deBuren

Since 2002 the best original Dutch thriller has been awarded the annual Diamanten Kogel (Diamond Bullet) prize. Previous winners have been Benny Baudewyns, Jef Geeraerts, Bob Mendes, Esther Verhoef and Felix Thijssen.

The French crime writer Fred Vargas criticises the distinction made between littérature blanche and littérature noire. "They say crime novels are for idiots who are unable to read anything else. However, crime novels are about trying to find a solution just as in novels by Balzac and Zola."

On the occasion of the award of the sixth Diamond Bullet, crime writers and critics will examine the misconception that thrillers cannot be considered literature. Participants in the colloquium include Jos van Cann (NL), J. Madison Davis (US), Jooris Van Hulle (B), Roel Janssen (NL), Henri-Floris Jespers (B), Jan Lampo (B), Mieke de Loof (B), Bob Mendes (B), Elvin Post (NL), Matthijs de Ridder (B), Felix Thijssen (NL), Lukas De Vos (B) and Esther Verhoef (NL).

In association with De Diamanten Kogel and het Genootschap van Vlaamse Misdaadauteurs
www.diamantenkogel.be
www.misdaadauteurs.be