Literature does not have to be confined to the quiet pages of a book or formal lectures from authors. This relaxed, inclusive approach to literary culture took center stage at the second edition of “Books, Beer and More”, held in the Suriname town of Souposo, where established authors Chris Polanen and Elena Beelaerts van Blokland invited attendees to step inside their creative literary worlds. Blending thoughtful conversations about personal and collective history, curated musical interludes, and open space for organic connection between guests, the entire evening carried a laid-back, energetic vibe that defied stuffy stereotypes of literary events.
Public interest in the new format far exceeded expectations: every table at the venue was filled for the night, which centered on weaving together three core elements: literature, music, and casual social connection. “The intimate atmosphere and deeply engaged audience made this an incredible experience as a speaker,” Polanen shared in a post-event reflection. Beelaerts van Blokland also expressed high satisfaction with how the night unfolded, noting: “It was relaxed, had a wonderful atmosphere, and even after the official program we got to have rich, intense conversations. There was cold fresh beer and even a chance to dance. It was exactly right. It felt like a normal night out, but with thoughtful, attentive listeners.”
Both authors used the event to share their unique literary perspectives on engaging with history. Historical events play a central role in their published works, where fictional narrative and real-world events often blur into one cohesive story. During their talks, they broke down how they weave documented history into their creative plots, and walked attendees through the key creative choices they make during the writing process to balance historical accuracy and storytelling.
The authors’ presentations were interspersed with carefully selected music from DJ Earl da Pearl, who curated his vinyl set to complement the themes of the authors’ works. After the formal talks, guests were given the opportunity to ask their own questions, alongside prompts pulled from a special question box, that let the authors dive deeper into the context of their books and their individual writing processes.
Even after the official scheduled program wrapped up, most attendees chose to stay behind to continue conversations over drinks, and dance to DJ Earl da Pearl’s extended set. The featured brew of the night was Combe Wit from local brewery Brouwerij Wan Bon Biri.
The event’s inaugural edition, held this past June, hosted historian Mark Ponte to present his illustrated book *Jazz Years*, which explores how jazz grew into a vibrant cultural movement in 1930s Amsterdam. The book details how the genre was shaped by migration, cross-cultural connection, and self-expression, with jazz musicians from the United States, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, and Suriname all leaving their unique mark on the city’s scene.
“Books, Beer and More” is a literary initiative run by the Stichting Skrifi foundation, which has a core mission of making literature accessible to broader, more diverse audiences. By pairing author conversations with casual drinks and live music, organizers aim to connect a wider range of community members with books and the writers who create them, moving literature out of exclusive academic and bookstore spaces.
For now, the series is operating as a pop-up event with occasional installments. Stichting Skrifi has long-term plans to launch monthly editions of “Books, Beer and More” starting in 2027, with the goal of growing it into a permanent, staple cultural activity across Suriname. With the success of its second edition, the initiative has already proven its core thesis: a literary gathering can easily double as a relaxed night out, where books act as a jumping-off point for conversation, connection, and shared joy around music.