“It was clearly noticeable that the more fellows were here, the more could be created. You quickly find someone who can hold a camera or provide practical help with the implementation of a project. This situation of being surrounded by people who are available at short notice for artistic projects without having to explain anything at length is enormously valuable. The different skills that come together here are a blessing. Many cross-disciplinary ideas have emerged at fireside evenings and I will definitely stay in touch with most of the artists I have met here. The support from Marieke and Julia was, in my opinion, absolutely optimal and caring. I always had the impression that everyone went to great lengths to make the scholarship holders feel comfortable and that everything possible was made possible, even for very unusual ideas. I immediately felt welcome and found the balance between tranquility and community to be absolutely balanced. I found the barn, stables, cinema, fireplace room and communal kitchen to be almost spiritual places. I found it pleasant to feel that there is a connection to the place and that sharing is possible. What impressed me very much from the start was that the fellows already knew the place so well and made such good use of the social opportunities.
I was able to concentrate on restructuring and revising my fifth novel on a daily basis, which is very solitary work, so I really needed a sociable balance. That’s why I was so happy about the weekly potluck dinner. We often cooked together on other evenings too, or one of us showed a movie.”