Lovely poems on the wall of houses make Leiden even more romantic. I passed by them in my walk tour around the city. I love the ancient, romantic and peaceful of Leiden with canals, windmills, parks, hundreds of year houses, small roads and lovely poems. Worth to spend time to visit Leiden.
Very clever and interesting concept and enjoyed discovering the poems as we walked around Leiden. Some familiar while others were new to us.
It is an intersting way to decorate the buildings. Lots of poems from different centuries and in different languages.
I loved this combination of architecture and poetry, though I had my partner translate the Dutch text, The walls become the backdrop to Dutch literature, and musings. It would be nice if there was a map and background/ story to the poem available, I am aware if there is. This is a unique experience even for typographers
Wherever you go in the city, the culture looks at you from the walls, and you must read the poems, and you will be richer in your soul.
Wonderful how poems are promoted this way of international poets in their own language through the walls, which this way have a usful function too. The walk is quite extensive and leads through a Leiden you otherwise would not get to know, recommendation!
I don't think you should look for it specially but it's a real pleasure to find suddenly a well-known or maybe less known poem and admire it again.
Can be surprised by view of these poems along a stroll through the city or by following a guide specifically to observe. Either way, a great addition to an already charming, walking city.
These poems are on walls all over town and they create a very interesting and unique background to the town. Some are in english too but i particularly liked the one about the train . Klikklak klakkiti klak klikklak
but yeah...first few years i lived here i'd stop to read all the poems that were in english...they're in all sorts of languages...since my learning dutch, i've read a number of those...some haven't moved me, some have...but ya gotta love the concept...it's one of the things i've loved about this country since first coming here in '98...the art one finds in wholly unexpected places...like the rusted, sun faced bicycle rider in perpetual flight alongside a canal i often ride by...all part of what makes me feel i'm living in the right place...