On 26 April the Dutch Ambassador Simon Smits threw a party to celebrate the English translation of Vincent Bijlo’s first novel The Institute.
It turned into a marvellous party with Vincent Bijlo reading and even, at the grand piano, singing a love song about his wife Mariska Reijmerink who had translated it especially for this occasion.
Simon Smits introduced Vincent Bijlo. This was translated into sign language by the lady on the right and Paul Haenen who was one of the guests can just be seen on the right.
This prompted many people to start taking pictures including Mariska Reijmerink and Dammie van Geest.
Vincent Bijlo read from The Institute with his fingers using his Braille terminal.
Vincent Bijlo was invited to sit down in the recently restored chair which was used by Pieter Gerbrandy PM of the Dutch Government in exile during World War II.
An excellent opportunity for the publisher to introduce authors Wendy Brandmark and Anthony Ferner on the left to their wonderful copy editor Catherine Best on the right.
Last but not least, Vincent Bijlo and his excellent translator Susan Ridder in front of a painting of Dutch King William I.
We would like to thank Simon Smits, Jannet Duijndam and the embassy staff for hosting a very successful reception with plenty of drinks and lovely Dutch canapés.
