A return to poetry of Sandrine Verstraete reciting from her new publication kamers alongside Jean D.L.’s cinematic soundscapes. ‘kamers’ is nominated for the prestigious Herman de Coninck Prize 2026. Poetry capable of winning over every kind of reader, the jury writes, “rational or affective, patient or voracious”.

You are welcome at Dropa House as of 18.00 and enjoy the renowned Dropa House slow food, some good music and drinks before the performance starts at 20.00.

Clara De Decker of Espresso over at Radio Klara did a small focus on the nominees for the Herman de Coninck Prize 2026.
Listen to Sandrine talk (Dutch) about kamers and her work

SANDRINE VERSTRAETE – JEAN D.L. (BE)

Twelve years after her debut r mp, Sandrine Verstraete returns to poetry. Kamers — published by het balanseer — is a quest for new forms. In evocative and sensory language, the text probes the possibilities of words and bodies, reflecting on how we construct ourselves as individuals.

For her performance at Dropa House, she recites texts from kamers alongside guitarist Jean D.L., in whose musical universe guitar, chance, and field recordings evoke echoes of cinematic landscapes — imaginative and hazy soundscapes where the crackle of black-and-white film stock meets the camera movements of Stan Brakhage.