Jules Deelder

You are standing in front of the house where Jules Deelder lived for over twenty years. A little further on is his regular bar Ari, named after his daughter. Here he spent many evenings drinking, writing, and talking about Rotterdam. The bar is sadly closed now, but a statue commemorates this Rotterdam poet.

Jules Deelder was born in 1944 and grew up in a city recovering from the 1940 bombing. He loved language, jazz, and Rotterdam’s gritty character. His style was direct, sharp, and often humorous. He became known as a poet, writer, and performer, later earning the nickname ‘Night Mayor of Rotterdam’.

His work reflects the changing city of Rotterdam, with poems like Rotown Magic and Stadsgezicht. He even predicted the modern cityscape with high-rise buildings. His performances were legendary: sharply dressed, monotone voice, but with perfect timing and humor.

Besides poetry, Deelder loved jazz, played drums, released albums, and hosted radio shows. His influence on Rotterdam’s culture is significant.In 2009, he was officially named Night Mayor, a title he had deserved for years. His texts appear on garbage trucks, a square is named after him, and he continues to inspire new poets.