Pieter Steinz, currently editor-in-chief of the weekly books section of NRC Handelsblad, has been. appointed director of the Dutch Foundation for Literature as of 1 March 2012. The Foundation supports writers and translators and promotes Dutch literature abroad.

Steinz succeeds Henk Pröpper, who recently left to become director at De Bezige Bij, major Dutch publishing house.

Jan Hoekema: “As chairman of the board of the Dutch Foundation for Literature I am enormously pleased by the arrival of Pieter Steinz. Like his predecessor Henk Pröpper, he is a man of letters who gives both a face and a voice to Dutch literature. He is also a capable manager, which is something we will sorely need in these financially difficult times. Our healthy, new Foundation for Literature now has a powerful director and is ready to face the future.”

Pieter Steinz (b. 1963) studied History as well as English Language and Literature at the University of Amsterdam and at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, USA.  

He has published ten books on literature, some encyclopaedic, others contemplative. They include, this year, Macbeth heeft echt geleefd. Een reis door Europa in de voetsporen van 16 literaire helden (Macbeth was a Real Person. A journey through Europe in the footsteps of 16 literary heroes) and in 2003 a guide to world literature called Lezen & cetera, which is also the title of a monthly literary talk show he has hosted since 2004 in Theater Donner in Rotterdam.

Tiziano Perez, head of Promotion and Information, will serve as interim director until 1 March 2012.