Introduction
In January 2025, I officially stepped away from all my activities as a poet. This decision marked a turning point in my life and career, allowing me to focus on new endeavors and to reflect on my extensive body of work and its legacy.
Early Life and Interests
Martijn Benders (Martinus Hendrikus Hogevorst Benders) was born in 1971 and grew up in the Netherlands. From an early age, I exhibited a strong independent spirit, moving out of my family home at 16 to live in a squat. By 17, I was already deeply engaged with philosophical ideas and alternative ways of thinking, particularly inspired by the works of Carlos Castaneda.
Entrepreneurial Ventures
In 2005, I relocated to Turkey, where I lived on Büyükada, a picturesque island near Istanbul, for five years before moving to the city itself. During this period, I founded and led Myrmex Design, a company that operated online with a network of ten talented professionals, each specializing in a particular field. Together, we managed a variety of projects, maintaining a successful and agile business model.
Life as a Poet
In 2008, I published my first poetry collection, Karavanserai (Nieuw Amsterdam), which garnered critical acclaim and a nomination for the prestigious Buddingh Prize. Over the following years, I became known for my bold, boundary-pushing approach to literature. My performances often combined poetry with theatrical elements, as seen in my Laibach-inspired anti-prize performance at the Buddingh Prize ceremony and my satirical critique of the Turing National Poetry Contest.
Despite my challenges to literary conventions, I achieved significant success with both traditional and self-published works. My poetry was celebrated for its innovative blend of lyrical, conceptual, satirical, and absurdist styles. Between 2014 and 2025, I published several collections with the Dutch publisher Van Gennep and later with De Kaneelfabriek, a publishing house I co-founded.
Personal Life
In 2020, I married Veronique Hogervorst, and we established a life together in Noordwijkerhout. The global pandemic altered our plans for a traditional honeymoon, leading instead to a period of introspection and exploration of alternative paths for personal growth.
Contributions and Legacy
Over the course of my career, I published more than 20 books of poetry and prose, cementing my reputation as a provocative and innovative voice in Dutch literature. My work consistently challenged the status quo, whether through the content of my writing or my critique of institutional structures in the literary world.
Select Bibliography
- Karavanserai (2008, Nieuw Amsterdam)
- Wat koop ik voor jouw donkerwilde machten, Willem (2011, POD; 2014, Van Gennep)
- Baah Baaah Krakschaap / De P van Winterslaap (2019, De Kaneelfabriek)
- Gedichten om te Lezen in het Donker (2022, De Kaneelfabriek)
- De Dienst (2025, Unpublished)
Closing Reflections
Stepping away from poetry has allowed me to reflect on a career marked by both artistic triumph and critical discourse. I remain proud of the contributions I made to the literary landscape and look forward to exploring new paths beyond the world of poetry.