About

Today

Perdu is an Amsterdam-based literary foundation specialised in poetry and the crossovers between literature and other art forms.

From our current location at Kloveniersburgwal 86, we run the only specialised poetry bookshop in Amsterdam, a small publishing house, and a theatre space where we organise a yearly cultural program, also in partnership with guest programmers and other like-minded cultural organisations. We sometimes organise events and attend literary events and festivals outside of our premises. 

We strive to remain an accessible (in every sense of the word) space for experimentation and the enjoyment of literature and culture in the city centre of Amsterdam, where emerging writers and program-makers can get the chance to develop their talent and work with more experienced practitioners.

History

Perdu started in 1984 as a small bookshop and meeting place for literature enthusiasts on Gerard Doustraat in Amsterdam’s De Pijp district. Perdu’s cultural program, which we affectionately refer to as ‘Avonden’ (Evenings) started as informal readings and passionate discussions held among friends and their extended circles. 

Three years in, initiators Chris Keulemans and his then-partner Agnes van Bruggen managed to move into a larger building on the Kerkstraat where in addition to a space for the shop, they had access to the basement where they could organise events. This is when De Verloren Tijd became Stichting Perdu. 

Poets, writers, journalists, editors, friends, and fans gathered every week for readings, book presentations, and performances. Graphic design students from the Rietveld Academy made printed copies of the readings, which were given to the invited speakers as a gift. These booklets marked the beginning of Perdu’s small publishing house, which moved on to publish translations into Dutch of international literature that was still relatively unknown in the Netherlands, as well as poetry and prose by emerging Dutch writers. 

Since 1995, Perdu has been at its current location at Kloveniersburgwal 86, from which we run a specialised poetry bookshop, a theatre space and our office. Since then, many things have changed, but in a similar way as it started and operated for many years through the initiative and efforts of literature lovers, Perdu is to this day still fuelled by the relentless commitment and dedication of a team of volunteers who run the bookshop, program our events, and help out during the Avonden. The volunteers are supported by the Board and a small office team.

Stichting Perdu is a registered ‘Institution for General Benefit’ (Algemeen Nut Beogende Instelling /ANBI) The tax number of Perdu is NL008607783B01.

Shortened policy plan

Perdu’s policy is aimed at organising experimental literary programs at the crossover between poetry, literature, and other art forms. It does not have a profit motive. This is also apparent from its actual circumstances: the foundation allows the proceeds of its assets to benefit the objective and a positive balance must be spent in accordance with the objective. An extremely important feature of Perdu is that a large part of the organisation is powered by volunteers. There is a director, a production leader, a PR & communications officer, a diversity & inclusion officer, and a technician employed by the institution to ensure that everything runs smoothly, but volunteers largely shape the various departments, including the making of our programming and the running of our bookshop.

Remuneration Policy

The general board members of Perdu do not receive any remuneration other than compensation for expenses incurred for the work performed by them in that capacity. The chairman of the board of Perdu receives a volunteer allowance of 150 euros per month for the ten months in which the board meetings of Perdu take place. The other board members and secretary receive a remuneration of 50 euros per month. Perdu’s remuneration policy is aimed at rewarding its personnel according to standards that are socially acceptable, in line with its status as a public benefit institution.