Perdu: then & now

then

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 programme, which we affectionately refer to as our 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. 

now

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

Perdu has been at its current location since 1995. Since then, many things have changed, but, in a similar way to how it started and operated for many years on the personal initiative and efforts of literature lovers, Perdu is to this day still fuelled by the commitment and dedication of a team of volunteers who run the bookshop, Perdu’s publishing efforts, and also develop the Avonden. The volunteers are supported by the Board and a small office team.