With his debut novel De Barmhartige Staat he wants to stimulate the reading culture in Curaçao.

Mara Letí is an Afro-Curaçaoan singer-songwriter with an authentic sound, inspired by Afro-Caribbean culture. She sings in genres such as Tambú, Sehú and Müzik di Zumbi, where her lyrics reflect the history and strength of the Curaçaoan people. Mara has performed with artists such as Vernon Chatlein, Berget Lewis and the ZO! Gospelchoir.

Stichting Wintertuin is a literary organization from Nijmegen that focuses on stories, talent and innovation. It sees literature as a force to change society. With an open mind, Wintertuin searches for new voices, perspectives and ways to renew literary culture.