François Semay – The Published Columns In WeekUp Gent.

It is with heavy heart that we received the news of the passing of Ghent poet, Swa (François Semay, 27 July 1969). Swa was not just a poet, but a dear friend to many of us. His vibrant and colorful presence brought life to the brewery, and his absence is deeply felt.

In 2005/2006, Swa wrote a series of columns in WeekUp titled “Innige deelneming,” which were eagerly anticipated by his fans every week. These columns were a reflection of Swa’s unique perspective on life, and his witty, insightful writing style captured the hearts of many readers.

To keep Swa’s memory alive, we have compiled his columns into a booklet as a memento for his friends and family. Thanks to the support of the editor-in-chief Wendy Vercauteren of WeekUP, cultural weekly magazine of Ghent, we were able to retrieve the texts and present them in this composition.

Although the texts are not in any particular order, they reflect Swa’s unique voice and perspective on life. If you want leave a message and i’ll send you the pdf too read the columns once again.

Rest in peace, dear Swa. You will be missed, but your words and spirit will live on forever.

Jotie T’ Hooft – Poète Maudit

Poète Maudit is a stunning collection of poems from Jotie T’Hooft carefully curated by D. de Winter. The original poems remain unchanged and all rights are rightfully attributed to the original publisher, A. Manteau. With fragments extracted from a text by Lucas Vancloosteren (2017) and several sources for the introduction, this collection is a well-rounded and thoughtfully crafted piece of literature.

Jotie T’hooft was a highly acclaimed Belgian poet who rose to prominence in the 1970s. His work is known for its deeply personal nature, exploring themes of love, despair, and addiction with raw honesty.

T’hooft’s poetry is characterized by its beautiful, often melancholic imagery and its powerful use of language. His poems are full of vivid descriptions of everyday life, but also delve into the darker corners of the human experience, reflecting on the pain and suffering that are an intrinsic part of the human condition.

Despite his relatively short career, T’hooft’s impact on the world of Belgian poetry cannot be overstated. His work has been widely anthologized and translated into several languages, and he is still considered one of the most influential poets of his generation.

For readers who have yet to discover T’hooft’s work, his poetry offers a unique and unforgettable glimpse into the complexities of the human experience. Whether exploring themes of love and desire or delving into the darker aspects of addiction and despair, T’hooft’s poetry is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who reads it.

In addition to the carefully selected poems, Poète Maudit features mesmerizing visuals from the archive of the Letterenhuis Collection City of Antwerp, all of which are in the public domain. The music references and text on the painting were thoughtfully included from the poetry collection ‘Junkieverdriet’. D. de Winter’s artistic talent shines through with the stunning cover and overall design, making this booklet a true masterpiece.

Despite its exceptional quality, Poète Maudit has not yet been made public, adding to its mysterious and elusive nature. With every turn of the page, readers will be captivated by the raw emotion and intricate storytelling woven into each poem.