Gerda Blees (born 1985) is a

Dutch Dutch or Nederlands commonly refers to: * Something of, from, or related to the Netherlands ** Dutch people as an ethnic group () ** Dutch nationality law, history and regulations of Dutch citizenship () ** Dutch language () * In specific terms, i ...

writer. She published her first book in 2017, a short story collection titled ''Aan doodgaan dachten we niet'' (''We Didn't Think About Dying''). In 2018, she published her first volume of poetry, ''Dwaallichten'' (''Wandering Lights''). She studied fine arts at the

Gerrit Rietveld Academie The Gerrit Rietveld Academie, also known as Rietveld School of Art & Design and Rietveld Academy, is an art academy in Amsterdam, Netherlands. It was founded in 1924 and offers programs in fine arts and design. History The Instituut voor Kuns ...

in Amsterdam, and now lives in Haarlem. Blees won the

European Union Prize for Literature The European Union Prize for Literature (EUPL), established in 2009, is a European Union literary award. Its aim is to recognise outstanding new literary talents from all over Europe, to promote the circulation and translation of literature among ...

in 2021 for her debut novel ''Wij zijn licht'' (''We Are Light''). The novel – translated into English by Michele Hutchison – was also shortlisted for the 2025

International Dublin Literary Award The International Dublin Literary Award (), established as the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award in 1996, is presented each year for a novel written or translated into English. It promotes excellence in world literature and is solely ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Blees, Gerda Dutch writers 1985 births Living people