Personal Info
- Country of residence: Palestine
Information
Ramsey Nasr (b. 1974, Rotterdam) is a Dutch author and actor of mixed descent (half Palestinian half Dutch). In 2000 he made his poetry debut with the collection 27 gedichten & Geen lied (27 Poems & No Song), which was nominated for both the C. Buddingh’ Prize and the Hugues C. Pernath Prize. A year later came his debut as a prose writer with the novella Kapitein Zeiksnor & De Twee Culturen (Captain Sourpuss & The Two Cultures), followed by Twee libretto’s (Two Libretti) in 2002. He then moved to De Bezige Bij, where he published his second book of poetry, onhandig bloesemend (awkwardly flowering) in the spring of 2004. This collection, awarded the Hugues C. Pernath Prize, went through several reprints. The latest edition includes a CD of the poet reading his own verse.
Nasr was named city poet of Antwerp in 2005 and quickly won the hearts of the Flemish people. He aimed from the start to write poems of interest not only to the people of Antwerp but to an audience far beyond the boundaries of the city. This broad approach was reiterated in his third collection, onze-lieve-vrouwe-zeppelin (our-lady-zeppelin) in 2006, which includes all his Antwerp poems along with detailed commentary and historical photographs of the city. This collection too has been widely praised.
In the many articles and opinion pieces he has written for the Dutch and Flemish media, Nasr reveals himself as a man of many passions. They arise from a love of art – classical music, theatre, poetry – as well as serious engagement with contemporary politics. One issue particularly close to his heart is the conflict between Israel and Palestine. An extensive selection of his articles on art and politics was published in 2006 at the same time as onze-lieve-vrouwe-zeppelin, under the title Van de vijand en de muzikant (Of the Enemy and the Musician).
Aside from his literary work, Nasr is also a gifted actor and director. In 1995 he graduated from the drama school Studio Herman Tierlinck in Antwerp with a monologue he composed himself, De doorspeler (The Wannaplay). This impressive theatrical work won him the prize for best actor at the International Drama School Festival in Amsterdam (the Philip Morris Scholarship Award).
Source
Achievements and Awards
In 2006 Ramsey Nasr has been awarded the prize of Journalist for Peace by the Humanistic Peace Council (Humanistisch Vredesberaad). The jury’s report among other things mentioned: “With his talents Ramsey Nasr has contributed to the process of understanding between eastern and western cultures by critically testing rigid prejudices. In doing so he contributes to a culture of peace, nonviolence en justice."
- Years in active
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