What to do during Boekenweek 2025 Groningen

90th Edition of Boekenweek: What’s Happening in Groningen

Boekenweek is the readers' festival of the Netherlands, where book lovers from all genres come together to celebrate the power of literature. Whether you love thrillers, fantasy, or novels, Boekenweek offers something special for everyone. It’s the time of the year to visit your bookstore, grab new reading material, and pick up your free Boekenweekgeschenk (Books Week gift). Each year, we reflect on the value of books, which is felt more strongly than ever during this week. This year, the focus is on the Dutch language with the theme Your Mother Tongue, celebrating the rich meaning of our native language.

The Origin of Boekenweek

Boekenweek was first organized in 1930 as an initiative to promote books and increase interest in literature. In the following years, the event grew into much more than just a simple retail promotion. However, the German occupation during World War II temporarily halted the gifts and festivities. After the war, Boekenweek returned in full glory and became an annual ritual for literature-loving Dutch people.

Boekenweek nowadays

Today, Boekenweek is a traditional event where the entire Dutch book industry works together to offer something special for readers. The Boekenweekgeschenk, written by well-known authors, is one of the highlights of the festival. Many major names in Dutch literature, such as Hella Haasse with her classic Oeroeg, have written special works for Boekenweek. Boekenweek has now proven to be a unique event in the Netherlands and is internationally praised as one of the largest literary celebrations. It not only provides the opportunity to discover new books but also shows us how important our native language and literature are in our lives.

Boekenweekgeschenk Writing Contest 2025

For the Boekenweekgeschenk 2025, a special writing contest was organized to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Boekenweek. Unlike previous years, where the CPNB invited an author to write the gift, this edition has returned to a tradition from the 1940s, 50s, and 60s. During those times, writing contests were also held to determine the author of the Boekenweekgeschenk.

A total of 149 Dutch and Flemish writers submitted their manuscripts for the Boekenweekgeschenk 2025. The winner of the contest, who will write the gift, was just recently announced. This makes it even more exciting for both the authors and the readers, who are eagerly awaiting the announcement of the lucky winner!

Boekenweekgeschenk 2025: The Crater by Gerwin van der Werf

In The Crater, the Boekenweekgeschenk for 2025, Gerwin van der Werf takes the reader on an emotional road trip. Eden, along with her two brothers, travels to a meteorite crater in Germany. Her mission is clear: she must save her youngest brother, Benjamin, who is suffering from depression, while Johnny, the other brother, just has a driving license. The three siblings face each other in their search, but their journey is more than just a physical route. Eden always finds herself “in between,” a place that reflects her search for an escape. While the brothers relate to the stars and the road, Eden faces the chaos of her own life.

About the Author Gerwin van der Werf

Gerwin van der Werf (1969) is a versatile writer, reviewer, and columnist. He broke through with his debut novel Armed Man in 2010, the same year he won the Turing Poetry Contest with the poem Abuse. Since then, he has published six novels and was nominated for several prestigious awards, including the Libris Literature Prize and Best Book for Young People. In addition to his fiction work, he has published two collections of columns and stories about education. His work is known for its sharp view on human relationships and the subtle undercurrents of emotions.

How to Obtain the Boekenweekgeschenk

The Boekenweekgeschenk for 2025 will be available for free with a purchase of €15 worth of books during Boekenweek.

What’s Happening During Boekenweek 2025 in Groningen?

We’ve made a fun list of activities during Boekenweek in Groningen. The Boekenweek kicks off on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, and ends on Sunday, March 23, 2025.

Free Museum Access in Groningen with the Museum Action

On Sunday, March 23, you can get free entry to one of the participating museums in Groningen with your Boekenweek gift. In the city of Groningen, this includes the Groninger Museum, Expo Forum Groningen, and StoryWorld Cartoon Museum at Forum Groningen, Museum aan de Aa, and also the University Museum. This is the perfect opportunity to not only celebrate Boekenweek but also explore the rich culture of the city. Check out the participating museums via this link.

Interview with Gerwin van der Werf, Forum Groningen

During Boekenweek 2025, there will also be a special event at Forum Groningen: an interview with Gerwin van der Werf about his Boekenweek gift De Krater. This is a unique opportunity to learn more about the inspiration behind the book and the writing style of this talented author. The interview will take place at Forum Groningen, Boekenweek Interview with Gerwin van der Werf.

Want to attend the interview? Get your tickets via this link.

Boekenweek Challenge RUG

During Boekenweek (March 12 - 23, 2025), the University of Groningen (RUG) is introducing a 10-day challenge for all students. In this challenge, you will get acquainted with recent novels and figuratively step into the shoes of the writer. Which direction will you take the story in? Each day of Boekenweek will feature one novel, alternating between Dutch and English. You can participate in this easy-to-join contest by reading the first sentence of a novel and then coming up with the second and third sentences in the same style. This way, you give the book of the day your own beginning! Each day, a winner will be drawn from the entries, and the winner will receive the book of the day. You can join every day or just once. A fun way to test your writing skills and win! Participate in the challenge via this link.

Activities at Bookstores in Groningen during Boekenweek 2025

During Boekenweek 2025, you can also visit various bookstores in Groningen that contribute to the festivities. Here are some of the participating bookstores:

• Primera Paddepoel
  The Primera in Paddepoel is offering a special Boekenweek promotion! You can pick up your Boekenweek gift and participate in fun activities. Check out the bookstore's schedule here.
• Boekhandel Riemer
  Boekhandel Riemer in Groningen celebrates Boekenweek in its own way! They have a fun post about Boekenweek on their Instagram. Check out their participation details via this link.
• Boekhandel Van der Velde
  Van der Velde Bookstore has published the Boekenweekkrant 2025, which is a must-read! You can view it here. Additionally, Gerwin van der Werf will have a signing session at Van der Velde on Sunday, March 23, 2025, at Akerkhof in Groningen! More information about this can be found here.

Plan Your Visit to Groningen for Boekenweek 2025

Looking for a hotel in Groningen? Book your stay at one of the best hotels in Groningen via this link, and you’ll also support the city’s culture!

From cozy boutique options to luxurious stays in the heart of the city. After a day full of literary events, you can relax at one of the local restaurants offering delicious Dutch dishes or international flavors. With a mix of activities, culture, and gastronomy, your visit to Groningen during Boekenweek will be an unforgettable experience.