Gertjan Laan 

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BIOGRAPHY

On 30th August 2001 the Groningen university paper UK announced that fifth-year Economics student Gertjan Laan – born in Groningen that chilly 11th February 1973 – was to become the official poet-in-residence of the University of Groningen for the season 2001/2002. He spent his high school days in Leek, which isn't a vegetable. He was a member of various student bodies and editor of the 'Economisch Magazine', for which he interviewed quite a few politicians. His great passions are painting, photography, poetry and music.

Asked what his plans were for his residency, he answered: "As a generalist in heart and bones I'll try to produce as many styles as possible. My aim is a recognizably personal usage of language. Although I'm not necessarily extrovert, I like performing my work in public. It would of course be brilliant to have my work collected in a volume at the end of the year. My predecessors Daniël Dee and Petra Else Jekel set a good example for me."

That was then, this is now and Laan has been succeeded by first Guido van der Wolk, then Annelieke van Mens.

On 5th December 2002 Badans (Badance) appeared, thus granting Laan's wish for a poetry book containing his residency work.

For more information about the University's poets-in-residence go to: http://www.rug.nl/corporate/universiteit/kunstencultuur/huisdichter/index and please browse www.google.com for more information on Gertjan Laan.