Tine Hens wins Natuurboekenprijs for ‘Archief van mogelijk verlies’

Flemish author Tine Hens has won the Natuurboekenprijs (Nature Book Prize) for her work ‘Archief van mogelijk verlies’ (Archive of Possible Loss). The award, presented during a Vroege Vogels radio broadcast, recognizes the best Dutch-language nature book.

Hens’ book explores plants, animals, and natural phenomena at risk of disappearance, serving as both an ode and a requiem for the natural world. The jury described the work as lyrical with a “grondtoon in mineur” (fundamental tone in minor), noting its ability to move and provoke thought through its descriptions of elements like snow, silence, and fireflies. The book features woodcut illustrations by Jan De Kinder.

The Public Prize was awarded to the ‘Crossbill Natuurgids Nederland’ parts 1 and 2, written by Dirk Hilbers and Constant Swinkels. The prize is a joint initiative by Vroege Vogels, LandschappenNL, and De Volkskrant.